Chapter 3

I walked until I was far enough away, and the prophecy crystal in my pocket started talking again.

"If you hadn't discovered the truth today, you would have lost both your hands in a rogue war, trying to protect Adam. And then the whole pack would have turned on you. Everyone would call you a useless waste of pack resources, unworthy of standing beside an Alpha."

I listened, trembling all over.

"Adam wouldn't even seal the bond with you. He was too scared of angering the pack and getting thrown out of his Alpha position."

"Your sister, desperate for the Luna spot, would lure you to the cliffs and shove you off with her own hands. The bottom was full of thorns. You'd heal and get torn apart over and over until you bled out, screaming."

My chest seized up, suffocating.

If I'd really been stupid enough to throw the healer trials and stay in Silvermoon with them, I wouldn't just lose my chance at becoming a top healer. I'd end up crippled, dying in agony.

Memories I'd deliberately ignored came flooding back.

Adam and Sophia leaning into each other, a little too close. The panic on Adam's face every time Sophia got sick. How I'd played the fool, telling myself he was just helping me watch over my sister.

Until today. Until I saw them with my own eyes, naked and tangled together.

I was shaking with rage when I got home. I sat there the whole night, frozen.

The next day, Adam called.

His voice was satisfied, smug, like he was in a great mood. "Olivia, I was out handling pack business last night and didn't come home. Did you sleep well?"

"Fine." My voice came out hoarse and ice-cold.

He paused, then brushed it off as me being moody because he hadn't come back. Like always—easy to smooth over.

"Don't be mad, I got you something. By the way, the healer trials yesterday—you threw them, right?"

He never wanted me to be better. He just wanted me to stay that six-year-old orphan he could protect forever.

It was so obvious. And I'd been blind to it the whole time.

My throat tightened. I didn't tell him the truth. Just a soft "Mm."

Adam laughed on the other end. "That's my Olivia. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

"Hey," he continued, barely containing his excitement, "pack your stuff and get to the pack border. I'm taking you and Sophia to Frost Pack."

"I know you always wanted to study there. You can't anymore, but as the future Alpha of Silvermoon, I can at least take you to see it. And—"

"Frost has this herb that's the best for stabilizing wolf spirits. No bitterness at all. Perfect for your sister."

I laughed to myself, bitter and hollow.

For one stupid second, when he said he was taking me to Frost, I thought he was trying to make it up to me.

Turns out it was just to get herbs for my sister.

Before the trials, I'd trained day and night to get stronger. Exhausted my pheromones again and again. Adam never once offered to find me anything to help. And in the end, he made me give up everything I'd worked for.

But he remembered every little detail about Sophia. That she hated bitter medicine. He'd go out of his way to find her the good stuff.

He'd been this obvious about playing favorites the whole time. And I'd been blind.

"Olivia?" Adam's voice cut in. "You hear me? Come on, we're leaving."

"...Okay." I paused, then agreed.

Adam. Sophia. It was time to end this.

By the time I got to the border, they were already waiting.

"Sis!" Sophia spotted me and quickly let go of Adam's arm, waving. "You're finally here! Adam said we're going to Frost Pack. I've never been that far before—I'm so nervous!"

"Everyone's here." Adam walked over, positioning himself naturally beside Sophia. "Let's go. Car's waiting."

I followed them out, but the border guard stopped me.

"Olivia Taylor, may I see your leave permit?"

I blinked and shook my head. "I don't have one."

Rogues were rampant outside the border. Silvermoon Pack rules required every member to apply three days in advance before leaving.

Adam and Sophia had both applied. Mine was the only one missing.

"Sophia, I told you to apply for Olivia too." Adam's tone was scolding, but it came out playful, almost flirtatious.

Sophia turned, batting her lashes, all innocence. "I went yesterday, but the Alpha office closed right after I finished mine and Adam's. I didn't mean to..."

Her voice wobbled, on the verge of tears.

Adam hesitated, then gave me a soothing smile. "It's fine, Olivia. Go apply now. In three days, I'll have someone pick you up. Sophia and I will go ahead and wait for you there."

I smiled coldly and nodded. "Sure. Wait for me."

Adam froze at my expression, a flicker of unease crossing his face. But Sophia tugged at him.

"Adam, come on—we'll miss the stargazing show at Frost tonight."

"Alright."

I watched him look down at Sophia with that soft, doting smile. Watched them lean into each other and walk away.

I stood there until the border was empty. Then I turned without hesitation and pulled out my leave permit.

Destination: Frost Pack.

I'd applied the day the trials ended. I was just waiting for the results.

I went home, packed my things, and slept like a baby.

At dawn, a knock came at the door.

The Alpha of Frost Pack stood outside, beaming, grasping my hand in both of his.

"Olivia Taylor, congratulations. You've earned first place in this year's healer trials. Frost Pack sincerely invites you to join our Healer's Hall as Chief Healer, with all the privileges of an elder. Every resource the pack has is yours without question."

Right then, my phone lit up.

Adam.

[Olivia, did you get your application in? We're already at Frost. Waiting for you~]

I stared at the screen and laughed.

Oh, you'll wait alright.

But I wasn't getting to Frost because of some future Alpha.

I was getting there on my own.

I lifted my head, looked the Alpha of Frost Pack in the eye, and spoke without hesitation.

"I would be honored to join Frost Pack."

Then I smiled, turned toward the light, and followed him away. Never looking back.