Spring, Summer, Winter, I Am The Forgotten Autumn Chapter 07

Spring, Summer, Winter, I Am The Forgotten Autumn Chapter 07

Dead silence crashed over the living room.

Oblivious to the tension, Vane continued speaking. “I was actually going to ask-why didn’t your family attend her recognition ceremony?

“The current Alpha, the Luna, and all the Elders showed up. The Alpha personally presented her with the

Laurel Medal and the Young Leader Grant. That girl stood on that stage all alone, not a single family member

beside her.”

“I don’t know what pressing business kept you away, but that was a moment of honor for the Grey family,

wasn’t it?”

Calvin’s phone slipped from his hand and struck the glass table with a sharp clatter.

Marina looked as though lightning had struck her, her face drained of all color. “That can’t be.”

She surged to her feet and bolted toward my bedroom, rifling through the nearly empty drawers.

At last, she fished a crumpled draft itinerary out from the bottom of the trash can. Hyperion University’s

moon-wolf crest was printed in the corner of the paper.

The words were clearly written there: S-Class Freshman Early Enrollment Arrangement.

My three sisters clustered in the doorway, eyes locked on that scrap of paper.

They had always believed admission to Silverbay University put them far above me. Now they understood:

the sister they’d pushed to the bottom of the family had stepped into an academy they could never hope to

reach.

Later that evening, Vane contacted me.

“Autumn, your parents have asked me repeatedly for your address and new phone number. I haven’t given

them anything. Still, they may try tracking you through other channels. You are now a key protected young

talent of the Silverbay Pack. Reach out to me or the Elder Council immediately if anything arises.”

“Thank you, Beta.”

I had barely set down my phone when an incoming voice call popped up. Marina had somehow tracked down

my Northern Territory number.

I answered.

“Auty.” Marina’s tone was unnervingly gentle. It was the first time in eighteen years I’d ever heard her call me

that nickname.

“Mom only just found out you really got into Hyperion.” She let out an awkward, nervous laugh. “S-Class Wolf

Trial, full scholarship. Why didn’t you tell the family such wonderful news sooner, sweetie?”

I glanced at the stack of research materials on my desk. “What do you want?”

“You’re all alone up in the Northern Territories; money must be tight. I’ll transfer living expenses to you right away. I’ll send funds every month-just tell Mom if you need more.”

“That won’t be necessary. The scholarship covers tuition, housing, and all training costs. The research team

also provides stipends. I have all I need.”

Marina’s urgency grew obvious. “Then you still need to come home for your graduation celebration. Your

father’s already planning to invite every prominent werewolf household in Silverbay City. You’re the Grey

family’s greatest pride.”

She paused for a beat, slipping back into her usual commanding tone. “The whole family will travel to

Hyperion to visit you next month. Book hotel rooms for us, and arrange a campus tour through the school.

April and the girls can use the chance to network with Northern professors and Elders.”

I finally understood why she’d suddenly softened.

She had not suddenly remembered she had a fourth daughter. She had only discovered this forgotten child now possessed value she could exploit.

“I will not make any arrangements. My coursework and research schedule are full, and I have no intention of

hosting you.”

“Autumn!” Her warm pretense shattered instantly.

“I’ve humbled myself to speak nicely to you, and this is how you repay me? You get into Hyperion and

suddenly turn your back on your own parents? The Greys raised you for eighteen years, and now that you’ve

gained some success, you want to cut all ties with your family?”

I paused my typing on the keyboard. Outside the window, lights across Laurel Hill glowed through thin mist.

“If you insist on bringing up the debt of raising me, then let us settle all accounts between us, once and for

all.”