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"Watch your mouth," he says calmly. "Like I said, Father, I will never establish any business link with you if you've got an animal like this involved. Now, get him out of here before I kill him. Never before in this pack has anyone lifted a hand on a female. Your own father despised those who hurt the innocent. Good job on becoming the one thing our grandfather wouldn't even spit upon!"
Norman's expression twists in rage. "You fuck––"
Jonathon grabs Norman by the neck and tosses him outside the room. "Enough! Go home. I'll deal with you there."
Lydia has her arm around my shoulders. "You also have a lot to answer for, Alpha Moore. Why isn't there any record of Cynthia Rose in our books? All pack members have yearly checkups. She has been with you since she was a child. You brought both your sons, but never her. Is there a reason?"
I close my eyes, mentally counting the lashings I'm going to receive for Lydia's question.
"She was a healthy child," Jonathon says through gritted teeth, "and her parents always claimed to take her for her checkups when they visited her. I didn't realize they were so negligent."
"She's severely malnourished and has scarring on her back, scarring no wolf should have," Lydia persists. I can see Jonathon's rising fury, and I press Lydia's wrist, trying to silence her.
"I-I've had those since I was a child."
"Most of them are recent," Lydia says.
I snap my mouth shut, feeling panicked.
Adam is watching me, and I can't meet his eyes. I have no reason to feel ashamed, but I do. These scars weren't my fault, but in front of him, I feel weak and useless, and I hate it.
"She's a careless girl," Jonathon responds. "And how am I supposed to know how she got those scars? She lives by herself. She could be up to any kind of activity. You know how girls from the slums are. They'll do anything for a quick buck."
My head shoots up at his words, horrified by what he's implying, and this time, it's the healer's turn to squeeze my hand.
"I see," Lydia murmurs. "Well, from now on, Cynthia, I'll be personally taking over your checkups, and until your health improves, I expect you to come see me every week. I'll begin working on removing this scar tissue. If you miss an appointment, I know where to find you."
I can see Jonathon's hand ball into a fist by his side. He doesn't like this. But he can't question a healer. A small part of me feels relieved. If Lydia will be checking my scars, he won't be stupid enough to continue the lashings. He might find other ways to hurt me, but at least, it won't be physical.
"I want a word with you, Alpha Moore." Lydia stands up. "Outside, please."
Jonathon follows her outside, but not before casting me a furious look. I lower my gaze, wondering how I'm going to get myself out of this situation.
Adam closes the door behind them and then leans against it, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression grim.
"You shouldn't have brought me here," I finally say, using my sleeve to wipe the blood from my face.
His whole body looks tense, as if he's forcing himself to stay still.
"You didn't seem surprised when I told Father that it was Norman who messed with the elevator."
I wet my lips, wishing I could say something. However, I have to choose my words very carefully around this man.
"I didn't know."
I don't want to lie. I want to tell him I knew it was Norman. I want to say vile, vicious things about Norman and even Jonathon, but the fallout is something I fear greatly.
"You've made things very difficult for me, Adam," I finally say.
"Have I?" Adam stares at me. "Seems to me that things have been very difficult for you for a while now."
My upper lip curls in disgust. "Don't pretend to be oblivious, and don't act like this is all new to you. We lived under the same roof for a couple of years. You knew what was going on."
"Excuse me?" Adam straightens, tilting his head. "What're you talking about?"
I scoff. "Quit the nice guy act. You're a Moore. You knew what was what. When I asked you for help, you walked away, remember?"
"Cynthia," Adam's voice is hard, "what in the world are you talking about?"
