The day had darkened around us as the sun began to set. I watched it through the patio windows of Phoenix's office while the others debated plans and strategies, their voices a low backdrop to the thoughts I was trying to sort through. My whole life, laid out like evidence in front of me. None of it was what it had appeared to be. Every piece had a different explanation once you knew where to look.
The idea that the bullying had been deliberate was the one I kept getting stuck on. People could be cruel without an agenda, I knew that from experience. But an Alpha allowing years of targeted abuse toward a child in his pack, a child he had personally taken in, that required a decision. That required choosing to look away.
"Is that alright with you, Nova?"
I came back to the room. Phoenix was watching me with a patient expression. "Sorry?"
"Would you like to call your parents now?" he said.
