Sixteen Years Waiting, Still Below the Dog Chapter 01

Sixteen Years Waiting, Still Below the Dog Chapter 01

For the sixteen years I was left in the Brackenfield border town, my parents moved three times.

The first time, they left their studio rental for a two-bedroom apartment.

They brought my brother home.

The second time, the apartment became a three-bedroom townhouse.

They brought my sister home.

That year, Mom pried my fingers off hers.

Nell is still young. She needs her parents. Be patient. When we buy a four-bedroom house in Everden, we’ll bring you back.

I waited year after year.

Finally, they moved into a four-bedroom suburban house.

When they returned, I packed my things.

But Mom looked troubled.

Silas has a dog. The extra room has to be his.

Be patient. Next time we buy a five-bedroom house, we’ll come for you.

The wolf inside my chest slowly went cold.

So in this family, I ranked below a dog.

—

My backpack hit the ground, the zipper bursting open.

Old clothes spilled everywhere.

My mother frowned, her voice dripping with impatience.

Sunny, what are you doing When things don’t go your way, you throw a tantrum

We’re not saying we won’t take you. There’s just no room for you right now. Why can’t you be a good kid and wait

I looked up at her, eyes rimmed red, voice hoarse.

How long this time

My mother bent down to pick up the bag, avoiding my gaze, brushing me off.

Next time we get a five-bedroom house…

Next time.

The first time they came back for Silas, they said he was Dad’s future Beta heir and had to go to Everden first to get the education a Beta family owed him.

So they told me to wait for next time.

I waited four years.

The second time they came back, they said Brielle was too young, her wolf-shift unstable, and she kept having fever dreams at night. She couldn’t be away from them.

I waited another eight years.

This time, because of a dog, they wanted me to wait again.

Silas got out of the car impatiently, a golden retriever on a leash.

The dog wore a brand-new leather collar. Its coat was glossy and well-groomed—clearly from a professional groomer.

It was obviously well taken care of.

Silas shot me a disgusted look and called out impatiently.

Mom, hurry up. We haven’t hung the curtains in Brisk’s room yet.

Brielle stuck her head out the car window.

Yeah! Brisk’s new clothes arrived too. Let’s go back quick so I can get them.

I looked at the designer labels on them, then down at my own faded, frayed-cuffed Pack School uniform. My chest ached.

My father, Corbin Vale, was the current Beta of the Greylock Pack. He handled Pack Registry, housing forms, school recommendations—all of it for the Alpha. Busy as hell.

My mother, Mirella, was a civilian she-wolf who worked as an administrative receptionist at the Pack office in Everden.

They couldn’t take care of three pups at once, so they left us with my grandmother in a remote border town.

At first, they sent money on time every month—living expenses, tuition, spending money, all of it.

After Silas got taken, the money got cut in half.

After Brielle got taken, it stopped completely.

For eight years, it was just Gran and me. She was old, her legs hurt, she coughed, and when the seasons changed, even her wolf bones ached.

We couldn’t afford meat or new clothes.

Everything I wore was hand-me-downs from the neighbors’ pups.

And they were in the city, upgrading to bigger and bigger houses, living happier and happier lives.

My mother glanced at me, shoved the backpack into my arms.

Be good and wait!

She turned and walked back to the car.

I clutched the straps, my throat tight.

Wait!

Gran’s voice came from behind.

She was hunched over, coming out of the kitchen.

She looked at me, then at my mother, her face stern.

Take her. I’m not keeping her anymore.

My mother froze. Mom, what are you saying

Gran pushed me forward.

I said take her.

I’ve raised her for you for sixteen years. That’s long enough.

I’m over seventy. My legs hurt, I cough, I can barely shift anymore. And I’m still supposed to raise your daughter for you

She wasn’t strong, but I still stumbled forward two steps, bumping into my mother.

My mother frowned and steadied me, saying nothing.

My father leaned out of the car.

Mom, don’t be upset. We really don’t have a choice.

There’s genuinely no extra room in the Everden house.

Could you just look after her for another two years…

Gran let out a cold laugh, cutting him off.

A four-bedroom house can’t fit one kid

Silas immediately piped up.

It can’t! That room’s already promised to Brisk!

Gran shot him a look, then turned back to my parents.

You’d rather give a room to a dog than your own daughter. Since none of you claim her, why should I keep raising her for you

My mother’s face went red, then pale.

She turned to me, and the hesitation in her eyes suddenly shifted to blame.

Sunny, have you been acting up here Did you make Gran angry

I gripped my backpack straps until my palms stung.

No, I didn’t…

Then apologize to her right now.

My mother shoved me back toward Gran and gave my waist a hard pinch.

Say you’ll be good, say you’ll help out, beg Gran not to kick you out.

The pain made my eyes water. I looked up at Gran.

Gran…

Don’t call me that! She turned away, her voice cold and hard. Get out! Go to Everden with your parents, live your city life. Stop staying here and getting in my way.

I saw her shoulders trembling.

Under that threadbare blue shirt, her thin shoulder blades were shaking.

I didn’t move.

She whirled around, grabbed my backpack out of my hands, and threw it out the door.

Can’t you understand me I said, I don’t want you anymore!

Go with your mother. And don’t ever come back.

Then she slammed the door shut.