I inhale deeply, steadying myself, feeling the weight of what I’m about to say settle heavily in my chest. "It started small," I begin slowly, my voice low but steady. "A few years ago, I stepped in to stop some younger kids from being bullied. I thought it would be easy—say something, make it stop. But bullies don’t like being told no. And the more I interfered, the worse it got."

I pause, the warmth from the fire flickering across my skin, but it doesn’t touch the chill spreading through me. "At first, it wasn’t too bad. As a beta, I heal faster than most, so bruises faded quickly. Unfortunately, my bully figured that out too. That’s when the real games started. My homework would disappear. My grades tanked—not because I wasn’t doing the work—but because it was stolen or destroyed. And with Dad’s very public disgust for me, it felt like I had a target on my back."

Ryan shifts uncomfortably beside Ethan. None of them speak. They’re smart enough to know that this isn’t the time to interrupt.

I take another breath and press on. "Any time I got called to the principal’s office, Dad would get involved. But instead of listening to my side, he’d add to the punishment. It was like he was telling everyone that hurting me was okay. Giving them the green light to treat me however they wanted."

Ethan clenches his fists, his knuckles pale in the firelight. He opens his mouth, but I raise a hand to stop him before he can speak. "Let me finish. If you interrupt me now, I’ll lose my nerve."

I meet each of their gazes briefly, letting them see the years of frustration and hurt simmering beneath the surface. "I went to the adults at school. They didn’t care either. The principal said if I couldn’t handle things, that was my problem. Teachers who tried to help? Gone. Students who backed up my story? Transferred or suspended, never to be seen again. And the elders? The school board? They only care about themselves. Reporting anything was pointless."

Aaron’s jaw tightens. Devin shifts closer, his expression grim.

"You could’ve come to us," Aaron says quietly, his voice filled with guilt. "We would’ve helped you."

I scoff, the bitterness impossible to hide. "When exactly? Between practice and parties? While you were busy entertaining half the senior girls? Or maybe while you were off at summer training? Face it—you were never around. And even when you were, you were untouchable. Untouchable and unreachable."

Aaron flinches, and guilt flashes across Leo’s face. But I’m not finished.

I look at Leo, meeting his gaze head-on. "You were there, Leo. Every time Dad said I was worthless, you were there. Every time he made it clear that I was just a problem to be ignored, you said nothing. And all of you—" I gesture to the group, my voice rising slightly, "—you made it worse with that stupid ‘survival of the fittest’ mantra. You taught everyone that being strong means stepping on the weak. You made it cool to ignore people like me."

Kylie shifts beside me, her hand resting gently on my knee. But she says nothing, letting me get this out.

"You all turned a blind eye while kids like her were given free rein to tear others apart. And you know what? It worked. Everyone followed your lead." I swallow hard, forcing back the lump in my throat. "And I was the perfect target."

Silence stretches between us, heavy and suffocating. I feel their guilt radiating off them in waves, but I push forward. They wanted the truth, and I’m giving it to them.

"Do you want to know what it was like?" I ask, my voice trembling with anger and emotion. "Being the beta girl everyone wanted to beat? They didn’t just hurt me physically—they made sure I felt it everywhere. They stole my clothes, threw them in the showers, pissed on them. And that’s not even the worst of it."

I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms to keep the tears at bay. "I’ve been chained up in locker rooms, whipped until I bled. They used silver on me—burned it into my skin so the wounds wouldn’t heal right. And when they were done, they dragged me into the forest and left me there. I was supposed to die. I only survived because my wolf forced me to shift early."

Devin curses under his breath, running a hand down his face. Ryan’s fists are clenched so tight, I can see his veins. But it’s Leo’s expression that makes my chest ache—pure devastation.

"The spot you found me tonight?" I continue, my voice quieter now. "That’s where they left me. It’s where I decided I wasn’t going to die. I go back there to remind myself that I survived. That I didn’t need any of you to make it through."

Leo looks like I’ve punched him in the gut, and Ethan’s knuckles are white as he grips the edge of the bench. They wanted to know, and now they do.

"So, no." I say, my voice firm. "You don’t get to show up now and play heroes. You don’t get to save me. I’ve already saved myself. If you really want to help, start paying attention to the people around you. Stop looking the other way when someone’s hurting. Do better. Be the leaders you’re supposed to be."

I stand, my legs shaky but steady enough to carry me away from them. "But leave me out of it."

"Selene, wait—" Leo calls, his voice thick with emotion.

"I’m done," I say, not turning around. "Please, just let me go."

I hear the shuffle of footsteps behind me, but no one follows. Except Leo. I feel him before I hear him—his warmth, his presence wrapping around me like a blanket.

"I know it’s too late," he whispers, his voice raw. "But I love you, Selene. I’m sorry it took me this long to show it."

He wraps his arms around me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. His embrace is warm, grounding, and for a moment, I let myself sink into it. But only for a moment.

Then Ethan is there, his arms replacing Leo’s, a kiss pressed to the side of my head. Devin follows, pulling me into a brief but fierce hug. Each one leaves me with a quiet promise—an unspoken vow that things will change.

But I can’t let myself believe it. Not yet.

Ryan and Aaron meet me at the top of the hill, their hands gentle but firm as they stop me in my tracks. "We need you, Selene," Ryan whispers. "Not just for us, but for the pack. We need you to help us do better."

I shake my head, the weight of their words too much to bear. "It’s too late for me. I wish to leave this pack as soon as possible,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. "But it’s not too late for everyone else.”

Aaron looks hurt as he says, “You want to leave.”

I scoff, “If you were me, would you stay?”

They say nothing as I step out of their grasp and walk away, leaving them behind.

Back in my room, I collapse onto my bed, exhaustion pulling me under. Tomorrow is another day, another battle. But tonight... tonight I let myself grieve. For the friendships I lost. For the years of pain. And for the faint hope that maybe—just maybe—things will be different.