Chapter 2

The next morning, I'd just finished washing up and walked out of my room —

and found the living room full of people.

My mother. The Luna of the Thorne pack — Julian's mother, Seraphina. And Celeste, with swollen, red-rimmed eyes.

Julian was lounging in an armchair.

"Ivy, you're up. Come sit."

Seraphina spoke first.

I walked over and sat in the farthest chair from them.

"Luna Seraphina. Something you need this early?"

Seraphina took a sip of her tea. There was a kind of charity in her gaze.

"It's like this, Ivy."

"Celeste didn't do well in the screening. Her combat score came up short. She didn't make the cutoff."

"We were thinking — you still hold a direct admission slot to the Royal Academy, don't you?"

I narrowed my eyes.

Celeste's mother and mine both served the Thornes. My direct admission came from clearing rogues on the border — I still carry three scars from it. The deepest one runs across my collarbone, left by an Alpha-rank rogue.

That wolf nearly tore my artery open.

With that admission slot, getting into the Royal Academy was already a done deal for me.

In my previous life, I sat right here, and they took turns working me over with guilt.

In the end, to prove my love for Julian, I gave the slot to Celeste.

Celeste used it to walk into the Academy and climbed her way up by attaching herself to high-ranking Alphas.

And I stayed behind in the pack house to train with Julian — who finally shoved me into the silver pit.

I let out a cold laugh.

"So?"

Celeste's tears fell instantly.

She dropped to her knees in front of me and clutched at the leg of my pants.

"Ivy, please help me!"

"Everyone in the pack is laughing at me. If I don't get into the Academy, my father's a gambler — he'll sell me to rogues to pay off his debts!"

"You're such a strong fighter. Even without the slot, you could retake the screening and still pass."

"But I'm not you. This slot is my only way out!"

Her tears just kept coming.

My mother softened at the sight and rushed over to help her up.

"Ivy. Please. Help Celeste."

"You two grew up together. When did you become so heartless?"

I looked at my mother.

"Mom. That slot nearly cost me my life."

"You know how I got these scars? What makes her two rounds of crying worth more than that?"

I tugged my collar down and showed her the jagged scar across my collarbone.

My mother's face stiffened for a second. Then she looked away.

Seraphina's expression went cold.

"Ivy. That's not how you talk."

"Once you form the mate bond with Julian, you'll be the Luna of this pack. Isn't protecting the pack's Omegas exactly a Luna's duty?"

The sheer audacity of it made me laugh.

"Who said I was forming a mate bond with Julian?"

The room went dead silent.

Julian, in his chair, tugged at his collar.

There was a flicker of irritation in his eyes.

"Ivy. Are you still sulking about yesterday?"

He stood up and came over.

"I told you. Celeste is unstable right now. She can't take any more."

"The Thorne pack has already pulled the right strings. All you have to do today is go to the admissions center, stand in front of the administrator, voluntarily give up your direct admission, and sign a transfer statement. Then we can have Celeste take your combat record and enter in your place."

"Just think of it as a good deed."

"Once we're at the Academy, I'll formally announce your status as Luna candidate to everyone."

"Isn't that enough?"

I looked at him.

And felt my stomach turn.

"Julian. Have you lost your mind?"

"If you feel so sorry for her, why don't you stay behind and train with her yourself?"

"Using my future to fund your 'devotion' — what kind of Alpha heir does that make you?"

Julian's face changed.

He grabbed my wrist, hard.

"Ivy. Watch your mouth."

He dropped his voice. It had gone icy.

"Don't think I don't know what you're playing at."

"Dragging Damien into this — that was meant to make me jealous, wasn't it?"

"I'm telling you to stop."

"Push me too far, and you won't even get to be Luna."

I yanked my wrist out of his grip.

It was already ringed in red.

"The Luna position? Save it for your precious little Celeste."

"I don't want it."

I turned and walked toward the door.

Celeste burst into louder sobs behind me.

Julian's furious roar echoed through the room.

"Ivy! Walk out that door today, and don't expect me to speak to you again!"

I didn't look back.

I pushed the door open and walked out.

Damien was leaning against the iron gate outside, an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

When he saw me, the corner of his mouth lifted.

"Done arguing?"

I took a slow breath.

"Let's go. Admissions center."

Damien took my canvas bag and tucked me against his side.

"Alright."

"Let's go take back what's yours."

He glanced down at the red marks on my wrist.

The smile vanished.

But he didn't say a word.