Chapter 1: The Daughter They Didn't Want

Wren

"Delete that picture. Wren's blocking Elodie's shoulder."

I lowered my graduation certificate, watching as Silas deleted the only photograph that included me.

"Adrian, that was the only picture we took together."

My brother barely glanced at me. "Then you should've paid attention to where you were standing. Elodie looks beautiful today, and we're trying to get some decent photographs."

Five years ago, I would've given anything to stand in a family photograph.

I'd grown up believing I was an orphan, raised in a small countryside cottage by an elderly man I called Grandpa. We weren't wealthy, but he'd given me everything he could.

I still remembered coming home from my afternoon job at the village bakery when I was thirteen and discovering an unfamiliar man sitting beside Grandpa.

He was tall, handsome, and dressed in an expensive suit. Everything about him radiated authority.

He'd introduced himself as Alpha Adrian Ashford of Hawthorne Pack.

And then he'd told me something that changed my entire world.

"Wren, I'm your older brother. We've been looking for you for years."

I'd cried so hard that afternoon Grandpa had to hold me while Adrian explained how I'd disappeared as an infant.

I wasn't alone anymore. I had a family.

When Adrian brought me to the packhouse, a handsome boy with dark hair and warm brown eyes had been waiting near the entrance.

The moment our eyes met, I'd felt an extraordinary pull deep within my chest.

Mate.

Silas Greymont had smiled, gently taken my hand, and pressed a kiss against my knuckles.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Wren."

We were still young, with years before we could formally complete our bond, but I'd already imagined how wonderful our future might be.

Then Elodie appeared.

She was the same age as me, with beautiful blonde curls and an expensive dress. Adrian explained that our family had adopted her as a baby after I disappeared.

They'd poured all the love they'd intended for me into raising her.

I'd been thrilled. Not only did I have a brother and a mate, but I had a sister too!

Unfortunately, the happiness didn't last.

Elodie cried when Adrian took me shopping for new clothes, claiming she felt forgotten. He immediately canceled the trip.

When I received my first academic award, Adrian missed the ceremony because Elodie wanted him to accompany her to a school dance.

And whenever Silas brought me flowers, Elodie would mention how much she loved that particular variety.

The next bouquet always went to her.

Five years later, I'd learned that being the biological daughter didn't mean I was actually part of the family.

"Wren!"

Adrian's impatient voice brought me back to the present.

"Stop standing there looking miserable. You're going to ruin Elodie's mood."

I blinked. "Sorry."

Silas lowered his camera and approached me, offering that familiar charming smile. "Come on, sweetheart. Don't make that face. You know Adrian just wants everything to be perfect for Elodie."

There had been a time when that smile made my heart flutter.

Now, I simply nodded. "Of course."

"There's my girl." He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear before turning toward Elodie. "Ellie, come here. I want another picture of you near the fountain."

I watched him walk away.

He'd called me his girl. Yet he'd spent the entire afternoon photographing someone else.

I looked down at the certificate in my hands.

Highest Academic Achievement.

I'd graduated first in our class, earning the highest examination scores in nearly twenty years.

Grandpa would've been so proud.

I could almost hear him telling me that a person's worth was determined by their determination, not whether they possessed a wolf.

"Wren, can you hold these?" Elodie appeared beside me, practically disappearing behind an enormous bouquet of roses.

I glanced at the flowers. "Sure."

She handed them over with a sweet smile. "Thank you! You're always so helpful."

Nobody had brought me flowers... But I'd stopped expecting them years ago.

We were halfway toward the parking area when Elodie suddenly stopped.

"Oh, no..."

Adrian immediately turned. "What's wrong, Ellie?"

Her blue eyes filled with tears. "I just realized everyone's going away to wonderful academies, and I'm going to be stuck here."

Silas hurried toward her. "What are you talking about?"

"I didn't get accepted into the Alpha Academy." Her voice trembled. "I tried so hard, but apparently I'm just not good enough."

I stared at her.

Elodie had skipped countless examination preparation classes to go shopping. She'd laughed at me for spending my weekends studying instead of attending parties.

Yet Adrian immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Don't say that, sweetheart. You're incredibly talented."

Elodie sniffled. "I'm just disappointed. I wanted to make you proud."

"You've always made me proud."

Then her gaze shifted toward me. "I'm so happy for Wren, though. Getting into the Alpha Academy is such an amazing achievement."

My stomach tightened. I knew that tone.

"I wish I could be more like her," Elodie continued. "Especially since everyone already thinks I don't deserve to be part of this family."

Adrian frowned. "Who told you that?"

"Nobody. It's just... Wren's your real sister. I'm not."

"Elodie, that's ridiculous. You'll always be my sister."

She lowered her head. "Then I wish I could've gotten into the academy too."

Adrian turned toward me. "Wren, I've been thinking about your admission."

My fingers tightened around the flower stems. "What about it?"

"You're a biological Ashford. You already have the advantages of an Alpha bloodline. Elodie doesn't."

I stared at him. "She has the same opportunities I do."

"Don't argue with me. You know perfectly well how people treat adopted children from noble families."

I almost laughed.

People had spent five years mocking me for growing up in the countryside.

They called me a dirty farm girl, laughed at my accent, and questioned whether someone without a wolf could really be an Alpha's daughter.

Adrian had never once defended me.

"Elodie needs the academy more than you do," he continued. "I think you should surrender your admission to her."

I felt the blood drain from my face. "What?"

Silas stepped closer, his expression sympathetic. "Wren, sweetheart, think about it. You're intelligent enough to succeed anywhere. Elodie needs a little more help."

"I worked three years for that admission."

"And that's wonderful," Silas replied gently. "But wouldn't it feel good to help your sister?"

I looked at him. "Silas, I've spent years preparing for those entrance examinations."

His smile faded. "Don't make me regret defending you, Wren. I'm trying to help everyone here."

Adrian sighed impatiently. "Our pack receives one sponsored admission. Since you earned it, the academy allows you to nominate a replacement if you surrender your place."

"And you want me to give it to Elodie?"

"Exactly."

"But she didn't qualify."

Elodie immediately burst into tears. "I'm sorry! I know I'm stupid compared to Wren!"

Adrian's expression hardened. "Look what you've done!"

"I didn't—"

"Enough. Your sister is already upset. There's no need to humiliate her."

Silas shook his head. "Wren, I expected better from you. Sometimes I wonder whether you've forgotten how fortunate you are to be part of this family."

I stared at the two men.

Adrian believed putting a roof over my head entitled him to make every decision about my life.

Silas knew exactly how much I wanted his affection, and whenever I disappointed him, he'd remind me that I wasn't behaving like a proper mate.

I'd spent five years trying to please them.

Five years changing my clothes, correcting my manners, and hiding everything about my countryside upbringing.

And somehow, I'd never been enough.

"Fine," I whispered.

Adrian frowned. "What?"

"Elodie can have the academy admission."

The change was immediate.

Adrian relaxed. Silas smiled. And Elodie's tears disappeared.

"Oh, Wren!" She threw her arms around me. "You're the best sister ever!"

I stood stiffly until she released me.

Adrian patted my shoulder. "See? Was that so difficult? I'm glad you're finally learning to think about someone other than yourself." He turned toward Silas. "We should throw Elodie a graduation party to celebrate her admission!"

They immediately began discussing decorations and invitations.

Nobody asked how I felt. Nobody even thanked me.

I quietly stepped away and found an empty bench beneath a maple tree. Then I pulled out my phone and opened an email I'd received three weeks earlier.

ROYAL ARMY RECRUITMENT OFFICE

My combat instructor had recommended me for an extraordinary opportunity.

The Royal Army, commanded by Alpha Prince Dorian Valcrest, was accepting a limited number of exceptional recruits directly from secondary schools.

I'd originally declined to respond because I wanted to remain near my family.

Now, looking toward Adrian, Silas, and Elodie laughing together, I wondered why I'd ever believed staying would change anything.

I opened the acceptance form.

When it asked for my registered name, I hesitated.

Wren Ashford.

That was the name Adrian had insisted I use... But there was another name.

One that belonged to the man who'd raised me, taught me how to fight, and never once made me feel ashamed of where I came from.

I erased Ashford.

Then I typed: Wren Blackwood.

My thumb hovered over the confirmation button.

"Wren!" Adrian called from across the courtyard. "Come back! Elodie wants another photograph!"

I looked toward them. Silas was already holding his camera. Elodie stood smiling between the two men.

There wasn't any room for me... And for once, I didn't try to make any.

I pressed ACCEPT.

They could have their perfect family photograph.

I was going to find a life that actually had room for me.