I took a deep breath and opened the envelope. Julian's words were as warm as ever.

"Sophia, how's our pup? I'm out on a mission, missing you like crazy. Hope you and the pup are safe. Words fall short, but I'm sending you a thousand kisses."

Missing me. Kisses.

I laughed, tears spilling again. Minutes later, I wiped my face and marched into the healer's den. First, I booked an appointment to end the pregnancy. Second, I applied to the Repin Academy of Dance.

"Sophia," said William Grant, the pack's overseer, "Repin's a lifelong commitment. You graduate, you stay there to work. Coming back won't be easy. You sure about this?"

"Dead sure," I said.

He noticed my swollen eyes but swallowed his words. "If your application's approved, you'll fly out in ten days. Square things with your parents and mate."

"Will do."

I signed the papers without a second thought.

By evening, I pushed open the door to our den. Laughter hit me like a wave. Julian was on the couch, cradling a sleeping pup with the care of a wolf guarding his pack. A man who'd stared down death without flinching was now jumpy at the pup's tiniest twitch. Mom came out of the kitchen, spoon-feeding Chloe mushroom soup.

Chloe grimaced, whining, "Mom, it's too rich. I can't."

Dad pulled candies from his pocket, coaxing her like a pup. "Finish it, and you get a treat."

"Grown she-wolf, still so fussy," he teased.

My legs felt like lead, rooted to the floor. Julian spotted me, handed the pup to Chloe, and strode over, pulling me into his arms. "Where've you been? You look pale. Is the pup giving you trouble?"

His concern was the same as always, but it felt hollow. I turned to Chloe, who shrank under my gaze. The warm vibe in the room fizzled out.

Dad cleared his throat. "Chloe's been drifting, got mixed up with the wrong wolf, and had this pup out of wedlock. He's too young to be dragged around, so we're letting her stay for a bit."

Mom nodded. "The pup's innocent. It's hard to see him suffer."

Chloe stood, clutching the pup, her voice small. "Sophia, I was a fool before, hurting you like I did. Please, for Mom and Dad's sake, let us stay."

I didn't answer, turning to Julian. "They've spoken. What about you?"

His eyes had been glued to Chloe and the pup until I spoke. "It's up to you," he said softly. "Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

Sure he was.

I gave a bitter laugh. "Fine. Let them stay. One big happy pack."

The tension eased. Mom scooped up the pup, bustling off to prepare a room. Dad called for a light meal for Chloe's recovery. Julian handed me a mug of hot tea, patting my back like he always did when I was upset.

Then the deliveries started-toys, formula, diapers, even a fancy foreign breast pump. Workers asked where to set up the stroller. I picked up a receipt that had fallen, Julian's name glaring back at me. I smiled faintly.

Julian snatched the receipt, his voice tight. "It's too noisy out here. Let me get you to your room to rest."

I didn't argue, letting him guide me back. He tucked me in, meticulous as ever. "There's mushroom soup simmering, your favorite. I'll check the fire. Be right back."

My eyes followed him as he left, heading straight for Chloe's room. My heart didn't even twinge. What was the point of clinging to a wolf whose heart was elsewhere?

I got up, started packing, clearing out anything tied to Julian. It felt. freeing.

Then the door swung open. Julian and Chloe stood there, his gaze locking on my suitcase. "What's with the packing?"

I closed the case, voice calm. "What's up?"

He hesitated. "Mom thinks the east room's too dim for the pup, no sunlight. So-"

Mom walked in, cooing at the crying pup. "Sophia, your room gets the morning sun, plenty of space for the pup's things. Chloe and the pup can stay here. We'll get you a new place."

I looked at them-Chloe cowering behind Julian, him leaning forward like I was some threat.

"No need," I said softly. "It's just a room. They can have it."

I didn't just give up my room-I called Martha over to clear out my stuff. She moved fast, wiping away every trace of me like I'd never been there. In no time, Chloe's belongings filled the space, her scent marking what used to be mine. Within half an hour, a shiny new pup's room stood ready, decked out with care.

I watched Chloe eagerly settle in with her pup, my eyes lingering on the room. That crib alone, shipped from other packs, must've taken months to arrange. They'd been planning this for a while, hadn't they? My heart sank, and I lowered my gaze.

I dragged my suitcase to the smallest room in the den, tucked away in a corner. I didn't bother unpacking. What was the point? I'd ride out these last days and leave for good, never bothering their perfect little pack again.

But that night, the quiet shattered. After dinner, Chloe knocked and barged in without waiting for my okay.

"Sophia, thanks for being so big-hearted," she said, her face still infuriatingly radiant. "Me and Alex have a place to call home because of you. I got you a little something to show my gratitude."

I stepped back, wary. "No need. Letting you stay was their call. Just focus on healing up so they can stop worrying."

She didn't back off. Instead, she closed the distance. "Don't be scared, Sophia. I've changed. I've spent years regretting what I did. I'd never hurt you again."

Before I could protest, she shoved a fancy-wrapped box into my arms. "Mom and Dad want us to get along. I picked this out special. If you turn it down, it'll break their hearts."

I had no choice but to take it. I glanced down, and my blood ran cold. It was a photo-a face I'd never forget. That wolf, leering, dragging me into an alley years ago, his rough hands tearing at my clothes, his foul breath hot on my neck. If Julian hadn't shown up, I might've never walked out of there. That moment became my recurring nightmare.

My hands shook, and I flung the box and photo away. It hit Chloe's arm, and she let out a dramatic yelp. "Sophia, no-!"

Footsteps thundered downstairs. Julian yanked me back, rushing to Chloe's side. "What happened? You okay?"

Her voice quivered with fake tears. "Sophia let us stay, no grudges, and I was so grateful. I got her a gift to bury the hatchet. But. I guess she still hates me. She threw it at me."

My back throbbed from where I'd hit the railing, but I gritted my teeth and stood. "She gave me a photo of the wolf who attacked me," I said, shaking my head. "I was scared and dropped it. It wasn't on purpose!"

Julian frowned. "That old lone wolf's still locked up. No kin, no nothing. Where'd a photo of him come from? Sophia, there's a limit to how far you can push this."

My eyes burned. I pointed at the photo on the floor. "Look for yourself! I'm not lying!"

He picked it up, his brow furrowing after a glance. My stomach dropped. I snatched it from him, forcing myself to look despite the fear clawing at me.

The photo had changed. The snarling, meaty face was gone, replaced by some kindly old wolf I didn't know.

"How.?" I stammered, shaking my head, my voice barely a whisper.

Chloe's expression crumpled, her voice breaking. "That's. my birth father. When I found out I wasn't Mom and Dad's true pup, it tore me up. I wanted to track down my real parents, ask why they abandoned me, why they switched me with you and left me to carry this guilt." She paused, tears welling. "I had this photo taken after I found them. I must've put it in the wrong box. I never thought you'd think that of me."

Her voice broke into sobs. Julian's throat bobbed, his eyes softening with pity. "Chloe."

She wiped her tears, shaking her head. "I'm fine. Sophia's been under so much stress. Maybe she saw it wrong."

"No!" I pleaded, turning to Julian, Mom, and Dad. "It was him, I swear! I don't know how it changed!"

"Enough!" Julian cut me off, helping Chloe up with a gentle tone. "Let's get you back to your room."

I stared at their retreating backs, his soft words to her echoing. "No more gifts. They won't appreciate it, and you're the one who ends up hurt."

I turned, meeting Mom and Dad's disappointed gazes.

"Mom, Dad, you don't believe me either?" I asked, my voice small.

They didn't answer, just sighed heavily. Dad grabbed his newspaper and sank into the living room couch. Mom shuffled to the kitchen to check the soup. I was left standing there, like I didn't belong in my own den.

It's always been this way. I should've known. No matter what Chloe said or did-slapping me, tricking me into that village where I nearly lost everything, or costing me my dancing career-Mom and Dad brushed it off. All she had to do was cry, whimpering, "I was scared you'd cast me out when Sophia came back," and they'd scold her lightly, then let it go.

When she slapped me, it was like that. When she nearly got me violated, same deal. When the healer said my legs would never dance again, they still let her off. They say no parent stops loving their pup, but the pup they love is Chloe, the one they raised.

Back then, Julian was the only one who had my back. He staked his pack honors, demanding Mom and Dad treat me fairly. He swore he'd protect me, keep me from any more pain.

I believed him. But now, watching him guide Chloe upstairs, his voice scolding yet tender, I saw the truth. His heart leaned toward her too.

My chest ached, a dull, throbbing pain. Mom, Dad, Julian-they all lied to me. Chloe's back, out in the open, with everything she could want. And me? I've got nothing. Not even the pup in my belly is allowed to exist.

A bitter laugh escaped me. My whole life, I've been Chloe's stepping stone. Nothing more.

Tears fell, and a sharp pain ripped through my stomach. Warmth spread between my legs, and dizziness hit me hard. I grabbed the wall but collapsed, my strength gone.

"Help! Save my pup!" I gasped.

Julian heard me, rushing back. His face paled when he saw the blood. He scooped me up and ran to the healer's den. As my vision faded, I prayed this pup wouldn't leave me like the others. Not for love, but because it's what a mother does.

When I woke, the healer's den ceiling glared white above me. Julian's worried face hovered close. "Sophia, you okay?"

His concern didn't stir me like it used to. I saw him in my mind, cradling Chloe at the birthing ward, fussing over her and her pup's room, guiding her up the stairs with care I'd never felt. Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I turned away, unable to look at him.

"Sophia, I messed up," he said softly. "I wasn't thinking, and it upset you, put the pup at risk. The healer says this might be our only shot at a pup, but we saved it. If anything happened to you or the pup, I wouldn't know how to go on."

He gently took my hand, avoiding the IV. "I only see Chloe as a sister. Mom and Dad took her in because she's alone with her pup. Don't overthink it. I've already got folks looking for a place for them. Once it's ready, they're gone. Don't be mad, okay? If not for me, think of the pup."

Mom and Dad chimed in, their voices soft. "He's right, Sophia. That pup in you can't take more stress. We've been neglecting you, and we're sorry."

"The healer says you need to stay put," Mom added. "Rest here, and we'll take turns looking after you-me, Dad, and Julian."

I knew their words were empty, but I was too exhausted to argue. I didn't want to face them. "I'm tired," I mumbled, closing my eyes. "I need to rest."

They fell silent, sensing my withdrawal. Then a knock broke the quiet. Chloe.

"Mom, Dad, Julian." she started.

Julian's brow furrowed. "What're you doing here? The den's crawling with germs, and you've got a pup to think about."

Chloe's face was all concern. "Sophia's here because of me. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't check on her." She turned to Mom and Dad. "You two aren't young anymore. You can't pull all-nighters. Go rest. Julian and I've got this."

They glanced at me, seemingly asleep, then thought of the pup back home with just a nanny. They nodded and left. The room grew still, quieter.

Julian looked at Chloe, his voice low. "She's fine. Get back to your pup."

Chloe's head dipped, her voice soft. "I'm glad she's okay. But I came to tell you something else. Alex and I. we're leaving."