I was still groggy when I felt the buzzing at the back of my mind, a familiar, insistent pulse. It was a mind-link, and not just any mind-link. I recognized the signature instantly—Alpha Hadrian. I snapped awake, sitting up straight in my bed. My heart skipped a beat as I accepted the connection.

“Luann, it’s Alpha Hadrian. You’ve been selected to join the delegation to the Black Tears Pack,” his voice was steady, no-nonsense, but I could hear the underlying excitement. “Pack your bags; we leave in two days. Congratulations.”

The link cut off before I could respond, but I didn’t need to say anything. I threw off my blankets and leaped to my feet, a surge of energy rushing through my veins. Me? Chosen to represent our pack? This was huge! The Rain River Pack didn’t just send anyone to the Black Tears Pack—they were second only to the royal pack, and every interaction was delicate and crucial.

I rushed to my closet, pulling out my favorite jacket—one I’d had since my first shift—and slipped it on, my mind buzzing. My wolf, Rhea, was practically howling with joy inside me.

“This is it! Finally, a chance to prove ourselves!” she yipped, her excitement echoing in my thoughts.

I couldn’t help but grin, my own elation spilling over. “We’re going to the Black Tears Pack, Rhea!” I replied, feeling her energy ripple through me.

With barely contained glee, I ran down the stairs of my townhouse, almost stumbling over the last step in my haste. I had to tell Aunt Becca, Uncle Cael, and the rest of the family. They’d always been there for me, especially after my parents passed. Aunt Becca was like a second mother, and Uncle Cael… well, he was the closest thing I had to a father.

I burst through the living room door, finding them all sitting around the breakfast table. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and toast filled the room, mingling with the comforting warmth of home. Aunt Becca was mid-sip when she looked up at me, brow raised.

“What’s got you all fired up, Lu?” she asked, setting her cup down.

I tried to catch my breath, but the words just tumbled out. “Alpha Hadrian mind-linked me. I’ve been chosen for the delegation to the Black Tears Pack!”

I beamed, feeling like I was on top of the world. But before anyone could respond, Calixto’s wife, Bridget, stood up, her hands nervously fiddling with the hem of her dress.

“I… I have an announcement too,” she said, her voice soft but clear. Everyone’s eyes shifted to her, and I could see Aunt Becca’s smile falter just a bit, curiosity replacing the joy. “Calixto and I… we’re expecting a pup.”

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. For a second, I felt like the floor had been ripped out from under me, and I was free-falling. I forced myself to smile, but it felt stiff, unnatural. Everyone else erupted into cheers, Aunt Becca’s hands flying to her mouth as she gasped in delight, Uncle Cael clapping Calixto on the back with a hearty laugh.

“This is… unexpected,” Rhea murmured in the back of my mind, her tail drooping slightly.

“Yeah, no kidding,” I replied, trying to keep my expression from slipping. I should have been happy for them—Calixto was practically a brother to me—but I couldn’t shake the pang in my chest. I had just shared the best news of my life, and it was like the universe decided to one-up me within the same breath.

I was still floating on the high of being chosen for the delegation when the conversation shifted. The house was buzzing with warmth, laughter, and excitement, all centered around Bridget’s pregnancy. It was impossible not to get caught up in it—Aunt Becca was already planning baby clothes, Uncle Cael was grinning from ear to ear, and even Calixto, who was usually so composed, looked like a kid on Yule morning.

I was genuinely happy for them. Pups brought joy to a pack, and I could already imagine the tiny feet running around the townhouse, the scent of fresh-baked cookies Aunt Becca would make for the little one, and the endless cuddles that would make even the grumpiest of wolves smile.

Still, I couldn’t shake the bittersweet feeling gnawing at my chest. I’d barely gotten a “Congratulations” before the whole mood had shifted to Bridget’s news, and now it felt like I was a guest in my own home. But I pushed that feeling down. It wasn’t worth making a fuss. I could share the spotlight for a day.

“Hey, Lu,” Bridget’s voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up from my cup of tea, catching her eye. She was fidgeting, her hands playing with the edge of her shirt, and that was never a good sign. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something...”

My wolf, Rhea, immediately perked up, her ears metaphorically twitching. “Careful, Lu. Something’s off,” she warned, a low growl rumbling in the back of my mind.

“What’s up?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light.

Bridget glanced at Calixto, who gave her a small nod of encouragement. She took a breath, then spoke, “Since you’re going to be away with the delegation, and we’re expecting… we thought it might be a good idea if… well, if you moved out of the townhouse.”

For a moment, I just stared at her, convinced I’d misheard. Move out? The words echoed in my head, but they didn’t make any sense. “What?” I asked, my voice sounding hollow even to myself.

“You know,” Bridget continued, her tone cautious, like she was trying not to spook me. “With the baby coming, we need the extra space, and you’re going to be gone for who knows how long. It just makes sense, right?”

The room fell silent, everyone waiting for my reaction. I glanced around, hoping to see Aunt Becca or Uncle Cael looking as stunned as I felt, but they were both carefully avoiding my gaze. Uncle Cael was staring at his coffee cup, and Aunt Becca was fidgeting with her wedding ring, her usual bright eyes dimmed.

I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. “I’m… sorry, I don’t think I understand,” I said, forcing a laugh that came out too sharp. “You want me to leave… my home?”

“It’s not like that, Luann,” Calixto said, his voice gentle, but I could hear the edge of something else there—guilt, maybe. “You’re going to be with the delegation, and Bridget and I… we need the space. It’s just practical.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms to keep from snapping. Practical? I had offered them the attic when they needed a place, a warm, spacious area where they could have their own privacy, and now they were talking about my home like it was just another room in their nest.

“They want us gone,” Rhea snarled, her hackles raised. “After everything we’ve done for them.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “I get that you’re excited about the baby, and I’m thrilled for you, I really am. But...” I looked at Aunt Becca and Uncle Cael, silently pleading for them to back me up. “Is this what you want too?”

Aunt Becca’s lips trembled, and for a moment, I thought she might say something—anything—to defend me. But then she looked down, and my heart sank. “It’s just… Bridget is right, sweetie,” she said softly. “It would be more comfortable for them with the baby on the way. And you’re going to have your own things to focus on with the Black Tears Pack.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Comfortable?” I repeated, the word bitter on my tongue. “What about my comfort?”

My voice cracked, and I hated myself for it, for sounding so weak when I wanted to be strong. I didn’t want to cry in front of them, didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing how deeply they’d cut me.

Bridget stepped closer, her expression annoyingly sympathetic. “Just move out, Luann,” she said, and I almost laughed at how false it sounded. “You can’t freeload here forever.”

And when did I become a freeloader in my own property? Did she not know?

The chill of the night air cut through the thin fabric of my sweater, but it didn’t bother me. The townhouse had always been my safe haven, the one place I could retreat to when life got too complicated. Now, it felt like I was being pushed out of my own sanctuary.

I thought back to earlier in the evening, when I had gathered the courage to confront Aunt Becca and Uncle Cael. It had taken everything in me to hold my temper, but I needed answers.

I found them in the living room, quietly talking while Uncle Cael sipped his coffee. When I stepped in, Aunt Becca looked up and smiled, but I could see the tension behind it. She knew what was coming.

“We need to talk,” I said, keeping my voice steady even though my heart was pounding. “About the townhouse.”

Aunt Becca’s smile faltered. “Luann, sweetheart, I know you’re upset—”

“Upset?” I cut her off, and I could hear the sharpness in my voice, see Aunt Becca flinch. “I’m more than upset. You’re asking me to leave my own home, and now I find out that Bridget doesn’t even know it’s mine? What’s going on?”

Uncle Cael set his cup down, his expression carefully neutral. “We didn’t want to cause any unnecessary complications, Luann. Bridget’s family is… particular. If they knew she was living in a house that wasn’t ours, they would have opposed the marriage.”

Oh, right. Bridget was the daughter of Rosebud Pack’s Beta.

I stared at him, not sure I’d heard him right. “So you lied?” The words felt heavy, like I was dragging them out of my chest. “You told her the house was yours?”

Aunt Becca’s eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw the same warmth that had comforted me so many times before. “We did it for Calixto,” she said, her voice pleading. “He’s your cousin, your family. You know how much he loves her. The Rosebud Pack would never have allowed Bridget to marry him unless they were sure she’d be taken care of.”

“That doesn’t make it right!” I snapped, my frustration boiling over. “You used my home to secure a marriage, and you didn’t even tell me? How long were you planning to keep this from me?”

“Luann, we didn’t want to burden you with this,” Uncle Cael said, but I could see the guilt in his eyes. “You were still in school, dealing with everything after your parents… it was easier this way.”

“Easier for you,” I shot back. “Not for me.” I clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure. “I trusted you. After everything you did for me, I never thought you’d do something like this behind my back.”

For a moment, there was silence, and I could see Aunt Becca’s eyes glistening with tears. “Luann, please understand,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “After your parents fell into that deep sleep, we did everything we could to make sure you could keep going. We took care of the house, managed things… we thought we were helping.”

I felt a lump form in my throat. I had been grateful to them, so grateful that I hadn’t questioned anything. Aunt Becca and Uncle Cael had stepped in when I was drowning in grief and responsibilities. I’d handed over the keys to the townhouse because I couldn’t handle it, and they had promised to take care of things. But I never imagined they’d use it for their own plans.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I get it. I get that you were trying to help Calixto. But this isn’t fair. You’ve asked me to give up everything, and now you’re asking me to leave the one place that still feels like home.”