_Lisa’s POV_ After Rylan left, I stood in the middle of the room, still trying to calm my racing heart. His words echoed in my mind. “You’re not a burden here. You’re safe. You’re wanted.” I wasn’t used to hearing things like that. I wasn’t used to anyone looking at me like I mattered. It left a strange warmth in my chest… a warmth I didn’t quite trust yet. I sat down slowly on the edge of the big bed. The mattress dipped under me like a soft cloud. My fingers ran over the thick blanket. Everything felt so clean and warm and comforting. So different from the cold little room I had back home in the Nightshade Pack. I leaned back, resting on my hands, and looked up at the ceiling. It had a soft, golden glow from the small chandelier. The whole room felt like something out of a dream. But as soon as I relaxed, my thoughts turned dark. My parents. Would they be looking for me? Did they even care that I was gone? I hadn’t left a note. I had just… run. Maybe they were worried. Maybe they were panicking, thinking I had gotten lost or hurt. Or maybe… “No,” a voice growled inside me. “They don’t give a damn about you.” It was Sierra—my wolf. Her voice was sharp and cold. “They never cared,” she said. “They never will.” My throat tightened. “But they’re still my parents…” “Parents don’t treat their child like that,” Sierra said firmly. “They let you serve your sister like a maid. They ignored you and mocked you. Do you really think they’re crying over you right now?” I stayed silent. “They’re probably celebrating,” Sierra said. “You were an embarrassment to them. Now they don’t have to deal with you. Good riddance, that’s what they’re thinking.” A sharp ache pierced my chest. I didn’t want to believe it. But a part of me… knew it was true. I had always been the unwanted one. The forgotten one. My parents had always smiled more for Roxanne. Always clapped louder. Always hugged tighter. For me? They barely looked my way. Sierra was right. I closed my eyes. “They’re dead to us now,” Sierra whispered. “We need to stop looking back. We need to move forward.” My lips trembled as I nodded, even though no one could see me. “I’ll try,” I whispered back. “I’ll try to move on.” I was still lost in my thoughts when a sudden knock on the door made me jump. I stood up quickly, brushing my hands on my pants. Who could that be? I walked over and opened the door slowly. Standing there was a young woman. She had shiny black hair that fell in loose waves and striking green eyes that sparkled with warmth. She was smiling at me, holding a large bag in her hands. “You must be Lisa,” she said cheerfully. I nodded. “Yes. That’s me.” She stepped forward and held out her hand. “I’m Alexandra. Rylan’s sister.” My eyes widened in surprise. “Oh! It’s nice to meet you.” She gave a soft laugh. “Likewise. And welcome to our home.” I stepped back, opening the door wider. “Um… do you want to come in?” “Sure, thanks.” She walked in gracefully, setting the big bag on the armchair near the fireplace. “I wanted to check on you. And also… bring you something.” I looked at the bag curiously. “What is it?” She turned toward me with a bright smile. “I figured you might not have had time to pack any clothes.” I looked down at my worn, oversized shirt and pants—the same ones I had been wearing since the hospital. She was right. I didn’t have anything. “I… no, I didn’t,” I admitted softly. “Well,” she said, opening the bag, “I brought you some clothes. They’re all new. I never got around to wearing them, and we’re about the same size, so I am sure that they’ll fit.” My eyes widened as I peeked inside the bag. There were folded dresses in soft fabrics—some casual, some a little fancier. A couple pairs of jeans, soft cotton tops, leggings, even a cozy sweater. Everything looked stylish but comfortable, in warm earthy colors and pastels. “Are you sure?” I asked, feeling overwhelmed. “These are really nice…” She waved a hand. “I’m sure. I’ve had them sitting in my closet for months. You’ll be doing me a favor by wearing them.” I touched one of the shirts, my fingers brushing over the fabric. It was soft and new. Nothing like the worn hand-me-downs I was used to. “Thank you,” I said, my voice catching. “Really… thank you so much.” She smiled gently. “You’re welcome.” There was a pause before she looked around the room. “So… do you like it? The room, I mean.” I nodded quickly. “It’s beautiful. I don’t even know how to describe it. It feels like something out of a fairy tale.” She beamed. “I’m glad. I helped decorate it.” My eyes widened again. “You did?” She nodded proudly. “Rylan asked me to set it up for you. I picked the curtains and the rug… added some warm touches I thought you might like.” I blinked. “You did all that for me?” “Of course,” she said. “You’re our guest. And more importantly…” she gave me a playful look, “you’re the first girl Rylan has ever brought home.” I stared at her. I was stunned. “Wait… really?” She laughed. “Really. I’ve lived here with him for years. He’s never brought a girl back. Not even once.” “Oh,” I said quietly. I was unsure how to respond. She tilted her head, eyes twinkling. “So, either he’s lost his mind… or you’re someone special.” I felt my cheeks burn. “I’m not special. He just… he took pity on me.” Her smile faded just slightly, and she shook her head. “No, Lisa. That’s not it.” I looked down, my voice small. “You don’t know what I have been through.” “I know enough,” she said softly. “And I know my brother. He’s not the type to act out of pity. He’s… careful. Reserved. Ever since—” she stopped, then cleared her throat. “He hasn’t been close to anyone in a long time.” I looked at her, surprised by the emotion in her voice. “He hasn’t dated anyone in years,” she added. “Not even casually. So him bringing you here… that means something.” I didn’t know what to say. Me? Someone like me? Why? Alexandra must have seen the confusion in my eyes, because she smiled and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. “You probably don’t believe me,” she said. “But I can tell you this—Rylan doesn’t do things halfway. If he let you in… he sees something in you. Even if you don’t see it yet.” I walked over and sat beside her slowly. My hands folded in my lap. “I just feel… out of place,” I admitted. “I have never been in a house like this. I have never had people be this kind to me. I don’t know how to act.” “You don’t have to act,” Alexandra said. “Just be yourself. That’s more than enough.” I gave a small nod, feeling my throat tighten again. Then she grinned and nudged me with her elbow. “Also, I should warn you. My brother might act all serious and broody, but he’s a total softie once you get past the grumpiness.” I let out a little laugh. “I have noticed.” “And he definitely likes you,” she added with a wink. My eyes widened. “What? No. He’s just—” “Oh please,” she said, raising a brow. “Didn’t he give you the whole ‘you’re safe here’ speech? And the soft looks? Yeah. That’s his thing when he’s smitten.” “Smitten?” I echoed, half-shocked. She nodded. “Completely.” I didn’t know whether to laugh or panic. Alexandra stood up and brushed off her pants. “Anyway, I won’t keep you. You should rest. I’ll come check on you later. Maybe tomorrow we can go shopping—get you some things of your own.” “Okay,” I said, smiling. “Thank you again… for everything.” She paused at the door and looked back at me. “You’re welcome, Lisa. And… I hope you know you’re not alone anymore. You’ve got people here now.” Then she left, closing the door gently behind her. I sat there for a moment, staring at the clothes she had given me. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe… just maybe… I could belong somewhere. Maybe I could have a real family someday. Not the one I was born into. But the one I chose. And maybe, that started here. In this room. In this mansion. With Rylan. And with people like Alexandra. I ran my hand over the soft blanket again and let out a slow breath. Maybe things were changing. Maybe… this was the beginning of something better.