The Forgotten Twin Princess Found Her True Pack Chapter 02

The Forgotten Twin Princess Found Her True Pack Chapter 02

Killian suddenly turned to me, frowning. “Vanessa, what are you still standing around for? Go pick up the groceries.”

In this pack house, the servants might as well have been invisible. For mundane errands like this, I was the only one they ever thought of.

I wanted to argue. But in the end, I just murmured, “I’m going.”

That evening, our Luna mother cooked three dishes herself.

The entire dining hallreeked of chili. Even the air burned.

Leona had just swallowed a big chunk of beef when she glanced over at me. “Vanessa, why are you only eating salad? The main course is way better.”

Mother shot me a glare. “Ignore her. She always has that look on her face.”

Killian gave me a disgusted look. “Vanessa, what exactly is your problem? If you have something to say, just say it.”

But I had said it. No one listened.

After dinner, I went to the kitchen to wash the dishes as usual. The pots were caked with a thick layer of red chili oil.

Laughter drifted in from the living room. They were looking through the family photo album.

Father suddenly suggested, “Before Leona becomes Darkmoon Pack’s Luna, let’s all go take a family portrait tomorrow.”

I had just stepped out of the kitchen. My feet stopped dead.

“But tomorrow I have my fitting for the mating ceremony gown.”

Father didn’t even look up. “Then go do that.”

He said it so casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But something heavy lodged itself in my chest.

Maybe he genuinely believed a family portrait without me was still a perfect family portrait.

I turned and went back to my room. A message from my soon-to-be mate, Morgan Rourke, was waiting on my phone.

[The ceremony’s been moved up a day. Did Alpha Salvatore agree?]

[Yes. I’ll leave Shadowmaw Pack with you.]

The next day, when I came back from my gown fitting, the living room was lively.

Leona’s future mate, Dean Kaelar, was there.

Father had even opened a bottle of wine he’d been saving for years.

They had always treated Dean well, hoping it would ensure Leona was respected in her new pack.

And me? My parents only knew my mate was an Alpha. They’d never even met him.

Every time I suggested the families get together, Mother would wave it off. “You’re having the mating ceremony anyway. We’ll meet him eventually. As long as you’re happy.”

Because she didn’t care about me, she couldn’t be bothered to care about my fated mate either.

Even Dean, the first time we met, had only spared me a passing glance. He knew exactly what I was: a pack princess nobody took seriously.

I was changing my shoes in the front hall when Leona called out to me.

Father cleared his throat. “Good, you’re back. I have an important announcement.”

He produced a property deed and slid it across the table to Leona. “Leona, this is a house. A gift from your mother and me.”

Killian pulled out a set of car keys. “And this is from me personally.”

Leona picked them up slowly, her face glowing, and threw herself into Dean’s arms. “See? This is my family backing me up. You’d better treat me right.”

Dean laughed and pulled her close. “Yes, ma’am. You’ll always be our most treasured little princess.”

Only then did Mother turn to me. “Vanessa, as her older sister, what are you planning to give Leona?”

The glass in my hand trembled.

“I’d like to know first. What’s my dowry?”

The living room went silent. Mother’s eyes slid away, guilty.

Father stepped in to smooth things over. “Vanessa, the pack’s resources are limited. We don’t have much left to give you.”

“Leona can barely take care of herself. You’re stronger than her, more capable. Don’t compete with her for resources.”

Both of us were Alpha Salvatore’s daughters. The fragile one got every blessing and every shield the family had to offer.

And I, because I was the capable one, got nothing.

When I stayed silent too long, Killian lost his patience. “Enough, Vanessa. Don’t embarrass us in front of Alpha Dean. You’ve been an adult for years. Surely you have some savings.”

They had given Leona everything they had, and it still wasn’t enough. Now they were coming for mine.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Leona’s an adult too. What is she giving me as a blessing?”

The moment the words left my mouth, Leona’s face flushed red, and her eyes welled up. “I know I’ll never measure up to you. You don’t have to give me anything…”

Mother erupted. “She’s your little sister! How dare you ask her for a gift? Have you no shame?”

“Fine. Forget a gift. Just give her fifty thousand dollars. That’ll do.”

I stared at the hand she thrust in front of my face, then lowered my eyes.

“And if I don’t?”