Tasting 252

252–A Simple Test

Nora:

The minute he walked inside, he scanned the room and then looked at

1. me.

“Huh! A monster!” he commented, and before I could react, he had grasped my wrist and started

dragging me out of the room.

“Get your hands off me,” I yelled, trying to fight him off. But he was too proud of his strength.

If only he knew what I could do if I let Akira out, he would be in shreds in no more than a few

seconds. But I couldn’t let her out, not when I am already seen as a monster.

“Come with us, you monster!” he hissed at me, his grasp causing me so much pain.

“Wait! I didn’t do anything,” I cried out as loudly as I could, but it was all in vain. There were so many

people outside, but I couldn’t recognize any of them. I couldn’t even identify my stepbrothers among

the crowd.

They took me downstairs, everyone yelling things at me, and then threw me into the holding room

where Lord Atwood sat with his head bowed and shoulders slouched.

“Dad!” I exclaimed, but he shook his head, almost as if disagreeing with me.

“Did you know your father was a whistler?” he asked, his eyes fixed on my face.

253-A Simple Test

“No!” I quickly shook my head.

“Are you a monster too?” he asked me again. Looking into his eyes terrified me, but I steadily shook

my head.

I needed to survive, and if I didn’t lie, they would surely kill me.

“No! I don’t even have a wolf.” I felt so guilty that I pinched the skin between my fingers secretly

while lying to Lord Atwood.

“Then why did your father claim you are one of them?” he asked softly.

I could hear the pain in his heavy voice, and it was daunting.

“Because—he thinks everyone is like him,” I closed my eyes and murmured.

The silence grew thick.

“Has she ever transitioned?” Yuki asked Lord Atwood.

“No! She has not shown her wolf at all. Which is why I don’t believe that man’s word. He hates me

and has held a grudge against me over the years for one reason only. Now that he’s found out his

daughter is living with me, he might have lost his mind,” Lord Atwood explained my father’s

behavior to the council.

I didn’t even know the whistler had called me out to be a monster. I thought they were just angry

that I was related to him. Shit! I should have denied being his daughter.

“But that doesn’t mean Nora is not a monster. If a father is so certain, there must be some truth to

it,” Daphne said, obviously here just to watch my downfall.

252 A Simple Test

“We cannot just let her stay here without knowing what kind of crazy beast she is,” she continued,

and I hugged myself, staying at Lord Atwood’s feet.

“Then what do you suggest we do? Punish her for being born. differently?” The minute Lord Atwood

yelled at her, my hopes were revived. I looked up and watched his face, hoping he would say more.

things like that. Maybe then I would be able to tell them my truth.

“It is not about being born differently. It is about the hatred they have for you and your sons. What if

it is all her and her father’s plan to get revenge upon you and your family for their broken family?”

Daphne was so cleverly trying to brainwash them all.

“I swear I am not a part of anything. That’s why I ran away,” I said, referring to a completely different

world but still connecting to the situation. My mind was entirely blocked from thinking rationally at

this point.

“I think that man lied about everything. There is no way she could have gone to free him,” Lord

Atwood disagreed with them and I sighed. secretly. He even held my arm to make me stand up.

“What should we do then?” Yuki asked Lord Atwood, who was still watching my face with so much

love. So he hadn’t lost hope in me after all?

“I know,” Ford stepped up. Of course, he knew. He must have planned everything in his head

before coming here to accuse me.

“We can make her forcibly transition just to see what her wolf is all about. If we find her wolf to be a

crazy monster, then believe it or not, she will turn deadly to us. There will be no chance for her to

stay here,” Ford added, making my heart sink in my chest when the council

252–A Simple Test

agreed with him and nodded their heads.