Rejected by My Pack, Crowned by the Empire Chapter 04

Rejected by My Pack, Crowned by the Empire Chapter 04

I clutched a handful of charred pearls I’d snatched from the blaze, my whole body a disheveled mess.

When I pushed open the main doors to the pack house, a Pack Induction Ceremony was already underway in the pack hall.

My birth parents had summoned the pack elders to officially enter Serena into the Pack Registry.

It had been ten years since they’d found me and brought me home. Not only had I never been added to the Pack Registry, I didn’t even hold official Pack Membership.

Every time I asked, my parents always had some excuse. One week the Moon Goddess hadn’t given her blessing; the next the timing was inauspicious and I needed to wait longer. I’d waited—for ten full years.

At the sight of me, my parents instinctively avoided my gaze.

“Serena has formed her mate bond, so entering her into the Pack Registry makes perfect sense. Once her health improves, we’ll add you too.”

“No need.”

The entire hall fell silent.

I unclasped the Heir’s Medallion I’d worn around my neck every single day without fail.

It was a family heirloom my parents had pressed into my hands the day they found me, their faces full of remorse and guilt.

For a decade, I’d stared at it when I felt sad, touched it when I endured unfair treatment, clinging to it as proof that they truly loved me.

But I understood now: real love doesn’t need proof. They knew full well Serena’s illnesses were fake, yet every single person here had chosen to play along.

“I don’t want the carriage anymore. I don’t want Pack Membership. I don’t want this Heir’s Medallion either.”

“I’m giving all of it up.”

My father’s expression darkened.

“Are you taking your frustration out on us, Evelyn?”

“Think carefully. Once you hand this over, you’ll never get it back.”

My voice stayed steady.

“It never truly belonged to me in the first place.”

“Besides, I’m leaving this pack.”

Damon stepped forward and pressed a firm hand on my shoulder.

“Stop causing trouble, Evelyn. I can’t take you back to my pack right now. Once my mother cools off, you can apologize to her, and we’ll figure things out after.”

My brother scoffed.

“You hear that? He’s already written you off.”

“Enough of this nonsense. Where would you even go if you left the Mooncrest Pack?”

Serena blinked wide, innocent eyes.

“If Evelyn doesn’t want those things anymore… could I have them?”

Zayne didn’t hesitate for a second before slipping the medallion around her neck.

“Of course you can. She was never fit to carry this heirloom to begin with. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my only real sister.”

Once upon a time, words like that would have kept me awake all night crying.

Now, after enduring so much, my heart felt completely numb.

I turned and walked toward the exit.

Behind me, my father lifted his voice on purpose for everyone to hear. “Damon, you must treat Serena well from now on. Start a family with her soon.”

“Serena deserves every good thing this world has to offer, and you’re to care for her for the rest of your life.”

Zayne laughed louder.

“She’s my one and only precious sister, and if you ever do her wrong, I’ll be the first person to come after you.”

“As for a certain someone? She’ll never get that kind of happiness handed to her in this lifetime.”

Every word pricked sharp and bitter in my ears.

I paused for half a step, but I didn’t look back. I strode straight out through the front doors of the Mooncrest Pack’s pack house.

It was my birthday—the day that was supposed to be the most important milestone of my life.

Now all I had left were those few scorched pearls pressing sharp, burning pain into my palm.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I raised my hand to toss them into the trash.

Suddenly, two pairs of warm hands wrapped around mine at the exact same time.