LOGINThe next day, a hundred and eighty thousand dollars in consulting fees landed in our company account.Elena paid every dollar of it herself.She apologized publicly on Instagram, and the online backlash was so vicious that she could barely show her face.In the video, she apologized to me.For the first time, my parents didn't take her side.The next day, I heard that she and her birth mother had been put out of my parents' pack.But after everything that had happened, the Vance pack began to decline.They lost a lot of warriors.Most were left bedridden, and a few died.I saw my parents and my three brothers again after that.They were nothing like they used to be.My mother gave me back the moonstone bracelet."Seeing you do so well puts our minds at ease."My father said, "Once our warriors recover, we'll pay your consulting fee and hire you to run their training."I didn't say anything. I nodded.All three of my brothers apologized to me.Lloyd added, "Elena's gone. Move back in wi
The next day Elena came to my company looking for me.I didn't find out until I'd finished for the day and was heading back to my room.The front desk told me she was waiting.She was alone when I saw her.I'd barely reached her when she stood up."Aurora, I need to say something to you.""About what? If it's work, I'm not discussing it.""It's about home.""You have five minutes."I'd just sat down when she took off the moonstone bracelet and held it out to me."Aurora, it's yours. I'm giving it back. I never meant to take anything from you.""Why give it back now?""Because I didn't feel safe back then. Having it made me feel safer."I changed tack. "Was that why you took my seat at the homecoming dinner too?"And every one of my birthdays? Was it for the same reason?"She bit her lip and nodded. I asked, "Were you actually unwell on registration day?"She hesitated, then looked up at me."No. But I really do have bipolar disorder..."The answer didn't surprise me in the least.When
This time Elena didn't cry.She looked at the files for a long moment before saying, "I didn't send those messages. Aurora did."My mother didn't understand."Elena, what are you saying?"Elena said calmly, "Two months ago, Aurora borrowed my phone. She said hers was dead and she had to reach someone at her company."I didn't think anything of it. I handed it over."Aurora trains warriors at her company. She knows better than anyone how much they need to eat each day. I have no idea about any of it."I said flatly, "I have never used your phone. Show us your proof."She took out her phone and called the maid who looked after her."My maid was there when it happened. I'll call her in, and you can ask her yourselves."I shot that down immediately. "The maid works for you. She'll say whatever you tell her to say."And don't assume I don't know. She's your birth mother."My mother asked in alarm, "Aurora, what are you saying?"I looked at her and said, "Two weeks ago, I walked past Elena's
Four days later, I walked into the conference room at my father's company right on time.My father and all three of my brothers were there.Even my mother had come with Elena.The moonstone bracelet was still on Elena's wrist.My father looked a little awkward when he saw that I'd actually shown up."I didn't think you'd come...""It's work."Mason took a jab at me. "If it weren't for work, I don't think you'd have come at all."I don't waste words, so I gave him a friendly warning. "I bill by the hour. If you want to make conversation, you'll pay for it like anyone else."Mason's smile froze.My father said irritably, "Business first."I started the way I always do: by learning how their pack operates.I asked them for their files.Then I pulled up the training footage they had recorded.One look told me the Alphas and Betas in that pack were coasting through their daily training.They weren't just coasting. Every one of them was full of resentment, and it was clearly aimed at whoever
I went back to the company.Dana had been waiting there for me since first thing that morning.When she saw the suitcase in my hand, she asked in surprise, "Aurora, are you really going to join our pack?""I am.""Did your family agree to it?""No. But whether they agree has nothing to do with me.""All right. The company will provide housing. The rent will come out of your monthly pay."She slid the contract over for me to sign.I read it carefully.The rent wasn't high.Years ago, Mason and I got into a fight.He tried to scare me by telling me how expensive rent was. "Treat Elena badly, and you'll find out what it's like to sleep on the street!"He wanted me to treat Elena well no matter what.That way, my family wouldn't push me out.What right did they have to push me out, anyway?I spent my childhood drifting from pack to pack.I never knew what the next day would bring.And I still made it through, didn't I?I bent over the contract and signed.Dana noticed how quickly I signed
The clerk told me I could join my company's pack.I'd worked there for five years, and all my paperwork was already in order.So even if I didn't return to that cold house, I still had somewhere to go.I messaged Dana in HR and told her the whole story. She replied right away.[Don't worry about it. This is easy. Give me a minute, and I'll send you the paperwork.]As I watched the files come through on my phone, my throat tightened.The Vance pack had dragged this out for four years. Here, it took less than ten minutes.At three that afternoon, I had my registration in hand.The family group chat was still silent.The last message in it was my father's, from that morning.He'd told everyone not to miss it, saying I'd get angry again if they did.Below it, they'd all replied one after another, saying they understood.But reading it now, the irony of it was hard to take.I left the group chat.I went back to the house to pack my things and go.When I got there, Ellis was the only one hom







