Elena didn't know what to say. She just watched Pepper with big, pained eyes. She felt sick, and even... dirty thinking that she it was her brother, her Soren, her blood who had done this to the girl
And how many others?
But the idea sent Elena's head spinning. And now she had to take care of this one. Elena wanted to look away from Pepper in shame, but she forced herself to keep the girl's gaze, but her face was tight with emotion.
"Yes," she said, nodding slowly. Elena looked like she might burst into tears, but she kept her voice controlled, definitive, speaking slowly. She wouldn't pretend. "Yes. My brother Soren is cursed, and takes the form of a wolf. I haven't seen him in a long time. He left us... five years ago. He stopped being the brother I loved before then, but I..."
Then Elena finally broke Pepper's gaze, squeezing her eyes shut. She couldn't believe it. But she could. She knew it was true. And knowing it made her physically sick. Suddenly, she felt that she could kill him. She couldn't believe that she had to protect this girl, to save her, because of Soren. But that's what she needed to focus on, and she looked back up at Pepper, her eyes pleading.
"Pepper, please don't go. I-... I know this might change how you feel, about me, but... Please. Stay until it's safe for you to leave here, at least. And then please leave with Mallor. He'll take you. I-" Elena swallowed, her urgent plea stopping mid-sentence. What could she say?