Chapter 1

A message popped up on my phone. It was from the Alpha.

[Selena, where did you disappear to?]

[That was the pack's winter supply contract! The client has already signed with a northern pack.]

I, Selena Cromwell, stayed silent for a long time before replying.

[Sorry. Something came up at home.]

His response came almost immediately.

[What happened? Do you need my help?]

I glanced at my family. They were still laughing and joking together. I forced a smile.

[It's already been taken care of.]

[Glad to hear it.]

He replied just as quickly as before. He then paused for a moment before sending several more messages.

[Selena, I've always recognized your abilities. There's a vacancy for merchant team leader, and I'd planned to nominate you to the Council of Elders for promotion once you secured this winter supply contract.]

[But since you failed to secure the deal, I'm afraid my recommendation won't have much support.]

I remained silent for a long time before replying with a single word.

[Okay.]

Sierra Cromwell came running over with amusement in her eyes.

Her words, however, were full of fake concern. "Well, you've learned your lesson this time. Don't be so gullible next time. There are plenty of bad people out there.

"I was only helping you practice spotting a scam. That way, you won't get fooled by real bad people in the future."

Mom walked over and pinched her cheek. "That's enough. Stop messing around and give it a rest."

My heart ached. I was just about to speak when Mom turned to look me up and down. "Sierra knows how petty you are. You're always thinking about business. If she says another word, you'll get upset again."

"Exactly. All you care about is money. You even ran off to do business during the full moon ritual." Dad nodded in complete agreement.

"What business could possibly be more important than your mother? If she really died, you'd regret it. You'd be bawling your eyes out," he added.

He looked at me smugly after saying that. It was as if he'd just made a perfectly reasonable point.

Sierra practically doubled over with laughter. "Dad, you're taking this role-play way too seriously! Mom wasn't actually dying!"

Everyone burst into laughter again.

I lowered my head in silence. Suddenly, I noticed a piece of parchment lying beside the bonfire.

[Dad was attacked: 31 minutes.]

[Grandfather fell off a cliff: 42 minutes.]

[Mom was critically injured: 56 minutes.]

At the bottom, Sierra had drawn an 'X.'

[Selena is getting worse at this.]

I stared at the parchment and read every word carefully. "Have you been keeping track?"

When Sierra realized I'd seen it, she proudly snatched it up and waved it around. "Of course! This is your report card!"

Grinning, she handed the parchment to my future mate, Virgo Harrison. "See, I told you betting on Mom would work, Virgo. None of you can beat me!"

Virgo chuckled and patted the top of her head. "Okay, you're the best. Just don't take the prank this far next time."

I looked at him. "There's going to be a next time?"

Virgo paused and lowered his hand.

He picked up a skewer of roasted beef and placed it in front of me. "I'm just saying. You're not seriously taking it to heart, are you?

"Can't you tell the difference between a joke and something serious?"

He frowned and spoke to me through our mind-link connection. 'I'm doing this for your sake. Playing along with your family helps them accept me. Be sensible and stop sulking. You're ruining the mood.'

I looked at him in silence.

I didn't even glance at the beef he'd offered me.

I couldn't tell anymore.

What was true, and what was a lie?

Fortunately, I wouldn't have to worry about that for much longer.

That very evening, I received a notification from the merchant alliance.

My application for a merchant team placement partnership had been approved.

I would spend ten years with Thorn Pack.

I'd be leaving with the team in three days.

I replied to confirm receipt. I then heard Sierra giggling nearby. "Dad, what should we bet on next time? What can we use to trick her?"

Mom chimed in with an amused smile. "What about your grandmother?"

Everyone burst into another fit of laughter.

I put down my phone and closed my eyes. I let the moonlight wash over me.

For the first time, I didn't run over to confront them in tears.

I didn't bother asking what was so funny.