Chapter 2

Elder Kane gave me a bitter smile. His voice was low and hoarse.

"I'm about to leave to inspect the northern border, so I can't see you off. But I'll have them throw you a big farewell party to cheer on our bravest warrior."

"Okay." I smiled and hugged him tight, my eyes already wet.

His embrace was as warm as a fire on a winter night. He was probably the one person in Moonfrost who cared about me most.

The next day, I was packing my gear at the training ground when the Grand Elder texted me.

"They say they're throwing the party at your place. Have fun, Lillian."

I rushed home from the training ground.

When I opened the door, a sickly sweet floral smell hit me. Silver balloons tied with white ribbons floated against the ceiling, and scarlet roses covered the living room. They were June's favorite flowers, and their heavy scent made me frown.

Garrett came over and casually took my things. "Lillian, go to the mall and keep June busy. Don't let her come back yet. The cake isn't ready."

I stared at him, puzzled.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the banner on the wall. It read, "Welcome to the Moonfrost Pack, June." I stopped short.

Gold glitter sparkled on the banner. June's name was enormous, every letter outlined.

"Isn't this my party?" My voice came out ice-cold.

Payton laughed awkwardly and coaxed me like I was a sulking child. "We'll make it up to you next time. Don't be mad."

I scoffed.

I didn't even know if there'd be a next time for me.

Elvin came over too and shoved a camera into my hands. "You're in charge of taking pictures of June at the party. I'll go keep her busy."

It was an old silver digital camera with a little moon sticker on the side that the Grand Elder himself had put there.

This is the camera the Grand Elder gave me!

He'd told me to take lots of pictures so the Moonfrost Pack would have something to remember me by. He and the others could look at them when they missed me.

And now it's supposed to be full of June's memories instead?

I gripped the camera so hard my knuckles turned white. "The Grand Elder gave me this."

Elvin looked stunned for a moment. Then his expression turned weary and resigned.

"When you're done, June will take pictures of you too. Happy now?"

I let out a long breath and struggled to keep my voice steady. "The camera's memory is full. It can't take any more pictures."

But Garrett snatched the camera out of my hands. "Just delete the old ones."

I froze where I stood.

They seemed to have forgotten that the camera was full of photos of us: holding up the first prey we ever caught, painting the walls of our new place, clinking glasses and kissing in the crowd on New Year's...

They'd once held me close and promised that when Elvin and I had our marking ceremony, they'd print every photo and hang them all up so the Moon Goddess could see how close we all were.

Back then, Elvin had held me tight, his embrace as warm as a fire on a winter night.

But now, my most precious memories meant nothing to them.

With a cold laugh, I pushed them aside.

"I'll do it myself!" I selected every photo, deleted them all, and shoved the camera back at them. "Happy now?"

Elvin's lips moved, but nothing came out. Guilt crossed his face, mixed with something I couldn't read. He reached toward my hair, then stopped.

His expression stayed stiff as he said, "I promise we'll take as many pictures with you as you want after the party."

Is that a promise?

Or is he just playing me?

I couldn't tell.

And I no longer cared to find out.

I avoided his hand and turned to go.

But Elvin caught my arm and hesitated. "That ruby that qualifies you for the Moon Goddess rite... it'd be a shame to let it go to waste. Give it to June and let her try."

It was a pigeon-blood ruby. I'd won it by bringing down more prey than anyone else during the full moon hunt. That honor belonged to me alone.

I still remembered the smell of the woods that day... snow, pine resin, and the warm, bloody scent of prey.

I never thought they'd take that from me too.

The pain cut straight through me.

I forced a smile and pretended it didn't matter. "Sure. It's in my room. If you can find it, give it to her."

Elvin breathed a sigh of relief, and his face lit up. "Lillian, when you get back, I'll help you win another one."

"Don't bother!"

I ran upstairs, found the ruby I'd treasured for so long, and hurled it down. It struck the edge of the stone windowsill and broke into several pieces. Dark red shards scattered across the rug.

Then I threw away the glass wind chime, the wolf-tooth bracelet, the posters they'd given me... everything.

These things didn't matter to them.

So I didn't want to keep any reminders of them.