My healer mentor shouted anxiously, “Irene, there’s been a big avalanche near the altar! Get there and help right away!”
He didn’t have time to explain more before hanging up. I sighed and rubbed my forehead.
Maybe I really shouldn’t have come here last night. Anderson was close to where the avalanche happened.
I picked up my phone, thinking of calling to check on him.
But I must have touched something else by mistake, because I saw Leah’s latest post online instead.
In the photo, she and Anderson were holding hands, both wearing shiny diamond rings.
There was a rough scar on the back of Anderson’s hand. It felt like that scar had reached through the screen and cut right through my heart.
That scar was from the night Anderson protected me from my drunk father, who had turned into his wolf form and attacked him.
I used to think that scar showed he loved me. But the truth was, I had thought I was more important to him than I was.
My love for him completely disappeared when I saw those diamond rings.
I packed my medical kit, fully ready to reject him.
When I arrived at the avalanche site, I saw how bad the damage was.
I forced myself to ignore my feelings and did my work very carefully.
The size of this disaster was something even the oldest werewolves had never seen.
Then, I noticed pieces of explosives nearby—left over from when they had been digging at the altar site.
A cold feeling went up my spine.
Before I could think about it more, someone came up behind me.
I was still lost in my fear when I was suddenly pushed forward, falling into the snow.
Sharp rocks hidden under the snow cut my skin.
Rhys’s angry voice shouted behind me.
“Irene, you’re worse than a disease! You followed us here just because you don’t trust the Alpha. Do we need a witch to finally get rid of you? You’re disgusting!”
He had completely forgotten how Maryanne had caused our mother, Felicia Lindth, to die.
Now, all he cared about was pleasing Leah.
I was done with this kind of brother.
I stood up calmly and quickly treated my wounds.
Then, I took two steps forward just as Rhys opened his mouth to say more mean things.
I scratched him hard with my claws.
He held his arm, and his eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at me.
He always thought I was someone who would never fight back against him.
I didn’t give him another second to waste my time.
My voice was as cold as ice as I said, “Don’t use your stupid brain to guess things about me. If you love Leah so much, then why don’t you put a dog tag on yourself that says ‘Leah’s pet’? Crawl at her feet and lick her boots. This scratch is what you owe me. From now on, you’re not my brother, and I’m not your sister anymore.”
I turned away, not looking at him again, and continued with my medical work.
Anderson arrived with Leah.
Tears were on Leah’s face as she leaned weakly against Anderson, moving slowly toward me.
Anderson looked at me.
His eyes flickered as he finally said the excuse he must have spent the whole night thinking about.
“The remains of the great wolves we found yesterday were too complicated. I was busy studying them and didn’t have time to celebrate your birthday with you.
“Once we’re finished dealing with the avalanche, I’ll make it up to you with a birthday feast…”
