They Left Me Behind, Then Wanted Me Back Chapter 01

They Left Me Behind, Then Wanted Me Back Chapter 01

When I was ten, my parents broke the mate bond.

They each went on to build new families and have new pups of their own.

I was the only one left behind in the Silver Moon Pack, left in my grandmother’s care.

Until she died, I was her only family.

Eight years passed before I saw them again.

I was working part-time at Moonlight Manor and was on shift that day. It was the most extravagant estate in Frostfall City.

“The grand ballroom.”

A soft, elegant voice drifted through the air.

“Tonight is my pup’s celebration. I want everything perfect.”

I kept my head down, logging the guests’ requests in the registry.

But the moment I heard that voice, my hand froze.

I lifted my head slowly, my breath catching.

The she-wolf standing before me wore a silver-gray gown, poised and graceful. The Moon Goddess pendant around her neck marked her as a Luna.

It was my mother.

Now the Luna of the Moonshadow Pack—Vivienne Ashcroft.

Only, she didn’t remember me at all.

She looped her arm through the young female pup beside her, her eyes gleaming with pride.

“She passed the Royal Lycan Academy entrance trials.”

“She’s one of the top freshmen this year.”

The girl lifted her chin, beaming.

“Mom, I want to take so many photos tonight.”

Vivienne gave her nose a soft, doting tap.

“Of course.”

“Tonight is all about you.”

Then a tall Alpha walked in, a seven-year-old boy clutching his hand.

“Give me the ballroom next door.”

“Today’s my son’s Awakening Ceremony.”

I looked up.

A tightness clamped down on my chest when I recognized him.

It was my father.

They caught sight of each other, then looked away.

My mother smiled. “Awakening Ceremony for such a little one? You really spoil him.”

My father replied politely, his tone cool and distant, “Your daughter’s the impressive one. She’ll go far.”

Neither of them noticed.

The girl standing right in front of them, logging their banquet details.

Their own flesh and blood.

The only wolf in the entire Northern Territory who’d passed the Royal Lycan Academy trials with the highest rating.

I’d already received my acceptance letter from the Royal Lycan Academy. Top tier.

I wiped the grease off my hands and carefully noted their requests.

Mom ordered a seafood spread. Said her daughter loved it.

Dad had a cake custom-made. Needed to be chilled in advance.

Before leaving, Mom casually asked, “What about her? Didn’t hear anything. Did she fail?”

Dad froze. “No idea. She hasn’t contacted me.”

I didn’t look up. I was texting a pack house broker back.

After I sold Grandma’s old pack house, I could leave without looking back.

At six o’clock, the manager came to the kitchen. Said there was an issue with the décor setup in one of the private rooms. The guest wanted the wolf in charge to come apologize.

I pulled off my gloves and apron, scrubbing frantically at the grease stains on my shirt.

They didn’t come off. Just smeared.

I pressed my lips together and followed the manager to the door of Mom’s room.

Through the door, I could hear her calming Quinn down.

“Quinn, stop being upset. They’re just uneducated pack staff. Couldn’t even blow up a balloon properly.”

“You’ve been wanting that Moonstone communications crystal, haven’t you? Soon as the banquet’s over, I’ll take you to get it.”

I stared down at my faded canvas sneakers.

I’d been working for over two months straight to save up for travel expenses to the Royal Lycan Academy.

Eating nothing but the cheapest rye bread every day.

And my mother could drop tens of thousands of gold coins on a gift for her stepdaughter without blinking.

I pushed the door open and bowed deeply, rigid and formal with deference.

“I’m so sorry. That was my oversight.”

“Don’t give me that!”

Quinn pouted. “The balloon arch is ruined! The top one’s all deflated! The photos are going to look terrible!”

Mom immediately soothed her. “Alright, alright. We’ll have them redo it. All new ones.”

I climbed the ladder, reaching up to pull down the limp balloon.

A wealthy she-wolf sitting next to Mom used me as an example for her own pup.

“See? You need to be more like Quinn. If you don’t work hard and get into a good academy, you’ll end up as a server like this one. Stuck forever.”

Mom pulled Quinn closer, swelling with pride.

“My Quinn is so smart. And she got an A-rating on the trials!”

Gasps rippled through the room.

“A-rating?”

“Amazing.”

“She might even become Luna Queen someday.”

Pretending I hadn’t heard, I channeled all my roiling, pent-up emotions into inflating the balloon.

I couldn’t remember the last time Mom praised me.

All I remembered was her fighting with Dad. Slamming doors. Breaking dishes.

When she was angry, she’d take it out on me. Called me an eyesore, a dead weight, a mistake she was stuck with.

She said I was a mistake born from a failed mate bond.

Said looking at me reminded her of her terrible bond.

Then she became someone else’s Luna.

I secretly sent her a letter.

Told her I’d shifted for the first time.

Told her I missed her.

She sent back a single line through a pack messenger.

“My life is good now. Don’t bother me again.”