Chapter 1

I hit submit, and a message popped up on the application system.

[Application successful. Under the Wolf Council's classified decree, this cannot be withdrawn.]

In the Frost Pack, every wolf has to train with another pack for two years after coming of age. Once the training's done, they return to Frost. The Intelligence Bureau is the only exception. Joining the Intelligence Bureau is a one-way ticket. No way back.

I'd just closed my laptop when Caleb and the others walked in. Caleb is the Alpha heir of Frost, and the guy I'd been crushing on for ages.

"All set?" He asked me, but his eyes were fixed on Mira the whole time, his hands busy handing her a cup of warm deer milk.

Mira is an Omega, frail since birth. Caleb keeps her close, like one wrong move and she'll break.

This is my apartment, yet Mira has more of a presence here than I do. I gave her a spare key a while back to make things easier for her.

Now her windproof cloak hangs in my entryway, her special plush comb sits in my bathroom. Even the rug in front of the coffee table got swapped for that pink cashmere one she likes.

I nodded calmly. "All set."

Caleb started writing on his palm with a pen. "Come on, let's see if you guessed right this time."

I lowered my eyes. "No need to guess. I know you picked Blackstone Pack."

Caleb's pen froze mid-stroke. "So we're actually in sync this time." He paused. "Tonight, check everyone's application materials. Don't let anything slip."

His tone was casual. Like he was certain I'd applied to Blackstone too. Like sorting everyone's paperwork and packing their things was naturally my job.

Mira picked up her cup and said softly: "Vera, I'm still short one recommendation letter. Could you ask the proctor for me?"

"And about housing." Derek shoved an iPad right under my nose. "Didn't you put together that comparison chart of all the pack regions? Share it with us. Mira's sensitive to smells, so she needs a clean neighborhood."

Ian chimed in. "Not too high a floor either. Too high means too much wind, and Mira's health can't take it."

I looked up at them, and the last bit of hope in my chest went cold. I'd been preparing for this training for half a year. Besides Caleb, Derek and Ian are the Beta and Gamma heirs. For them, and for Frost, I'd carefully compared and picked the packs we'd train with. I'd made over a dozen spreadsheets.

They used to call me obsessive.

"It's just training—does it really matter where we go? Why do you have to overthink everything? You're exhausting."

Now that it's Mira, they wanted to pave every step of the road under her feet.

I bit my lip. "I don't need those charts anymore. I deleted them."

Caleb's face darkened. "Aren't you going to Blackstone too? How do you not need them? Can you stop being so unreasonable?"

I wanted to tell him I wasn't going to Blackstone. I wanted to ask if he'd ever cared about me. But the words died on my lips when Mira cut in.

She put on that wounded look: "It's okay, I can put it all together myself. An Omega should be doing these chores anyway..."

Caleb reached out and ruffled her hair, his voice softening. "I'm here. No one's gonna bully you." Then he turned his gaze on me like a blade. "Vera wants to go back to her hometown to study. Everyone gets it. You're the only one sulking, putting on that White Wolf attitude."

My eyes burned. The pain pressed against my lips, keeping me silent.

Sure, I'm a White Wolf, but ever since we were pups, I was the one taking care of them.

Caleb's allergic to cinnamon, so at every hunt feast, I carefully screened the seasonings. Derek's always losing things, so before we go out, I check if he's forgotten anything. Ian loves snacks, so there's always a pack of dried fruit in my bag for him.

At first, they thought I was the one person in the world who understood them best. We held hands and swore to the moon we'd never be apart. But over time, they just started taking it for granted. My effort turned into air. Essential, but invisible.

Now they say I'm putting on a White Wolf attitude.

Mira's eyes went red: "Actually, you guys don't have to come back to Blackstone with me. I can do it alone. I even booked a whole roast lamb place on the east side of town, wanted us all to celebrate..."

"Don't be silly." Caleb pinched her cheek. "Of course we're going to Blackstone, and we're celebrating."

Then all three of my childhood friends crowded around Mira and got up. At the door, Caleb turned back and looked at me impatiently.

"Why aren't you coming? Waiting for us to send you an invitation?"

I kept my head down. "I'm... not going."

The moment I said it, something in my chest gave a sharp little tug. I'd decided to leave a long time ago, but face to face with him, I still couldn't let go.

Caleb let out a scoff. "Right. The White Wolf's too good to hang out with us. Stay here by yourself then."

I watched them leave, laughing and talking. From start to finish, not one of them asked where I'd applied.

The second the door shut, my breath felt cut off. My phone screen lit up.

[Intelligence Bureau targeted recruitment application approved. Please complete check-in within 48 hours.]

[Further arrangements are classified. Do not disclose to anyone uninvolved.]

Only 48 hours left before I leave.