*~Gabrielle's POV~*
"My Lord, we are not doing anything to her," Mother said quickly, her tone dripping with fake calm. "I was only doing what must be done for my daughters. I was scolding her, that's all."
"Scolding her?" Damien's voice was sharp enough to slice through the air. His yellow eyes darkened as he stared at me — or rather, at the red mark burning across my cheek.
I wanted to speak, to defend myself, to tell him everything, but my throat tightened, and no sound came out.
Then his gaze shifted — to the fireplace, where flames licked the remains of the book Mother had thrown in.
"What's that?" he asked, already striding toward it.
"It's nothing," Mother said too quickly.
"It's a book," I forced out. My voice was trembling, but this time, I wouldn't let myself be silenced. "It's the book — the one about the White Wolves. It contained everything about what I am."
Damien froze. "What?"
