Chapter 4

The day I left for the northern frontier happened to be the day of Kalista's marking ceremony with the future heir of Frostfang Pack.

Mom asked me to stand at the entrance of the hotel where the ceremony was being held and welcome the arriving guests.

"Kalista has to accompany the groom's relatives. Keane is still young and doesn't know everyone. This can only be left to you."

I was in my plainest white shirt. I sat behind the reception desk.

Relatives from the werewolf pack gradually entered the hotel.

Someone recognized me and asked with a smile, "Aren't you Blair? Why are you sitting here by yourself at the entrance?"

Mom was greeting guests nearby. Hearing the question, she casually explained, "She doesn't like lively occasions. She's more comfortable by herself."

It was as if she hadn't assigned me to sit there. She made it look like I simply didn't want to enter the banquet hall.

By three in the afternoon, most of the guests had arrived.

My parents stood with Kalista in front of the wall of flowers.

Keane had changed into a new suit and squeezed in beside Kalista.

Amid the laughter and cheerful chatter, Dad waved at me. I walked over, but instead of inviting me into the photo, he handed me his phone.

"Blair, take a photo of us."

I accepted the phone.

Just like on the day we moved into the new apartment, my parents stood in the middle of the frame. Kalista held Mom's arm while Keane rested a hand on Dad's shoulder.

They stood close together and smiled as happily as ever.

One of the relatives couldn't help but ask, "Isn't Blair going to be in the photo?"

Mom paused for a moment before quickly smiling. "She's never liked having her picture taken."

I didn't explain.

I simply pressed the shutter for them.

Right then, Kalista suddenly cried out. "Mom, the wolf fang pendant you gave me is missing!"

Mom had specially prepared that pendant for Kalista.

Engraved with the family rune, it represented the protection of one's bloodline and was meant to ward off harm.

Everyone immediately gathered around her.

Kalista anxiously searched through her jewelry box, and tears quickly filled her eyes.

Keane suddenly looked at me.

"Blair was the only one who went into the lounge just now."

I froze.

"I only went in to put away the guest registration book."

Mom's gaze immediately landed on my old backpack.

Since I had to catch the transport to the northern frontier before six that evening, I had brought all my belongings to the hotel. I planned to leave quietly by myself once the ceremony was over.

Mom's eyes were filled with suspicion.

"Why did you bring a backpack?"

"After the banquet, I'm going to stay at a friend's house for a few days."

Mom didn't doubt my answer. She simply held out her hand toward my backpack.

"Open it and let me see."

I clutched the backpack tightly. My voice caught in my throat.

"Do you think I stole Kalista's pendant?"

Dad looked displeased as well.

"We're family. We just need to clear things up. If you didn't take it, why are you afraid to let us look?"

The relatives around us stared at me strangely and began whispering among themselves.

"Blair usually seems so honest. Could she be jealous because Kalista is marrying into a good pack?"

Before I could stop him, Dad stepped forward and snatched my backpack away.

He yanked the zipper open.

My clothes, personal belongings, and toiletry bag were dumped across the floor.

The document folder that had once been soaked in filthy water fell out as well. My medical report and transfer order scattered across the floor.

Dad searched through every single item, but he found nothing.

The room fell silent again.

Kalista bit her lip and spoke softly. "It looks like it wasn't Blair."

Mom nodded. "I'm glad it wasn't."

I crouched down and slowly began gathering my belongings from the floor.

"Shouldn't you apologize to me?"

Dad frowned. "We only checked your things. Do you really have to make an issue out of this today? Kalista's pendant was missing. Wasn't it natural for us to be anxious and try to find it?"

Mom lowered her voice and warned me, "So many relatives are watching. Don't make it look like we falsely accused you. Be more generous. Don't make us the laughingstock."

'The laughingstock?'

When they searched my belongings in front of everyone, they weren't worried about being laughed at.

But now, simply because I wanted an apology, I was supposedly exposing the family's shame?

I didn't say another word.

As I gathered my things, I noticed a small length of cord sticking out of Keane's suit pocket.

I lunged forward and pulled it out. It was Kalista's wolf fang pendant.

Everyone froze. Keane's expression changed instantly. He stammered for a long time without knowing what to say.

The moment Mom saw the pendant, she immediately rushed to defend Keane.

"Oh, that's right. I asked Keane to hold onto it for a while. Look at me. I completely forgot."

The crowd immediately became lively again. Mom quietly pulled Keane into a nearby lounge. Dad, Kalista, and I followed.

"Keane, why did you take the wolf fang pendant?"

Keane lowered his head. "I have an outdoor training exercise in a few days. I heard this one might be dangerous, and I was scared. I just wanted to carry it with me in case something happened."

Kalista didn't look pleased, but when she heard his explanation, she sighed. "Forget it. If you need it, you can keep it for now."

Dad nodded approvingly. Mom patted Kalista on the shoulder. "See? Kalista is the sensible one. Keane is still young. He was just confused for a moment."

I looked at them. "What about what happened earlier? Why did all of you immediately assume it was me in front of everyone?"

Dad looked at me impatiently. "You didn't take it, and that's all that matters. Keane is your brother. If this gets out, it could damage his reputation."

I suddenly laughed. "So my reputation doesn't matter?"

No one answered.

Mom shook her head. "You're always making such a big deal out of everything. That's enough. Today is Kalista's special day. Stay behind after the banquet and help clean up the venue. Stop causing trouble now."

A bone horn sounded from the banquet hall.

The ceremony was about to begin.

My parents immediately adjusted their clothes. Kalista touched up her lipstick. Keane followed them out like nothing had happened.

The lights illuminated their faces. Only I remained standing in the shadows.

My phone vibrated. Mom had sent the family photo I had just taken, and everyone in the group chat was laughing and offering their congratulations.

At that moment, an encrypted message arrived from the captain of the guard.

[The vehicle is waiting for you at the hotel's rear entrance. Departure is in ten minutes.]

I let out a long exhale and pulled my backpack zipper shut.

My footsteps were muffled by the carpet. The music in the banquet hall was loud, and everyone's attention was focused on the ceremony. No one noticed where I was.

When I reached the rear entrance, Mom sent me another message.

[The photo you took earlier is a little blurry. Take another one for us after the banquet.]

[And remember to clean up that pile of your messy things from the floor. Don't block the guests' path.]

I didn't reply.

After I got into the vehicle, the guard liaison took my communication device according to protocol.

Before the screen went dark, I looked at that family photo one last time.

I then firmly pressed the power button.

In the picture, Dad, Mom, Kalista, and Keane stood together while smiling happily.

There were four of them, and no one was missing.

The home I had earned through my own achievements had never included me in a single family photo, and it had never had room for me, but I no longer cared because I was never coming back.