Chapter 1

Kayson and Kaylee Hallowell huddled together on the living room couch, buzzing with excitement as they planned the trip for the day after tomorrow.

While Kayson scrolled through forest trail maps on his tablet, Kaylee picked out swimsuits on her phone.

With a fond look, Trish and Brandon Hallowell booked them the fanciest hotels. Meanwhile, I stood there, looking lost and out of place like a stranger.

Halfway through the planning, Trish said to Kayson, “I’ve reserved a spot for you at the top warrior camp. Just unwind during this trip, because the training starts when you get back.

“The pack’s warrior trials will determine who gets chosen for the next generation of warriors. This could shape your entire future, so you need to take it seriously.”

My heart dropped. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

Four weeks earlier, I had cautiously asked Trish whether I could sit for the healer trials or stay at school, researching herbs.

At the time, Trish was busy making Kaylee’s favorite pizza. She didn’t even look up from what she was doing, her tone dismissive.

“Anna, can’t you be a little more independent? Do you really have to bother me with every little decision? Besides, with your mediocre talent, does it matter which one you choose?”

Brandon shifted his gaze to Kaylee.

“Kaylee, don’t think this is unfair. I’ve already found you an elite combat instructor. Once we’re back from the trip, you’ll get one-on-one sessions. Don’t worry about the money. Your mother and I would spend whatever it takes for you and Kayson.”

My eyes welled up.

Don’t worry about the money.

This was something they had never told me.

Back when I was a child, I wanted an herbal encyclopedia that cost a mere twenty bucks.

I brought it up once, only for Brandon to tear into me.

“Anna, how vain are you? We don’t have that kind of money.”

Yet that very afternoon, Brandon happily bought Kayson the most expensive cloak in the shop and filled an entire room with plush toys for Kaylee.

That was when the truth sank in.

We weren’t short on money. Trish and Brandon simply didn’t think I was worth spending it on.

Snuggling up against Trish, Kaylee whined.

“Why does Anna get to stay at home every day and do whatever she wants?”

Silence fell over the room.

Even Kaylee realized how absurd she sounded, her gaze shying away in guilt.

The answer already stared me in the face.

Since I was never the favored pup, Trish and Brandon didn’t want to waste a penny on me, let alone care about my future.

With the tension growing, Trish urged the family to sit down for dinner.

Kayson had his favorite steak, and Kaylee enjoyed a plate of venison.

This was how things worked in our family.

Each dinner was carefully planned around what they liked, ensuring zero favoritism between either of them.

It didn’t just stop there.

Even the study had been split right down the middle, with Kayson and Kaylee taking equal halves.

When it came to shopping, new clothes and toys always had to be bought in matching pairs.

The Hallowells even held two separate birthday bashes so neither felt shortchanged. Sadly, no one remembered my birthday.

Throughout dinner, Trish and Brandon fussed over Kayson and Kaylee, putting extra helpings on their plates.

My plate, on the other hand, sat sparse with just a few lettuce leaves and dry crusts of bread.

Kayson took a huge bite of his steak and gave me the side eye.

“Anna, is that all you’re eating?”

Kayson ladled a bowl of seafood chowder and set it in front of me.

I didn’t touch it.

Brandon’s eyes narrowed as rage overtook him.

“Anna, do you have to be so difficult? Kayson went out of his way to get you more food, and that’s still not enough? Do you expect to be spoon-fed? If you’re hungry, eat. If you’re not, get out of here and sulk in your room. You’re ruining everybody’s appetite.”

My eyes stung, and I felt an agonizing catch in my throat.

Mumbling that I wasn’t hungry, I numbly stuffed a piece of dry bread into my mouth.

I didn’t tell them that I was allergic to seafood. It wasn’t like they’d believe me anyway.

When I was ten, I’d once clung to Trish’s sleeve, crying about the rash I got from shellfish and asking for something else to eat.

Trish pushed me away and jabbed her finger at my head while tearing me a new one.

“Now you’re making up allergies because you’re too picky to eat what’s on the table? Kayson and Kaylee can eat it. Why can’t you? Go without food for a few days. Then you'll learn.”

That day, Trish locked me in the basement without access to food and water for twenty-four hours.

Ever since then, I never brought up my allergy again.

Swallowing the final bite of bread, I kept my head down and bolted upstairs to my room.

The moment my bedroom door was closed, I pulled out my phone and booked my flight to the Northern Territories.

The flight was scheduled to take off tomorrow night.

Just one more day, and I’d be gone.