Each word is like a dagger to my heart, twisting and tearing at the fragile threads of my composure. I feel myself crumbling beneath the pain, a tear slipping down my cheek, hot and heavy with the weight of a lifetime of misery.


    But then, amidst the chaos of my emotions, Vanessa''s words echo in my mind: "Your mother no longer has any power over you. All the power she holds is in the past, in memories."


    I cling to those words like a lifeline, using them to anchor myself in the present. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I meet my mother''s gaze head-on.


    "No, Mom," I say, my voice growing stronger with each word. "I didn''t ruin anything. Nor did I fail. I was a child who deserved to live with her family. With happiness. You failed me.


    You should have sheltered me. Loved me. And you never did."


    My voice cracks a little, and I clear my throat. "I''m not here for you. I''m not here as your daughter. I just want to know what information you have about the vampires." My gaze meets hers, and this time I make sure to keep my face flat. Devoid of emotion.


    I can''t let her see how much she affects me.


    "This is your last chance, Mom. The moment I tell Lucas that you have nothing to tell—"


    "He will kill me as soon as I give him the information he seeks," she says, turning her face away from mine with a wave of her hand that I recognize.


    Dismissal.


    "I''m not stupid. My life is forfeit. I won''t sell my children in order to help you."


    "I''m your child, Mom. It isn''t just Phoenix or Jessa. Me. I exist. You brought me into this world. You rocked me as a baby.


    You changed my diapers. You kissed me every night before I went to sleep. I am just as much your child."


    Damn it. I can''t stop the anger.


    "You are a deceiver. You cannot be my child. No defect would be borne of my womb!"


    Her weak voice grows strong as she screams.


    This is not the mother I remember.


    This is not an elegant lady.


    Her face is twisted with hate, her mouth spitting vitriol, her eyes wild and bulging. "You are no wolf. You are no child of mine. You should be grateful I kept you alive all these years!"


    "Do not call me by that name!"


    I open my mouth to respond, but no words come. Am I alright? I don''t know. I feel numb, hollowed out, as if my mother''s words have carved away a piece of me.


    Selene presses against my leg, her warmth seeping through my jeans. I reach down automatically to stroke her fur, finding comfort in the familiar texture.


    You''re okay, she whispers in my mind. You''re safe.


    I nod, more to myself than to Vanessa or Selene. Yes, I''m safe. But the ache in my chest, the dull throb of an old wound reopened, suggests otherwise.


    It''s fine.


    I''m going to be okay.


    Mom can''t hurt me anymore.


    The pain will fade.


    Vanessa''s hand comes to rest on my arm, a gentle pressure. "Ava, I know this is hard. But you did the right thing, coming here. Now we know she has no information to give willingly. We can focus on other leads."


    There are nurses staring at us, whispering behind their desks. I''m sure rumors will fly soon. I''m not sure how many of these humans realize that they''re watching their own wolfish drama, no subscription required.


    The thought makes my lips quirk. Yes, today would have been an excellent episode for one of Selene''s trashy shows.


    Perhaps that''s all my life is.


    A story, meant for the masses, bringing my wounds on display—


    Your life story doesn''t define you, Selene murmurs. Your choices do.


    Right.


    I square my shoulders, trying to fake confidence. Nothing gets past Vanessa''s eyes, of course, but I''m determined to walk out of this damn building with my pride intact.


    "Can you let Lucas know this was a waste of time? We should get a flight ready to go back to Granite City soon." There''s no point being here anymore.


    It was silly to think this would have ever taken more than the few minutes I spent in there.


    Why even pack? I should go home tonight.


    "Let''s get you back to the lodge so you can rest, first." Vanessa grabs my hand with a gentle squeeze. "This kind of situation is exhausting. You should eat and take a nap. I''ll schedule a flight for tomorrow. Nothing will change if you get back a few hours earlier."


    I let her pull me to the car, too tired to argue.