---- His low, mocking laugh confirmed it. "Come on. She clearly failed out there and came slinking back with her tail between her legs. She should be grateful I'm even offering her a job. "Just take care of the pup and stop stirring trouble. Know your place. "Don't worry, I'll let you stay close like you want. There's a spare room for the caretaker. You can live there." As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted in mean- spirited laughter. "Sophia, look how kind August is to you. He's worried you've been suffering out there, so he's taking care of your meals and housing. "All he's asking is that you help Hailey look after the pup. Compared to whatever miserable life you've been living, isn't this a huge step up? You should be thanking him." Hailey brushed her hand over her diamond earrings ---- and added sweetly in feigned kindness, "Don't worry, Sophia. If my son misbehaves or causes you trouble, I'll discipline him on your behalf. I won't let you be treated unfairly." August glanced sideways at me with a sneer. "She's got nothing to complain about. She ran off over some minor issue, and now that she's come crawling back, it's only fair she eats a little dirt." I frowned. I still couldn't believe he saw forming a mate bond with Hailey as a minor issue. So the August who once loved me... was truly gone. Gone was the werewolf who, wounded and bleeding, carried my injured body across half the pack lands. The werewolf who had nothing, yet still swore he'd give me the world. Now, all I saw was a hollow werewolf with a puffed- up title and nothing real to show for it. But that was just as well. That chapter had ended long ago. There was no need to open it again. ---- After all, I was about to have my second pup.