Lisa's POV
I froze. My body went rigid, my wolf standing on edge, every nerve screaming. It was Sylvia.
The Alpha matriarch of the Crescent pack, her presence alone could crush a wolf's spirit. Back when Rowan had been under her paw, she'd never approved of me. She'd hunted me out, forced me into hiding, made me run overseas just to survive.
And now… here she was, storming into the villa. My chest tightened, and I felt the chill of fear crawl through my veins.
Then it hit me—I was standing in nothing but a thin, fragile layer of lace.
Panic flared. "Arghhh!" I gasped, stumbling backward into the house, trying to cover myself.
Too late. Her piercing eyes had already devoured me. She saw every inch of me, shameless and exposed, and I felt her fury radiate like wildfire.
Bridget's claws of rage dug deep into the air around her. She had always said I had no shame—but this? This was an affront she could never forgive.
And why was I here, in her Alpha son's villa?
Years ago, when Rowan had lost his head over me, she'd driven me out of the country, swearing I would never return. And yet, here I stood. Bold. Exposed. Defiant.
I grabbed the nearest coat and pulled it over myself, feeling the fabric scratch against my trembling skin. I had no choice now; I had to face her.
She was already seated on the couch, arms crossed like swords, eyes sharp enough to tear flesh. Her lips curled in a snarl as she took in my trembling form.
"Why are you here?" she snapped. "Where's Audrey? Where's Rowan? And my grandson?"
Her voice was sharp enough to cut through bone.
I swallowed hard, words sticking in my throat. My voice trembled. "Fen… he's in the hospital. Rowan… he's working late at the office."
Her expression darkened instantly, like a storm over a blood-red moon.
Her eyes sliced into me. "And what were you doing here in that outfit? Trying to seduce my son again? I've never seen such shamelessness in my life!"
"I—I wasn't…" My defense crumbled under her gaze.
She laughed coldly, the sound sharp and cruel, like the howl of a wolf circling its prey.
"Still trying to lie to me? Years ago, I threw you out of this country, yet you dare to come back. Do you think I can't deal with you again?"
Tears stung my eyes. "Mrs. Blackthorne… I…" My voice broke. I could barely stand, my legs trembling beneath me. Why wasn't Rowan here?
She leaned forward, voice low and steel-hard. "Just because Rowan once desired you doesn't mean you can waltz into this house and expect mercy. Someone as shameless as you doesn't belong anywhere near my family. I have ways—many ways—to put you in your place."
I went pale, swallowing the lump in my throat. I didn't dare argue. I could only let the tears fall.
Her patience snapped like a dry twig. She seized my arm and shoved me toward the door. I stumbled, tripping over my own feet, landing hard on the gravel outside.
Pain shot up my elbows, sharp and biting. I cried out, blood and tears mingling, as the sting brought me to my knees.
Then… the roar of an engine split the night. Rowan's sleek black car skidded into the driveway.
"Mom!" His voice ripped through the chaos.
He leapt from the car, muscles coiled and ready, and scooped me into his arms with careful precision. "Lisa, are you hurt?" His concern wrapped around me like a protective pack.
I clung to him, sobbing, my body shaking like a pup caught in a storm. "It… it hurts so much."
His gaze flared toward his mother, eyes glowing with feral anger. "Mom, how could you treat her like this?"
Her expression twisted into a snarl. "Are you insane? Protecting this woman while forgetting your mate and child?"
I held onto Rowan's shirt, lips trembling. "Fen… he's mine, and—"
"Enough," Rowan cut me off sharply, voice low and controlled. His brow furrowed, claws barely restrained. "I know."
He couldn't let her learn the truth about Fen yet. If she knew he wasn't hers… the fallout would shatter everything.
He inhaled a deep, steadying breath, voice firm as steel. "No matter how much you despise her, you will not lay a hand on her. She's in danger, and I am helping her—for now, that's all."
Before Sylvia could answer, another voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"That's right," Audrey's mechanical wheelchair creaked forward, her voice dripping with mockery and ice. "Rowan is just helping Lisa. And look at her—walking around like that? She must've run out of clothes."
I froze. My eyes widened. Audrey. She had been waiting, her gaze sharp and cruel, taking in my humiliation with satisfaction.
Rowan's eyes narrowed, realizing immediately that this wasn't Sylvia's doing alone. Audrey's hand was in this, manipulating everything.
I spun toward her, furious. "Audrey! You called her! You brought her here!"
Audrey's cold stare met mine. "Lisa… that's hardly accurate. I invited my mother-in-law to dinner at my house. What's the problem?"
I had no argument. None. But the anger burned in my chest, wild and raw.
Rowan's jaw tightened as he took in Audrey's presence. He had hoped for some reconciliation, a moment of softness—but her calm, mocking face said otherwise.
He turned to me, frowning. "Audrey… couldn't this have been settled privately? Why drag Mom into it? Are you pleased now?"
Her lips curved faintly. "Very."
Sylvia's eyes narrowed as she watched him still holding me. Ice laced her words. "Rowan, let go of her. Now."
He released me gently, letting me fall to the ground. My tears streamed freely, body shaking, gasping for breath.
Sylvia's gaze was sharp, cold, and dismissive. "Where's Fen?"
Rowan's eyes flicked to Audrey, then he answered with caution. "He's sick… in the hospital."
That was all she had come for. Nothing else mattered.
As she turned to leave, she paused mid-step, voice sharp and commanding. "Next month is your grandfather's birthday. Bring Audrey and Fen back to the estate. And get rid of this… woman. I never want to see her again."
Then she was gone.
Rowan exhaled slowly, finally turning back to me. He lifted me into his arms with care, cradling me like a wounded pup. I buried my face against him, heart still pounding from the feral storm that had just passed.
Audrey watched from her wheelchair, calm, cold, eyes like moonlight on steel. But deep down, I knew she felt the sting too.
She understood now. She had never been loved.