Chapter 2

"You're saying... the Alpha and Luna of the Silver Moon Pack are your birth parents?!"

I didn't answer, just stared in the direction Grace had gone, my mind drifting back five years.

It was right after I'd been found and brought back to the Silver Moon Pack.

The selection for the Werewolf Elite Academy was coming up, and I was focused on studying, with no intention of getting caught in some "true vs. fake daughter" drama.

But my parents begged for my forgiveness. They smothered me with attention, caring for me far more than they did for Grace.

For the first time, I felt the warmth of a family.

The day I came home, my parents were waiting at the manor gate. My mother hugged me and cried, and my father, his eyes red, patted my shoulder.

"Amelia, we're so sorry. We let you suffer out there for so long."

Grace stood beside them. Her smile faltered for a split second before snapping back into its usual gentle expression.

Back then, I thought she was genuinely happy to have a sister.

I thought I would be this happy forever.

Until the night the selection results were announced. I ran excitedly into the living room.

"Mom, Dad, let's go to the Northern Mountains to celebrate! I heard the auroras there are beautiful!"

My mother smiled and agreed. "Of course, the whole family will go."

I didn't notice the way Grace's face fell.

Late that night, I went downstairs for a glass of water and heard Grace crying in my parents' room.

"I've been planning for three months... I even booked the villa by the sea... But if sister wants to go to the mountains, then we'll go to the mountains. It's okay, I don't mind..." she sobbed.

Then, I heard my mother sigh.

"Honestly, that child. Grace has been planning for so long, and she just has to pick the mountains. We've already been so welcoming to her, why does she still have to fight and claw for everything?"

My father's voice followed. "Let it go. Grace is the understanding one. She can handle a little disappointment."

I stood on the stairs, the water in my glass turning to ice.

The next morning, I went to my parents. "The seaside is fine, too."

My mother patted my head, pleased. "Amelia, you're so considerate. Don't worry, after the beach, I'll take you to the mountains."

I believed her.

But when I came downstairs with my suitcase at six the next morning, the entire manor was empty.

A servant told me the Alpha and Luna had left with Miss Grace before dawn.

I stood frozen at the door for a long, long time.

My phone buzzed.

My mother had transferred a large sum of money to my account with a message: "Amelia, Mommy will make it up to you next time. Take this money and go have some fun on your own."

The number was huge, a long string of zeros that felt less like a gift and more like a slap in the face.

I didn't cry. I went to the Northern Mountains alone.

The auroras were beautiful.

I sent a photo to my parents. "Mom, look, this is the aurora."

"Dad, I saw a white fox today."

"It's snowing hard today. I caught a snow rabbit and roasted it myself."

Crickets. Not a single reply.

But when I checked Grace's social media, my parents had liked every single one of her beach selfies.

I stayed in the mountains for a month.

The day I returned to the manor, the entire family was busy preparing for Grace's academy acceptance party.

Grace was in the fitting room, wearing a shimmering, pale blue princess gown.

When she saw me, she gave me a sweet smile. "Sister, you're back!"

My mother saw me, an awkward look on her face. She shoved a drab, dark purple dress into my arms.

"Amelia, I'm sorry, I forgot to get your measurements done. You'll just have to make do with this for tonight."

The dress was at least three years out of style.

"Mom, this dress..."

Before I could finish, my father frowned and pulled me into his study, his voice low.

"Amelia! Don't throw a tantrum now. Grace placed in the top thousand in the selection. She earned this. Can't you be a little more mature?"

The top thousand.

I gave a bitter smile.

But I was number one. First in all of North America.

All they had to do was look at the public announcement to see my name.

Why didn't anyone look?