Laurel's eyes flew wide as she stared at Thora. She looked as though she still had something to say, but the words stuck in her throat. Blood kept spilling from the bullet hole in her forehead, running down her face in a steady stream. Bang! Her body dropped to the ground with a dull thud. "Ahhhh!" Hazel's scream tore through the entire hall. Norman stood frozen, his mind blank. He stared at Laurel's body, his face twisted in rage. "You heartless monster! You actually killed your stepmother!" His wolf power surged around him as he stepped forward, ready to strike Thora. Marlon slammed a cane across his chest and sent him stumbling back. "You're the monster!" Marlon roared. "You're defending a murderer! Do you even know the punishment for trying to kill an Alpha and a general? This woman betrayed you! She was sneaking around with other men again and again! And you still insist on protecting her? How foolish can you be?!" Marlon was furious. In all these years, he hadn't scolded Norman like this in a long time. But his son kept disappointing him—over and over again. He even wished he had never raised such a son at all. How could such a fool be his blood? He wasn't even as sharp as Felix! Norman froze at Marlon's words. The fog in his mind cleared instantly. He looked down at Laurel's body and thought back to everything she had done. His knees nearly buckled. He stumbled back two steps, completely crushed. Deep down, he knew Laurel deserved this. But the fact that Thora was the one who pulled the trigger lit a fire in him he couldn't name.He was jealous of his daughter. He couldn't admit it. He refused to admit it. But the truth was there; ever since Marlon favored Thora, that jealousy had taken root. And when Marlon named her the next Alpha, it burned out of control. For years, Thora challenged him at every turn. Their relationship had become nothing but open hostility. But now, Norman didn't know whether it was the blow from Marlon or the collapse of his emotions. He collapsed into a chair, looking like a man who had suddenly aged ten years. Thora didn't spare him a glance. She carried the child in her arms to the other side of the room and gently handed him to Shirley. Shirley quickly took Alfie into her arms with a bright smile. Alfie seemed to like her a lot. He giggled right away, happy and carefree. "You monster! You killed my mom!" Hazel collapsed to the floor, heartbroken and shaking with rage. "I'll kill you!"She tried to get up, but Thora only glanced back at her. That one look was enough to make Hazel freeze and stumble backward. "And you," Thora said coldly. "If I hadn't been lucky two years ago—if someone hadn't saved me—I'd probably be dead now. Isn't that right, Hazel?" Thora didn't spell it out. But everyone caught the meaning loud and clear. Two years ago, Hazel had tried to kill Thora. At the time, Hazel wasn't even fifteen yet. Marlon and Norman snapped their gazes toward Hazel at the same time. Norman suddenly remembered, more than two years ago, when Thora disappeared for five days and returned. Hazel told him Thora had been running around with rogues, so she would rather not come home. He knew Hazel was scheming, but he still defended her. He never imagined it was Hazel's attempt to get Thora killed.Not only the Greens, but even the Lawsons were staring at Hazel with shock and anger. And regret, deep regret. They regretted abandoning the promising Thora and choosing wicked Hazel to marry into their family. With so many eyes on her, Hazel forgot all about avenging Laurel. She looked around in panic, desperately searching for help from Caleb. But when she met Caleb's eyes, all she saw was disgust. Caleb had always believed Thora was the cruel one. Now he realized he had been wrong. The real monster was Hazel, the girl he once protected and treasured. Those lies left nothing in him but revulsion. Marlon let out a long sigh. So much tragedy, so many wrong choices. All of it had led to Diane's death. And both Thora and Felix suffered for years. It was unbearably unfair.He pushed down his emotions and turned to Marcus and Gabby. "If there's nothing else, please leave first. "As for Caleb and Hazel's mating pact ceremony, it continues as planned. I don't want to hear a single rumor about my family or Thora tomorrow."