Spring, Summer, Winter, I Am The Forgotten Autumn Chapter 09

Spring, Summer, Winter, I Am The Forgotten Autumn Chapter 09

Three years earlier, I had left this place carrying nothing but a small suitcase.

This time, Pack Elders, border warriors, youth trainees, and medical staff waited for me outside the airport. Vane stepped forward and pinned a silver Laurel Medal to my uniform.

The sitting Alpha was advanced in age, and the Elder Council planned to open the Alpha succession trial within two years.

Succession candidates had always been drawn from ancient established families. But this time, I became

the exception.

Even the most conservative Elders spoke publicly, “The pack needs an Alpha who will never allow any

member to be forgotten.”

I did not immediately soak in the cheers. I walked up the steps of the Luna Hall and read every letter of

support carefully.

The name Grey appeared before me once again.

After my research won awards, Marina had presented herself as “the mother of an Alpha candidate,” seeking

media interviews and publicly claiming all my achievements stemmed from Grey family upbringing.

The Silverbay Pack Family Committee launched a formal investigation into my childhood records.

They discovered my parents had collected educational stipends allocated for four young wolf pups, yet directed nearly all resources to only three daughters.

Airport and hotel records confirmed they had abandoned a minor in another city.

Calvin was stripped of his position on the Pack Logistics Council. Marina lost her honorary seat within the

Luna Charity Alliance.

They were ordered to return all improperly claimed family stipends over the years, and cover all investigation and legal costs.

To settle their mounting debts, the Grey family home was mortgaged.

My three sisters did not get the smooth futures they had imagined.

April once used my name to apply for an internship at a Northern financial institute, claiming she had participated in key research projects. After materials verification, her offer was revoked, and Silverbay University placed an academic integrity violation on her record.

Summer secured her spot in the Literature program using exaggerated recommendation letters, then was suspended for plagiarism. No longer shielded by family resources, she was forced to withdraw from her

program.

Winter excelled at maintaining the image of a brilliant researcher, yet repeatedly falsified lab data. She lost

her research privileges and was reassigned to standard undergraduate coursework.

No further retaliation fell upon them. Once their parents could no longer use wealth and influence to shield them, each of them had to face the consequences of their own choices.

Marina and Calvin requested meetings with me multiple times. April and the others also sent apology letters.

I never replied. Not because hatred still lingered in my heart. I simply no longer needed belated validation

from them.

On the final day of the Young Leaders Summit, the sitting Alpha addressed everyone openly inside the Luna

Hall. “Autumn, will you stand for the next Alpha succession trial?”

My wolf rose within me, steady and sure. I looked out at all those who stood behind me and nodded slowly.

“I will.”

“If I become Alpha, I will ensure no one within this pack is ever dismissed as expendable.”

Silence hung over the Luna Hall for a moment. Then a wolf’s howl rose first from the section holding border

warriors.

The sound rolled through stone pillars and tall windows, sweeping upward toward the skies over Silverbay

City.

Standing beneath the moonlight, I was no longer the forgotten fourth daughter.

I was Autumn. The pack’s chosen successor.