Chapter 21

Lauren's POV I don’t think Dad’s explanation ever helped. If anything, it made things worse. Mom became even more withdrawn after that dinner table conversation a few years ago. It was right after Maya didn’t get her wolf. Dad had been furious, refusing to let Ciara take Maya, despite everything. His life had been consumed with protecting her for years, and yet he stopped the moment she was confirmed wolfless. So even though I was just sixteen and Meliza was only fourteen, we took up that role ourselves. We became her protectors. It didn’t take long before the message spread through the pack: if you hurt Maya, expect the same pain in return. I stepped out of the stall. The girl closest to the door saw me first. Her face drained of color, and the other two quickly turned at the sight of her reaction. Panic flickered in their eyes. They scrambled to grab their things, already making for the door. But how could I let them walk away so easily after everything they had just said? They didn’