Cynthia Dion:
"What is going on here?" Mara stepped forward, demanding an explanation even though she had overheard everything. She left the door wide open, ensuring that anyone who hadn't heard the neighbor's slurs could now listen in. I stayed silent and let Atticus handle the situation with his mate.
"Ugh!" Atticus grunted, visibly frustrated as he paced back and forth.
"This is what I've feared from the start. I knew she would gain your sympathy," Mara yelled, tears welling up in her eyes, her lips downturned in disappointment.
"Why my mate? Didn't you feel satisfied after taking other people's mates? Why mine now?" Mara stormed inside to confront me, her voice filled with anger and despair. I noticed our neighbors peeking in, expressing sympathy for Mara, who was crying profusely.
