They Left Me Behind, Then Wanted Me Back Chapter 03

They Left Me Behind, Then Wanted Me Back Chapter 03

An awkward chill fell over the room.

Quinn suddenly laughed. “Mom, let her sit with us.”

“Just add an extra chair. Don’t leave her standing in the hallway. People will gossip.”

Mom’s tense face relaxed instantly.

“Quinn’s so thoughtful.”

She glanced at me dismissively. “Come in.”

An older she-wolf pushed me forward by the back.

I was led to a corner seat.

Quinn’s dad said politely, “Kaia, what do you like? Should I have them add a couple dishes?”

Mom didn’t even look up. “She’s not picky. Anything’s fine.”

“Quinn loves the deep-sea snow crabs though. There aren’t many left. Order another plate.”

I gulped down cold water, forcing down the tightness in my throat.

When I was little, I was severely allergic to shellfish.

The first time it happened, I broke out in hives and ran a fever all night.

Grandma carried me through a snowstorm, running halfway across the pack before finding a healer.

After that, she never let shellfish near our table.

But Vivienne never knew.

Then one of Mom’s friends patted my shoulder.

“This pup, why don’t you greet anyone?”

I looked at Mom, momentarily speechless.

The Winter Moon Festival after Grandma died, I hesitantly called Mom.

The line connected. Background noise. Fireworks exploding outside.

I inhaled the cold air, my voice trembling. “Mom.”

Quinn’s laugh cut through. “She’s not your mom. Don’t go around calling random people ‘mom’.”

“Didn’t your dad get you a new mom? What, are you some thief here to steal mine?”

Mom’s voice drifted in, muffled and irritated. “Who’s calling during the Winter Moon Festival? Such a nuisance.”

I hung up, humiliated.

I finally understood that “Mom” didn’t belong to me anymore.

“Fine. Don’t call her.”

Mom’s face soured. “She’s always like this. Just like her father. Strange and unlikeable.”

Quinn leaned into her shoulder.

“Mom, I must take after you then. That’s why I’m so pretty.”

Mom ran a fingertip fondly down the bridge of her nose.

“You’ll always be my proudest daughter.”

“The Moon Goddess brought you to me. You’re my most precious gift.”

It felt like all the air had been sucked from the room, and I could barely breathe.

Everyone raised their glasses.

Mom smiled at Darius. “Darius, Quinn said you both applied to academies in the Northern Territory. She’ll be in your care.”

Darius nodded easily.

“Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll take good care of her.”

I almost laughed.

Yesterday when we submitted our applications, we’d promised to go to the Royal Lycan Academy in the South together.

Barely a day later, our promise already meant nothing to him.

My comm crystal buzzed.

It was Darius.

[My parents made me choose the Northern Territory. They want me close to family and friends who can look out for me.]

[Quinn’s mom is my mom’s best friend. I can’t just ignore her. You understand, right?]

I wasn’t angry.

I just wondered why he didn’t tell me sooner.

If I’d known, I wouldn’t have believed he was the only one who’d never left me.

Another message.

[Change your application too. We can be together in the North. Isn’t that better?]

No. It wasn’t.

I looked around.

Mom was holding the menu, discussing extra dishes with Quinn.

Quinn loved sweets, hated spice. Mom remembered everything.

Darius was wearing gloves, carefully peeling a lobster for Quinn.

In all our years of knowing each other, I’d never seen him do anything so thoughtful.

I realized there was no place for me here.

No one cared what I ate. No one cared if I stayed or left.

I quietly stood up. No one noticed.

I walked out and closed the door behind me.

They were still laughing and talking inside.

No one was looking at me.

I went back to the kitchen, pulled on my apron and gloves, and buried myself in the grime.

At nine, I walked out of the manor, rubbing my sore shoulders.

“Kaia!”

My dad’s voice stopped me.

“Uh… your grandma left you something. Hang on.”