"You're Done?" Daniel's laugh was cold as he leaned against the doorframe. "You can't be serious."
I clutched the phone tightly, my lawyer's voice still echoing in my ears. "I've never been more serious about anything in my life."
Daniel's eyes narrowed to slits. "So you're throwing away everything Melissa arranged for you over a temper tantrum? All because a ten-year-old boy damaged your precious little music box?"
"He didn't just damage it. He destroyed the only thing I had left of my mother." My voice cracked. "That music box survived a house fire, Daniel. It was all I had left of her, and Ethan smashed it while looking me in the eyes."
"Maybe if you were worth anything as a stepmother, he wouldn't hate you so much," Daniel sneered, stepping closer. "The truth is, you can't handle a ten-year-old boy because you're too weak, too pathetic to be the woman Melissa thought you were. She'd be disgusted if she could see you now, running away like a coward when things get difficult."
"Don't you dare use her against me," I whispered, my voice breaking.
"Clean yourself up," he said, checking his watch. "The guests will be here in an hour. I won't have you embarrassing me tonight of all nights."
"I'm not going to the party."
Daniel grabbed my arm, fingers digging into my flesh until I winced. "Yes, you are. You'll put on a dress, fix your face, and smile like the dutiful wife Melissa wanted you to be. Or I'll make sure you leave this house with nothing but the clothes on your back."
He shoved me toward the bathroom and slammed the door.
I did dress up, but not for the party. I grabbed the torn blue dress and all the other clothes Ethan had destroyed over the years. The slashed painting of my wedding day. The shredded photo albums. The broken jewelry he'd taken hammers to.
I carried them to the fire pit in the backyard, away from the house where caterers were setting up for Melissa's birthday celebration. One by one, I threw the damaged items into the pit, watching the flames consume them.
Hours passed as I drove aimlessly around town. I wasn't ready to go back, but I had nowhere else to go. Eventually, the sun began to set, and I knew I couldn't avoid home forever.
As soon as I stepped through the front door, Daniel was there.
"How dare you?" he growled, grabbing my wrist hard enough to leave bruises. "I told you to be at the party. You embarrassed me in front of everyone."
"Let go of me."
"You think you can just walk out on your responsibilities? On your promise to Melissa?"
"It's over, Daniel. I'm leaving tomorrow."
His grip tightened. "You ungrateful bitch. After everything we've done for you."
"Done for me?" I laughed. "What exactly have you done for me except make my life hell?"
His hand struck my face before I could react.
He grabbed my shoulders and shoved me toward the street. I tripped on the curb and fell hard on the pavement.
"Since you're so eager to leave, why don't you spend the night out here with the rogues?" Daniel's voice was ice. "Maybe a few hours with the real predators will teach you some gratitude for the protection you've enjoyed."
The door slammed in my face. I heard the lock click.
"Daniel!" I pounded on the door. "This is ridiculous. Let me in!"
Silence.
The night air was cold against my skin. Somewhere in the darkness, I heard rustling of an animal and my heart pounded.
"Daniel, please," I called, my voice weaker now. "There are predators out here."
More rustling, closer this time, then a branch snapped.
I ran to the side of the house and tried the windows. All locked. The garage door was my only hope.
The garage was pitch black, the darkness pressing in from all sides. Strange noises echoed that made my skin crawl.
After hours of staying in the darkness, the door connecting to the house opened. Ethan stood there, his face half-lit by the hallway light, eyes gleaming with something that made my blood run cold.
"Enjoying the cold, Luna?" His voice dripped with anger. "The rogues haven't found you yet? What a disappointment."
"Ethan, please. Let me in."
"Why would I do that?" He sneered. "You're nothing but a cancerous growth where my mother should be. You infect everything you touch."
"It's dangerous out here," I whispered, hearing another growl from the darkness beyond.
"Good." The word sliced through me as he leaned closer. "I hope they tear you apart like cancer tore apart my mother. Piece by bloody piece. I want to hear you scream the way she did."
I recoiled back.
"I put wolfsbane around the property line," he whispered, eyes gleaming with malice. "To attract them. To make sure they find you tonight."
My heart stopped. "Ethan, you didn't—"
"I've been saving it for months. Every time you smiled at me like you belonged here. Every time you touched my father. Every time you tried to act like my mother." His eyes narrowed. "I want you dead. I've always wanted you dead."
I flinched at his raw hatred.
"You know what the best part is?" He leaned closer, his breath hot against my face. "Dad already has your replacement picked out. He's showing her all the things you were never good enough for."
"What are you talking about?"
Ethan's smile widened to a grin. "Dad's waiting for you. He has a special surprise."
He stepped back, holding the door open, and I had to follow him inside.
As I climbed the stairs, I heard it, the sounds of moans coming from our bedroom. Moans and whispers, the creak of our bed frame against the wall.
The noises stopped. Minutes later, the door opened and Daniel emerged with a woman I recognized immediately, Jennifer, Melissa's sister and the Beta female of their pack. Her blonde hair was disheveled, her lips swollen from kisses.
They both froze when they saw me. Then Jennifer smiled, not bothering to close her unbuttoned blouse.
"Kate," she purred. "How nice of you to finally join us."
Ethan appeared at the top of the stairs with satisfaction. He moved to stand beside Jennifer, who placed an arm around his shoulders.
"See? I told you we didn't need her," he leaned into Jennifer's embrace. "Can we get rid of her now? For good?"
