Chapter 3

Mira came by in the afternoon to pick up a form that required my signature.

She said, "Someone from Northland came by today. They wanted to know roughly how soon you would arrive after your transfer was approved so that they could arrange a place for you to stay."

I wrote the date and my name on the form while replying, "As soon as the transfer is confirmed, I can leave anytime."

Feeling curious, I asked, "Honestly, I don't think I'm particularly talented at anything. Why did they choose me?"

"Do you remember those two strangely dressed wolves we ran into at the infirmary when I took you there after you injured your leg?" Mira responded.

Of course I remembered.

Two wolves had been lying in the beds beside mine that day. They wore blue uniforms that looked nothing like what we wore in our pack. I'd thought it was strange, but I'd been afraid that asking too many questions would only cause trouble, so I'd kept quiet.

That afternoon, they'd spoken with Mira for a while before asking to talk to me. I'd glanced at Mira. Only after seeing her nod did I agree to converse with them.

They kept asking me questions about how I gathered the herbs I needed. They asked about my performance in combat training, what happened when I fought other wolves, and how I'd respond if someone attacked me. In fact, they asked all kinds of questions.

At the time, I'd found it a little annoying. I'd thought those somewhat elderly outsiders were incredibly talkative. I remember wishing they'd just be quiet.

Who could've known they were there to evaluate me?

"So how many other wolves did they interview?" I asked Mira.

She answered, "When they first made the shortlist, we gave them the names of 200 young wolves. They narrowed it down to 20, and you were the only one who passed the interview."

"Then I'm actually pretty impressive," I said, grinning.

At dinner, I placed the signed form's receipt on the table and looked at Mother. "I passed the interview for the Northland Academy. Once the paperwork is done, I plan to go there to study."

Mother's hand stopped halfway as she set down her bowl. "You're going to Northland?"

I nodded.

"No," she said, putting her bowl down and sounding a little annoyed.

"You just don't want me to go, or is there another reason?" I looked at her.

She immediately challenged me. "Do you think you're an adult now that you've had your coming-of-age ceremony? Do you think you're ready to spread your wings?"

Rhys leaned back in his chair and spoke in a calm and almost dismissive tone. "You got injured just from being chased by a few rogue wolves. Do you really think you're capable of going off on your own to school?"

"You didn't help me back then, and I survived anyway," I said bluntly, staring at both of them.

Rhys's expression hardened. "Is that how you talk to your mother and me?"

He stopped talking to me, got up, and left.

Mother glanced at me. As she collected the dishes, she lowered her head and quietly said, "We still have a debt to pay, but you don't need to know about it."

I was confused. But whatever the reason was, they had no right to keep treating me as if I didn't matter.

That night, I went to the pack's town hall again. Mira was waiting for me beneath the lights.

She told me that the pack council's official seal was required for the pack transfer. But since Mother refused to approve it, there was no way to get the seal.

Mira said, "But there's another way. An adult pack member can write their own letter of confirmation, so it doesn't have to go through the council. Once you send the letter and Northland registers it, your enrollment will be finalized."

"I have a copy of your pack records here. I'll handle the rest. Leave all your documents with me, okay? Don't take them home."

I followed Mira's instructions and wrote the letter.

When I got home, I noticed that the light in the study was still on. Mother and Rhys were inside discussing something.

I quietly crept closer and vaguely heard my own name. I had a pretty good idea what they were discussing.

Only one day remained before Northland confirmed my transfer.