Chapter 2

Lucas was putting away his medical bag when I got back. Chloe sat by the fireplace in my mother's shawl. Adrian handed her chamomile tea while Cole plugged in her phone.

My mother looked relieved to see me, then frowned. “Come say something to your sister. She thinks she ruined the evening.”

I hung up my coat and approached the sofa. “Does she still need medical attention, Lucas?”

“She's settled. A quiet night should help.”

“I'm glad.” I turned to my mother. “What do you want me to say?”

“Tell her you don't blame her.”

“I don't blame her for being ill. I mind having my name hidden under a plate and our plans changed without asking me.”

Cole straightened. “Can you give it a rest? She's had a rough night.”

“When do I get to talk about mine?”

“Does it have to be now?”

Two months earlier, he'd promised to take me to a hockey game for my birthday. I waited by the door in my coat. His message arrived after the game had started: Chloe's ex had turned up at a party, and she didn't want to be alone.

He said we'd go the following Saturday instead. I kept that evening free, too.

“You said you'd make it up to me the next week,” I told him. “You never mentioned it again.”

“I thought you were over it.”

“I was still expecting us to go.”

Chloe put down her cup. “Nora remembers everything. We'd better watch ourselves.”

I looked back at Cole. “You could've told me you weren't taking me.”

Adrian pulled a shopping bag from beneath the coffee table. “Tonight didn't go well. These are the noise-canceling headphones you wanted.”

I didn't open the box. As he moved, Chloe's shawl slipped, exposing a moonstone bracelet on her wrist. Beside the pale blue stone was a tiny scratch I'd seen in a photo.

My mother had shown me that picture on her first visit to my apartment. She'd had the bracelet made when I was born, she said. She'd saved it all these years, waiting to give it to me herself.

I'd asked about it twice since moving in. Both times, she said it was in the safe and she'd get it out later.

My mother followed my gaze. “Chloe was having a terrible time when she turned eighteen. I let her wear it. We hadn't found you yet.”

“Why tell me it was still in the safe?”

She hesitated. “I wanted to make you happy. Then things were so tense between you two, I didn't know how to bring it up.”

Chloe reached for the clasp. My mother caught her hand immediately.

“Leave it. You've worn it for years.” She looked at me. “I'll take you shopping tomorrow, Nora. Pick whatever you like.”

“When you showed me the photo, you said you'd kept it for me.”

“I wanted you to know we'd never forgotten you.”

“I asked about it twice. You said it was in the safe.”

Her hand was still around Chloe's wrist.

“I didn't want to upset you.”

I'd pictured her taking it out for me. Every time she'd said later, I'd thought she meant it.

“Then why did you keep telling me I'd get it?”

Her eyes filled. “I'm offering to buy you another one. I'm trying, Nora.”

I pushed the unopened headphones back toward Adrian.

“Please don't buy me anything tomorrow.”

The front door opened, and my father came in with the night air. Cole spoke before he'd taken off his coat. “Nora's fighting with Mom over the bracelet.”

I looked at him, and his voice faded. My father didn't ask for my version. “We'll deal with it tomorrow. Ten o'clock, council hall. Your initiation is going ahead.”

For a moment, I couldn't answer. I'd spent three years carrying a visitor's pass. Every time I went through the training-ground gates, a guard had to verify my identity. Everyone else belonged to a pack. I had a key card to its guest room. “Has the paperwork been checked?”

Adrian nodded. “This afternoon. All you need to do is take your oath.”

“I'll be in the front row,” my mother said. “Your brothers will be there, too.”

I looked at each of them. Lucas agreed to have someone cover his appointments. Adrian canceled his morning meeting. Cole nodded, though he made no effort to hide his irritation. “I need more than a family photo,” I said. “Please stay until it's finished.”

My mother squeezed my hand. “I promise, sweetheart.”

That night, I reread Maeve's offer: a permanent position, my own budget, credit for my work. She'd added a note at the end.

[We need someone who works the way you do.]

I left my answer in drafts and checked the ceremony documents again. Adrian had confirmed the paperwork. Lucas had arranged cover. Mom had promised she'd stay.

I set an early alarm so I wouldn't have to rush. Before bed, I took the oath out of my bag and read it once more.

For the first time in three years, I would be able to hand back my visitor's pass.