Chapter 2

"Zoe, what trick are you pulling now?" Jeff's sharp, wary eyes swept over me as he pulled Arie behind him protectively.

I couldn't blame him for being on guard. The necklace in my hand wasn't just any jewelry—it was the gift my three fathers gave me when I first transformed at fifteen.

Yes, I awakened my wolf early. I was the most promising female Alpha of my generation, destined to inherit all three of my fathers' packs. That necklace, along with the insignia badge, marked that destiny.

Arie had hinted more than once that she wanted them. Every time, we'd end up in a fight so fierce the entire house shook. I never backed down. I'd shout, swear, insist I'd never let her have them.

So when I suddenly offered them to her, it made sense they thought I was scheming again.

"It's just an apology gift," I said quietly after a long silence.

Kael gave me a warm, approving look. "Zoe finally understands how to yield to her sister. Don't worry—even if Arie has the badge, you'll still inherit the three packs."

"We'll buy you an even more expensive necklace," Jeff said, his tone softening.

"You should've learned to take care of your sister sooner," Bran added gently, ruffling my hair. "Be a gracious sister."

My throat burned. Tears welled up before I could stop them. I couldn't even remember the last time they spoke to me that gently.

"Thank you, Zoe!" Arie beamed. "I'm going to wear this necklace to the Christmas party!"

Then she looked up at me, smiling sweetly. "You'll come with us, right? Our Dasd canceled all their meetings that day so they could take me to see the fireworks!"

"I can't go…"

Kael frowned. "Where are you going?"

For a second, I froze—surprised he even asked.

"I…" I hesitated, wondering if I should tell him the truth.

He cut me off, his voice flat with impatience. "Forget it. Whatever it is, it's none of our concern."

The room fell into heavy silence.

I reached into my pocket, placed a key on the table, and forced a smile. "This is for my room. Let Arie move in after she's discharged."

"What did you just say?" Jeff stared at me in disbelief.

My room wasn't the largest or the most luxurious in the house, but Arie always said she liked it best. She'd begged to trade with me more than once, and I'd always refused. Even when my fathers offered to buy her a new villa, she refused that too.

Just yesterday, she'd been whining that she wanted my room after she left the hospital—said the air there was better, the garden view perfect for recovery. And I had said no. Again.

Now, Bran frowned. "You don't have to act like this to make us feel sorry for you. Arie already agreed to stay in another room."

"It's fine. I'm not trying to be dramatic," I said. "I really mean it. I'm busy with work these days anyway. I'm hardly ever home."

"Enough." Jeff's voice snapped through the air like a whip as he slammed his coffee cup down, spilling it across the table.

Silence again.

Then, as if nothing had happened, they turned back to Arie—asking how she felt, if she needed anything, if her arm still hurt.

I stood there, forgotten, my chest tightening until it hurt to breathe.

I bent down, pretending to tie my shoes so they wouldn't see my eyes glisten.

"I'll get going now," I said softly.

My footsteps echoed heavily on the floor. No one stopped me. Not a single word followed me to the door.

Suddenly, I remembered the day my mother died—how all three of them had red, swollen eyes, how they'd pulled me into their arms and whispered, "We'll always love you. You'll always be our little princess."

Liars.

My nose burned. Tears spilled before I could stop them.

The next morning, I started packing. I cleared out my room completely.

The Omega house staff watched in confusion.

"But, Miss," one of them said carefully, "you're the heir. Why give your room to the foster girl? Which room will you stay in then?"

I smiled faintly, shaking my head. "None. I'm leaving. I won't need one anymore."

They all froze.

"Miss, are you going on a work trip? You'll still need your room when you come back."

"I'm not coming back," I said. "Not ever."

Before I could take another breath, I heard Bran's voice behind me. His tone was cold as ice.

"Where exactly do you think you're going?"