Chapter 1

My younger sister, Wendy Weaver, happily ran her fingers over the necklace around her neck.

"Mom, I feel so warm wearing my protective amulet. Even my wolf spirit feels so much stronger."

Our mom, Alicia Weaver, looked at her lovingly.

"A protective amulet is the most important thing a werewolf owns. You need to wear it all the time. Moon Goddess will bless you and keep you safe for the rest of your life!"

Mom knew perfectly well how important a protective amulet was to a werewolf about to come of age.

Yet in her eyes, the fact that I hadn't received mine and would have to face adulthood without Moon Goddess' blessing was apparently insignificant.

Our dad, Derrick Weaver, stepped forward and pulled both Wendy and Mom into his arms.

"Don't be nervous. Your first shift after coming of age is a big deal. Your mom and I will stay by your side the entire time. We won't let you get hurt."

Yet just two days ago, Dad had casually told me that there was nothing to be afraid of when I shifted. He said I didn't need to prepare anything and could handle everything myself.

Clearly, my safety wasn't important to them either.

I stood alone to the side and quietly watched my family huddle together.

The gold necklace around Wendy's neck glimmered faintly under the lights. The two moonstones rested against her collarbone.

One of them should have been mine, but it had instead become Wendy's 'double blessing from Moon Goddess.'

Steven Payton seemed to notice my sour mood. He walked over and spoke softly, "Nancy, don't be upset. It's only a moonstone."

I looked up at him.

Steven's protective amulet hung around his own neck.

His dad had personally put it on him three years ago when he underwent his first shift.

The moonstone glowed faintly beneath its gold chain.

He had worn it ever since. He didn't even take it off in the shower.

I'd once asked him why he treasured it so much.

He'd said, "My dad gave this to me on the day I came of age. He wanted me to be safe for the rest of my life."

Yet now, he had taken my moonstone away with his own hands and couldn't even understand why it mattered.

Steven looked at me and sighed softly.

"Nancy, Wendy's wolf spirit has always been weaker than yours. Her first shift will be dangerous enough as it is. She needs more protection from Moon Goddess.

"You're healthier, and your wolf spirit is stronger than hers. Just let her have this one thing, okay?"

The familiar words made me freeze again.

Wendy and I were born on the same day. Since my wolf spirit was stronger than hers, everyone had always said that I must have taken more nutrients from her while we were still in Mom's womb, leaving her weaker.

'Just let Wendy have it.'

Those were the words I'd heard most often throughout my childhood.

When we were little and Wendy wanted one of my toys, Mom would say, "Just let her have it."

When we started school and Wendy wanted to join the training team I'd signed up for, Dad would say, "Just let her have it."

Even when Steven and I fell in love, Wendy cried and said she couldn't bear to lose her sister.

Mom had only looked at me then.

"You're her older sister. Just let her have him. Don't make her think you're abandoning her."

I'd given in for eighteen years.

I thought everything would be different once I came of age.

According to pack tradition, werewolves could choose their own mates once they became adults.

I'd chosen Steven.

I'd thought that he would stand by my side and be the first person to choose me without hesitation.

I never expected the words that had haunted me for years to come from him.

I looked down at the pendant in my hand.

The gold wolf-bone pendant was already worn and faded, and the rough leather cord was frayed at the edges.

Anyone could tell at a glance that it was merely an ordinary protective charm he'd picked up without much thought, but no one else cared. All they cared about was whether Wendy was happy.

I lowered my head and softly said, "I understand."

Steven seemed relieved. "I knew you were the sensible one."

I didn't say anything else. I simply closed my fingers around the pendant.

The wolf bone dug painfully into my palm.

The sensation felt just like the ache in my heart.