After our lovely shower, Shade shrunk back to a kitten, allowing me to dry her more easily. When I was done with her, I focused on myself. However, I quickly noticed I had no extra clothes to wear.

Fenris, who pulled a gown out of the clothes the maids had brought, quickly remedied this. It was Amelia's.

“Tomorrow, they’ll bring the clothes we left behind at Cerberus. So, for tonight, do you think you can show off more skin than usual?” Fenris asked as a soft smile rose on his lips when I nodded.

I didn’t want to create more work for anything, yet I wasn’t used to having my arms and legs exposed. Once I had it on, my wolf gripped me from behind into a tender embrace.

“You’re beautiful no matter what you wear.” He breathed, triggering me to shake my head.

“I think there is something wrong with your eyes.” I sighed.

“Is there? I don’t think there is.” He chuckled, kissing my neck.

His words made me not want to come out of the bathroom, standing there like a child who hadn’t gotten her way, yet with a bit of coaxing from him and Shade, somehow, we made it out. After a bit more encouragement, I made it into the room with the others.

They all gazed at me as if they had never seen me wear something like this. Fenris didn’t let me feel too embarrassed, tugging me along to the couch. We sat next to Melody and Liam, who were holding hands.

Shade followed along, jumping onto my lap before lying there. Everyone indulged in simpler things without mentioning what was to come. Melody tried not to say much, but Ben didn’t let her stay too quiet.

It was his first time having a younger sister, which was different from having a young, rowdy brother. He wanted to know more about her life—something she happily shared with him. Even Amelia, who resented her because of what the poor girl represented to her parents' ruined relationship, slowly allowed her in.

Though mostly silent, I couldn’t help but feel at peace. The stinging sensation left by Fenris's bite reminded me of everything he had said. Before leaving the bathroom, he bandaged it to prevent it from getting worse if I accidentally caught it on something.

It was a silly thing since the cut was superficial compared to some of my other self-inflicted injuries, yet it meant much more. Sadly, my world soon turned fuzzy again—something my wolf noticed as Amelia rushed over with a drink and biscuits.

Even though I was trying not to sour the mood, seeing her come to me like that triggered something within me. After all, she used to hate me so vividly.

“Why do you care?” I mumbled, pushing myself slightly into the chair.

Perhaps it was the fact I felt sick, but I didn’t want her near me. Not while her intentions were unclear. The moment that left my mouth, Ben suggested a house tour, and everyone agreed to follow the elder brother, leaving me alone with Amelia and Fenris.

My wolf refused to leave my side, not that he had to. Amelia took a moment to collect her thoughts before answering me.

"I... am sorry for how I treated you in the past. I tried to separate myself from your truth. It was easier to see you as a monster than a victim. I needed to hate you to make sense of everything. I was... No, I am awful for how I treated you." She began, shifting her eyes towards her little brother, who was gazing away from us.

My little familiar was trying to eat my biscuits, much to the female Lycan’s annoyance. After pushing her off the treats meant for me, the eldest sister sighed before meeting her gaze on the floor.

"It was easy to do until... I unexpectedly walked into your side of the story when you were speaking to the others. I... couldn’t bring myself to hate you after that. Nothing I say will change what I have done, but that day, I realized why my little brother was determined to keep you by his side.” She sighed, closing her eyes.

“I had to change to be a part of his life. It doesn’t change the fact I was late to realize Grandpa had filled me with irrational hate, and that doesn’t matter because I’m as guilty for letting it happen." Amelia continued, not meeting my gaze.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Fenris gripped my hand against his chest. He didn’t want to interrupt his sister, who was trying to change her ways, but he also wanted me to know he was there if he needed me.

"Is that why you didn’t push me away when I fell on you during the festival?" I asked, catching my wolf’s attention right away.

"You what?" he mumbled upon hearing my question aimed at Amelia.

"If I hadn’t heard your story. I probably would’ve shoved you into that wall, but I couldn’t. Not after I had spent the day reading your case files. Sadly, I had avoided them before, even though Ben wanted me to read them.” She paused, shifting her eyes to the changed scars on my legs.

“Then I saw the rest of your scars." Amelia traced her fingers lightly on my knee, which had some of them, triggering me to quiver at her sudden touch.

Her gentle fingers, although cold, felt good on my skin.

"They looked so different from the pictures in your file... During the blood moon, Fenris did that, didn't he?" she asked, pulling away from my arm.

I nodded slightly, not being able to find my voice.

"I figured something like that happened after hearing Ursula's tale from Liam. He filled us in when you were bathing.” She shifted her gaze towards Fenris, who met with hers. “My stupid brother is probably why you may have more than a pup, too. This won’t be easy for you or them."

“Oi… I wasn’t in control of what I was doing.” My wolf grumbled, triggering Amelia to shrug.

“Sounds like an excuse to me, baby brother. You’ve probably been mating with her for a while, have you not?” She huffed, raising an eyebrow at him.

“I have, and I’ve always wanted her to bear my pups. No one else will do.” He sighed, holding my hand tighter.

“You’d better be good to her then. Nothing like father was to mom.” She scowled at him.

A sharp smile rose on Fenris's lips, tugging my hand towards him. “I’d never do her dirty like that. Lily is all I need.”

“Good, I’ll hold you onto that, brother.” She cackled, shifting her eyes towards me. “I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you. I can only hope you can forgive me one day."

The sudden shift of their banter towards me left me a bit disorientated, yet I couldn’t accept her request for forgiveness even though she had been cold and hateful before. I never blame her at all for it.

The only ones responsible for all of this is the cult I belonged to, not you. You… are just a victim of theirs.

"I don’t deserve your apology. I was part of the Moira when the incident occurred, so it was natural for you to hate me." I assured her.

Amelia sighed, "No... you do. Lilith, I allowed myself to be filled with hate—all because it was easier than trying to understand you. I’m ashamed of myself for letting Grandpa dictate what I felt, for not thinking for myself, and for that, I’m truly sorry."

The sincerity of her voice broke through me. Even though our interactions were minimal and barely noteworthy, she felt guilty for not coming around sooner.

Ah… Perhaps our relationship could’ve been different if you had, but maybe with that, that can change, too.

The white wolf glanced down at the floor where she was kneeling to speak to me. Closing her eyes, she shook her head before gazing back at me.

"Now... you must wonder why I’m so interested in your pregnancy.” She started, biting her lip. “That’s because I can never have children of my own. I was born infertile. It’s also why my first marriage failed."

Bitter memories arose while she spoke, making her lip tremble and voice shaky.

"Ben seems to have no plans involving children or has any. He’s currently in a relationship with an incompatible race, even though he thinks he is hiding it so well, " she informed.

“I think everyone knows he’s with Tania.” Fenris chimed in, chuckling soon after.

With who?!

“He doesn’t think so. Your big brother thinks he’s hiding it so well, but it’s so way to know when he stays up late every night talking to her.” She giggled,

“Ben can be an airhead at times. It’s been a year since they last saw each other, right?” He cackled, shifting his weight towards me.

“Ben is in love with Tania?!” I squealed, triggering the siblings to laugh.

“Yeah, he is. They hit it off right after the fall, but I guess that would be hard for you to know since you can’t go out.” Amelia answered, “So, your babies are probably the only ones I’ll ever see. Well, that’ll be of my blood, and I’ll do anything to be part of their lives.”

Her eyes shifted away from me as I could barely shake the shock of Ben’s relationship status.

They’ve been together for fourteen years?! Now that I think about it, you did pop up many times while in my training sessions with her!

“I just hope I can amend everything I’ve done to you in time.” This white wolf was making my heart crumble.

Her voice expressed the fear that I would never forgive her for how she treated me. This fear was eating away at her and me. I never hated her for how she handled me, though I always wished to have a good relationship with her.

Of course, I never pushed it since I thought it was impossible, especially with everything I had experienced. Women weren’t easy for me to get close to, and having my emotions dulled didn’t help my cause to build bonds, either.

"It’s okay." I simpered, suddenly hugging Amelia. “I forgive you,”

She genuinely tried to make amends, and I was willing to accept that. My sudden embrace stunned her. She hesitated to return the affection for a moment, but the moment she gave in, I felt soothed by everything that happened.

Everything was changing all because of the life that was growing inside of me.