Chapter 3

The next day marked Jaxon and Wyatt's birthday, exactly one day before mine.

My parents threw an extravagant, blowout bash for them. As for me, they brushed me off with the exact same excuse they used every year:

"It's just a one-day difference. Organizing two separate banquets is entirely too much hassle."

"Just celebrate with Jaxon and Wyatt."

I forced my lips into a rigid line.

This was my 25th birthday. A milestone.

I had been secretly anticipating it for six months, silently praying for even a small, dedicated surprise.

My pathetic fantasies shattered the second reality set in.

The desperate words, this is probably the last birthday I'll ever spend here, died in my throat.

"Then just get me a present. A present meant exclusively for me."

I stressed the word exclusively.

Because historically, my "gifts" were just the cast-offs Jaxon and Wyatt threw away.

Mom and Dad quickly nodded and swore they would.

When the party was in full swing, a massive, multi-tiered cake was wheeled out.

Jaxon and Wyatt flanked it, looking like royalty.

The guests were roaring with applause, a few even teasing the family.

"Wait, isn't tomorrow Harper's birthday too? Splitting one cake three ways might be a tight squeeze."

By the time the words left the guest's mouth, Dad had already sliced the cake straight down the middle.

He shot me an awkward, tight chuckle.

"Slicing it in three is too messy. We'll catch you next time, Harper."

I had lost count of how many times that exact phrase had been directed at me.

I should have accepted it ages ago.

My parents' supply of love was only large enough to be divided by two.

My slice was permanently back-ordered.

Then came the grand gift reveal.

A sleek sports car for Jaxon. The deed to a private villa for Wyatt.

When my turn finally came, they presented me with an ornate box.

I lifted the lid to reveal a stunning, shimmering evening gown.

Mom tilted her chin proudly. "What do you think? I picked it out just for you."

I offered a small, stiff nod.

I felt a pathetic rush of joy, intertwined with deep humiliation. It was literally just a dress, yet I was starving enough to feel flattered.

I hurried to the bathroom to try it on.

But no matter how I contorted myself, the back zipper flat-out refused to budge. I ended up sweating through my makeup trying to force it.

Eventually, I just gave up.

Staring at the gorgeous, ill-fitting fabric in the mirror, silent tears leaked out before I could stop them.

Why didn't she even bother to check my size? Was I really that much of an afterthought?

I scrubbed my face clean and stepped out into the hallway, only to freeze when I heard Mom chatting with a visiting Luna.

"I have to hand it to you, Corrine. Your twins are strong, handsome, and charismatic. But Harper... well, at least she's mature and low-maintenance."

"It's really not ideal that you play favorites with the boys so openly."

Even though I swore to myself I was numb to it.

My muscles still locked up, my breath hitching as I waited for Mom's defense.

After a agonizingly long pause, Mom's voice drifted down the hall.

"You just don't get it. Obviously, I birthed all three, but the sheer pride the twins bring us... she doesn't even come close."

"Plus, she's always so gloomy. Never smiles, never cuddles up to us. I just can't bring myself to dote on a child like that."

My vision swam. I stumbled backward and my hip collided hard with a sharp console table.

The biting pain in my side was nothing compared to the gaping wound in my chest.

It wasn't until a warm, weathered hand squeezed my shoulder that I snapped back to reality.

I spun around to see Elder Thorne smiling warmly.

"Harper, I haven't forgotten. Tomorrow is your big 25th. Happy early birthday, pup."

Before I could reply, he gently guided me into the center of the ballroom, hoisted a vial of the experimental healing potion I had recently perfected, and declared to the entire room:

"Silas, Corrine, you have birthed a true prodigy! Harper's gift for apothecary work is this pack's greatest asset for the future!"

Every eye in the room pivoted to me.

I knew Elder Thorne was intentionally throwing his weight around to validate me.

He shared no blood with me, yet he offered more genuine warmth than my own parents ever had.

The dam broke.

I opened my mouth to thank him.

Instead, a jagged sob tore from my throat.

That was when Wyatt bolted up from his table and hollered over the crowd, "What genius? She's a total failure whose wolf barely even surfaced during her first shift!"