Sixteen Years Waiting, Still Below the Dog Chapter 08

Sixteen Years Waiting, Still Below the Dog Chapter 08

On the day of the graduation celebration, Brackenfield was buzzing.

The border town’s Pack Plaza was decked out in silver and blue.

Moon banners hung across the square, reading

[Congratulations to Sunny Moore.]

[The youngest wolf from Brackenfield to enter Westmere Lycan Academy.]

Everyone was praising me.

Sunny’s been hardworking since day one!

A pup raised alone at the border, getting into Wfestmere!

Gran Elspeth finally got to see this day.

Gran sat at the head table, wearing a clean blue shirt, beaming from ear to ear.

I was surrounded by well–wishers, wearing a new dress Gran had bought with her egg money.

Just before the meal started, someone asked.

Where are Sunny’s parents How could they miss a day this important

Right on cue, a black carriage pulled up at the gate.

My parents got out, carrying bags and boxes, smiles plastered on their faces.

My mother wore a new outfit, her hair perfectly done.

She walked over and set her bags on the table.

Sunny, Mom’s a little late…

Here–a new data slate and a communication crystal for you. We’re so proud of you for getting into the

academy.

I didn’t respond.

Gran started to stand up to chase them off. I held her back.

Gran, it’s okay.

I stood up and looked at the two people I’d barely seen sixteen years of my life.

My mother’s eyes were red.

Sunny, we were wrong before. We let you down.

We’ll make it up to you from now on. Whatever you want, we’ll give it to you…

She pulled out a thick pouch of gold marks.

Take this. Tuition, living expenses–Mom has it all covered.

My father nodded along.

Yes, yes. We were foolish. We’ll never let you suffer again.

I looked at them. My heart was eerily calm.

No thanks. I already secured a merit grant for tuition. I can earn my living expenses myself.

I’ve gotten by fine without you all these years. I’ll do the same going forward.

As far as I’m concerned, you’re not my parents anymore.

My mother’s face went white. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Sunny, I know I did wrong before. I regret it…

Garran slammed his fork down.

Mirella, what good does regretting do now

Did you take care of Sunny all those years in the countryside

He opened the floodgates. Everyone started weighing in.

Exactly! You kept both your older son and your younger daughter, but left Sunny behind. Unbelievably biased.

I heard that when you finally brought her back, you put her in the sunroom and gave the dog a bedroom And you hit her with silver wire. Heartless.

Now that Sunny’s done well for herself, you come crawling back

My father’s face turned crimson. He opened his mouth to defend himself but nothing came out.

My mother sobbed and reached for me.

Sunny, we’re your real parents. Are you really going to abandon us

I stepped back.

Gran moved in front of me, her face cold.

Go on, leave. Today is my granddaughter’s big day. Don’t ruin it.

My father grabbed my mother. The two of them shuffled off, heads down.

I watched them go. No pity.

The days I sat alone on the doorstep waiting for dawn–the night I was beaten, falsely accused–all of it was

behind me.

I raised my glass and toasted the crowd.

Thank you all. I’ll keep working hard. I won’t let Brackenfield down.