The Outcast's Rise

ne

op until I

inside, I realized-this p

ehind me, but the silence ins

y breath before my mother's

hell have

tightening around

ressed into a thin line. Her expression was carved from stone-co

point

o answer, but my si

y against the couch. Her golden hair gleamed under the dim lights, and th

ete oppos

sing us?" she added, not e

mp in my throat. "

ere you doing? Running away fro

ut I forced myself to meet her gaze. "Y

ickered in her eyes. But it wa

, Raine, and you're still useless to this pack. While Brielle is training, while she's pre

hat you treat me

left my mouth, the ai

tension unfold like it was h

the other ha

r tone," s

. Goddess,

wn, to nod and pretend like h

nside me cracke

Ronan. Mayb

was ju

this," I whispered. "You never l

ssed over my mother's fac

felt lik

laugh, not even tryin

r, waiting-hoping-fo

di

ed. "Dad wou

er eyes flashing. "Don'

e wavered, but I kept going. "He n

ger in her eyes-frustration. Desperation. "Do you think I enjoy having people whisp

fed. "I defi

fists. "I can'

my mother snapped. "Because right

deeper than I

g for something-anything-to

n, I was terrifi

s no

between us, thic

her temples. "Just-go to your room

rs, my vision blurring as I fough

wed me, light and moc

behind me, pressing my back aga

I was alone, I l

h I fought, no matter how

st a bro

not my family, not even