Chapter 4

I ignored Ingrid and turned to look at Ellen. "See? Michael's the Alpha, and Soren is the heir of the pack. There are plenty who'd volunteer to look after them, so why do you insist I stay?"

Ingrid was the lowest-ranking Omega in the pack. She was a small-time singer, and her only advantage was her uncanny resemblance to Nora. It was precisely because of this that she meant more to Michael and Soren than I did.

Ellen glared at me, the affection in her eyes vanishing instantly, as did the warmth in her tone. "You really want to leave?"

My gaze was unwavering. "We agreed I'd only stay for ten years. I don't want to be trapped here for the rest of my life. I don't belong here—"

I was cut off by a hard slap in the face.

Ellen glowered at me viciously, venom dripping from her voice as she growled, "Only a she-wolf as pathetic as your mother could give birth to trash like you! You should be grateful and learn your place!

"Your mother died young, and your father thought of you as a useless she-wolf. If I hadn't raised you out of the kindness of my heart, you would have died somewhere as a lone pup!"

My mother had been a low-ranking Omega whose demure nature caught my father's attention.

My father was ambitious. He wasn't content to be a grunt soldier and brainstormed ways to rise through the ranks. My mother worked day and night to manage the trivial affairs he couldn't bother to deal with himself, and it wasn't long before she collapsed from exhaustion.

She died shortly after giving birth to me.

My father hadn't mourned her death, and instead had a marking ceremony with Ellen before my mother even turned cold. I'd only been three at the time, and my father extended his dislike toward my mother to me.

After all, I was only a she-wolf, and I'd inherited my mother's low-ranking Omega genetics.

Ellen and my father believed I should be grateful that they'd done me a great favor by not abandoning me, even if they did chase me off to the woods at the border to fend for myself after I turned 10.

I was also expected to give up everything for them in the name of blood.

When I stayed silent, Ellen raised her hand again.

For the first time in my life, I fought back. "You and Dad raised me until I was ten, and I looked after Soren for you for just as long. Enough is enough; we're even now."

I spent the last decade doing my best to care for Michael and Soren.

I tried to please Michael regardless of his absurd demands. I'd never dared to say no to him.

Similarly, I raised Soren as if he were my own, pouring my blood, sweat, and tears into his well-being. I looked after him tirelessly and made no complaints, even when he hit and insulted me.

I'd done my best for the last ten years. I could swear, even before the Moon Goddess, that I had fulfilled my duty.

If I had to feel bad for someone, it would be me.

Ellen stormed away angrily when she realized I'd made up my mind. I heaved a sigh of relief and spun on my heels, only to collide against a hard, sculpted chest.

I staggered back frantically to see Michael fixing me with a grave look. There was little to no emotion on his face, and he looked at me like I was a flighty canary in a cage.

"Surely you know the best choice to make for yourself, Evangeline. Do not attempt to test my patience. If I were to leave you, you'd wish you'd picked differently.

"Now, be good. I already had someone deliver you an even more beautiful bird to make up for the canary. You don't have to throw a fit over something so trivial; it's unbecoming for a Luna.

"If you think Soren's a handful, I'll have Ingrid step in to help you. He listens to her. I've already made arrangements for Ingrid to move in and stay here for the long run."

Michael thought he was already making a huge compromise by lowering himself to cheer me up. He probably expected me to thank him and grovel at his feet for his generosity.

But I didn't feel like playing along anymore.

I met his stare and said calmly, "You don't have to tell me about your arrangements. You can manage them perfectly fine on your own. After all, from now onward, you and I will have nothing to do with each other. I'm leaving."

I'd just said this when Ingrid sauntered toward us with a pout. "See, Alpha Michael? I told you Ms. Clayton wouldn't agree to my staying here. I'm just a lowly Omega, and living with you and your family is beyond my league.

"It's probably for the best that I leave, lest I make Ms. Clayton unhappy. It will only affect you and Soren."

She hadn't even finished speaking when Michael immediately pulled her into his arms. "So what if you're an Omega? And what's so great about being a Luna, anyway?

"I have the final say in the Silver Moon Pack! As long as I'm around, no werewolf would dare chase you away!"

With that, Michael gave him a dark look, then carried Ingrid into the nearby bedroom. It wasn't long before a she-wolf's pants and moans came from the room. It was obvious what was happening behind the closed door.

Satisfaction glittered in Soren's eyes. "Yes! Dad's finally with Ms. Whitman! You'll be thrown out of the house soon. Only a she-wolf like Ms. Whitman is good enough for Dad. Get the hint and leave already."

I stared at Soren, the pup I'd poured my heart and soul into raising. "Do you truly believe that?"