The S-Rank Wolf They Failed to See Chapter 01

The S-Rank Wolf They Failed to See Chapter 01

My family couldn’t tell me apart from my sister, Ayla.

My brother, Zane, brought home two slices of cake. The first one went to my sister, and the second one went to her too.

My parents prepared two Moon Festival gifts. Ayla picked up one in the morning and took the other one that night.

My parents had promised each of us a trip. Mom and Dad took my sister the first time. And the second time? Still her.

I stood at the front door, suitcase in hand, completely breaking down. “Mom, Dad, how did you mix us up again?”

My mom gave me that apologetic look. “Sorry, Nina.”

“But we’re already at the airport. We’ll take you next time.”

Next time. Always next time.

I hung up in silence and deleted the travel itinerary I’d spent weeks planning on my phone.

I knew. Next time, they’d still get it wrong. And they’d take Ayla again.

Then the academy admission results came out.

I was Nina Moonvale, and my rank was S.

Ayla Moonvale, my sister, was ranked C.

My mom said she’d throw me the biggest celebration at Silvermoon Estate. This time, she promised, they wouldn’t confuse me with my sister.

I believed her.

But on the day of the celebration, the guards stopped me at the gate.

“Nina is already inside toasting with guests. Who are you?”

I was about to explain when I spotted my boyfriend, Ethan, Alpha of the Wildthorn Pack—walking over with an invitation in hand.

I rushed to him. “Ethan, tell the guards I’m Nina!”

Ethan and I had a mindlink. He’d never mixed me up with Ayla before.

But now, he looked at me, smiled, and gently pulled my hand down.

“Ayla, I know you’re upset about your test results.”

“But Nina’s your sister. Don’t ruin her celebration, okay?”

…

My lips trembled. I stared into his smiling eyes for a long moment.

Finally, I forced the words out. “Ethan, I’m Nina.”

“You said you could never confuse me with her. You said I’m quiet and Ayla’s restless…”

Ethan severed our mindlink unilaterally.

“Exactly.” He chuckled and patted my head. “Aren’t you the restless one, Ayla?”

I thought he genuinely didn’t recognize me. I grabbed his arm desperately.

“Ethan, look at my short hair.”

“You came with me to get it cut.”

“You said that way, Mom and Dad would finally be able to tell us apart.”

Before I could finish, I saw Ayla walking out on my mom’s arm.

She had cut her hair too. Exactly the same length and the same style.

Before I could speak, Ayla covered her mouth and laughed. “Ayla, why are you copying my haircut?”

“Don’t tell me you actually thought a short haircut would give you my S-rank gift?”

My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack. My nails dug into my palms.

“Ayla, weren’t you begging me just days ago to train with you so you could retake the trials? Why you’re pretending to be me now?”

Ayla tilted her head, all fake innocence. “I’m not pretending to be you. I’m Nina.”

Her innocent face made me want to scream. I spun toward my mom.

“Mom. I’m Nina.”

I showed her the name embroidered on my collar—Nina Moonvale.

I’d spent an entire night stitching my name onto every battle uniform and formal dress I owned because I was tired of being mistaken for someone else.

But my mom just laughed coldly. “Ayla, you think stitching ‘Nina’ onto your clothes will steal her achievements?”

I held up my Pack Identity Crest.

Ayla gasped. “Mom! I just lost my Pack Identity Crest, and I can’t find it. Ayla must have taken it.”

Zane stepped forward and snatched the crest out of my hand.

“Ayla, you’re always taking your sister’s things because you’re the youngest.”

“Now Nina’s ranked S. If you can’t even be happy for her, the least you could do is not try to steal her glory.”

They turned their backs on me, gathered around Ayla, and walked away.

My heart sank, little by little.

Finally, I shoved past the guards and burst inside.

“Ayla, you can take my test scores. You can take my honors. You can even take my name!”

“But you can’t take what’s in my head!”

“Tell me. What’s the first rule of the Moon Covenant?”

“What’s the most important thing for a wolf warrior when breaking through?”

“What year did the Black Moon War end?”

Ayla hadn’t expected me to storm in.

Her face went pale. “The… the first rule of the Moon Covenant…”

“Is it… protect the pack?”

I laughed coldly.

“Wrong.”

“You don’t even know the most basic Wolf Code.”

“And you think you deserve an S-rank rating?”

The guests looked between me and Ayla on stage.

Doubt flickered across their faces.

I clenched my fists. “Ayla, you took my cake, my presents, even my vacations. I let all of it slide.”

“But you can’t get to steal my honor!”

I turned to my parents and Zane.

I thought they’d finally realize the truth. That they’d apologize and admit they’d mixed us up again.

Instead, my mom charged down from the stage without a second’s hesitation.

And she slapped me across the face.

“Ayla! Stop making a scene!”

My ears rang. The taste of blood flooded my mouth.