Suddenly, that fateful scene flashed before my eyes.
Alice glared at me, her eyes ablaze with disdain.
"You? Think you can be our sister - in - law? If it weren't for Frank's stupid sense of duty to our fake sibling bond, you'd be nothing here."
I shot back, "You're just jealous, Alice. Jealous that Frank cares about me."
She laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "Cares? You're delusional. He's just using you."
Without thinking, I dialed my parents from the Riverside Pack.
"Mom, Dad," I sobbed as soon as my mom answered. "I was wrong. I'm coming home."
My mom's voice softened. "Oh, honey. We knew this wasn't right for you. Come back, where you belong."
I hung up, wiping my tears. How could I have been so blind?
Because of Frank's empty words about missing me, I'd ignored my parents' pleas to return and take over their business. Now, I saw the truth. He'd used me, and I was done.
Back at the apartment, I waited in the cold, empty silence.
Then, the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Frank.
"Alice is throwing a ball," he said flatly. "She wants you there. It's full of important werewolves. You're coming."
I stared at him. "Why should I? So you and Alice can humiliate me more?"
Frank's eyes hardened. "Don't be difficult. Just come. It's important for our pack."
I clenched my fists. Little did he know, I was done being his pawn.
This ball might be a trap, but I was ready to face the werewolf elite and show them the real me.
"I saw the videos online. You... don't worry too much. I believe you, okay?"
Frank said, his voice attempting to sound soothing.
As he spoke, he rummaged through a chest filled with ancient - looking items.
From it, he pulled out a bewitched pendant, its dark gemstone glinting ominously in the dim light of the room.
"Here, put this on. It's a special piece from our pack's collection. Wear it to the ball. We can't keep them waiting."
Before I could protest, he reached for the simple amulet I always wore, a gift from my parents in the Riverside Pack, and started to remove it.
I abruptly reached out and grabbed his hand. "What exactly do you believe in, Frank? You know what they're saying about me, and yet you still want me to go to this ball wearing that... thing?"
Frank opened his mouth to respond, but at that moment, his phone buzzed, and an audio message from Alice played automatically.
"Of course, we want everyone, including her, to question her virtue. It's the perfect way to teach her a lesson for daring to cross me."
After a moment of hesitation, Frank replied, his voice soft but filled with a sense of resignation. "Alright, Alice. It'll be done."
In a fit of anger, I snatched the bewitched pendant from his hand and threw it across the room.
"I'm not going to that ball. You and Alice can enjoy your little game without me."
