Chapter 1My cousin left her phone on my couch.
A text lit up the screen.
"Celebration dinner tonight for Kane's grades!"
I clicked in.
Four names stared back.
Alpha Dad. Luna Mom. My brother Kane. Cousin Lacey.
Kane's message: "Just us. Don't tell Stella."
Luna: "Yeah, she's so fucking petty anyway. Literally fought Lacey over an apple."
My wolf went still inside me.
Claws prickled under my nails - I forced them back.
So that's what I was to them.
The pack embarrassment. The one they celebrated getting rid of.
They wanted to throw me out?
Right then, my phone buzzed. Luna's caller ID.
"Stella, Alpha and I won't be back till late tonight."
"Oh - and grab the laundry off the balcony for me, would you?"
"Kane and Lacey are busy too, so just… I don't know, heat up some leftovers or whatever."
Click.
She didn't even wait for me to answer.
I walked out to the balcony.
Kane's hoodies. Lacey's cute little dresses. All hanging there like they owned the damn den.
The wind carried their scents - his musky wolf, her floral perfume. Mine? Nowhere.
I just stood there, staring.
Moon above, it was always right there.
I just kept pretending it wasn't.
I don't even know when it started - when I became the ghost in my own packhouse.
Last week, I grabbed the last apple.
Lacey mentioned she wanted one.
Suddenly, I was public enemy number one.
So I cut it in half. One for her, one for me. Fair, right?
Luna exploded. Her eyes flashed gold, canines lengthening.
"Half an apple? Are you kidding me right now? That's practically nothing!"
She snatched Lacey's half and chucked it straight into the trash.
Then grabbed Lacey's arm. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's go get you a real snack."
Kane looked at me like I was rogue filth. "Seriously? You're that pathetic? Can't even share an apple with your own cousin?"
His lip curled, a hint of fang showing.
Alpha? Just sat there. Didn't even blink. His wolf didn't stir.
I thought they were just being extra nice because Lacey was going through stuff.
Wrong.
She wasn't the guest.
I was.
I folded their laundry piece by piece and put everything away in their rooms.
Kane's bed - fluffy, warm, perfect.
Lacey's bed - same deal.
Then I glanced back at my sad little cot shoved on the balcony.
My wolf whimpered low in my chest.
Lacey moved in right after Aunt Ophelia left.
Next morning, she came down looking like death.
Luna, all worried: "Sweetie, what's wrong? Did you sleep okay?"
Lacey, voice soft as hell: "I'm just… not used to sharing a room, I guess."
Boom. I got exiled to the balcony.
I didn't fight it. I felt bad for her. Her mom just bailed. She was a mess.
And I didn't want to make things harder on Luna.
So I said sure.
Worst. Decision. Ever.
Because my understanding became their weapon.
I was understanding, so I had to give Lacey everything.
I was understanding, so Luna only washed Kane's and Lacey's stuff - never mine.
I was understanding, so I did all the chores while they sat around doing jack shit.
But before she showed up?
They actually gave a damn about me.
So what the hell happened?
I sat on my cot, doom scrolling through my phone.
Then I saw it.
Lacey posted on her secret account.
A photo of the four of them - Alpha, Luna, Kane, Lacey - smiling like they just won the pack lottery.
Caption: Finally ready to call her "Mom." Thank you for giving me a real family.
Comments flooded in:
"OMG congrats! Your aunt's pack is everything."
"So happy for you babe! Wishing you all the happiness."
I hit like.
Dropped a comment: "Hope you guys are happy forever."
The post disappeared.
She must've forgotten I was still following her burner from when she borrowed my phone.
My phone buzzed.
"Stella, hey - so, uh, that post? Don't like… read into it. I was just being dramatic, you know?"
Chapter 2
I laughed.
My wolf didn't join in.
She was so good at playing two faces now.
Before? She'd put on this perfect little she-wolf act in front of Alpha and Luna.
But the second they weren't looking? She'd flash her fangs at me - just because she was older.
I let it slide.
Then she started winning things from me - my stuff, my space, whatever - and somehow I became the selfish one.
I tried explaining. Got blamed instead.
When I didn't respond, her voice cracked on the other end.
"Stella... are you mad at me?"
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just... I just wanted to feel loved..."
Full-on sobbing now.
High-pitched. Fake. My ears flattened against my skull.
Before I could even process it, Kane's growl exploded through the speaker.
"Stella, what the hell is your problem? It's a damn post! Why are you always like this?"
"You made Lacey cry! Apologize. Now."
My chest caved in. My wolf curled into a tight ball.
I didn't do anything. And now I had to apologize?
I laughed - cold, sharp, my canines itching. "Apologize? For what exactly?"
Kane lost it. His voice dropped into a snarl.
"For what? You upset Lacey, which means you're messing with me!"
"I don't care. Say sorry. Or I swear to the Moon - "
Luna's voice cut in from the background.
"Kane, don't talk to your sister like that!"
Then, to me: "Stella, honey, Kane's just being a pup. Don't take it personally."
A pause.
"And look, tonight was just... a casual dinner. Don't read into it, okay?"
My throat tightened. My wolf whimpered low.
I kept my voice flat. "You don't need to explain. You guys are the pack. I get it."
That set her off.
Her voice shot up, a sharp bark. "Stella! How can you even say that?"
"We didn't invite you to one dinner and you're acting like we abandoned you!"
"You want food? Fine. I'm sending you two hundred bucks. Go eat whatever you want!"
My phone buzzed. PackPay: $200 received.
"There. Money's sent. We're done here."
Click.
I laughed - dry, bitter, my wolf baring teeth at nothing.
This pack? This so-called love?
My wolf howled once in my skull - silent, final.
I didn't need it.
I called my best friend.
"That project you mentioned - can I still join?"
She didn't even hesitate. "Hell yes! Oh my God, Stella, you're finally doing it!"
"When can you fly out? I'll book your ticket right now."
No hesitation. "Tomorrow. The sooner, the better."
I hung up.
My chest felt... light. My wolf stretched, tail wagging for the first time in months.
She'd asked me a million times to join her pack's operation. I always said no - too far from the territory.
Back then, I thought my life was supposed to be here. With them.
Not anymore.
My wolf lifted her head.
We were done.
Chapter 3
They stumbled in past midnight.
Reeking of cheap whiskey and moon knows what else.
I was in the middle of packing.
Alpha and Luna's faces twisted the second they saw my suitcase.
Luna lunged forward and ripped the shirt out of my hands, claws grazing my wrist, throwing it on the floor.
"Stella! What the hell do you think you're doing? Running away now?"
"I sent you money! What more do you want from me?"
I picked up the shirt. Stared her down. My wolf rose in my chest, hackles up.
"Want? You think I'm the one causing problems?"
"I saw the group chat. Did you ever - ever - treat me like pack?"
Her face went ghost-white. Her wolf shrank back - I saw it flicker behind her eyes.
"Stella, listen - "
I laughed. Cold. Canines showing. "Don't bother. I'm done with this bullshit pack anyway."
Alpha finally spoke. Of course, it was to blame me.
"It's just a group chat. You're making a mountain out of nothing."
"Stella, you're being ridiculous."
Ridiculous.
Right. Because everything's always my fault.
I ignored them. Kept packing.
My wolf growled low in my chest.
Lacey rushed over, tears streaming down her face.
"Stella, you saw my post, didn't you?"
"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."
"If I hadn't moved in, none of this would've happened."
She grabbed my arm. Her claws - tiny, manicured - dug in just enough to sting.
"Please don't be mad at me. If anyone should leave, it's me. You're the real daughter here."
I shoved her off.
"Cut the act. I'm not buying it."
I barely touched her - but Lacey stumbled backward toward the table edge.
Her ankle twisted. The little表演 was flawless.
Kane caught her.
Then he shoved me. Hard.
I hit the ground. My knee cracked against the floor.
Pain shot through my leg. My wolf howled in my skull, claws scrabbling to get out.
Tears stung my eyes - not from the fall. From the betrayal.
Kane didn't even flinch.
He smirked, fangs glinting.
"That's what you get for putting your hands on Lacey. Maybe you'll think twice next time."
Luna's face flickered - just for a second - like she might actually help me.
Her wolf peeked out. Her hand twitched.
Then Lacey let out a sob.
"Aunt Thea... maybe I really should go. I'm just making everyone miserable."
Luna forgot I existed.
She pulled Lacey into her arms.
"Sweetie, no. I would never let you leave. You're all I have now."
Then she looked at me.
Eyes full of disappointment. Her wolf turned away.
"Stella. You crossed a line tonight."
"I'm so disappointed in you."
Disappointed.
I smiled - bitter, broken, my wolf whimpering.
I did everything she asked. I gave up my room. I stayed quiet. I let Lacey take whatever she wanted.
So what was she disappointed about?
That I finally stopped playing along?
That I didn't stay silent while they treated me like rogue filth?
I'm a wolf, Luna.
Not a doormat.
Alpha stepped in, playing peacemaker.
"Stella, your mom's really upset this time."
"Just apologize to Lacey. Then we can all move on."
Apologize.
Again.
Always me.
Not this time.
