<h4>Chapter 156: Don’t y the victim</h4>


    "Mom, Amelie doesn’t care about us anymore," Flora said sharply, her arms folded tightly across her chest. "Ever since we wronged her, she’s decided to cut us off. She doesn’t respond to any of the messages we send, even though I can see she’s read them. I’ve tried everything to apologize, but she won’t give me the chance. Instead, she just keeps ignoring me... like I don’t matter. She’s now showing the attitude."


    With a sigh, she slumped into the chair, her hands falling limply into herp.


    "Who’s showing attitude?" came David’s voice as he entered the room, having just returned from the office. Tyler followed behind, holding his briefcase and zer in each hand.


    "Amelie," Flora responded immediately.


    David raised an eyebrow at her, silently taking his belongings from Tyler. "Thanks for the drive," he said before the driver exited. Then he turned back to Flora. "You’re ming her again?" he asked. "She’s hurt, Flora. And rightfully so. We pushed her away."


    He nced at his wife.


    "I wanted Amelie to visit and stay with us for a few days," Samyra said softly. "I called her earlier, but she didn’t answer. She hasn’t replied to my messages either. I thought... maybe now that she’s pregnant, she’d let me take care of her. At least during this time."


    Flora let out a humorlessugh and stood up again. "She doesn’t see us as family anymore, Mom. That’s the truth. And the sooner you both ept that, the better it’ll be for everyone."


    Flora rose to her feet without another word and walked out of the mansion. Fishing the car keys from her pocket, she unlocked the vehicle and slid into the driver’s seat, shutting the door with a soft thud.


    She started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. The wind rushed past her window as she drove aimlessly, hoping the open road would offer the rity she couldn’t find within the mansion’s walls.


    Ever since she had returned to the pack, everything had felt off. The once-familiar faces now stared at her with judgment, their gazes were louder than any words.


    Her fingers curled tighter around the steering wheel.


    "They’re all acting like they’ve never made a single mistake," she muttered bitterly, guiding the car through a winding curve.


    Eventually, she reached the old bridge under which a vast river flowed. She pulled over to the side, parked, and stepped out.


    Then, she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out her phone. She hesitated for a moment, staring at Amelie’s name in her contacts. Then, opening the message thread, she left her a voice note.


    Zander, who happened to be driving across the old bridge, gradually brought his car to a halt upon spotting Flora by the riverside. He pressed the brakes and stepped out.


    "What are you doing here?" he asked.


    Flora turned at the sound of his voice. Her eyes flicked up to meet his before she quickly lowered them.


    "You?" she murmured, dipping her head respectfully. "Greetings, Alpha."


    Zander, the newly appointed leader of their pack, had risen unexpectedly to the role. The moment the Moon Stone was ced in his hand, it had glowed with ethereal light, marking him as their chosen Alpha.


    "Yes, me," Zander said, slipping his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "Did you expect someone else?"


    "I expected no one, Alpha," Flora replied curtly.


    A second passed before Zander spoke again, his gaze fixed on her. "Do you remember the warning I gave you?"


    Flora nodded slowly. "Yes. The Alpha warned me not to betray my own sister." Her voice trembled with guilt and resentment. "But I didn’t listen."


    She looked away, her eyes resting on the flowing river. "Have you ever been in love, Alpha?" she asked softly. "I was. With Alex. And he—he told me toote that Amelie was his fated mate."


    Her voice hardened as she continued. "When he finally confessed, I asked him to reject her. I know it was selfish... I was furious that she was carrying his pup. And I won’t lie, I was jealous. But does that make me the viin in everyone’s eyes now? Is that all they see?"


    Her voice cracked slightly at the end because of frustration.


    "Because you did something immoral," Zander replied without mincing words. "You betrayed your own blood for a man who didn’t even have the decency tomit to one person. I warned Alex too. You saw how easily he lost control, how quickly he let his temper take over."


    He took a step closer. "You chose this path, Flora. You chose to be the viin, and so you became one. Don’t y the victim now. Own your mistakes instead of throwing tantrums about how everyone sees you."


    His words were harsh, but they came from a ce of honesty, not cruelty.


    Flora’s eyes welled up, but she blinked back the tears and wiped them away with the back of her hand before they could fall.


    "Go home," Zander told her, his voice turning tender now.


    Flora looked away. "How should I repent? Tell me, Alpha... sometimes I think maybe leaving the pack for a while would be best. But then I remember that if I go, my parents will be left alone. Amelie already ignores them. I can’t let them suffer more because of me."


    She looked back at him, and asked, "What would you do... if you were me?"


    "I would’ve proven the good in me with my actions. I would’ve epted my faults and decided to remove those ws from me. You are not naive, Flora. Amelie has found her own identity, so make yours, you need to work harder for it. A day wille when you’ll be epted by everyone," Zander exined, keeping his tone gentle.


    "Hmm. I’ll implement your advise then," Flora said.


    "People always talk about the others for their own entertainment. Shut your ears for a while and keep working," Zander asserted softly. The phone in his pocket buzzed, breaking their conversation.