The Erased S-Rank Daughter Chapter 02

The Erased S-Rank Daughter Chapter 02

They froze.

Dad’s face darkened, his Alpha aura rolling off him. “Say that again.”

I took a deep breath. “I said I’m not–”

Suddenly, a slap cracked across my face without warning–his claws grazed my cheek. I slammed into the floor, my face burning.

Dad roared. “How dare you speak to me like that!”

Rafe stepped over me like I was dirt, pulling Maisie along.

He looked down at me, eyes filled with pure disgust.

“Audra, grow up.”

Maisie pretended to help me up, her voice soft and sweet.

“Please stop yelling at her. I don’t want to go anymore. Those aren’t my scores–I don’t care.”

What a fake little bitch.

But Rafe’s expression softened instantly.

“Don’t say that, Maisie. Audra owes you this–if it weren’t for her, you’d easily get into Silverfang Academy.”

I stared at them and laughed, a hollow, lifeless sound.

This was it. No more hope. No more expecting them to actually love me.

Rafe pulled out a tablet, glaring at me coldly.

“Give me your login info. I’ll submit the application for you.”

“And your password–I’m changing it so you don’t play any tricks.”

I didn’t fight him.

It didn’t matter anyway.

My information was already logged into Wolfcrest Academy.

Anything he changed would be useless.

But I didn’t move either.

Mom shoved me hard. “Stop throwing a tantrum. You’re driving my patience to the limit.”

She walked into my room and returned with my score sheet and ID documents.

Rafe logged into my account. He smiled at Maisie, as if he could already see her standing at the academy gates.

“You’re S-rank now, baby. Any major you want. What’s it going to be?”

She blinked. “Maybe Botany? I like flowers.”

I scoffed.

She didn’t care about flowers. She just knew that if she picked Combat or Medicine, reality would crush her within a week.

Maisie’s eyes turned red instantly, her scent flaring bitter and distressed.

“Audra… did you just think I was stupid?”

All three of them whipped around to stare at me, wolf eyes gleaming.

I turned my face away, gritting my teeth.

Rafe quickly hugged her. “Ignore her. Botany suits you. That’s what we’ll do.”

“Thank you, Rafe.”

I stared at the floor. Silent.

I’ve been burned before. I learned my lesson.

Ever since we were pups, if I made Maisie feel wronged, they’d punish me.

Sometimes they’d lock me in a basement cage without food.

Sometimes they’d force me to kneel in the snow until my wolf went numb and her howls faded to nothing.

If Maisie cried–I was a monster who belonged on the gallows.

Rafe turned and glared at me coldly.

“I took over your account. Pick whatever major at Community Wolf College you want–we don’t care.”

“Just remember–Maisie is living your life now.”

My claws dug deep into my palms. I nodded.

Fine.

It doesn’t matter.

Even if they submitted the application, they wouldn’t get into Silverfang Academy–because Audra Keene’s records weren’t in their system anymore.

They finally seemed satisfied.

Mom squeezed my hand with icy fingers. “Good girl.”

“You sacrificed today, so tonight I’ll make your favorite: Charred Venison with Blackberry-Juniper Sauce.”

I smiled, though my mouth tasted like wolfsbane.

“Okay. Thank you, Mom.”

Thank you for forgetting I’m allergic to blackberries. Last time I ate them, my body almost shut down, violently retching to purge the toxin.

I glanced at Rafe. He didn’t even blink.

He was the one who carried me to the pack healer back then.

Looks like that memory had been completely buried under his devotion to Maisie.

…

The next day, Mom and Dad rented out the Pack Hall to host a lavish send-off party for Maisie.

Dad stood up, raising his glass to the assembled elders and pack members.

“Thank you all for coming. Maisie was weak and sickly growing up, but look at her now–she is the pride of our pack!”

Maisie stood up, smiling shyly.

“Thank you so much, everyone. If you ever visit Crownridge, come find me at Silverfang Academy.”

I sat at the far end of the table–the seat Rafe specifically arranged for me–watching the entire pack applaud for her.

My phone buzzed. It was the Silverfang Academy recruiter–I had left my private number with them.

“Hi, Audra. I saw your name on Wolfcrest Academy’s acceptance list. Congratulations! Is there any chance we can get you to change your mind?”

I looked up at the banner hanging by the entrance: [Congratulations to Maisie Keene for getting into Silverfang Academy.]

“No, thank you! But could you keep the Wolfcrest Academy news quiet? Don’t mention it to my family.”

“Of course. We don’t disclose information like that.”

Relieved, I rejoined the celebration, letting a genuine smile touch my lips.

…

Two weeks later, the howls of Dad’s Beta interrupted dinner.

“Alpha! Two acceptance letters just arrived for the Keene house!”

Mom practically threw herself at the front door.

My heart sank. My wolf went rigid.

No! One of them was from Wolfcrest Academy. I couldn’t let them find out!

I forced myself to stay calm and stood up. “Hand me mine.”