Chapter 2

The next morning, the family gathered in the dining room to complete Rosalie’s Academy enrollment.

Mother had already opened the Royal Wolf Academy’s housing portal on her tablet.

“The private residences in the eastern district are closest to the arts building,” she said. “Rosalie has always loved painting. She’ll be much happier there than in the dormitories.”

Callum leaned over her shoulder.

“This one has private security and an underground garage.”

Father glanced at the listing.

“Then it’s hers. Buy it.”

Mother smiled and selected the three-bedroom penthouse without looking at the price.

They spent the rest of the morning choosing Rosalie’s courses, furnishings, and even the view from her bedroom.

I sat at the other end of the table with my Council Scholars enrollment packet unopened in front of me.

No one asked about my plans.

At lunch, Father slid a leather folder across the table to Rosalie.

“The penthouse is in your name.”

Rosalie stared at the deed. “You bought it for me?”

“You shouldn’t have to worry about where you’ll live,” Father said.

Mother placed a black card beside it.

“For clothes, books, and anything else you need,” Mother said. “There’s no spending limit. I don’t want you worrying about a thing while you’re away.”

Callum spun a set of keys around one finger.

“And your car is waiting outside. Custom interior, reinforced frame, and enough room for your art supplies.”

Rosalie covered her mouth, her eyes already shining.

“You all did this for me?”

“Of course,” Mother said. “You’re our daughter.”

I looked at the deed, the black card, and the keys arranged in front of her.

I gave a quiet, bitter laugh and opened my mouth to speak.

Callum noticed.

“Let’s not ruin Rosalie’s day.”

“I’m not.”

“You’ve always been like this,” he cut in. “Her father lost his wolf saving Father. The least we can do is take care of her. Why can’t you just be happy for her?”

I wanted to remind him that it was my day too. But one look around the table told me no one cared.

Julian turned to Rosalie and placed a sealed envelope in front of her.

“My family sponsors the Academy’s arts wing,” he said. “I arranged for Master Green to take you on as his private student.”

Rosalie stared at him. “The legendary Master Green?”

Julian smiled. “You deserve the best.”

Mother’s face lit up. “Julian, that’s far too generous.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “Rosalie is like a little sister to me. I want to know she’s taken care of.”

Rosalie pressed a hand to her chest. “You’ve all done so much for me. I don’t know what I did to deserve any of this.”

Mother smiled.

“Your father saved the Alpha of this pack. He was a hero, and we can never repay what he did for our family.” She squeezed Rosalie’s hand. “You deserve every good thing we can give you.”

I waited.

Father had given her a home.

Mother had given her unlimited access to the Ashwood accounts.

Callum had given her a car.

My boyfriend had used his family’s influence to secure her a private apprenticeship.

Surely someone would remember that I was leaving for the most selective academic program in the northern territories.

No one did.

Finally, Mother looked at me.

“Aria, you should decline the Council Scholars placement and enroll at the Royal Academy.”

I stared at her. “Why would I do that?”

“So you and Rosalie can stay together. She has never lived away from home. You can help her settle in.”

The Council Scholars Program was the most prestigious program in the northern territories, accepting only twelve students each year.

Mother wanted me to give up the opportunity I had worked for so Rosalie wouldn’t have to live alone in the penthouse they had just bought her.

I looked at the gifts in front of Rosalie.

“And what have you planned for me?”

Mother blinked as if the question surprised her.

“You can live with Rosalie in the penthouse,” she said. “There are three bedrooms.”

“The penthouse belongs to Rosalie,” I said. “I asked what you planned for me.”

Father’s expression hardened.

“Rosalie has no father to provide for her because he sacrificed his wolf saving my life. We’re giving her what he no longer can.” His gaze cooled. “Don’t reduce what we owe him to a competition over gifts.”

Mother gave me a disappointed look.

“You’ve always been independent, Aria. You don’t need us to build your future for you.”

Father gave a short nod.

“You are the Alpha’s daughter. That privilege comes with responsibilities. Your duty is to care for the daughter of the man who saved my life. That is the arrangement we made for you.”

Callum leaned back in his chair.

“That’s true. Rosalie doesn’t have parents to give her these things. You do.”

So that was what they had planned for me.

I was supposed to give up the Council Scholars Program and spend the next several years making sure Rosalie never felt alone.

No one asked what it would cost me.

Rosalie’s future was something they protected.

Mine was something they were willing to spend.

There was nothing left to say.

“You’re right. I’ll manage.”

That evening, Julian messaged me.

I turned down the Lycan Council fellowship. I’m enrolling at the Royal Wolf Academy.

I read the message twice.

You spent three years competing for that fellowship.

His answer came immediately.

Rosalie will be alone. I’ll feel better if I’m there to look after her.

The Academy’s program is good enough. It won’t hurt my future.

Good enough.

For three years, whenever I asked Julian to train with me for the Council trials, he told me he couldn’t afford to lose focus.

Now he had abandoned the fellowship entirely for Rosalie.

I typed several replies and deleted them all.

In the end, I sent one word.

Okay.

Laughter drifted down the hallway. Rosalie was showing Callum and Julian the furnishings she had chosen for her new penthouse.

My phone lit up with another Moonridge notification.

Four days until reporting.

I turned off the screen and listened to them laugh.

I wondered how long I would be gone before any of them noticed.