Chapter 8: The Brother Who Came for Me

I waited beneath the awning outside the Hawthorne estate.

The snow kept falling, covering the stone steps in a thin white layer.

I hugged my arms around myself and watched the road.

For once, I wasn't waiting for Julian.

I was waiting for Wyatt.

Nearly an hour later, headlights appeared through the snow.

A dark SUV stopped in front of the house.

The driver's door opened, and Wyatt stepped out.

He was my older brother, the Alpha heir of Red Mesa, and the one person who had never treated my wolflessness as a weakness.

His expression changed the moment he saw me.

His eyes dropped to my thin dress, then to the suitcase beside me.

Finally, he looked toward the Hawthorne house.

Where is your coat?

I gave it to Felicity.

Wyatt went completely still.

He didn't ask another question.

He simply took off his own heavy coat and wrapped it around my shoulders.

Then he picked up my suitcase.

Come home, Clara.

Those two words nearly broke me.

I lowered my head and finally let the tears fall.

Wyatt pulled me into his arms.

You don't have to pretend anymore.

I cried against his shoulder, my fingers clutching the back of his shirt.

For five years, I had tried so hard to become someone Julian could be proud of.

Tonight, I finally understood that I never needed to become anyone else.

I only needed to remember who I was.

Wyatt helped me into the SUV.

Before he closed the door, he glanced once more at the Hawthorne estate.

Did he really throw you out into the snow?

I nodded.

Wyatt's jaw tightened.

Then he pulled out his phone.

Call the Red Mesa council. Tell them the alliance review starts tonight.

I looked at him in surprise.

Wyatt, don't do anything reckless.

He turned toward me, his expression calm but cold.

Clara, they had five years to respect our family.

They chose not to.

Now they'll learn what it means to lose Red Mesa.