Chapter 2

By the time I got back to the pack, warriors from another pack were stationed outside Gray Wolf pack house.

The moon hall was bustling. Lise's mate, Cecil, was visiting.

The table was covered with wild fruit, and my father had even brought out the fine tableware he saved for noble guests.

They always welcomed Cecil warmly. It wasn't that they feared his pack. They just wanted him and Lise to grow closer.

As for my mate, they knew his name was Campbell. That was all.

I'd once suggested inviting Campbell to dinner at Gray Wolf pack house, but my father refused.

"Not just anyone can come into Gray Wolf pack house. As long as you're happy with your mate, that's enough."

But Campbell was the Alpha of the Radiant Moon pack.

They didn't care about me, much less who my mate was.

Even Cecil quickly looked away when he saw me, as if I were invisible.

Outsiders could see exactly where I stood in the Gray Wolf pack, so they felt free to ignore me.

As soon as Lise saw me come in, she called out, "Elaine, you're finally back. Father and Mother want to talk to you."

I'd already turned to leave, but I stopped.

My father cleared his throat and drained his cup. "You're back. Good. While Cecil's here, let's get everything settled.

"Your mother and I have set aside the northern lands and a troop of wolf riders as Lise's joining gift."

Lise stared for a moment, then squealed and threw herself into my father's arms.

"Father, Mother, you're too good to me!"

My father lifted his chin, looking pleased, and turned to Cecil. "With this, Lise has the Gray Wolf pack behind her. If anyone in the Silver Moon pack mistreats her, I'll make them pay!"

Cecil said quickly, "I'll take good care of Lise. I'll never let her down."

My mother took Lise's hand, then turned to me. "Elaine, what's your gift for Lise?"

Every eye turned to me. I looked around at them all. "I was going to ask you the same thing. What's your gift for me?"

My mother clearly hadn't expected that. She opened her mouth but said nothing.

My father gave a little cough and turned to me. "Elaine, you and Lise are twins. The Radiant Moon pack will treat you well after your bonding. There's no need to fight Lise over these things.

"Besides, you're more capable. If you want something, you can work for it yourself."

So just because I could fend for myself, I got nothing.

I didn't say a word, and my mother grew impatient. "Cecil is still here. Don't embarrass the Gray Wolf pack. Surely you can come up with a set of jewelry."

She stepped forward and held out her hand to me. I looked down at it and said slowly, "And if I said I didn't have any?"

My mother probably never expected me to refuse her in front of an outsider. Her face darkened on the spot. She shoved my shoulder and raised her voice. "Then don't expect us to come to your bonding ceremony!

"You'll have no pack and no standing. Let's see whether the Radiant Moon pack accepts you then!"

Those words sent a chill through me.

I suddenly remembered the secret Campbell had shared with me the night before. To welcome me, his mother had decorated Radiant Moon pack house inside and out. She'd even taken lessons from the pack's cooks so she could cook for me herself.

I'd been happy for hours that night. So this was what it felt like to be loved.

My mother snapped, "What are you standing there for, you idiot? Are you giving it to her or not?"

I nodded. "Fine. She can have it."

If a set of jewelry was the price of severing ties with them, I'd pay it.