14

MAX POV

The school used to be a sanctuary for Jules, a place where he was well-liked and respected by all the students. But since her death, everything has changed. But for me, it was a different story. I was living a life of regret, haunted by the terrible things I had done to my own sister. It was a burden that weighed heavily on my shoulders.

To make matters worse, Onix, the alpha's son, was constantly tormenting me. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't stand up to him. His wolfish strength and dominance made him unbeatable, and I was powerless against him even though I was older than him.

As I sat in my car, lost in thought, I realized that I had lost my focus. Suddenly, I was careening into a van, my hands slipping from the steering wheel in a panic.

When I came to, I was in the hospital, with my aunt by my side. But even in that moment, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse.

My aunt had played a significant role in the events that had led me to this point. If she hadn't been so insistent on turning me against my sister, perhaps things would have turned out differently. But now, with my sister gone, I had no way to make amends.

I feared the worst for my sister, lost and alone in the unforgiving wilderness. The rogues that prowled the bush were known to be ruthless and deadly, and I knew that she would not stand a chance against them.

As I lay there in my hospital bed, my mind filled with regrets and sorrow, I couldn't help but wish that I could turn back the clock. I wished that I had never let my envy and bitterness drive me to hurt the people I loved. But it was too late for that now.

All I could do was hope that someday, somehow, I could find a way to make things right.

"Why is your face like that since you woke?" "Are you not happy that you survived?" My aunt asked me, her eyes filled with concern as she tried to make me feel better. But her words only made me feel worse.

I had been in a car accident the night before, and although I was grateful to be alive, I was devastated by the loss of my car. It had been my only means of transportation, and now I would have to walk to school every day. The thought of it made me feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

But my aunt was quick to assure me that everything would be okay. "Don't worry, I'll get you another car," she said with a smile. Her words were a comfort, but I couldn't help but wonder why she was being so kind to me. What did she want in return?

As she left to go to the doctor, she accidentally left her phone behind. I couldn't resist the temptation to snoop, so I picked it up and started scrolling through her messages. That's when I saw it—my picture was her wallpaper.

My heart skipped a beat. Was she in love with me? Was that why she was being so nice? The thought made me feel sick to my stomach. I couldn't bear the idea of being with my own aunt.

When she came back, I confronted her about it. "Why is my picture your wallpaper?" I asked, my voice shaking with emotion.

She hesitated before answering, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape. "I just... wanted to remind myself of why I'm doing all of this," she said finally.

"What do you mean?" I pressed, feeling more confused than ever.

"I mean, I'm not your real aunt," she said softly, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm your mother."

My world spun as I tried to process what she was saying. My mother? How possible is that? My mother is dead.

"No, I'm here and not dead." "Something happened, and I decided to leave," she said.

"Why did you leave me?" I demanded, my voice rising with anger.

"I didn't want to," she said, tears streaming down her face. "But I was young and scared, and I didn't know how to be a mother." "Your father and I were in a bad place, and I thought it would be best if I just... disappeared and I left you for my sister."

The rage inside of me was boiling over. How could she treat my sister so poorly while treating me like a prince? My mother never discriminated between us, yet this woman used and abused Gigi. I couldn't hold back my anger any longer.

"You are such a wicked soul. My mother cared for both of us without any bias, yet you repay her by maltreating my sister? "You will suffer for everything you have done," I cursed her relentlessly, my fury consuming me.

She tried to calm me down, but her attempts only fueled my rage. I rose from the bed with force, ignoring the nurses rushing to restrain me. She followed me out of the room as I demanded to be taken home.

"Are you taking me home or not?" "I want to find my way now," I said firmly. She handed me the car keys and led me to the vehicle.

I refused to sit in the front and settled into the back seat. As she started the car, I stewed in my anger, contemplating my next move. When we arrived home, I began packing my bags. I didn't want to stay with her anymore; I wanted to be with my friends. Even if they treated me poorly, it was better than staying with an ungrateful person who called herself my mother.

I refused to accept her as my mother unless she brought back GiGi. Even in death, I would never forgive her for what she had done.

!

As I stepped out of the house with my bag, I saw her standing there, tears streaming down her face. I couldn't help but think that she had caused more pain than she was currently feeling. Gigi had been through so much because of her, and I wasn't going to stand for it anymore.

She looked up and saw me with my bag, and before I could even take another step, she rushed towards me and locked the door. I didn't want to listen to her. I was done with her lies and deceit.

"If you leave, I will kill myself because I won't be able to stand the pain," she cried, desperation in her voice.

I rolled my eyes, unfazed by her theatrics. "Kill yourself if you want." "I can't stay with a wicked witch like you," I spat back. "Can you tell me if Gigi is alive?" No? Then kill yourself."

Her refusal to open the door only fueled my anger. I sat down on a nearby chair, waiting for her to make a mistake so I could snatch the key away from her. But she was stubborn, determined to make me listen.

She started pleading and making excuses for her actions, but I wasn't buying it. Her words were empty, her promises meaningless.

"What can I do to make you accept me as your mother?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.

I scoffed at her question, but it was also a good one. "Just bring back Gigi, and I'll accept you as my mother." "But if you fail, I will never forgive you."

I watched her closely, studying her every move. She was like a caged animal, desperate to break free. But I wasn't going to let her go until I got what I wanted.

Minutes turned into hours, and I could feel myself growing more and more restless. I needed to leave to get away from this woman and everything she represented. But I also needed to know what had happened to Gigi.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she broke down. "I'll tell you everything," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I felt a surge of hope wash over me. Maybe, just maybe, I could find Gigi and bring her home.

She unlocked the door, and I grabbed my bag, ready to leave. But before I could step outside, she grabbed my arm. "Please forgive me," she pleaded, her eyes begging for mercy.

I shook my head. "I'll forgive you when I find Gigi," I said, pulling away from her grasp.

And with that, I walked out the door, determined to find my sister, but I hope it's not going to take my life too. She followed me.