Chapter 3

I sat opposite my so-called mother. Her eyes were locked on mine. Was she in disbelief that she actually had a living child? Her stare was full of uncertainty, but then again, I looked just like her — like a younger, not-so-pretty version of her.

“What do you mean you’re leaving tomorrow?” Matilda asked, clearing her throat as if to cut through the tension.

“She doesn’t want me here anyway, and you said humans aren’t allowed here. So, I’ll be leaving. I can stay with my friends for a while until I get a job and a place…” I replied calmly.

“Monica said you don’t have friends,” Amber cut in.

I smiled, pretending that didn’t sting. So, she and Monica had been talking a lot about me.

“I’ll find my way around. My dad taught me that,” I said, forcing a little shrug.

“Well, your daddy wanted you to have this.” Amber leaned back and grabbed a box from under her stool. I reached out to take it, my hands trembling. A gift from Dad, while I was still grieving that would melt my heart.

I sniffled and wiped my face. Amber handed me a napkin.

“I’m so sorry… we’re so sorry,” she said softly.

Opening the box, I found a folded white paper with ‘Love you, Lily’ written on it. My heart melted instantly. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I had been bottling up my pain these past few days so Monica wouldn’t worry, but now, it all came rushing out.

“You should read it,” my mom said quietly.

I turned to her, my vision blurry from crying. “I was going to,” I whispered, taking a deep breath before reading.

“My Lily Bloom, if you’re seeing this letter right now, it’s because you want to leave.”

I paused and looked up at my mother. She sat upright, her legs crossed, still wearing that uncertain look. It was as if she knew what the first line said.

“Go on…” she urged.

I continued:

“I know how you’re feeling now, and I’m sorry I couldn’t fight this sickness. My body is tired, but my soul still wants to stay with you. Because I cannot, I decided you stay with her , your mother. I know you never had a proper relationship with her, but it isn’t too late to patch things up. It would please my heart if the two women I loved most in this world could live as a family.

A year _ that’s all I ask. Give it a try for one year, and if you still hate it, Monica will come get you. I believe you belong there with her. I love you so much, and I’m watching over you.

Love,

Dad.”

My heart broke. I hugged the letter tightly and sobbed, picturing Dad’s face as he wrote it ,the pain, the quiet acceptance of dying, of leaving me behind. I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

“I’ll stay…” I muttered weakly.

“Good.” Amber rose to her feet, and my eyes followed her. She walked to the bar and poured herself a drink.

“She has an alcohol problem,” Matilda whispered beside me. “Nothing out of the ordinary , just to calm her down.”

I nodded, not really caring.

“Now that you’ve decided to stay, I’ll tell you what I was going to talk about,” Amber said, turning back to me.

“Amber, let’s do it tomorrow—” Matilda began.

“She can say it now. I don’t mind,” I interrupted.

“Good. To stay here, you have to abide by two rules.”

“Excuse me? I didn’t beg to be here. I have to live by your rules?” I snapped.

She nodded. “Yup.”

“Matilda told you humans aren’t allowed here, didn’t she? That leads to the first rule _ nobody must know you’re human.”

I burst into laughter. “Are you kidding me? You want a human to live among wolves and not show she’s human? Wow. Nice.”

“I’ll handle that. You just have to keep up the lie , the act and the secret. Did Monica spray something on you before you came here?” she asked.

My mind went to the strange fragrance Monica had bathed me with. “Is that—?”

“It’s to hide your human scent. No wolf can detect what you are with that spray. It conceals your real scent.”

So that was why that weird boy from the woods acted strange when I said I wasn’t a wolf, The scent deceived him .

“Oh, this is sick…” I muttered, nervously chuckling.

“Humans and half-breeds aren’t allowed here, and you’re both. So it’s either you pretend, or you risk torture, imprisonment or worse, death.”

My eyes widened. “Was my father aware that the place he wanted me to live could get me killed? What the hell? I didn’t ask to be here. I’m only doing this for my dad!”

“Well, then do it properly,” she shot back.

“Amber, you’re being too harsh,” Matilda said.

“She’s being rude,” I added quickly, and my mom rolled her eyes.

“If you play your cards right and let me play mine, you won’t get caught. Now, for the second rule…” Amber hesitated, and I noticed Matilda shift uncomfortably.

“What now?” I grumbled.

“You’re not allowed to call me mother. Your identity is an apprentice who aspires to be a pack doctor. Since our families go way back, I decided to mentor you for a year. You cannot tell anyone I’m your mother for the 365 days you’re here.”

Her words echoed in my head. I just stared at her, stunned. She really must hate having a daughter if she was willing to lie that long.

“Okay,” I replied almost immediately, even though it hurt that the woman I’d been curious about all my life wanted to keep me a secret.

“You don’t have a problem with that?” Matilda asked.

“Nope. She isn’t a real mother to me anyway , just the lady who gave birth to me. Amber… I’ll call you that.”

Amber didn’t respond. She just stared at me.

“Or do you want me to call you Mentor?” I added sarcastically.

“Amber is fine,” she said flatly.

We agreed, and the silence that followed was awkward.

“Alright then, let’s get you to your room. You need to rest,” Matilda said, grabbing my bags. I followed her, but before we left, Amber spoke again.

“You start school tomorrow.”

“Medical school?” I asked, frowning.

“No. Raven Academy. You’ll learn a lot there ,it’ll keep you busy while you’re here, A survival guide to live here if you ask me”

“You said I’m your apprentice. You didn’t say anything about school!”

“How old are you?” she asked.

I rolled my eyes,. “Nineteen.”

“You can only skip Academia if you’re twenty-three. As long as you’re here, it’s my obligation to make sure you attend the Academy. Otherwise, I’ll be penalized. I can’t afford to ruin my good record.”

“She takes her record seriously,” Matilda whispered with a grin.

“This is such an awkward place…” I muttered.

“Get used to it,” she replied.