“Why should I return it?” Selene stepped back, fingering the crystal pendant with smug satisfaction. “Your brother gave it to me. He said you don’t deserve to wear it—only I do.” 

She dodged my reaching hands, flaunting her prize. 

“That was from my mother! Give it back!” I shouted. 

I could let go of anything else, but not this—never this. 

I tried to grab it, but she kept backing away. 

When I finally pounced, she sidestepped at the last moment. 

Watching me sprawl helplessly on the floor, she laughed with cruel delight. 

“Look at yourself,” she taunted. “Where’s that fierce wolf you used to be? You’re more like a whimpering dog now.” 

As I struggled to stand, she kicked me hard in the back. When I tried to rise again, she stomped on my hand. 

“Look at you. Living like this—what’s the difference between this and being dead?” Selene twisted the knife deeper. “Skye, your brother doesn’t want you anymore. You’re the only unwelcome one in this house!”