The Beta’s Daughter

Chapter 1

The Beta's Daughter

The cold morning air bit at Jade Sullivan's cheeks as she hauled another basket of herbs up the winding trail toward the packhouse.

The basket was heavy enough to make her arms ache, but she didn't complain. Complaining never solved anything in Silverwood Pack.

Especially not for her.

She adjusted her grip and continued climbing the path. Tall pines stretched toward the sky around her, their branches whispering in the breeze. Somewhere in the distance, wolves laughed as they prepared for the Full Moon Festival, but Jade felt separated from them by an invisible wall.

The moment she stepped onto the main path, she heard the whispers.

"That's her."

Jade kept her eyes forward.

"The Beta's daughter."

"The gambler's daughter, more like."

A few wolves chuckled.

"You think her father is still alive?"

"Probably hiding from debt collectors."

More laughter.

Jade's jaw tightened.

Seven years.

Seven years since her father had abandoned Silverwood Pack.

Seven years since he'd left her and her mother behind.

When she was younger, Jade had waited for him to return. Every howl in the night, every unfamiliar scent near the territory line, every distant traveler had sparked hope.

Now she knew better.

If he had cared, he would have come back.

Instead, he had left them with his shame.

She reached the kitchen entrance and set down her basket.

"About time," Mrs. Collins grumbled.

Jade offered an apologetic smile.

"Sorry."

"The festival won't prepare itself."

The older woman pointed toward a sink full of dirty pots.

"Get started."

Jade nodded.

Years ago, things had been different.

As the Beta's daughter, she had been expected to learn leadership beside the future Luna. Her father had once promised she'd accomplish great things.

Now she scrubbed pots.

The irony wasn't lost on her.

A sudden hush spread through the kitchen.

Jade glanced up.

Devin Hunter had entered.

The future Alpha carried authority effortlessly. At twenty, he was already taller and broader than most wolves in the pack. Conversations paused when he walked into a room.

He greeted several workers.

Everyone smiled.

Everyone straightened.

Jade returned her attention to the dishes.

She didn't hate Devin.

She just represented everything she no longer had.

His family sat at the top of the pack.

Her family lived at the bottom.

They were two sides of the same story.

Once, their fathers had led together.

Now one family ruled while the other survived.

As Devin grabbed a bottle of water, his gaze briefly landed on her.

For one strange second, she thought he might recognize her.

Instead, one of the warriors called his name.

Devin turned away and left.

The moment disappeared.

Just another reminder that she was invisible.

---

By midday, Jade was carrying supplies across the training grounds when someone stepped into her path.

Sabrina Carter.

Beautiful, confident, and dressed as though she already wore a Luna crown.

Two girls flanked her.

"What do you want?" Jade asked before Sabrina could speak.

Sabrina smiled.

"I heard your birthday is next month."

Jade stiffened.

"So?"

"So then you'll finally be eighteen."

One of the girls snorted.

"As if that changes anything."

Laughter erupted around them.

Jade shifted the box against her hip.

Sabrina stepped closer.

"Maybe you'll get lucky and find a mate from another pack."

There was just enough venom in her voice to expose the insult.

Jade raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe you'll get lucky too."

The girls stopped laughing.

Sabrina's smile faltered.

For one satisfying moment, Jade saw irritation flash across her face.

Then Jade walked away.

Small victory.

But she'd take it.

---

The sun was setting when Jade finally made her way home.

The cottage sat near the edge of pack territory, tucked away among the trees.

Most wolves considered the location undesirable.

Jade loved it.

The forest was quieter here.

Kinder.

The front door opened before she reached it.

"There you are."

A warm smile spread across her mother's face.

Somehow, that smile always made the worst days easier.

"Long day?" her mother asked.

"The usual."

Jade stepped inside and immediately relaxed.

The cottage wasn't large.

The furniture was worn.

The wooden floors creaked.

But it was home.

More importantly, it was theirs.

Her mother took one look at her expression and sighed.

"Who was it this time?"

Jade laughed softly.

"That obvious?"

"You came into the house looking like you wanted to challenge someone to a fight."

That earned a genuine smile.

"Sabrina."

"Ah."

Her mother nodded knowingly.

"Did you punch her?"

Jade gasped dramatically.

"Mother."

"I'm just asking."

"You raised me better than that."

"Debatable."

Both of them burst out laughing.

The sound filled the small cottage.

For a few precious moments, the weight Jade carried disappeared.

Dinner was simple stew and fresh bread.

As they ate, they talked about the garden, the approaching festival, and whether the roof needed repairs before winter.

Ordinary things.

Safe things.

Then her mother grew quiet.

Jade noticed immediately.

"You have that look."

"What look?"

"The one where you're worried about me."

Her mother's shoulders sagged.

"I just hate that they're still treating you this way."

Jade stared into her bowl.

She hated it too.

Not for herself.

For her mother.

"I can handle it."

"I know."

Her mother's voice cracked slightly.

"That's what worries me."

Jade looked up.

The sadness in her mother's eyes hurt more than any insult Sabrina had ever thrown at her.

"You shouldn't have to handle it."

Silence settled between them.

Her mother reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

"They were wrong about you from the day your father left."

Jade swallowed hard.

"Mom—"

"No."

The older woman shook her head firmly.

"They looked at a little girl and saw his mistakes."

Her grip tightened.

"I see your strength."

The words hit harder than Jade expected.

Because so few people ever said them.

Her mother smiled softly.

"You have his determination."

Jade groaned.

"That's not exactly encouraging."

"It is when I pair it with my intelligence."

That pulled another laugh from her.

"There she is," her mother said quietly.

"Who?"

"My daughter."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Jade got up and wrapped her arms around her mother.

The hug was immediate.

Familiar.

Safe.

The sort of hug that reminded Jade she wasn't completely alone in the world.

No matter what happened in Silverwood Pack.

No matter what people whispered.

No matter how many doors closed in her face.

Her mother had never stopped believing in her.

And Jade wasn't sure she would have survived without that.

---

Later that night, Jade stood outside beneath the stars.

The forest stretched endlessly around her.

The moon hung above the trees like a silver lantern.

Her wolf stirred beneath her skin.

Restless.

Waiting.

Soon.

The thought came unexpectedly.

Her eighteenth birthday was only weeks away.

Most wolves looked forward to adulthood because it meant freedom.

Others hoped to find their mates.

Some dreamed of status and power.

Jade wanted something much simpler.

A chance.

A chance to be judged for who she was instead of who her father had been.

A chance to make her mother proud.

A chance to finally belong.

The cool breeze brushed against her face.

For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe that maybe her future held more than mere survival.

Maybe there was still hope waiting beyond the shadows.