#Chapter 55: Family Dynamics

Lauren The smell of pine and fresh earth greeted me as I opened the window in my new room. Still, it was hard to think this view was mine again. The manner felt cold when we arrived—and yet, here I was, folding my favorite throw blanket over the edge of the bed and placing Abigail’s stuffed rabbit on the pillow on her pillow. Little by little, I tried to carve out a space for myself and Abigail in this house that still didn’t feel like home. It wasn’t just the house. The Pack was a different world, one I hadn’t been part of for years. Every face I passed in the hallways or on the grounds seemed to hold questions they were too polite to ask. Where had I been? Why had I left? And more importantly, why was I back? What happened to Sophia? All of them to scared to ask, every question one Alexander refused to answer. I wasn’t sure why he hadn’t made a proper announcement, but I wasn’t about to complain—I didn’t need any more attention on me or my kids. I caught my reflection