After our den burned down, finding a new den to live became a challenge.
Dad said, "It's hard to find a new den, especially with three pups. We'll have to take two and send the other one away for now."
At his words, my heart sank. I realized that they wanted to abandon me.
As soon as my dad's words left his mouth, everyone turned to look at me.
I gave a bitter smile. I was right. Sure enough, I'd be the one to go.
In the past, I would've thrown a tantrum, acting spoiled and crying loudly until they let me go with them. But I felt it was useless.
Self mockery wretched through my wolf. It was sad that I had to resort to that to get their love or care.
But my brother and sister never had to resort to that; they just got what they wanted and my parents always took their side and cared for them.
I knew it was useless to throw a tantrum anymore. I had finally understood that I would never be as important to them as my brother and sister.
So, I simply nodded and stepped back, saying in a hoarse voice, "I'll go."
They all looked surprised but said nothing more.
I was sent to live with my uncle's clan, where I had to be extremely cautious to survive.
Every day, I'd do chores and be silver dust sweeper to earn money, which I'd give to my uncle.
Initially, they'd give me a faint smile, but eventually, even that disappeared.
Their faces grew cold, their expressions a mix of disdain and annoyance.
One afternoon, after finishing scrubbing the bathroom, I overheard them talking.
"When is she leaving?"
"Just a few more days."
"Ugh, don't you smell her? I feel filthy just saying a word to her. I have to shower twice afterward. And with her eating, that's another mouth to feed. She is such a burden."
Hearing this, I lowered my head and sniffed myself, realizing they didn't like me using their shower. Their words made my wolf hurt in pain, thrashing around in a frenzy. My hands shook as I realized they hated me being there. I was nothing but a burden to them.
That night at dinner, I smiled and said, "Uncle, I don't feel comfortable in the room I'm staying in. Would it be okay if I moved to the basement? I won't join meals anymore; I'll just make something simple myself."
I kept my tone light and controlled, afraid they'd get upset. No matter how they felt, at least they let me live them. If they threw me out, I would have no where to go.
They nodded, and their icy expressions finally softened a bit.
Aunt even placed a piece of egg on my plate, a rare gesture of kindness.
