Bloodlines and Hearts

half-empty. Half-full.

's face kept flashing in his mind. Those last moments. That loo

burn. The kitchen was quiet. Too quiet. The kin

. Probably Riley checking on him

the

ever

ies tainted by blood are difficult to erase. They become a part of you as they absorb into your

. Didn't look up. Just kept staring into the glass, watch

other, Luna Valeria's voi

er swig. "What do

be the pack's future. And here you are, drowning

" he repeated, his voice rising. "You mean when Dad mu

yes hardened. "

an in the pack. And you did NOTHING while Dad killed a

what it takes to lead th

ter. "You mean like sacrificing innocent kids to Dad's eg

er does what needs to be done for the protection of this

trembling. "If being Alpha means becoming lik

like you are some freaking saint. You think this is easy? Juggling power and responsibility and survivi

You are no better than he is. You have let him be in charge f

ollided with his face hard enough to make his head whip to

tood still f

face, surprised more than

ow. Regret, perhaps. "You don't have the right to say that to me," she murmured, trembling. You really have no

But standing up for what's right? Throwing yourself up against th

much better. You deserve someone who you can talk to. Someone who sees you. Not this...this shattered system we're stuck in. Someo

ened, then she changed her mind. "Get out," she

d his jacket, heading for the door.

he said, turning back to her. "Because when you

ving his mother alone and forcing her t

.

her: "It's either you tell me, or we keep living like this." She had mastered the art o

in an attempt to make Lydia forget what had happened. But Lydia wasn't the type to let things

sight was almost shocking. She rarely sat anywhere but her room these days. Rebecca hesitated, unsure if she

cial, Lydia," Reb

that made Lydia stop

"I'm not special. I'm s

y always put on you," she said, her voice breaking. "And I'm sorry. I know I never said anyt

She put her hand on her back, soothing her. "It's okay

he grabbed Lydia's hands, her grip surprisingly strong. "I

"What do you m

hands tighter, struggling to find the right words. How

to burden you with. Things I thought you might never have to face. But after what

ruth?" s

er her hair. "You are different from everyone else, Lydia. You are special. Yes, but n

completely lost. "What do you mean by a different world? I'm just me. There's not

Lydia. Your father-" She stopped, as if the words

p her head around what she was heari

her hands again. "He was...

Lydia just stared at her mom, trying to find something, anything in her face

She let out a disbelieving laugh. "Mom, are you hea

ods. The way you...changed. The strength, the speed, the way you always h

No, this doesn't make sense. Werewolves do

step toward Lydia. "Your father's pack...they exist too. They are out

sharp gasps. "Why would you d

"I didn't want you to live that life. The politics, the danger...

l, congratulations," She spat out, "T

e to trust me on this. There is a school-one for gifted youngsters like you. It is where you will feel safe, where

bunch of other people like me? People who

who know what it feels like and won't pass judgement on you. Lydia, you cannot continue to hid

hole life had been a lie? Just like that? She wanted to be mad maybe she should be mad but mostly she felt... weird. Like the time she found out S

ged to whisper, "And wh

You and I, trying to figure it out on our own. But I think

reformed in the woods and hurt Amber and her girls.

into a hug. "You can

to afford this school? We don't have money for tuition. I was

shed Lydia back to look her i

d. "Yeah, but we have no way

your pretty little head about that. I am your mom, remember? And it is my j

y...but you better not go sell

manage, Lydia. Just trust me on this. You'