Chapter 2
The next morning, the family gathered in the dining room to finish Livia’s Academy enrollment.
Mother already had the Royal Wolf Academy housing portal open on her tablet. “The private residences in the eastern district are closest to the arts building. Livia has always loved painting. She’ll be happier there than in the dormitories.”
Ethan leaned over her shoulder. “This one has private security and an underground garage.”
Father glanced at the listing. “Then it’s hers. Buy it.”
Mother selected the three-bedroom penthouse without looking at the price. They spent the rest of the morning choosing Livia’s courses, furnishings, and even the view from her bedroom.
Mara sat at the other end of the table. The Council Scholars enrollment packet lay unopened in front of her.
No one asked about her plans.
At lunch, Father slid a leather folder across the table to Livia. “The penthouse is in your name.”
Livia stared at the deed. “You bought it for me?”
“You shouldn’t have to worry about where you’ll live,” Father said.
Mother placed a black card beside it. “For clothes, books, and anything else you need. There’s a high monthly limit. I don’t want you worrying about a thing while you’re away.”
Ethan spun a set of keys around one finger. “And your car is waiting outside. Custom interior, reinforced frame, enough room for your art supplies.”
Livia covered her mouth, eyes shining. “You all did this for me?”
“Of course,” Mother said. “You’re our daughter.”
Mara looked at the deed, the black card, and the keys arranged in front of Livia. A quiet, bitter laugh escaped her. She opened her mouth to speak.
Ethan noticed. “Let’s not ruin Livia’s day.”
“I’m not.”
“You’ve always been like this,” he cut in. “Her father lost his wolf saving Father. The least we can do is take care of her. Why can’t you just be happy for her?”
Mara wanted to remind him that it was her day too. One look around the table told her no one cared.
Adrian turned to Livia and placed a sealed envelope in front of her. “My family sponsors the Academy’s arts wing. I arranged for Master Ellison to take you on as his private student.”
Livia stared at him. “The legendary Master Ellison?”
Adrian smiled. “You deserve the best.”
Mother’s face lit up. “Adrian, that’s far too generous.”
“It’s fine. Livia is like a little sister to me. I want to make sure she’s taken care of.”
Livia pressed a hand to her chest. “You’ve all done so much for me. I don’t know what I did to deserve any of this.”
Mother squeezed her hand. “Your father saved the Alpha of this pack. He was a hero, and we can never repay what he did for our family. You deserve every good thing we can give you.”
Mara waited.
Father had given Livia a home. Mother had given her access to the Blackwell accounts. Ethan had given her a car. Adrian had used his family’s influence to secure her a private apprenticeship.
Surely someone would remember that Mara was leaving for the most selective academic program in the northern territories.
No one did.
Livia asked whether the penthouse curtains should be ivory or pearl. Mother answered at once. The conversation flowed around Mara as if she had never opened her packet.
Adrian was already comparing Academy schedules with Livia, planning which days he could escort her to the arts wing.
Finally, Mother looked at Mara. “You should decline the Council Scholars placement and enroll at the Royal Wolf Academy.”
Mara stared at her. “Why would I do that?”
“So you and Livia can stay together. She has never lived away from home. You can help her settle in.”
The Council Scholars Program was the most prestigious program in the northern territories. It accepted only twelve students each year.
Mother wanted Mara to give it up so Livia wouldn’t have to live alone in the penthouse they had just bought her.
Mara looked at the gifts in front of Livia. “And what have you planned for me?”
Mother blinked as if the question surprised her. “You can live with Livia in the penthouse. There are three bedrooms.”
“The penthouse belongs to Livia,” Mara said. “I asked what you planned for me.”
Father’s expression hardened. “Livia has no father to provide for her because he sacrificed his wolf saving my life. We’re giving her what he no longer can.” His gaze cooled. “Don’t reduce what we owe him to a competition over gifts.”
Mother gave Mara a disappointed look. “You’ve always been independent, Mara. You don’t need us to build your future for you.”
Father nodded. “You are the Alpha’s daughter. That privilege comes with responsibilities. Your duty is to care for the daughter of the man who saved my life. That is the arrangement we made for you.”
Ethan leaned back in his chair. “That’s true. Livia doesn’t have parents to give her these things. You do.”
So that was what they had planned for Mara. She was supposed to give up the Council Scholars Program and spend the next several years making sure Livia never felt alone.
No one asked what it would cost her.
Livia’s future was something they protected. Mara’s was something they were willing to spend.
There was nothing left to say.
“You’re right,” Mara said. “I’ll manage.”
That evening, Adrian messaged her.
I turned down the Lycan Council fellowship. I’m enrolling at the Royal Wolf Academy.
Mara read the message twice.
You spent three years competing for that fellowship.
His answer came immediately.
Livia will be alone. I’ll feel better if I’m there to look after her. The Academy’s program is good enough. It won’t hurt my future.
Good enough.
For three years, whenever Mara asked Adrian to train with her for the Council trials, he told her he couldn’t afford to lose focus. Now he had abandoned the fellowship entirely for Livia.
Mara typed several replies and deleted them all. In the end, she sent one word.
Okay.
Laughter drifted down the hallway. Livia was showing Ethan and Adrian the furnishings she had chosen for her new penthouse.
Mara’s phone lit up with another Moonridge notification.
Four days until reporting.
She turned off the screen and listened to them laugh.
