"Don't be selfish," he continued. "Mia is trying to include you in something important—"
"I said no."
Mia's eyes filled with tears. "I just wanted us all to be together as family. But if you don't want to be there..." Her voice broke. "If you hate me that much..."
"I'm just worried about Alice." I replied, turning away from her to continue packing.
"She wasn't your real mother," Mia said softly. "She was just—"
"Don't."I growled, my eyes flashing. "Don't you dare finish that sentence."
Mia flinched, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. She turned to James. "See? She hates me. I try so hard to be a good sister, but she—"
"Enough." James's voice was sharp, his alpha power pressing down on me. He turned to me, his eyes hard. "You're coming to dinner tonight. And you're coming to the gathering next week. That's final."
"No, I'm not." I gritted out.
"Yes, you are." He stepped closer, his alpha dominance pressing harder against my wolf. "You're my mate. I am your alpha. You'll attend both events, you'll smile, and you'll support your sister. Do you understand?"
I stared at him. The alpha I had loved for eight years. The alpha who had murdered our pups.
"Fine," I said quietly. "I'll come."