Thora's POV: "Arghhh! Are you still alive?" Hazel screamed, pointing at me. I gave a cold laugh and stepped toward her. "What do you think, sister?" The others snapped back to their senses. Laurel pinched Hazel's arm and forced a shaky smile. "Hazel, stop talking nonsense! You should be happy Thora made it home safely." Then she turned to me, her face darkened. "Where have you been these last few days? Not a word, not a call! You come home and scare Hazel half to death—do you even respect this family anymore?" I raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you ask Hazel where I've been? Judging from her look, she clearly thought I died out there.""You went out fooling around, and now you've lost all manners!" Norman barked before Laurel could speak. "Just because your grandpa named you the next Alpha, you actually thought you were the Alpha! Until you awaken your wolf spirit and go through the inheritance ceremony, you have no say in this family!" He glared at me and jabbed a finger at my shirt. "Tell me! Where have you been? Were you hanging around with rogues? And what's with that man's shirt you're wearing?" No concern. No comfort. Only disgust and curses. Hehe. So that's how it is? We're both his daughters, yet his favoritism runs this deep? Can't he see I'm covered in wounds? I let out a cold laugh in my heart and turned my eyes toward Hazel, who was hiding behind Laurel. "Five days ago," I began evenly, "Hazel told me there was a magical crystal near the cliffs—something that could help me awaken my wolf spirit. She asked me to meet her there alone. But when I got there, there was no crystal. Only a group of rogues waiting to kidnap me." I stepped aside slightly, lifting my arm just enough to pull at the wound. Bright red blood seeped through the white shirt, spreading fast. "I fought them off with everything I had," I continued, voice steady. "Then I fell off the cliff and was unconscious for five days—until someone found me and saved my life." Norman's eyes fixed on the bloodstain. For once, he had nothing to say. "Oh, and by the way," I added casually, "on my way home, the patrol guards saw me. I passed by the Council Hall and greeted a few of the elders." "What did you tell them?" Norman's voice shot up, filled with alarm. I almost smiled. Of course he was scared. He was terrified I'd said something that would make the Council blame him for ‘failing his duty'—or worse, make Grandpa hold him accountable. "Relax, Father," I said coolly. "I only told them I'm still alive." I met his gaze head-on. "I know you all hate that Grandpa named me as the next Alpha. But think about it. If I came home alive today, and something happened to me soon after, what would the pack think? And what would the Council say about us?" The three of them went silent. They wanted me dead, but not if it meant bringing shame on themselves. I made my point clear. By using the Council and the pack members as my shield, I made sure they wouldn't dare lay a hand on me in the open. In this new world, I needed time to grow. This body needed time to heal. Before I became strong, I had to make sure I stayed alive. "You brat! You ... "Norman stammered, but the rest of his words died in his throat. I didn't bother replying. Instead, I turned to the omega maid standing nearby. "Bring me some food and a first-aid kit to my room." Then I headed upstairs. Just as I reached the top of the stairs, I heard Norman's voice, tight with barely restrained anger. "Hazel, come to my study after dinner." "Yes, Dad." Hazel's voice trembled, on the edge of tears. A small smile curved my lips. I knew exactly how much Norman despised his half-blood daughter. That's why I tore my wound open on purpose, so he'd see the truth with his eyes. I'm the victim here. With real blood as proof, even he couldn't twist the story to protect Hazel.As for my revenge against Hazel. I could wait. ... After I treated my wounds and took a quick shower, I was just about to rest when a servant came to my room. "Mr. Norman is waiting for you in the study." I gave a short reply, slipped on a jacket, and walked out. Before I even reached the study door, I heard Norman's voice inside, low and sharp with anger. "Tell me the truth! Did you work with those rogues to hurt Thora?" "I didn't!" Hazel's voice was thick with tears, but she forced herself to argue. "I don't even know those people! Thora was the one hanging around them. How was I supposed to know something bad would happen?""You don't know them? Then why did you tell her to go to the cliffs?" Norman pressed. "I just heard there might be awakening crystals there," Hazel muttered. I couldn't help but scoff. Even now, she was still lying. I pushed open the door and glanced at the two facing off. My voice was calm. "Dad." Norman turned, his face still tight with rage. But the words he aimed at me. "Hazel says you knew those rogues. If you made bad friends, don't push the blame on someone else! Our family isn't just the Alpha bloodline of Silverleaf Pack—we're also tied to the Astralis military. We can't afford that shame!" See? Even if he suspected Hazel, his first instinct was always to blame me. "I don't know them," I answered coldly. Then I turned my eyes on Hazel. "But I've seen Hazel meeting them plenty of times behind the school." "That's a lie!" Hazel suddenly raised her voice, panic breaking through. "It was you with them, laughing and joking! You're just jealous that I'm pureblood, so you're smearing me!" "Thora, how dare you insult a pureblood? Do you even care about pack law and family rules?" Norman jumped in to defend her. "Funny," I said, stepping closer and staring straight at him. "Pack law doesn't say purebloods can twist the truth. Family rules don't say that a half-blood's words should be treated like garbage. Yet that's exactly what you're doing, Father. Same situation, two different standards. Hazel's words are truth, but mine are always lies? Just because I carry human blood?" My voice was steady but sharp. "Don't forget. You were the one who married my human mother. You were the one who chose to have me with her."