Approved for Her, Rejected for Me Chapter 01

Approved for Her, Rejected for Me Chapter 01

Before our Thanksgiving trip, I submit my request to the Beta group chat like I always do.

[Destination: Miami. Budget: $2,000.]

Mom and Dad abstain, while my brother Sebastian votes yes.

The only person who votes against it without hesitation is my mate, Alpha Adrian.

[Amelia, $2,000 is too much. We need to think about Phoebe’s feelings.]

Phoebe is an Omega supported by the Pack, and my parents have always treated her like their own daughter who needs protecting.

To keep her from feeling like she is different from the rest of us, our family has had one rule for years.

Any purchase over $500 needs to be approved in advance by the Alpha and the rest of the family.

Except that rule seems to apply only to me.

Before I can say anything, Adrian replies again.

[Forget Miami. Just go camping by the Pack lake instead. Bring some food. It’ll barely cost anything.]

This is the fifth time they have turned down my trip to Miami.

I swallow the bitterness rising in my chest and am about to leave the group chat when a message suddenly appears in the small family group that has been silent for a long time.

[Adrian: Since Amelia isn’t going to Miami, let’s take Phoebe to Hawaii. She’s always wanted to go.]

[Don’t worry about the budget. I’ll cover everything.]

Mom immediately sends a message:

[Alpha, I’m sorry you always have to be the bad guy. I just don’t want Amelia finding out and blaming us.]

Dad, however, doesn’t seem concerned at all:

[Why worry? She didn’t notice the first five times either.]

Sebastian laughs as he joins in:

[It’s a win-win. Amelia learns to be frugal, and Phoebe gets to see the world.]

They excitedly start discussing flights, hotels, and beaches, completely unaware that my alt account, which I barely ever use, is still in the group chat.

I wipe away my tears and open the airline app.

One week from now, Miami. A one-way ticket.

That evening, Adrian comes to the Beta House.

“Amelia, Alpha Adrian is here to see you.”

Mom’s voice comes from downstairs.

Before I can answer, the door to the room next to mine suddenly swings open, and Phoebe comes running downstairs in her slippers.

“Alpha Adrian!”

She throws her arms around his arm, her face lighting up with a huge smile.

Mom immediately teases her with a laugh.

“Phoebe, you see Adrian and forget all about the rest of us?”

Sebastian reaches out and pulls her toward him, “Come here, you little brat.”

“Bro, that hurts!” Phoebe begs between laughs. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry! I love all of you!”

Everyone bursts out laughing.

Everyone except me.

I stand at the top of the stairs, suddenly feeling like I’m watching someone else’s life.

Once upon a time, I was the girl everyone doted on.

But ever since Phoebe moved into our home, the affection that used to belong to me has slowly shifted to her.

I don’t go over and ruin their happy moment. Instead, I walk to the dining table alone.

Dinner is already waiting.

I glance over the dishes.

Everything is spicy, exactly the way Phoebe likes it, along with her favorite roasted chicken wings and spicy pasta.

I walk around the table, but I can’t find a single thing I can eat.

“Amelia, why are you sitting down without waiting for us?”

Adrian walks into the dining room with Phoebe, holding her hand.

He casually picks up my plate and utensils and sets them in front of me, but he doesn’t even ask what I want to eat. Instead, he turns to Phoebe.

“I had a private chef prepare everything tonight just for you.”

He smiles at her, “See anything you don’t like?”

Phoebe shakes her head, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Everyone takes their seats one after another.

There are exactly five seats at the table. Not one more. Not one less.

I stand there, suddenly feeling like I’m the only person in this family who doesn’t belong.

“Amelia, come sit over here.”

Adrian pulls out a folding chair from the side.

It’s the chair the maid usually uses when she’s cleaning.

And somehow, it has become my usual seat.

For the first time, I don’t obey him.

“No.”

I look straight at him, “I want my seat.”

The dining room instantly falls silent.

Phoebe’s face turns red with embarrassment. She starts to get up, but Adrian places a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s fine. Stay where you are.”

He gets up and walks over to my usual seat.

“I’ll sit here. You can take my seat.”

I don’t move, “I said I want MY seat.”

What I want has never really been about a chair.

I want the place in this family that should have been mine all along.

Dad’s expression darkens as he sets his dinner knife down with a heavy clatter.

“Does it really matter where you sit? We’re all here to eat.”

He looks at me, his voice turning stern.

“We’ve spoiled you too much, Amelia. That’s why you’ve become so entitled.”

Mom quickly tries to smooth things over.

“Amelia, don’t upset your father. Just sit down.”

She pauses before adding, “If you don’t like what’s on the table, pick something you want and have the chef make it for you.”

It’s always like this.

I’m the one trying to take back something that should have been mine, yet somehow, I’m always the one who ends up being blamed.

Adrian sighs and picks up his phone to call the chef.

“Amelia, pick whatever you want. Send it to the Pack group for approval.”

He looks at me as if he’s offering me one last bit of dignity.

“Once everyone approves it, the kitchen will make it for you.”

My fingers, clenched tightly at my sides, slowly loosen.

Then I suddenly smile.

For the past five years, I’ve sent thousands of requests to that group chat, but only a handful have ever been approved.

They always have a reason to say no.

The moment Phoebe frowns, whatever I want is the first thing I’m expected to give up.

My allowance has gone from $2,000 a month to a few dozen dollars. My once-a-year international trip has become a weekend getaway to a nearby city.

Even my dates with Adrian have to be reported in advance.

Where we go, what we eat, how much we spend, everything depends on Phoebe’s mood that day.

I’m done.

I raise my head and look at them calmly for the first time, “I’m done asking.”

Everyone freezes.

I say each word slowly.

“Not today. Not ever again.”