In the Forest Pack I had been slapped more than once for being "too ordinary."
As if that was somehow a crime.
Back then, it felt like everything about me was wrong. Not ugly enough to be pitied. Not beautiful enough to be admired. Just… there.
Andrew had loved and hated my face at the same time.
Sometimes he would cup my face gently and tell me I was beautiful. Those moments were confusing enough already.
But other times he would stare at me with this strange look in his eyes and say the only reason anyone paid attention to me was because of how I looked.
And somehow… that always sounded like an insult even when it was meant to be a compliment. Didn't that mean I was ugly? Didn't it mean there was nothing else about me worth noticing?
The memories pressed in on me for a moment, heavy and uncomfortable. Then Phoenix's voice pulled me back to the present.
"I know it takes a lot to start believing in yourself," he said gently. "But I think you're beautiful."
