Chapter 2

The camera panned down to my shoes.

My canvas sneakers had faded to a dull gray, and there was a crack along the side.

The night before, I'd wrapped the edges with clear tape.

Even so, cold air still seeped through whenever I walked.

The production team probably assumed I'd deliberately worn old shoes for the reality show.

No one asked.

Host Daniel led us into a courtyard in the village.

There were four other contestants.

One girl dragged a pink suitcase decorated with a limited-edition plush toy.

A boy held a handheld gaming console and immediately asked whether there was Wi-Fi.

A pair of twins, a brother and sister, spent the entire walk complaining about the wind and how cold the countryside was.

The courtyard wasn't particularly shabby.

It had red brick walls, a wooden gate, and a stack of firewood in the kitchen.

The moment I stepped inside, I caught the faint smell of grain.

Rye flour.

It was barely noticeable.

But my stomach still clenched involuntarily.

Daniel began announcing our tasks.

Cleaning the courtyard, fetching water, chopping wood, and feeding the pigs.

Only after completing all the work would we be allowed to eat dinner.

Someone immediately protested.

"What about lunch? Doesn't the production team provide food?"

Daniel smiled.

"The whole point of coming here is to experience ordinary life. Let's start by learning to rely less on others."

Everyone began groaning.

I said nothing.

Rely less on others?

I'd already learned how to live without relying on anyone.

When the semester started, the butler had transferred my usual thirty coins.

I needed to buy a mattress, textbooks, and daily necessities, as well as pay my class fee.

I calculated every expense carefully.

I got a used mattress from a graduating student who no longer needed it and carried it to my dorm myself.

I borrowed textbooks whenever possible. If I couldn't, I'd look for secondhand copies at an old bookstore.

They cost eight coins in total.

I found a discarded washbasin downstairs in the dormitory and cleaned it until it was usable again.

I bought the smallest bottle of shampoo I could find for three coins.

My class fee was ten coins.

That left me with seven.

I calculated the remaining balance three times.

I even started going to the recycling station behind the school to collect cardboard boxes and plastic bottles.

Once I gathered enough, I could exchange them for a few copper coins.

Sometimes, if I was lucky, I'd find a half-empty bottle of laundry detergent someone had thrown away.

I'd wipe the opening clean and take it back to my dorm to use.

But it still wasn't enough.

What made things worse was that the Werewolf Academy required intensive physical training at the beginning of each semester.

During those first two weeks, I ate only one meal a day.

At lunchtime, I'd buy a single slice of bread and get a bowl of free soup from the cafeteria.

At night, I'd drink another bowl of free soup.

Once, after training, my vision went black and I nearly collapsed.

I crouched on the ground for a long time before I could force myself to stand.

The instructor asked if I was feeling unwell.

I told him I hadn't slept properly.

The truth was that I was starving.

So hungry that my heart raced.

A woman working at the cafeteria noticed that I kept coming back for free soup.

One day, she secretly slipped me a packet of fries.

I almost cried.

After that, I made sure not to visit the same counter too often.

I was afraid she'd recognize me.

And I was even more afraid that someone would find out the Alpha's daughter couldn't afford food.

During the lunch break, the production team arranged a family video call.

I hadn't expected dad to answer.

When the screen lit up, he was sitting in the Pack's office.

He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, with the badge of his Alpha status pinned to his chest.

I greeted him softly.

"Dad."

He glanced at me.

His first question was:

"Was the work tiring this morning?"

I was about to shake my head when he continued.

"A little hard work is good for you."

"Your brother told me you've been living too comfortably at school. You're always picky about things, and you spend your allowance too quickly."

My throat suddenly tightened.

"I wasn't being picky. I didn't waste any money."

Father frowned.

"Cecilia, I don't want to hear you deny it every time."

"I've seen the records of the things you've asked for."

"You're almost eighteen. You can't spend your whole life thinking about nothing but enjoying yourself."

I froze.

Enjoying myself?

When had I ever enjoyed anything?

I thought about those thirty coins, the loaf of bread I'd been unable to afford, and the soles of my shoes splitting apart.

But I didn't dare say any of it.

The cameras were right beside me.

My brother and fiancé's warnings before I left were still ringing in my ears.

Don't embarrass the family.

All I could do was dig my fingernails into my palm.

"I understand."

Father was silent for a few seconds, then seemed even more displeased.

"You always say you understand."

"Cecilia, I hope you actually mean it this time."

The call ended.

The screen went black.

Sitting on the little wooden stool, I suddenly felt cold.

It wasn't that I didn't want to explain.

I was just afraid.

Afraid they'd think I was trying to compete with Lily for their affection.

Even more afraid that they'd take away the thirty coins I still had.