Chapter 2

On the second day after we moved into the new home, Mom held a housewarming party at the apartment.

She invited more than a dozen relatives and friends from the pack.

Every time she showed someone a room, her face was filled with pride.

"This is Kalista's room. She works so hard at the pack chamber of commerce. She deserves to live somewhere comfortable.

"This is Keane's room. He's still in the guard reserve. He needs enough space to train and rest."

When they reached the walk-in closet, Kalista smiled in embarrassment.

"I told them I didn't need it, but Dad and Mom insisted on giving it to me."

Everyone looked at her with envy and said she was very fortunate.

Eventually, someone thought of me.

"What about Blair's room?"

Mom's smile disappeared for a second, but she quickly regained her composure.

"She rents a place near the guard headquarters and usually doesn't come home. Young people should focus on their careers. Keeping a room for her here would just be a waste."

Everyone nodded.

"Blair is so considerate. She knows how to ease her family's burden."

I stood outside the room with a fruit platter. I didn't go in.

They didn't know that the place I rented was tiny. It didn't even have a window.

Every month, I sent most of the high-quality supplies and allowances I earned back home while I continued living alone in that small, damp, and cold room.

I had believed that if I worked hard for just a few more years and earned enough commendations, I would eventually have a place that truly belonged to me.

I had been injured countless times over the years just for believing that. The worst injury had nearly even cost me my life.

Yet, the home I had fought so desperately to earn didn't even have a place for me.

The dinner table was filled with food.

Every dish was something Kalista or Keane liked, but not a single one was something I liked.

Mom placed a shrimp on my plate. "There are many guests today. Stop standing around daydreaming and help take care of everyone."

I had been allergic to shellfish since I was a pup. If I ate it, my entire body would break out in red rashes, and I would have trouble breathing.

Mom simply didn't remember.

I put the shrimp back.

Kalista immediately explained in a soft voice, "Blair can't eat shrimp."

Mom froze. "After all these years, it still hasn't gotten better? Then just eat some vegetables. Don't make us prepare a separate dish just for you. It wouldn't look good in front of the guests."

The housewarming party lasted until late at night.

After the relatives and friends finally left, the entire apartment was a mess.

Dad had drunk too much and went straight to bed. Kalista said she had to get up early to go to work at the chamber of commerce. Keane said he needed to review his training.

So, naturally, the cleaning became my responsibility again.

As I bent over to mop the floor, I was so hungry that my stomach cramped up.

Mom came out of the kitchen with a plate of leftover shrimp.

"There's still some shrimp left. Heat it up and eat it. Don't waste any food."

I didn't accept it.

Her expression immediately darkened.

"Now that we've moved into a better home, your attitude has gotten worse too? Don't forget this, the pack may have rewarded us with this apartment, but it belongs to the whole family. It's not yours alone."

I suddenly found that incredibly funny.

When I received the insignia, they said it was an honor shared by the whole family.

But when it came time to divide the rooms, no one considered me part of the family.

When I returned to the sofa, I found that my cardboard boxes had been moved to the far end of the balcony. On top of them were Kalista's list of supplies for her upcoming marking ceremony and Keane's old protective gear.

Right then, my phone vibrated.

It was a message from the captain of the guard.

[Outpost 3 on the northern frontier urgently needs a werewolf guard willing to serve there long-term. The assignment involves three years of closed rotation under harsh conditions, but each guard will be provided with private quarters.]

[You kept saying it was too far away from home before. Would you consider it now?]

I looked up at the four closed doors.

After a long time, I replied.

[I'm going.]