Chapter 2 Boyfriend or brother-in-law?

“Susan must marry Jack!” My father, Finn, sat in the chair behind the desk and calmly said to me, “Jack visited me privately a week ago and told me the fact that Susan is his mate. So we discussed how to deal with the relationship between the three of you. Jack wants you both, and I agreed.”

 “Let him dream!” My mother, Caroline, shouted. “I will never let my daughter share a husband with other women, especially that bastard Susan!”

 “So you knew the fact too. Dad, why did you keep it from me?” Tears ran down my face again. “Why did you make a decision for me without even asking my opinion?”

 “Emily, my baby girl!” My father’s eyes flashed with guilt. “I’m sorry. Jack promised me that he would take care of it, but he still screwed up. Emily, Jack will soon inherit his pack and become the new Alpha, and Susan will become his Luna. Marriage is the best way to form an alliance between two packs. For the future development of the pack, I hope you will accept Jack’s proposal.”

 “Do you want me to be Jack’s mistress?” I almost cried. “That’s absolutely impossible!”

 “Are you crazy, Finn?” My mother slammed her hands on the desk and stared at my father with wide eyes. “You’re humiliating yourself! Go to hell, Finn. I won’t let my daughter be anyone’s mistress, never!”

 “Do you think I want this?” My father slapped the table angrily and immediately stood up. “Who wants to accept a woman without a wolf as Luna?”

 “An illegitimate daughter can become Luna, but my daughter will become a mistress! It’s not fair!” My mother’s roar echoed throughout the room, and I heard her mention an illegitimate daughter, so did she mean Susan? God, what the hell is going on here?

 “Susan is my daughter too! I will announce this fact to everyone at the birthday party later!” My father also glared at my mother. “Caroline, I’ve had enough of you for so many years! I have decided to give Susan her birthright! I’ll do it whether you agree or not!”

 I froze, and my thoughts were in disarray. Why did so many twists and turns happen on my birthday?

 “Dad!” I called out to him in a low voice. “Today is my birthday. Are you sure you want to do this?”

 My father gave me a look, and it was obvious that he saw the pain in my heart. His eyes were helpless, but his tone was firm.

 “Most people from the pack came to this birthday party, and I think it’s a good time. Susan is your sister, and I hope you’ll be there when this matter is announced later!” My father lowered his head a little. “Emily, you’d better not disobey my orders!”

 I gave my father a bitter sneer and then stepped back to the door. I opened it and ran to my room.

 “Emily, wait!” My mother pulled me into her room.

 “Get out!” I shook my mother’s hand. “Leave me alone!”

 “Emily, I won’t let you be anyone’s mistress!” My mother held me in her arms and comforted me by saying, “Let Jack die!”

 “Why did my father do this to me?” I cried in a low voice. “Why does he think I don’t have a wolf? Am I garbage that nobody wants in his eyes? Why?”

 “Emily, baby! Don’t cry!” My mother’s voice choked, and she endured it for a long time before continuing, “Your wolf will come, and it will come!”

 It was a while before I stopped crying. My mother took out a jewelry box from her safe and pulled out a string of emerald necklaces from it, putting it around my neck.

 “This is a birthday present for you, baby!” My mother stroked my cheek and said softly, “This necklace has been passed down from my great-great-grandmother. It is said to be made of the blood of an ancient witch. Of course, this may just be a legend. Anyway, I hope this necklace will bring you good luck.”

 “Thanks, Mom!” I hugged her, and the warmth in my mother’s arms immediately calmed my sad mood.

 “Today is your birthday, at least pretend to be happy!” My mother wiped the remaining tears on my face with her hand. She encouraged me, saying, “Don’t let anyone see your sadness and fragility. Be a strong girl!”

 I took a deep breath and tried to adjust my mood. Finally, I took my mother’s arm and went down the stairs with her. Everyone in the banquet hall was waiting for my arrival, and all kinds of congratulatory voices came into my ears, becoming a buzz. I managed to squeeze out a smile and face all the guests.

 Then my father began to announce to everyone that Susan was his daughter. He only told everyone that Susan was the child he had before he got married. He said nothing about Susan’s mother. My father hugged Susan in front of everyone, and I stood in the corner and watched the scene quietly.

 Susan shed tears of excitement, and she hid her face and cried, showing a look of injustice, which made me feel sick. I saw many guests present looking at her sympathetically, as if they thought Susan had been treated unfairly at home all these years. She has always played a delicate and touching role to gain sympathy. In fact, no one knew that I took the blame for Susan when she got into trouble behind her parents’ backs. Who told her that she was good at acting and had a beautiful face? This may be her advantage as a woman!

 Fortunately, my father didn’t announce the marriage between Susan and Jack at the same time. At least, as a father, he kept my last shred of dignity. I didn’t know whether to be sad or happy, so I drank a lot of wine, hoping that alcohol could numb my nerves and stop me from being immersed in pain. However, the atmosphere at the scene made me feel depressed, and I really wanted to leave this sad place.