Chapter 2

This year's pack-wide coming-of-age ceremony notice came unusually late. I didn't find out until that morning.

The notice said that every wolf who had just reached adulthood had to be escorted into the ceremony hall by a family member. There would also be a blessing ceremony where a family member would offer the newly adult wolves their good wishes.

I forwarded the notice to Mother.

She replied nonchalantly, "Go find your brother. There are too many things going on at the council today, so I probably won't be able to make it."

I forwarded the notice to Rhys as well.

He replied dismissively, "Do you really have to come to me about something this trivial? When are you going to grow up?"

I read both messages several times.

I replied to each of them with the same word. "Okay."

I went to the pack's town hall and found my teacher, Mira Carlton. Aside from Sienna, she was the only wolf in the entire pack who had ever treated me kindly.

When the rogue wolf injured me and I couldn't walk, she had found me and carried me back. She had taken me to the infirmary for treatment.

Later, after learning how my family treated me, she had helped me every step of the way when I decided to leave for Northland.

"Ms. Carlton, will you be my guardian for the coming-of-age ceremony?"

I looked at her hopefully.

Mira thought for a moment and clarified, "You mean you want me to be the one who gives you your blessing?"

"Yes. I think you're the best person to do that."

Mira smiled at me, looking genuinely pleased. She patted me on the shoulder and said, "Then I'll have to prepare a big gift for you!"

The coming-of-age ceremony was held that evening. The shrine was packed with the families of the young wolves.

One by one, the wolves who had reached adulthood that year were escorted inside by their families. Their elders rested a hand on their heads and gave them their most heartfelt blessings.

Sienna didn't have any blood relatives. Yet, Mother had personally made her ceremonial outfit, and Rhys had embroidered the gold thread along the cuffs himself.

So that was what she had been doing at home all this time. She'd been making Sienna's clothes.

One blessing after another filled the shrine. Everyone was smiling and celebrating.

When it was Sienna's turn, the room suddenly fell silent. The video showed only the side of someone's face and part of a wrist. But even half of that face was enough for nearly everyone in the pack to recognize the person in the video.

The video ended, but the screen didn't go dark. Another person appeared. He had his back to the camera with his left arm resting casually against the back of a chair. There was a faint, old scar between his thumb and forefinger.

It was the scar Rhys had gotten while hunting when he was younger. Almost everyone in the room recognized the two people in the videos.

"I can't believe the previous Luna went to this much trouble for that girl. She even recorded a video for her." I heard someone whisper nearby.

Another wolf turned to her friend, practically starry-eyed. "Alpha Rhys has such a pleasant voice. I love it."

Sienna stood with tears in her eyes as the entire room erupted into applause.

Mira came over and patted my head.

I looked at her and asked, "Ms. Carlton, is there any news about Northland?"

She replied, "I just got an update today. Everything is moving forward nicely. Don't worry."

Then, she gave me her blessing like a real mother would, telling me that one day I'd grow into a fine wolf.

Before she left, Mira also gave me a packet of herbs. "You've always been weak. Simmer this and drink it consistently. It'll help."

Snow began falling heavily outside as the ceremony ended. I'd always had poor health, and I'd worn formal clothes for the ceremony that evening. They were far too thin for the weather. It didn't take long before I was freezing.

Snow covered the steps, quickly forming a thin layer of white. To get back to my den, I had to cross the entire forest. Even if I walked quickly, it would take more than 30 minutes.

I remembered that Rhys was headed in roughly the same direction that evening. Judging by the time, he should have been on his way back. I messaged him and asked if he could give me a ride since he was passing by anyway.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind me. "Wren, do you want to come with us?"

It was a girl from my combat class. We weren't close, but I'd heard she was kind and often shared the food she cooked with other wolves.

She was sitting in a car and waving at me.

I smiled at her and said, "We're going in different directions. I'll go home on my own. I don't want to trouble you guys, but thanks!"

I kept walking.

Halfway home, a car passed me. Sienna got into the passenger seat, holding a potion Mother had prepared for her. Rhys had gotten out of the car to hold an umbrella over her while reminding her to watch out for the ice beneath her feet.

He saw me, but he didn't stop. I didn't look back either.

By the time I reached the den, the snow on my boots had melted. It soaked the rug by the entrance.

When Mother walked in and saw it, her expression darkened immediately. "What happened, Wren? I just made this new rug this year. You're going to ruin it if you keep doing this."

Her tone was kind of harsh.

I explained, "The snow was really heavy. I'm sorry. I'll clean it up."

"Hurry up and wipe it down," she ordered, taking a dry cloth from behind the door and tossing it at me.

Then, she added, "Can't you make things a little easier for me? According to pack rules, you should kneel outside the shrine until dawn."

The old me would have obeyed immediately. But this time, I simply picked up the cloth and wiped the melted snow from the floor.

I said, "I'll clean the rug, but I'm not kneeling anymore."

Mother stared at me in shock.

I didn't explain. I turned and went back to my room.

Two days remained before Northland confirmed my transfer.