Chapter 1

The day Nina got her acceptance letter from City Werewolf Academy, Mom and Dad threw her a party — and made me work as a waitress.

Mom shoved a tray loaded with drinks into my hands.

"You couldn't even get into Community Werewolf Academy. Sitting at the family table would only make people laugh. Might as well make yourself useful with the guests."

My brother Ethan frowned.

"Getting in wasn't easy for Nina. Nothing can go wrong today. If any Pack members ask about your scores, it'll ruin the whole mood."

My boyfriend Caleb spoke flatly.

"Ava. Today's Nina's big day. Don't screw it up."

I clutched my backpack tighter. The strap dug into my shoulder until it hurt.

When I was twelve, I placed first at the Silver Creek Pack training camp. Nina took it hard and slit her wrists that same night.

The whole family decided I'd done it on purpose. To show off.

After that, I learned to hide what I could do — filling in wrong answers on tests, deliberately finishing last in training. Six years. I turned myself into the well-known good-for-nothing of the Pack.

Only the Final Trial gave me one chance to actually try.

Right now they were gathered around Nina, their faces lit up like she was made of sunlight.

And the words in my throat — I got into the Royal Elite Werewolf Academy — I swallowed them back down.

If they found me an eyesore, then there was no point mentioning that I had to report in three days.

...

Seeing I hadn't moved, Ethan tossed a stained, mildew-smelling uniform at me.

"Your grades are trash. You can at least manage waitress work, can't you?"

I looked up. In the center of the hall, gold balloons spelled out the words that made my eyes ache:

CONGRATULATIONS NINA — CITY WEREWOLF ACADEMY

Ethan had put them up himself that morning.

I wanted to ask him: if it had been me who got in, would any of this exist?

Before I could speak, Mom's voice hit me again.

"Ava. If anyone asks later, do not tell them you couldn't even get into Community Werewolf Academy."

She was afraid I'd embarrass her.

But she seemed to have forgotten. Back when Nina first came to us, she'd seen my perfect test papers and my Trial certificates, and she'd sobbed into Mom's arms:

"Ava's so amazing. I don't deserve to be part of this family."

She slit her wrists that same night.

Mom was the first to turn on me.

"You knew Nina had just lost her parents. Why would you provoke her? Did you have to show off?"

She tore up my certificates. Right in front of Nina.

It hurt. But I understood, too. Nina's parents had once saved her and Dad.

For the sake of this family, I hid my claws and became what they saw — lazy, useless.

I dug my fingernails into my palm and said softly, "Okay."

Dad nodded, satisfied.

"Bad grades — well, we're your parents, we'll figure something out. Spend a little more, get you into a decent Community Werewolf Academy."

Something struck me hard in the chest.

Nina's grades had always been shaky, so before the exams they'd already lined up a private academy as her fallback. Back then they'd said:

"Community Werewolf Academy is nothing to be proud of. Even at her worst, Nina has to go somewhere good."

"That's not necessary. I've already —" I tried to say. I already got in.

"Auntie, before people start showing up — let's take a photo with Nina!" Caleb's voice sailed right over mine.

"Ava. Come take the picture."

He ordered it, pushing the camera into my hand.

Mom and Dad flanked Nina; Ethan and Caleb stood behind her. A perfect composition. No spot for me.

I swallowed and pressed the shutter, mechanical as a machine.

When I handed the camera back, I asked Caleb quietly, "Could we take one, too?"

Royal Elite Werewolf Academy is a closed campus. Several states away.

I wanted a picture of him to take with me.

Caleb paused, then let out a small, mocking laugh.

"Aren't your parents sending you to that Community Werewolf Academy nearby? We'll see each other all the time — why bother?"

But Nina was going to City Academy. He'd happily pose with her, shot after shot.

For me, even one photo was too much trouble.

Whatever hope I still had left in my chest went cold.

My eyes fell to my backpack.

Inside was the acceptance packet from Royal Elite Werewolf Academy.

I'd wanted him to be the first to know.

Now I was grateful I'd said nothing at all.