Chapter 2

I floated in the air, watching Dad carefully tuck the velvet box with the pink diamond into his pocket. Just as he was leaving, his eyes fell on a slightly smaller yellow diamond necklace nearby. I'll take that one too, he said abruptly.

I followed him back to the Alpha Estate. It was brilliantly lit with warm, golden light—nothing like the cold, dark apartment Mom and I lived in. I drifted inside.

The hallways were lined with photos of Maya. Maya giggling on his shoulders, Maya running on the lawn in expensive princess dresses, Dad gently kissing Maya's forehead.

I stared at them with envy. If Dad and I had just one picture together, I would have cherished it for the rest of my life.

Daddy! Maya threw herself into his arms.

Slow down, my little princess. Dad caught her easily, the coldness in his face melting into pure adoration.

Maya wrapped her arms around Charles's neck. Daddy, where's my present? You promised me the prettiest birthday gift ever!

Of course. When has Daddy ever lied to you? Dad smiled, pulling the velvet box from his pocket.

Maya screamed with excitement when she saw the necklace. Dad just watched her with a loving smile. He even carried her into his study, letting her play while he handled pack business. Even when she wrecked his organized bookshelves, he just offered an adoring smile. When high-ranking wolves came in to report, he proudly declared, This is my daughter, the heir to the Crescent Moon Pack.

I stared, numb. So this was how he treated his real daughter.

I remembered the one and only time I had entered his study. I just wanted to give him a piece of candy I had saved. I accidentally knocked a pen off his desk. His eyes had turned to ice. He stood up abruptly and scolded me, Who told you to come in here and make a mess? Clumsy brat, get out!

Just then, some pack officials had come in for a meeting. Dad grabbed my collar, roughly shoved me behind the heavy curtains, and hissed, Keep your mouth shut. Not a sound. Don't let anyone know I have such a shameful daughter!

I hid behind those suffocating curtains for two hours, terrified to even breathe. My tears soaked my shirt, but I didn't dare make a peep.

Daddy, what's this? Maya's voice pulled me back to the present.

She was pointing at a dusty woven bracelet on the bookshelf. I had given him that. For my fifth birthday, my grandmother—the only person who ever loved me—had carefully braided it from wolf hair and leather as a protection charm. After she passed away, it was my only comfort. I gave it to Dad because I wanted him to be safe, so he wouldn't suddenly leave me like Grandma did.

He had just tossed it in the corner and never wore it once, but I had still been happy he kept it.

Daddy, I want this!! Maya demanded, acting as if the world belonged to her.

"No... please don't!"

I lunged forward to snatch it away, but my hands just phased through the wooden cabinet. I could only scream helplessly, Daddy! Please! Don't give it to her!

He couldn't hear me. His gaze lingered on the dusty bracelet for a second. That's...

Then he shook his head, brushing it off. Go ahead and play with it. It's just a piece of useless junk.