They Voted Me Out, So I Rose as a Lycan Warrior Chapter 02

They Voted Me Out, So I Rose as a Lycan Warrior Chapter 02

On the day of the pack gathering, I arrive at the Pack Hall to find it already buzzing with excitement.

Clara is sitting beside Rebecca.

They’re wearing identical blue spaghetti-strap dresses, each with a silver crescent moon embroidered along the hem.

It’s a tradition Clara and I made between us.

We always embroider a moon that belongs to the other person on our matching best-friend outfits, a symbol that we’re each other’s one and only best friend.

When the pack members see them, they laugh and tease, “Looks like you two are twinning tonight!”

Clara quietly explains, “Nora, it’s just a dress. Don’t read too much into it.”

I look at her without saying a word.

She used to be the one who pulled me close and said we would wear matching outfits for the rest of our lives and take countless pictures together.

Nathan is sitting in the middle of the crowd.

The spot beside him that used to belong to me is now empty, while Rebecca is sitting on his other side.

He raises a hand and waves me over.

“Come on, Nora. Sit with us.”

I’ve barely walked over when Rebecca suddenly draws her shoulders in.

“Nathan, I’m kind of cold.”

Without hesitation, Nathan takes off his jacket and drapes it over her shoulders, then shifts a little closer to her.

The spot beside him is gone for good.

Nathan notices me standing there and frowns.

“Nora, don’t just stand there. Sit wherever you want.”

I sit at the far end of the table.

As I reach for some food, Sebastian suddenly speaks up.

“Hey, no peanuts. Rebecca can’t have them.”

My hand freezes.

I’ve never eaten peanuts since I was little, but Sebastian used to laugh and say, “Peanuts? Seriously, Nora? You can’t be that picky.”

Then he would deliberately spread peanut butter all over my bread.

After years of this, I somehow grow used to it.

I bite my lip hard, forcing down the ache in my throat so no one notices.

Then someone laughs and asks, “I heard you four are splitting up for college. But Nora’s scores are insane. Ravenhill is basically guaranteed, right?”

The Pack Hall immediately fills with agreement.

“Of course! She’s Nora. She’s the fastest wolf in the pack, one of the best fighters in her class, top of the school, and an S-rank wolf.”

Before I can say anything, Rebecca suddenly lets out a soft laugh.

“Nora, I really never meant to hurt you. I just…”

She trails off.

I look at her.

Then she lowers her voice.

“On the day of the Wolf SAT, I think I saw a piece of paper tucked in your hand.”

The air instantly goes still.

She doesn’t need to finish. Everyone knows exactly what she’s implying.

I stare at her and ask, word by word, “Are you accusing me of cheating on the Wolf SAT?”

Rebecca’s tears immediately spill over.

“No! I didn’t! I swear, that’s not what I meant!”

She shakes her head frantically, her eyes turning red.

“I only saw something. I didn’t dare say anything because I was afraid it would affect you. I was scared everyone would misunderstand you.”

“Nora, please. Don’t make me out to be the bad guy.”

Clara grips the hem of her dress, her face turning slightly pale.

“Nora… Rebecca might have seen it wrong.”

I turn to her.

“Do you believe she saw it wrong, or do you believe I never cheated?”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t answer.

Sebastian speaks coldly.

“Rebecca never said you cheated. She only said she saw a piece of paper.”

Nathan frowns too.

“She’s been trying to protect you this whole time, Nora. Do you really have to twist her words like that?”

I suddenly laugh.

“So that’s what you think of me? That I’d bring a cheat sheet into the exam?”

I take out my phone, hit record, and save the recording before looking back at Rebecca.

“Rebecca, accusing someone of cheating on the Wolf SAT isn’t a joke. There are consequences for making a false accusation.”

The entire Pack Hall falls silent. The only sound is the low hum of the central air conditioning.

I continue.

“What did the paper look like? What was written on it? Where exactly did you see it? And what time?”

The tears on Rebecca’s face seem to freeze.

I stare at her and press her one question after another.

“Go ahead. Tell everyone. Can you?”

Sebastian’s expression darkens completely.

“That’s enough. Do you really have to make a scene at the pack gathering?”

“You’re the pack princess, the Alpha’s sister. Can’t you act like it for once?”

Clara quickly steps in to smooth things over.

“Nora, come on. Rebecca was probably just joking.”

I pick up the glass of water in front of me and say nothing.

But Rebecca suddenly takes out an exquisite box and holds it out to me.

“Nora, I got this for you. Please take it. I don’t want you to be mad at me anymore.”

Every member of the pack is watching me.

I was planning to let the whole thing go, so I reach out and take it.

But the next second, her fingers suddenly loosen.

Crash!

The delicate crystal glass inside the box hits the floor and shatters into pieces.

The entire Pack Hall falls completely silent.

Sebastian stares at the crystal shards scattered across the floor, barely able to contain his anger.

“Nora, why do you keep targeting Rebecca tonight?”

“Apologize.”

I look up, “She let go.”

Rebecca immediately shakes her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Nora, I really didn’t… I know you don’t like me, but I would never joke about something like this. That crystal glass cost me everything I’d saved.”

Then, as if afraid things will get even worse, she adds softly, “Forget it, Alpha. Don’t make her apologize. I’m fine.”

The moment she says it, Sebastian’s gaze toward me turns completely cold.

Nathan’s expression darkens too.

“Nora, Rebecca is already like this. Are you seriously still going to deny it?”

I stare at him in disbelief.

In that moment, I feel as though I’m meeting the Mate who has been by my side for more than a decade for the very first time.

I suddenly remember the night after the Wolf SAT.

He stands outside the pack house with a bouquet of flowers in his arms, wearing that confident, almost cocky smile.

“Just wait until we get to Ravenhill. I’m finally making my move.”

Clara comes over and lowers her voice.

“Nora, just say you’re sorry. Everyone’s watching. Don’t make this uglier than it already is.”

I look at her.

“Which part is ugly? Me?”

Rebecca suddenly steps forward and reaches for my hand.

“Nora, please. Don’t fight with them. I really don’t blame you…”

I instinctively step back.

But she suddenly seems to lose her balance, her whole body lurching sideways.

Crash!

She knocks over a wine bottle at the edge of the table, and the sound of breaking glass rings through the hall.

Rebecca falls to the floor, her dress quickly soaking up the spilled wine.

The next second, a vivid streak of red appears beside her leg, and the sharp scent of blood instantly fills the air.

Nathan is the first to rush over.

Sebastian whips around to look at me.

Those blue eyes, so much like my own, no longer hold the tenderness of a brother looking at his little sister. There is only disappointment and anger.

“Nora, you’re seriously spoiled.”