Chapter 3

"If you want to prove us wrong, strip. Let us see the marks!"

"Yeah! Take her clothes off!"

"The Elders are here. Let them be the judge!"

"Strip her!"

"Look at her face, she's terrified!"

Before I could react, someone rushed forward and ripped the buttons off my shirt.

My left shoulder was exposed to the cold air, revealing the jagged scar. The crowd gasped, convinced of my guilt.

A wave of humiliation hit me. I crouched down, desperately clutching my torn shirt around myself.

"This is all a coincidence! I don't know them! Mom! Dad! Help me!"

Tears streamed down my face as I looked toward the sofa.

But Thomas and Martha were gone. They had slipped out of the room.

Seeing that I had no one to protect me, more people rushed into the room, pinning me to the floor. Hands began pulling at my clothes.

"Let’s see if she really has those marks~"

Dirty hands touched my skin.

Disgust and helplessness choked me. I thrashed wildly, but my wrists and ankles were pinned down by powerful wolves.

"Sleeping with so many Alphas... what a dirty bitch."

"Who knows how many guys have had a turn."

"Get off me! Get off!"

*Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!*

Greyson stormed over and slapped me across the face four times. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

"You worthless whore! You ran away without a word back then. Do you have any idea how long I searched for you?!"

"Enough!" Elder Raymond roared, slamming his staff onto the floor. The ground cracked, and the shockwave threw everyone back. "No physical abuse is allowed in front of the Crescent Council!"

Greyson stepped back, but his eyes were still burning with hatred.

Humiliation consumed me. I wanted to die.

Was I really going to die the same way, even after being reborn?

"Yara! You shameless bitch!"

Kaden, dressed in his wedding suit, pushed through the crowd. His eyes were filled with disgust.

But he was my only hope.

"Kaden... please... save me..."

"Save you?!" Kaden spat, stepping forward. "You betrayed me! You have the nerve to ask me to save you?!"

He raised his boot and stomped on my face, grinding my cheek into the floor.

"So you’re the groom," Silva sneered.

"Pity. Looks like your bride likes a crowded bed."

"They deserve each other."

Kaden was shoved out of the living room by the Alphas.

"Quiet!" Elder Raymond barked. He turned his deep, piercing eyes to me. "Little girl, I am going to ask you a few questions. Answer them truthfully."

I nodded, tears mixing with the blood on my face.

"What is your name?"

"Yara."

"Who are your parents?"

"I..." I froze.

Who were my parents? Were Thomas and Martha really my parents? I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"You don't know who your biological parents are, do you?" Elder Raymond said softly. "Your adoptive parents found you on the side of the road. And when you woke up, you had no memory of your past. Am I correct?"

The three questions hit me like thunder.

"How... how do you know..."

The Elder sighed. "Because your condition looks like a very old, very dark curse. Someone went to great lengths to erase your past."

The six Alphas exchanged glances.

"Who did it?" Silva demanded.

"That is for her to find out," the Elder said, looking at me. "Little girl, are you willing to accept the Crescent Council’s help? We can help you retrieve your lost memories."

"I... I am willing."

***

####