I am the most blatantly fake daughter of the alpha one could ever imagine.

Even in the tender years of my childhood, I, with all the earnestness a young pup could muster, had tried to make the heedless alpha of the Shadowclaw Pack, the venerable old man David, see the truth.

"I don't look like you at all, not even a little bit."

But David Goden merely waved it off, chalking it up to some quirk of poor genetic inheritance.

The thought that I might have been switched at birth never even remotely crossed his mind.

The real daughter of the alpha is crouched on the floor, her shoulders heaving with sobs.

David Goden's face is a mask of utter helplessness, his eyes darting between the two of us, searching for some solution that seems eternally out of reach.

Frank Goden, meanwhile, stands to the side.

As I take in this scene, my mind races, calculating every possible aspect of the life that awaits me back in the Navis Pack.

"Alice," David Goden finally breaks the oppressive silence.

"You can stay here at home for now. If you need anything, anything at all, just come directly to me."

He says this as he gently places a hand on the real daughter's trembling shoulder, trying to offer her some semblance of comfort. After he finishes arranging her immediate situation, his gaze swivels towards me.

I give a curt nod.

"Understood. I'll gather my things and be out of your hair in no time." "That's not what I meant!" David Goden exclaims.

"I've delved into the state of the Navis Pack. It's in a sorry condition, barely scraping by. You'll be tossed into a maelstrom of hardship if you return. Alice, why don't you just stay and-"

I cut him off with a firm shake of my head, a bittersweet smile playing on my lips.

"There's no need. I'm going home."

To be brutally honest, my connection with David Goden has always been tenuous at best.

My mother, may her spirit run free in the wilds, passed away when I was but a youngling.

And ever since then, this man, my supposed father, has been consumed by pack affairs. His presence at home has been as fleeting as a shadow in the moonlight.

As for my younger brother, Sam Goden... I turn my eyes towards him, only to find his gaze fixed far away, lost in some private reverie.

I give a resigned shrug.

We had a vicious fight not long ago.

In a strange way, it's a relief that I'm leaving like this.

David Goden steps closer. "Are you absolutely certain?"

I nod resolutely.

I am Alice Goden, or rather, I should now be called Alice Navis.

As the train chugs towards the northern reaches of the Navis Pack, the world outside my window undergoes a startling transformation.

The once - vibrant landscapes of the Shadowclaw Pack territory, filled with bustling marketplaces and well - maintained homes, fade away. In their place, a desolate expanse unfolds.

There are no signs of the grand commercial centers that thrive in the more prosperous packs.

Instead, empty lots overgrown with wild, thorny bushes and dilapidated, abandoned buildings line the way.

I sit in my seat, gripping the armrests tightly as the train lurches from side to side.

As I take in this forlorn sight, a strange thought occurs to me. Perhaps here, I can plant a small garden, tend to the flowers and herbs, and live a life of simple tranquility.

Finally, the train comes to a shuddering halt.

I grab my battered suitcase, its contents jostling as I struggle to pull it down the narrow aisle.

With a deep breath, I step off the train and onto the rickety platform. Just as I'm about to start walking towards the exit, a voice rings out from behind me. "Are you Alice?"

Not far away, a pleasant voice reached my ears.

I followed the sound.

There were two figures.

The one in the black suit with gold-rimmed glasses and a faint smile on his lips should be my eldest brother - I heard he's a top investment advisor and the most successful one among us all - Mathew Navis.

It was rumored that his werewolf abilities were tied to his financial acumen, allowing him to sense market trends like a predator sensing its prey.

The one in the white shirt, with cuffs buttoned meticulously must be my second brother - Nill Navis, an artist.

Among the werewolf community, his art was said to be influenced by his connection to the moon, each stroke carrying the essence of the lunar magic.

Both were incredibly handsome. The Navis family genes were truly remarkable!

I lifted the corners of my mouth.

In a sugary voice, I said, "Big brother, second brother."

"Big brother, second brother."

I was taken aback.

Why was there an echo?

I turned my head and met the gaze beside me. Huh?

Could this be my twin brother, the third in line -

Daniel Navis furrowed his brows and gave me another once-over. He sneered, "Bad luck."

After Daniel Navis spoke, he immediately turned around and walked towards Mathew Navis.

Well, I knew it wouldn't be easy to be recognized into the family.

I silently pulled my luggage, following at a respectful distance.

"Third brother." Mathew Navis still had that smile on his lips, and his gaze behind the glasses landed on Daniel Navis.

"Do you think it's appropriate to let your sister carry her luggage alone?"

Nill Navis, standing beside him, gave Daniel Navis a cool look but remained silent.

Daniel Navis's body stiffened slightly, and then he turned around, cursing under his breath.

He walked up to me and snarled, "Give it to me!"

That expression of his, well, it was like a robber's.

I looked at Mathew Navis, and he smiled at me, nodding.

His voice was gentle, "Welcome home, sister."

Next to him, Nill Navis also nodded at me, Alice.

I smiled in return, my voice sweet, "Thank you, big brother. Thank you, second brother."

"I'm the one who's helping you with the luggage," came a gritted voice beside me.

I nodded, still smiling sweetly and obediently, "Thank you, third brother."

Daniel Navis let out a cold snort.

He grabbed the handle of the luggage and attempted to hoist it onto his shoulder.

"Third brother, this is really heavy..."

"Hmph, a little girl's stuff, how could it possibly-"

In the next instant, Daniel Navis was thrown over the luggage as if it were a skilled wrestler. He landed with a resounding thud on the ground.

I pursed my lips gently. Seeing his grimacing expression, I said meekly, "I told you it was heavy..."

Daniel Navis was quick to get back up. "Are you crazy?Silver ingots?"

"Just... a girl's things..."

Daniel Navis, "..."

"Actually, if you can't carry it, you can roll it," I said after a moment of silence.

Seeing his expression turn even more sour, I added, "I meant the wheels."

A soft chuckle came from behind.

Mathew Navis patted my head gently.

"Don't mind him. Mom and Dad are waiting at home."

I nodded obediently and trotted along behind him.

The Navis family's residence was indeed in a remote area, with a self - built house standing tall.

Although the house was quite spacious, the gaudy tile decorations gave it a rather rustic look.

It was quite strange.

Elizabeth had previously endured a severe hurricane disaster, and David Goden had rushed to bring her back.

Now, looking at this house, it seemed to have been newly renovated.

Not far behind the self - built house was a cattle pen.

Presumably, the Navis family had raised cattle to put the three brothers through college.

I looked at my beautiful mother, my elegant and handsome eldest brother, my cool and delicate second brother, and my cool and good - looking third brother, and I couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

"Wooooo... my precious daughter!!!"

A tall figure rushed towards me like a bolt of lightning and began to wail loudly.

My father, with snot and tears streaming down his face, looked me up and down. After making sure I was safe and sound, he continued to sob.

"My precious daughter, you've suffered all these years!!! It was my fault for swapping you at birth. Waaaaah!!!"

I cleared my throat softly and tried to comfort him.

"Well, it wasn't exactly suffering..."

"Hmph."

Daniel Navis suddenly let out a contemptuous sneer.

"Of course it wasn't suffering. The Goden family raised her like a delicate little princess. She probably only came back when she was desperate."

My father was taken aback and looked at me. "My dear daughter... Do you really not want to come back?"

My mother's gaze also landed on me, filled with worry.

I shot Daniel Navis a glare. This guy, my twin brother, was truly a stumbling block on my path to being recognized by the family.

"No." I shook my head and replied truthfully. "Nowhere is better than home."

My father burst into tears again and was then dragged by my mother to the kitchen to cook.

I looked at my eldest brother, second brother, and third brother in front of me, and we all stared at each other in silence.

"Come on, you don't have to pretend in front of us."

Daniel Navis finally spoke up, slouching lazily in his chair and looking at me.

"Alice said before that you didn't want to come back and even drove her away. What's the deal? Did the Goden family abandon you, so you finally decided to come back?"

"Daniel Navis."

"This is the truth! This Alice Goden is just acting obedient! Can't you two see, big brother and second brother?"

"Third brother." I called out to remind him. "My name is Alice Navis."

"Hmph, don't think that you-"

"Daniel Navis."

Mathew Navis's gaze swept over.

"If you're so unhappy, you can get out."

Daniel Navis deflated completely.

I blinked and looked at Mathew Navis, realizing. This was my backer.

I gave a sweet smile. "Thank you, big brother."

"We are family." Mathew Navis's large hand landed on my head, giving it a gentle but firm rub.

"Alice, your school term is starting soon, right?" Nill Navis pondered aloud. I was taken aback. Logically, I should be starting my first year of college soon. But the Goden family had arranged for me to attend a private elite university. In the world of werewolves, such institutions were often breeding grounds for future leaders, and admission was highly competitive. Only the extremely wealthy or those from powerful families could afford to send their heirs to Frankford University. As a fake heiress in the Goden family, not only did I lack the admission qualifications, but I probably couldn't even afford the tuition fees.

"What's wrong?" Nill Navis handed me a glass of water.

I took a small sip, carefully choosing my words. "Big brother, second brother, could you accompany me to transfer my student status in a few days?"

"Why do you want to transfer your student status?" Mathew Navis pushed his glasses up.

"Frankford University is also quite good." Both Mathew Navis and Nill Navis looked at me with puzzled expressions in their eyes

"It's not about whether it's good or not..."

I was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to gently break the news that our family's financial situation was not good and we couldn't afford to send me to an expensive university.

"If you don't want to go into business, Frankford University has other majors." Nill Navis offered a timely suggestion.

"Actually, now, like you two, I got into university through hard work..." Mathew Navis and Nill Navis both fell silent.

"And the tuition at Frankford University is very expensive..." With this much of a hint, Mathew Navis probably understood.

He put on his standard smile again. "Daniel Navis is also at Frankford University."

I couldn't help but turn to look at Daniel Navis. He still gave me a disdainful glance.

I helplessly rubbed my forehead.

This prodigal son!

It seemed that I couldn't just slack off. I still had to find a way to make money in the Navis family.

Nill Navis patted me on the shoulder to comfort me. "It's okay. Selling a dozen cows will be enough for the tuition."

My eyebrows immediately knitted into a knot. "There are only about a dozen cows in the pen..."

Surely we couldn't go bankrupt just to send me to college.

Mathew Navis let out a soft laugh, the curve of his smile widening. "Those are breeding cows. We don't sell them."

"See those mountain peaks over there?" "Yeah." "They belong to our family."

"See those black dots on the mountainside?" "Yeah." "Those are all cows. They're all ours."

For several days, I was constantly in a state of confusion. I couldn't tell for a while whether the Goden family, who ran a large company, was richer, or the Navis family, who owned several mountains and tens of thousands of cows, was wealthier.

Was I a real heiress or a fake one?