---- I didn't. I hadn't in years. Every cent went toward healing our daughter... and keeping Yeats alive. I stared at Lily as she walked into the building. Wearing my uniform, I passed through unnoticed, mistaken for one of the cleaning crew. Upstairs, in the grand Alpha's office, Lily was sitting on Yeats's lap, gazing up at him with syrupy eyes. "Alpha," she purred, "everyone downstairs is asking about our ceremony." Yeats brushed his fingers through her hair. "Lily, Jasmin is still my Luna. I owe her that much." Lily's expression darkened. "But you told the press she died." "T didn't want them to bother her," he said quietly. "But what about me?" she pouted. "Don't you care if my life gets bothered?" "You act like it's me chasing you," Yeats replied, smiling. "They all think it's one-sided." ---- He kissed her on the cheek. "Let me make it up to you. Want the newest designer handbag?" "You're terrible," she giggled, pulling him into a kiss. Ihad seen enough. Iburst into the room. "So when exactly did I die-and no one told me?" Yeats turned pale, shoving Lily off his lap. "Jasmin! It's not what you think-let me explain-" "When I left our den, you were paralyzed in bed. And now you're the Alpha?" I barked. "Explain that." He stammered. Lily stepped forward sweetly. "Luna, please. Let Yeats explain." "Luna?" I scoffed. "And since when is he your brother, Lily? Yeats told me he was an only child." The staff nearby gathered outside the glass walls to eavesdrop. Yeats was flustered. ---- "Jasmin, not here. Let's talk at home. This isn't a place you belong-" Not a place I belong. The words hit harder than any slap. This office, this building, this pack-I had helped build it. "Luna," Lily said again, reaching for my arm. "You must be tired. Let me help you ho-" I pulled back, but she stumbled as if I'd shoved her. She fell against the wall and cried out, "Ahhh! It hurts Yeats panicked and rushed to her side. He didn't even look at me as he snapped, "How could you hurt Lily in front of everyone?!" "She's not part of this, Jasmin! You've worked like a servant so long, you've forgotten basic manners!" Then he added coldly, "Guards-escort her out." The guards grabbed me roughly. ---- As I was dragged from the room, I looked back. Lily was curled in his arms, her tears glistening. Yeats cradled her gently, protectively-just as he had once held me, ten years ago. Ihad spent those ten years drowning in work, too exhausted to notice him slipping away. Now, he belonged to someone else. And I was no longer welcome in the world I helped him create.