Chapter 2: The Signature That Set Me Free

Wren

"You gave your academy admission to Elodie?"

Instructor Calder stared at me across his desk, looking as though I'd just told him I planned to throw myself off a cliff.

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. "Adrian thought it would be better for the family."

"Better for the family?" Calder repeated. "Wren, you graduated at the top of your class! Do you have any idea how many students would give anything for that opportunity?"

"I know."

"Then why would you surrender it?"

I stared at my hands.

Because my brother had asked me to.

Because Silas had looked disappointed when I hesitated.

Because Elodie had cried, and I'd spent five years learning that her tears mattered more than anything I wanted.

But I couldn't bring myself to explain all of that.

"It doesn't matter anymore," I answered. "I've decided to accept the Royal Army's invitation."

Calder's expression changed immediately. "You accepted?"

I nodded.

For the first time since entering his office, he smiled. "Well, I'll be damned. That's the best news I've heard all week!"

I couldn't help smiling back.

Calder had been my combat instructor since I returned to Hawthorne Pack. Unlike most people, he'd never treated my inability to shift as something shameful.

When the other students mocked my countryside upbringing, he'd reminded them that expensive training equipment meant nothing without discipline.

And when they laughed at Grandpa's fighting techniques, Calder had made them spar against me.

They usually stopped laughing afterward.

"Your grandfather taught you exceptionally well," he continued, opening my training records. "I've never seen a wolfless student adapt to combat the way you do."

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me. You've earned this." He leaned back. "I just wish your family recognized how fortunate they are to have you."

My smile faded.

Calder noticed but didn't press.

Instead, he reached into his desk and removed a folder.

"There's something we need to discuss before your enlistment can be finalized."

I straightened. "Is something wrong?"

"Not exactly. But joining the Royal Army requires you to sever your allegiance to Hawthorne Pack."

I blinked. "Sever it?"

"Completely. Once you enlist, you'll answer to the Crown rather than your family's Alpha. Your current pack connection has to be formally released."

I considered his words.

Five years ago, the thought of leaving Hawthorne Pack would've devastated me.

I'd been so excited when Adrian brought me home. I'd imagined family dinners, holidays, and finally having people who wanted me around.

Instead, I'd spent five years feeling like an unwanted guest.

"Okay," I said.

Calder raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

"What else am I supposed to say?"

"Wren, breaking a pack connection can be painful. Most wolves experience a significant sense of loss afterward."

I gave a bitter little laugh. "That would require having a connection worth losing."

His expression softened.

I looked toward the window. "Adrian never even allowed me to join the family mindlink."

Calder frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He said I couldn't use it because I don't have a wolf."

For several seconds, Calder simply stared at me. Then he slowly set down his pen.

"Wren, that's not true."

I looked back at him. "What?"

"An Alpha can authorize a mindlink connection for a wolfless pack member. It requires his approval, but it's entirely possible."

My stomach dropped. "You're sure?"

"Absolutely."

I remembered standing at the dinner table while Adrian, Silas, and Elodie exchanged knowing smiles.

I'd asked what was funny, only for Elodie to giggle and explain that it was something they'd discussed through the mindlink.

Whenever they arranged family outings, I'd often be the last to find out.

Adrian always said there was no point explaining pack communication to someone who couldn't shift.

I'd believed him... Because he was my brother.

"He could've included me?" I whispered.

"Yes, Wren."

I looked down.

Five years.

For five years, I'd been standing outside conversations I could've been part of... And all because Adrian hadn't wanted to open that connection for me.

Calder cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I assumed your family would've explained this."

"It's okay."

But it wasn't.

I was beginning to realize just how many things I'd accepted because Adrian told me I should be grateful.

Calder slid a document across his desk. "Your Alpha needs to sign this. Once his signature activates the release, your pack allegiance will be severed."

I read the heading.

PACK SEVERANCE APPLICATION.

"Adrian has to sign it himself?"

"Yes. His authorization is required."

I swallowed.

Getting Adrian to sign something like this wouldn't be easy if he knew what it meant.

He'd accuse me of being dramatic. He'd insist I was embarrassing the family, especially after the academy situation.

But I wasn't giving up this opportunity.

"I'll get it signed," I promised.

Calder nodded. "Good. And Wren?" I paused at the door. "I'm proud of you. Your grandfather would be too."

My throat tightened. "Thank you, sir."

When I returned to the packhouse that afternoon, my belongings were scattered across the upstairs hallway.

For a moment, I thought I'd walked into the wrong house.

My suitcase lay open beside the stairs, several shirts spilling across the carpet. My books had been carelessly shoved into cardboard boxes, and one of my old sweaters was hanging from the banister.

"What happened?"

I hurried toward my bedroom. Two workers were removing my dresser while another measured the wall near the window.

My bed was already gone.

"Excuse me? What are you doing?"

One of the workers glanced over. "Renovations, miss. Alpha Adrian's orders."

"Renovations?"

"Wren!" I turned as Adrian approached, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. "Good, you're home. I was hoping we'd have everything finished before you got back."

I stared at him. "What are you doing to my room?"

"We're converting it into a private training gym for Elodie."

For a moment, I couldn't speak.

"What?"

"She'll need additional training before starting at the academy. I've ordered the best equipment available."

He gestured toward the workers. "Her bedroom isn't large enough, and this room gets better ventilation."

I looked past him at the empty space where my bed had stood.

Five years ago, Adrian had personally shown me this bedroom. He'd told me I could decorate it however I wanted because it would always be mine.

I'd spent weeks choosing curtains and rearranging the furniture, thrilled to finally have a room in my family's home.

Apparently, even that promise had an expiration date.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?" I asked.

Adrian waved dismissively. "We're clearing out the downstairs storage room. There's enough space for a bed and a wardrobe."

"The storage room?"

He sighed impatiently. "Wren, please don't start. It's perfectly suitable for one person."

"But that's where you keep the cleaning supplies."

"They're being moved."

I stared at him.

He genuinely didn't see anything wrong with what he'd done.

"Adrian, you didn't even ask me."

"Because I didn't think it would be necessary. You're eighteen now, and Elodie needs the space more than you do."

I looked down at my belongings.

One of my books had fallen from its box, leaving the cover bent beneath someone's shoeprint.

At the old cottage, Grandpa had never let anyone touch my things without asking. We'd barely had enough money for furniture, but he'd always respected what little belonged to me.

Here, I had expensive walls and beautiful furniture. Yet nothing was ever truly mine.

"Fine," I whispered.

Adrian blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Elodie can have the room."

His expression brightened immediately. "Really?"

I nodded. "There's no point arguing."

"Well!" He smiled, visibly relieved. "I'm glad you're finally being reasonable. I was expecting another unnecessary disagreement." He turned toward the workers. "You heard her. Get the remaining furniture out. I want the training equipment installed before Elodie gets home."

I watched him begin giving orders.

Then I remembered the application inside my bag. "Adrian?"

He glanced at me. "What now?"

"I need you to sign something."

His expression tightened. "Can it wait? I'm busy."

"It'll only take a second. It's paperwork for my placement."

He glanced toward the bedroom, where the workers were struggling to maneuver a large cabinet through the doorway.

"Fine. Bring it here."

I removed the document from my bag.

Adrian held out his hand impatiently. "Pen?"

I gave him one.

He didn't ask another question. He didn't even glance at the heading.

His attention remained on the workers as he placed the paper against the hallway table and scribbled his signature across the bottom.

"Careful with that cabinet!" he barked. "That wood is expensive!" Then he shoved the document back into my hands. "There. Whatever it is, it's signed. Now please get your things downstairs so we can finish this room."

I stared at the signature.

Adrian Ashford.

Alpha of Hawthorne Pack.

Five years ago, he'd brought me home with promises that I'd never be abandoned again.

And now, because he couldn't wait to turn my bedroom into Elodie's gym, he'd signed away my place in his pack without even reading the document.

"Thank you, Adrian," I said quietly.

"Of course. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have arrangements to finalize."

He turned away.

I looked down at the application. A faint silver light began spreading through the ink.

My breath caught.

The warmth traveled from my fingertips into my chest, followed by an unfamiliar pulling sensation. Then something deep inside me snapped.

I gasped, pressing a hand against my chest.

The sensation vanished almost immediately, leaving behind a strange emptiness.

I knew what had happened... My connection to Hawthorne Pack was gone. I was no longer an Ashford pack member.

Across the hallway, Adrian suddenly froze. His shoulders stiffened. Slowly, he turned toward me.

His eyes dropped to the faintly glowing document in my hands.

"Wren..."  He took a step closer. "What did you have me sign?"