Born One Minute Too Late, But I Was the True Alpha Chapter 04

Born One Minute Too Late, But I Was the True Alpha Chapter 04

My eighteenth birthday disappeared beneath two congratulations banners.

One celebrated Declan’s false first place.

The other celebrated Brielle’s stolen design award.

There was no banner with my name.

The Pack House ballroom was full before sunset.

I spent the afternoon checking Declan’s ceremony schedule because he had lost the copy I made for him.

Then Brielle tore the side of her dress.

“Arden, fix it.”

“Ask Lenora.”

“Mom is greeting guests.”

“I’m not a tailor.”

“You work with needles.”

She shoved the dress into my arms.

Declan passed us in his formal jacket.

“Please don’t fight today.”

“I’m not fighting.”

“Then help her.”

I repaired the dress.

After that, Father asked me to redraw a temporary crest on the shoulder of a visiting warrior whose ceremonial tattoo had faded.

Then Lenora sent me to check the caterers.

By the time the celebration began, I had done the work of four employees.

No one had said happy birthday.

At eight, a three-tiered cake entered the ballroom.

DECLAN AND BRIELLE was written across it in silver icing.

One of my teachers glanced at me.

“Isn’t today your birthday too?”

Father heard.

He gave an uncomfortable laugh.

“Arden doesn’t enjoy parties.”

I had planned my eighteenth birthday for six months.

I had chosen the music.

I had saved a photograph of the cake I wanted.

Then Declan’s ranking and Brielle’s award gave the family something more important to celebrate.

“We can do something for her later,” Lenora said.

Later.

The word my family used for things they never intended to give me.

I carried empty glasses toward the service hall.

Voices came from the room beside it.

Lenora and Father.

“She has been strange since the ranking,” Lenora said. “What if she actually leaves?”

Father snorted.

“Where would she go?”

“She has money.”

“Not enough to live outside a Pack.”

“Another Pack might take her.”

There was a pause.

I stopped breathing.

Father answered.

“Arden has always been cold. Difficult. She doesn’t know how to make people love her.”

My fingers tightened around the tray.

“Other Packs might want her strength,” he continued, “but no one will want the trouble that comes with her.”

Lenora laughed softly.

“So you’re not worried?”

“She will stay. She always stays.”

I moved away before they opened the door.

All my life, I had believed Father did not know how to show love.

But he praised Declan.

He bought Brielle flowers.

He attended her school performances.

He knew how to love children.

He simply did not love me.

My phone buzzed.

North Coast had sent my travel information.

My train left the morning after tomorrow.

For the first time, the date did not frighten me.

It felt like air.