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GINGER

Barely controlling my breathing, I kept my face turned away from Zelda and Lincoln, praying that he would stop this questioning of her and just let the bitch leave. The truth was, I didn’t care why she hated me. Once upon a time I wanted to know, yeah, I did. But that time had long since passed. 

After everything she’s put me through, all the bullying and the abuse, the whippings, the wolfsbane, and her constant desire to display her disgust for me, I didn’t think it mattered why anymore. It’s not as if finding out she had a legitimate reason for it would erase all that she’s revealed herself capable of. It’s not like I could forgive her. Even if the Goddess herself came down here and demanded it of me, under the penalty of death should I not comply, I would flip her my middle finger (yes, the Goddess) and race toward the nearest hill to dig myself a shallow grave.

She will not be forgiven.

And I was getting bored.

I’d lost my appetite long ago, and as much as I’ve always wanted Lincoln to stand up for me, what started as valiant effort to defend, had become a fucking nightmare of an intervention. 

I no longer gave a fuck whether or not Zelda and Giselle were held accountable for their actions. In fact, I was about two milliseconds from snatching the lamb’s head back up and eating the goddessdamned thing myself just to move shit along.

Zelda’s voice buzzed, her voice flat and almost robotic, “I already told you what changed. Her DNA, that’s what. I simply gave my real daughter everything that Ginger claimed in her absence and it may have seemed as if I was being cruel, but I assure you-”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Lincoln hissed and I sat up a little straighter, my anger climbing up my back when it sounded like Zelda was about to downplay the last three years. Lincoln chuckled darkly and repeated, “You loved her, mother. The two of you were practically joined at the hip and you can shake your head if you want to, but it doesn’t change the past and—you, me, dad—we all know it’s true. Once upon a time, Ginger was your whole goddessdamned world and I couldn’t get away with doing shit to her because she was your little princess. 

“You lived and breathed everything Ginger. She lit you up in ways that even I have never been able to do. She won every Homecoming from the seventh grade on and it’s all you could talk about for the next three years. You hardly paid me any attention when I was at home, even though I was excelling in every class I took, even though I had been invited to attend the most coveted Academy in the Western Territories. None of it impressed you. All you cared about was her, and how perfect and beautiful she was. How charming and graceful. It made me sick how close you both were. And then-”

“You exaggerate,” Zelda started to say, casting a nervous glance in Giselle’s direction as if worried that she might upset her, before turning back toward Lincoln. “Of course I was impressed by you! I’m still-”

“Shut. The. Fuck. Up. Mother,” Lincoln snapped firmly. “Because I am not done talking.”

Zelda swallowed loudly, her nose wrinkling as the stench of the lamb’s head began to permeate the space.

Lincoln went on, “You loved her-” he pointed at me and a stone of sorrow lodged in my throat as everything he was mentioning played back in my head “-so much that at the time I can honestly say, I didn’t really think bringing Giselle home would do as much damage as it did. I didn’t reunite her with you for any selfless reasons. I only wanted proof that Ginger was not my sister, and that was what I got. Still, I had no idea that bringing her home would turn you into someone so cruel and hateful. So-” Lincoln shook his head “-you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t see the value in your sentiment. With you---love doesn’t really mean much, now does it?”

Zelda’s eyes were bright with tears. “But Lincoln, I-”

“Not finished,” he snapped again, his eyes flashing. “From what I’ve seen since I’ve been back-” he scooted the tray closer to her, pushing it right up under her chin “-your love is the last thing I’d ask of you, mother. I prefer your obedience instead.” He hands her a steak knife. “Now…why don't you get started eating that-” his head turns and he faces Giselle “-and your daughter can tell Alpha Rafael all about that cute little tradition you mentioned to me when I returned. You know—that new birthday tradition. I believe you called it a gift. Well, tell him about it Giselle. Or would you like me to tell him about the Omega showers?"

Giselle paled, her face turning so ghastly that even her make-up appeared to turn green. 

“Giselle?” Rafael murmured.

“I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Giselle replied, with a nervous frown as her eyes begged her brother to drop it.

I snorted, anger rising in me for the first time since I’d stepped into the viper’s nest and Giselle’s eyes seethed in my direction.

“Oh yes you do,” Lincoln said in a cold flat voice. “You were so excited about it on your birthday. The entire pack was excited because you made it a public spectacle. And…correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re the one that delivered most of ‘the gift’ while I was dealing with those rogues. So, tell him, Giselle. Tell him what kind of person you really are.” 

Rafael placed a hand on Giselle’s shoulder reassuringly and I had to fight the new growl that threatened to rumble free of my throat. I didn’t like seeing him be nice to her, even if she was the only niece he’d ever known. It burned me inside and I was sure to resent him for it.

Rafael spoke to her soothingly, “We all make mistakes, Giselle. The young, more than most. And we may no longer be related, but I am still your uncle in my heart. It’s alright. You can tell me.”

The fuck? Was he some kind of therapist before he came an Alpha? or a priest? Or…

“It’s not alright,” Giselle replied, tearing up while she looked at him. “It’s not. And if I tell you…you’re going to hate me and then when you leave…you won’t take me home with you.”