Chapter 3: Then Don't Claim Me

Wren

Adrian approached me, his eyes fixed on the document in my hands.

I folded the application before the last traces of silver light disappeared. "Just some paperwork for my placement."

"Then why did I feel something?" His expression hardened, and I recognized the familiar authority settling over his features. "Let me see it, Wren."

My heart pounded.

I'd expected him to eventually discover what he'd signed, but I'd hoped to be far away when that happened.

"It's already been approved, Adrian."

"I didn't ask whether it was approved." He extended his hand. "Give it to me."

Before I could respond, Elodie's voice echoed down the hallway.

"Adrian!"

My brother stopped. "What is it, Ellie?"

"Can you come here? I need your help!"

Adrian glanced toward her voice before turning back to me. "We're not finished discussing this."

"Adrian!" Elodie called again. "Please hurry! My dress just arrived, and I need your opinion!"

His irritation disappeared. "Coming, sweetheart!"

He hurried away, leaving me standing in the hallway with the document still clutched against my chest.

I stared after him.

I'd just severed my connection to Hawthorne Pack, and somehow, Elodie's graduation dress was still more important.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Some things would never change.

The storage room was even smaller than I'd expected.

A narrow bed had been squeezed between two shelves, and the only window overlooked the servants' entrance.

The room smelled of dust and cleaning supplies.

I dragged my suitcase inside and began unpacking, although there wasn't much point. I'd be leaving in a few days.

My clothes barely filled the little wardrobe Adrian had provided.

Five years ago, I'd been so excited about having my own bedroom in the packhouse. Grandpa and I had lived in a modest cottage where the roof leaked whenever it rained heavily, but I'd never once felt unwelcome there.

Now I lived in a mansion with dozens of rooms, and my own brother couldn't find a place for me that wasn't used to store cleaning equipment.

I sat on the bed and opened my phone.

After attaching Adrian's signed application, I submitted the final documents to the Royal Army.

The response arrived almost immediately.

Recruit Blackwood,

Your pack severance has been verified. Military transportation will arrive at the designated border checkpoint in three days.

Please have your identification and personal belongings prepared for departure.

Welcome to the Royal Army.

I read the message twice.

Three days.

In three days, I'd be leaving the place I'd spent five years desperately trying to call home.

A nervous flutter settled in my stomach.

I'd never been away from everyone I knew for so long. I had no idea what military life would be like, and I knew being wolfless would make things difficult.

But I had something my family couldn't take away... A future I'd earned for myself.

I carefully folded the confirmation papers and placed them inside my suitcase. Then I pulled out the little wooden box containing Grandpa's carving knife.

He'd made it for my fourteenth birthday, painstakingly carving my name into the handle.

I'd treasured it ever since.

"I wish you were here," I whispered, running my thumb over the lettering.

I could almost hear his familiar voice telling me to keep my chin up. He'd always believed I could accomplish anything I set my mind to, even without a wolf.

I tucked the knife safely back into its box.

For once, I intended to prove him right.

The following morning, I entered the dining room to find Adrian, Silas, and Elodie surrounded by invitation samples.

Elodie was practically bouncing in her chair. "Oh, Wren! Come look!"

I approached the table. "What is it?"

"My graduation party invitations!" She held up a cream-colored card decorated with gold lettering. "Aren't they beautiful?"

"They're lovely."

Adrian looked pleased. "I've arranged for the best decorators in the territory. Elodie deserves a proper celebration before she leaves for the academy."

I glanced at the invitations.

Adrian had promised to throw me a party when I graduated. He'd said every member of the Ashford family deserved to be celebrated.

Apparently, he'd forgotten.

Silas leaned back in his chair, studying me with that familiar charming smile. "Good morning, sweetheart. You look tired."

"I didn't sleep much."

"You should take better care of yourself." His gaze dropped to my plain sweater. "And perhaps wear something nicer for breakfast. You're an Alpha's sister, after all."

Elodie giggled. "Oh, leave her alone, Silas. You know Wren's never cared much about appearances. She's used to those simple countryside clothes."

I looked down at my sweater.

Grandpa had bought it for me during one particularly cold winter. It was old but comfortable, and I'd always loved it.

Adrian barely glanced up.

"Silas is right. You should make more of an effort, Wren. People expect certain standards from our family."

"Of course," I murmured.

I reached for a piece of toast.

Elodie suddenly clapped her hands. "Oh! Silas, I almost forgot! I've decided I want you to be my dance partner at the party!"

My hand stopped halfway to the plate.

Silas smiled. "I'd be delighted, Ellie."

"Really?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss your opening dance."

I stared at him.

Silas had refused to accompany me to our school formal last year.

He'd told me dancing was childish and that a future mate should understand he had more important responsibilities.

Yet here he was, practically beaming at the opportunity to dance with Elodie.

Adrian nodded approvingly. "Excellent choice. You two have always danced beautifully together."

Elodie glanced toward me. "Oh, but what about Wren? I wouldn't want her to feel left out."

Silas's smile softened as he turned toward me. "Well, if Wren behaves herself, I suppose I could spare one dance for her."

He said it as though he'd offered me something precious.

Once, I would've been thrilled.

I remembered the first formal gathering we'd attended together. I'd spent weeks learning the traditional dances, hoping Silas would ask me onto the floor.

Instead, he'd spent the evening entertaining Elodie while I sat beside the refreshments.

When I'd finally gathered the courage to ask him for one dance, he'd kissed my forehead and promised we'd have another opportunity.

That opportunity had never come.

"That's okay," I said.

Silas blinked. "What?"

"You can dance with Elodie. I don't mind."

Elodie's smile faltered. "But Wren, I really don't mind sharing!"

"There's no need. It's your party."

Silas lowered his coffee cup. "Wren, I'm offering to dance with you."

"I know. Thank you."

"Then what's the problem?"

"There isn't one." I picked up my toast. "Actually, I have a few things to take care of today, so I'll leave you to your planning."

I turned toward the hallway.

"Wren." Silas's voice had lost its warmth. "Come here."

I paused. "Can it wait?"

"No."

I followed him into the hallway, where he immediately caught my wrist.

"What exactly are you trying to prove?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't pretend you don't know." His expression tightened. "You've been acting strangely since graduation."

"I'm not trying to prove anything."

"Then why are you making such a performance out of refusing one dance?"

I stared at him. "Silas, you offered, and I politely declined."

"Because you're jealous of Elodie."

"I'm not jealous."

He sighed, his expression softening into something almost sympathetic. "Wren, sweetheart, I understand that you weren't raised with the same manners as the rest of us. But you can't keep allowing your countryside upbringing to dictate how you behave."

His words stung.

"You didn't have a problem with how I was raised when we first met."

"That was five years ago. I thought you'd have adjusted by now." He brushed his thumb over my wrist. "You're my mate, Wren. I want to be proud of you. But you keep making it difficult."

There it was again.

That gentle voice, the affectionate touch, and the implication that everything wrong between us was somehow my fault.

For years, I'd believed that if I became more elegant, more obedient, or more like Elodie, Silas would finally choose me.

I wasn't going to spend another five years trying.

"I understand," I said quietly.

"Good." He smiled. "Then you'll apologize to Elodie for making things uncomfortable?"

"No."

His smile disappeared. "Excuse me?"

"I haven't done anything wrong, Silas."

He released my wrist. "You're really going to be stubborn about this?"

"I'm tired of apologizing for things I haven't done."

He stared at me for several seconds. Then his expression turned cold. "Fine. If you insist on behaving like this, perhaps I should reconsider claiming you as my mate."

My chest tightened.

There had been a time when that threat would've terrified me.

I'd spent years imagining the day Silas would finally complete our bond, when he'd look at me with the same affection he so freely gave Elodie.

But now?

I had three days before my transportation arrived.

Three days before I left behind the people who'd made me feel unwanted.

And I was done begging.

I looked directly into his eyes. "Perfect."

Silas frowned. "What?"

"That saves me the trouble of rejecting you."