The Neglected Girl Chosen by the Moon Goddess Chapter 02

The Neglected Girl Chosen by the Moon Goddess Chapter 02

“Oh, no need.” My sister glanced at me and refused lightly, her tone careless.

My brother patted her head. “Don’t be so thoughtful. Just enjoy your trip.”

In just a few words, they decided how my paycheck would be spent. No one asked me.

It had been the same every single year from freshman year to senior year.

Last year, after I paid tuition, I had nothing left for living expenses. I asked my sister to borrow fifty dollars for food. She transferred it. Less than five minutes later—

Both my mother and brother reached out through the mindlink at the same time.

“You’re an adult. Why are you tricking your sister into giving you money?”

“Act like an older sister. If you need money, ask Mom and Dad. Don’t bully your sister.”

But an hour earlier, I’d texted Mom. She’d ignored it. My sister’s messages, though—She opened my sister’s messages immediately and replied within seconds. Then she came to scold me.

My phone buzzed. I grabbed my shoes and went to my room.

It was the company.

“Everything’s set. Report to New York on Monday for orientation.”

New York. A city I’d never been to.

“Received.”

My wolf curled in the corner of my mind. She was excited about the possibilities ahead, but terrified of falling apart without the Pack.

We’d have to stay hidden in the human world. We couldn’t shift whenever we wanted, couldn’t show even the slightest trace of being a wolf, and had to take suppressants even when moonlight touched our bodies.

“We’ll be fine,” I told her. “Nowhere could be worse than this house.”

The moment I’d calmed her down, someone knocked.

My sister pushed the door open and walked straight to my suitcase.

“Sis, my luggage is ugly. Can I use yours for the trip?”

“No. I need it.”

“What do you need it for? You’re not going anywhere.”

I didn’t answer.

She didn’t want my suitcase because it looked better. She wanted it because she wouldn’t feel bad if it got damaged. No matter how carefully I maintained it, every time she returned it, it came back covered in dents and scratches.

The air grew tense.

She stood there, arms crossed, staring at me.

My wolf felt the challenge. But after being suppressed for so many years, she had long since grown too tired to fight back.

When I didn’t budge, she turned and slammed the door behind her.

I started counting in my head.

“Five, four, three, two… one.”

The door burst open again.

“Elara.”

Mom and Dad appeared, Lucas trailing behind.

“Your sister wants to borrow a suitcase. Why are you being so selfish?”

“You can’t even share a suitcase with family?”

“I need it.”

This time, I didn’t give in.

“Forget it.” My sister’s voice came from behind them, soft and hurt, eyes already red.

They wrapped their arms around her.

Lucas studied me for a moment, then went to his room and pulled out a dark blue suitcase.

“Lily, use this.”

My wolf whimpered in frustration. That suitcase was a gift from me. He’d promised to treasure it—said every time he traveled, he’d think of me.

My sister knew exactly what she was doing. She glanced at me deliberately. “Are you sure, Lucas? Wouldn’t that make Elara upset?”

He kept his face calm. He was punishing me on purpose. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, I cut in.

“It’s fine. I gave it to him. He can do whatever he wants with it.”

The room went quiet.

Lucas turned his head sharply, his brow furrowed.

But he didn’t say another word. He just led my sister away.

You see? They left me behind again. I had family. I had a Pack. But I might as well have been a lone wolf.

No one called me for dinner. When I came out, they were already deep in conversation.

“Ash gray is elegant and warm. I vote ash gray for the decor.”

Lucas chimed in. “Sophisticated black suits our taste better. It gives us a sense of security in the darkness.”

My sister speared a piece of roast beef, grinning. “Whatever you two pick for the new house—my room is mine to decide.”

Dad wasn’t joining the discussion, just eating happily, until he caught a glimpse of me out of the corner of his eye.

He coughed.

The conversation died instantly.

I realized it then. They’d bought a new house. And no one had told me.