Chapter 1The day I walked out of Silver Prison, my brother's precious little sister broadcasted my humiliation across the entire pack mind-link.
"Meet my big sis! Thirteen men violated her and she SURVIVED. Isn't she just SO inspiring?"
The mental channel detonated—every wolf in Ironwood Pack heard it.
Ryker, my brother, my Alpha—his expression barely flickered. Meadow's giggle echoed through the bond.
I didn't scream like I would've three years ago. Just met their stares through the link with a smile.
"A woman's body isn't her weakness. Those men should be rotting, not me."
Back at the packhouse, I stayed silent when he let her stand at our parents' Memorial Stone in my place.
When she shoved me into the lake and Ryker only saved her—the one who could actually swim—I dragged myself home alone.
He looked at me, voice soft with something like regret.
"Indie... you've really changed."
Changed? No.
I just stopped expecting anything.
Besides, the Whisper returned three days ago.
In seven days, I'm going my REAL home.
---
"Okay but seriously, thirteen dudes in one night—what's that like?"
Meadow was hanging off Ryker's arm when she turned around and asked me that, face all innocent and curious.
I froze.
Before I could even say anything, Ryker tapped her forehead all sweet.
"Jesus, Meadow. Don't ask her that."
He looked over at me, didn't even care. "She's spoiled. She doesn't know better. Just ignore it."
Meadow had this smirk on her face, waiting for me to flip out like before.
But I didn't. Just stood there looking at her.
"Makes sense. When nobody raises you right, you talk like trash. Why would I be shocked?"
Her smile froze for like half a second before coming back.
"Oh and Ryker gave me your mom's Luna pendant. Y'know, THAT one. Guess he really loves me, huh?"
That was the last thing Mom left me. The silver crescent moon that marked Luna Moira Hartwell's line.
Meadow and I used to beat the crap out of each other over that pendant when we were kids.
Now? I didn't even look at it. "Keep it. I'm not into hand-me-downs."
When Mom and Dad died in that Rogue attack, I couldn't stand leaving Ryker alone. So I stayed in this world with him instead of going home.
Now I'm leaving anyway. Can't take any of this with me. He can give it to whoever.
Not getting the reaction she wanted, Meadow's smile completely died.
Ryker looked shocked too. Got all irritated.
"Indie, if you're pissed just say so. What's with the act?"
I shrugged. "I really don't give a shit. What am I supposed to say?"
"Fine. Give it back then. Will you?"
Ryker froze. His face went dark.
"You..."
I smiled a little.
Guess Ryker's memory of me is still stuck three years back.
Back then I slapped Meadow for the first time trying to get Mom and Dad's stuff back.
What'd I get?
My own brother dragged me to the busiest corner in Ironwood territory and made me stand there while he slapped me a hundred times. In front of the entire pack.
That day my lip split open. The pain and the shame nearly killed me.
"Oh she cares. Trust me. Three years in Silver Prison and now she's putting on this innocent act."
I hadn't heard that voice in three years.
Hearing it again felt surreal—like a whole different lifetime.
I turned around.
Jasper Thornfield was standing in the doorway, hands shoved in his pockets.
"Let's be clear—we have history. But you're not mate material anymore. Still, I figured I'd check in."
He laughed. Looking down at me like I was trash.
"But hey, if you play nice and treat Meadow well, maybe I won't mind keeping you as a side piece."
"Just one more mouth to feed. Only catch—you'd be calling Meadow 'ma'am' from now on."
Everyone in Ironwood Pack knew Indie Hartwell was obsessed with Jasper Thornfield—so obsessed she got his name tattooed across her entire back.
Now I looked at that glaring bite mark on his neck.
Just said it slow:
"Yeah, no. You're disgusting."
Chapter 2
"INDIE!"
Jasper's eyes went dark. He yanked Meadow toward him.
"Let's see how long you keep this up."
He kissed her—rough, showy, gross.
Ryker's hand shot out without thinking, grabbed my wrist tight.
"Indie—" He was scared I'd flip out.
But I just turned around and headed straight upstairs.
Like I'm gonna waste time watching their soft-core porn show. I'd rather go lie down.
On my way up I even closed the door. Thoughtful of me, right?
"Fuck this!"
Behind me Jasper kicked the door and peeled out in his car.
Ryker just stood there staring after me, looking all kinds of messed up.
"Indie... didn't you used to be crazy about Jasper? Why're you—"
So Ryker knew the whole time, huh.
But does he remember how he made me let go?
Just 'cause Meadow said she liked Jasper, Ryker kept setting them up—even when Jasper and I were this close to completing the Mate Bond.
Night before our mating ceremony he drugged us and put Jasper in Meadow's bed.
Put me in some other guy's bed, then had Jasper's whole pack walk in and catch me.
Next day everyone in Ironwood territory was calling me a slut.
When Jasper showed up he could barely stand.
"Meadow told me you were cheating on me. I didn't believe her."
"But today? You showed me exactly who you are."
He grabbed his shirt and threw it at me. I was still naked.
"Indie, loving you was the most disgusting mistake of my life!"
Suddenly my ankle hurt like hell.
I looked down—the dog I'd raised for ten years was growling at me.
Meadow walked over smiling. "Slate doesn't remember you. It's been too long. He probably thinks you're here to hurt me or something."
Ryker stood next to Meadow like he always did—like her personal bodyguard.
"The dog didn't mean it. Don't make a big deal out of it."
I looked down at the dog I'd saved off the highway years ago. Didn't even hesitate. Just kicked it aside.
Then looked at Meadow. "Yeah, no shit. I'm not gonna care about some animal with zero loyalty."
Couldn't even control my own brother and my childhood mate betraying me—why would I give a shit about a dog?
Meadow thought I was mocking her though. Her face went cold.
Then suddenly I felt something warm dripping from my nose.
Wiped it. Blood. Everywhere. Wouldn't stop.
Ryker's whole face changed. He practically lunged at me and grabbed my wrist.
"What's wrong?! Come on, pack healer, now!"
Suddenly, the voice in my head spoke up.
"It's okay. This is supposed to happen. You're leaving soon, so your body's starting to shut down."
Ryker's hand was hot as hell, shaking.
"Ugh..." Meadow put her hand on her forehead and swayed. "I'm so dizzy... might've gotten sick that day she shoved me in the water."
Ryker looked at me. Then Meadow.
Didn't even hesitate—just let go of me. Bent down and scooped Meadow right up.
"I'm calling a healer. Right now."
Meadow wrapped her arms around his neck and shot me this smug little look.
But I wasn't watching her show. Didn't give a shit who Ryker was worried about.
I just grabbed a tissue, stuffed it in my nose, and stared at the calendar.
Two days left.
Then I'm gone.
Chapter 3
My phone buzzed.
Screen lit up—Meadow sent me a message and a photo.
"Just 'cause you're playing nice now doesn't mean Ryker's gonna go easy on you. You'll never be his favorite—that's always gonna be me!"
"Oh and by the way... you seriously believe he punished those guys? For YOU?"
My chest got tight. For a second I couldn't breathe.
But then I forced myself to chill. Growing up, when Ryker promised me something he never broke his word.
Meadow always did this—messed with me and Ryker, made us suspicious of each other until everything fell apart.
I took a deep breath and opened the photo.
Everything collapsed.
In the picture were the thirteen guys Ryker swore he'd destroy. Some driving fancy cars. Some with girls on their arms.
They were living even better than three years ago.
Crack.
Phone slipped out of my hand, hit the floor.
But I couldn't hear anything.
All I could think was: if they never got punished, then what the hell were those three years I spent getting beat up in Silver Prison for?!
Back then Ryker was sure those guys were hired by me to hurt Meadow. He wouldn't go after them publicly 'cause of the pack's reputation—unless I apologized to Meadow.
I got on my knees.
"I'm gonna be scared every time I see her..." Meadow curled up against him.
Ryker looked down at me, eyes ice cold. "Three years, Indie. You're getting locked up for three years. You're not coming back until Meadow's over this."
"Then swear to me you'll make them pay. All thirteen of them."
I traded three years of my life for my brother's promise.
And now?
I spun around and grabbed his collar.
"Why the hell are those thirteen guys still walking around like nothing happened?!"
Something flickered in Ryker's eyes. Then he just shoved me off. Didn't even hesitate.
"Meadow's the victim and she forgave them. Why can't you let it go?"
"SHE'S the victim?"
I grabbed his shirt again, hands shaking, knuckles going white.
"Then what the FUCK am I?!"
Ryker's face twisted in annoyance. "YOU paid those guys to go after her. You brought this on yourself."
"Plus they said sorry to Meadow. It's done."
Second that word came out my ears started ringing.
That night came rushing back. Every fucking second.
That dark room. Bodies crushing me. It went on all night—thirteen of them. Hands tearing at me while they screamed. The pain was so bad I blacked out.
By morning I couldn't even stand.
I used to think that night was the worst hell I'd ever know.
Compared to right now? It was nothing.
I stared at the brother I used to trust with everything, used to depend on completely.
Words came out slow, grinding through my teeth.
"They destroyed my life and you just LIED! You swore to me! I'm your own fucking sister!"
Meadow stepped in. "You know what the elders used to say? Forgive and forget."
"I've already forgiven you. It's time you do the same."
Ryker looked at her, clearly impressed. "Look at that. Meadow grew up with nothing and she's got more class than you."
Meadow smiled all innocent, then leaned in to whisper.
"Oh, they told me to tell you something. They've been missing you. All three years."
"Said they didn't have enough fun before. Next time they're gonna make it really count."
That was it. I fucking snapped.
My hand flew out—slapped her so hard her head whipped to the side.
"It WAS YOU!"
I was screaming, completely losing my shit.
"WHY?! Even though I hated you I would NEVER do this! What did I ever DO to you?!"
SLAP.
Way harder hit landed on my face.
Force knocked me to the ground. Ears ringing. Everything went black.
Ryker was standing over me. Face like a storm.
"Didn't those hundred slaps knock any sense into you?"
"You just hit Meadow right in front of me. Makes sense you'd pull that kind of evil shit. Lucky for you karma already got you. Otherwise I'd have done it myself just for her."
I was clutching my face, eyes burning red with pure hate.
"I HATE you! I'd kill you both if I could!"
Ryker didn't say anything for a moment. I could see it—he'd decided something.
"I've gone too easy on you, Indie. Three years locked up and you learned nothing."
He pulled out his phone, finger hovering over the screen. His voice went hard.
"Consider this your final lesson. You fuck up? You pay for it."
