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"She is ours," said Dominic "Iris only stayed with the Bjorn Pack because she wanted to be near Christopher’s grave But I think that if she’d had custody of Francesca, she’d have joined our pack for her sake Francesca would have been a Phoenix Pack wolf She was taken froh"

"Yeah," agreed Marcus "It’s time she reconnected with us"

Lydia stroked her throat "She may wish she’d never found out the truth"

"You should send her another e-s a little clearer, Lydia," Dante advised "But don’t tell her too h to , she’ll face it and deal with it" Lips pursed, Trick shrugged "Guess this will show us just how strong she is"

After pulling up outside her grandparents’ honition The white three-story building was beautiful, there was no doubt about it Stylish Classy Elegant But when she was growing up, it had also felt constricting at tis were expected of her--even as a child Extreme politeness Complete composure Absolute obedience

She’d failed on all counts

Not purposely or spitefully But because there was a wildness in her that wouldn’t allow for that sort of control Her wolf had always bucked against her grandparents’ strictness--not in defiance, but out of her protectiveness toward Frankie

She walked between the white columns and dashed up the steps The housekeeper, Edna, opened the door and s for a housekeeper, but Edna had been good to Frankie over the years, encouraging and supporting her when her grandparents didn’t Usually Frankie would talk with her a little Today she was too anxious to speak to her grandparents

With only an absent for Edna, Frankie headed inside The house was as classy on the inside as it was on the outside Bright and spacious, with chandeliers, antiques, and crown hout, but not even one of her sculptures--it was a staterandparents didn’t approve of her chosen profession

Her grandparents loved her, but they’d never understood her Never understood that there hadn’t really been a choice for her Sculpting wasn’t so she did to pass the time or amuse herself There was a drive inside her to create, to shut out the world while she disappeared into her own It made her feel alive Maybe they didn’t understand because, though they were both ambitious, neither of them had a "passion"

She didn’t expect them to understand She just wished they’d accept it

Her heels clicked along the marble floor as she headed down the wide hallway She found her grandparents in the cool, airy sitting roo on his cell phone, while Marcia sat on the upholstered sofa, sipping as probably iced tea

Marcia’s lad you’re here Selht with her son I hope you’ll join us" She rose, clearly expecting Frankie to cross the room and kiss her cheek But Frankie couldn’t seem to move She felt rooted to the spot as she stared at theh new eyes Could they really have lied to her all these years? Why?

Ending his call, Geoffrey turned to her He sht of her, but that s?"

Frankie balled her hands into fists "Do I have an Aunt Lydia?"

There was a booed a brief look

"You told me that my father was Dustin Turner, that he was a lone wolf and he didn’t tell you what pack he ca to do with him or me" She forced herself to take a few steps forward "Was that story a lie?"

Geoffrey rested a hand on the back of an armchair "Francesca--"

"Was it a lie?"