Chapter 5

　　Tabitha's POV 　　I fixed Holly with pleading eyes, hoping that she would agree. 　　But before she said anything, a voice I knew too well filled the doorway. 　　"Seriously? You came begging at my house?" 　　I stood up in disbelief and watched as Daphne and Derek walked in. 　　Then I whipped around back at Holly. 　　Holly smiled at Daphne dotingly. Then she told me, "Daphne is Mark's daughter. I was about to introduce her to you just now. You're about the same age, and I'm sure you can be friends." 　　Talk about a cruel twist of fate. Daphne's father stole my dad's mate. 　　And now, she stole mine. 　　Like that was not enough, they saw me in such a sorry state. I was literally a clown in their ritzy life. 　　Of course, Daphne wouldn't miss such a perfect chance to humiliate me. 　　She walked over and said to Holly in an ironic tone, "Friends with her? Not gonna happen. She's a thief. You'd better go check if anything is missing." 　　Hearing Daphne's words, Holly started to scrutinize me. 　　"What's going on? You're thieving now? Tabitha, how'd you get like this?" 　　The memories of Holly heartlessly letting go of my hand and leaving with Mark when I was little came flooding back. 　　I looked at her in disappointment and asked, "You take her word over mine just like that? You didn't even bother to ask me, huh? Are you really my mom?" 　　"Watch your tone!" Holly glared at me. "Daphne has always been a sweet girl. She never lies. But you've always been lack of parental control. Maybe that's why you picked up some bad habits." 　　"Parental control? You're making it sound like I didn't want a mom to set me straight. Wasn't it you who walked out on me and Dad?" 　　Holly blushed with shame. It seemed she didn't want me to bring up her past when Daphne was around. 　　I looked away in disappointment, sick of the sight of her. Then I caught a glimpse of Derek, who stood there in silence and showed no response. 　　Daphne noticed what I was doing and glanced at Derek, too. 　　Then she immediately turned around and complained to Holly, "Can you kick her out? I don't want her in my house." 　　"Something happened to Tabitha's pack, so I offered to let her stay here for a few days. Well, I'll go tell her otherwise if you don't like it," Holly sounded so affectionate as if Daphne were her real daughter. 　　Then, Holly looked back and said to me apologetically, "Tabitha, I've been busy planning Daphne's wedding, so I might not have the time for you... Maybe you should..." 　　I had long stopped craving maternal love from Holly. However, getting ditched again after so many years, I couldn't help feeling heartbreak. 　　Biting back tears, I replied, "Mrs. Sutton, I never wanted to stay in your house, and I would never be friends with a homewrecker. Don't sweat it." 　　"Nonsense! How can you say that about Daphne when her fiancé is here! Do you know who he is?" Holly shot a nervous glance at Derek while scolding me. 　　When Daphne slandered me, Holly took her word for it right away. Yet when I stated the facts, Holly sided with Daphne still. 　　I stared at Derek, remarking, "Of course. He's Black Thorn Pack's Alpha. How could I not know him? Alpha Derek, didn't expect you to tie the knot again so soon. Well, why don't you introduce me to Mrs. Sutton?" 　　Holly looked at Derek in confusion, obviously having no idea that he was married. 　　"Alpha Derek, Mark and I don't know much about Black Thorn Pack. Who is Tabitha to you?" 　　Derek replied with a cold face, "She used to be my Luna. But I'm gonna reject her pretty soon." 　　He made our years of romance sound like crap. 　　At such thought, I was rather disheartened than angry. 　　"You'd better keep your word. If you don't reject me, Daphne will always be the homewrecker," I warned. 　　Daphne chuckled and cut in, "You're about to be expelled from Black Thorn Pack. How dare you act all cocky? If I were you, I'd start to worry about what to do when I became homeless." 　　I turned my head and glared at Daphne. "I wouldn't end up homeless even if I left Black Thorn Pack! So what if you become part of his pack? To me, you're always a shameless bitch, a pathetic rogue!" 　　"Shut up!" 　　Holly interrupted me loudly before I finished. 　　Then she slapped me hard across the face. 　　My cheek stung. I looked back, only to see her breathing heavily out of rage. 　　"Apologize to Daphne!" she commanded. 　　"No way!" I roared through gritted teeth. 　　Boiling with anger, Holly lifted her hand, trying to smack me again, but someone stopped her. 　　Derek eyed Holly icily and ordered, "Apologize to her."