Chapter 3

"Ava, I want this one. If I keep it in my dorm, I'll think of you."

"No! Put it down!" My voice shot up before I could stop it.

That model had been my tenth-birthday present, made by Dad, back before Nina came. That day I'd told him, "I'm going to get into the best werewolf academy. I'm going to learn how to build rockets."

After that, Mom and Dad's hearts belonged entirely to Nina.

Through all those years of hiding what I was capable of, that model was what kept my aviation dream alive.

And I had done it. I'd gotten into Royal Elite Werewolf Academy — Aviation Defense track.

The commotion pulled everyone in.

The second Dad saw Nina's red-rimmed eyes, the accusation came out on reflex.

"Ava, are you picking on Nina again? A cheap little model — do you really have to be that petty?"

So he'd known Nina wanted it.

My fists tightened. "It's not a model. It's my dream."

Ethan laughed. "With your grades? You're lucky any academy will take you. And you're dreaming about aviation?"

Caleb laughed too. "Ava, Aviation Defense isn't something you can touch. If you like it that much, I'll buy you a few models to play with."

I ignored them and looked only at Dad.

"When I was little, I told you my dream. You said you were behind me."

Dad hesitated, then his face soured with impatience.

"So what if you have a dream? Royal Elite Werewolf Academy only takes the top of the top. You think dreaming gets you in?"

The air froze for two seconds.

So it wasn't just favoritism. They were mocking my dream, too.

I turned to Nina, my voice unnaturally calm.

"You're right. I was being petty. If you want it, take it."

As long as it made her happy, I should give way.

I should have known that a long time ago.

Once they were all gone, I locked my door from the inside. Booked a flight for the day after tomorrow. Slid the acceptance packet into a folder.

The next morning, after breakfast, Caleb came over. He was carrying two bags.

The pretty one, he handed to Nina.

"Your gift. I forgot to bring it yesterday."

Nina tore it open, thrilled. A diamond necklace.

"It's beautiful! Caleb, put it on me!"

Caleb tossed the other bag at me without looking, then walked over behind Nina, smiling as he fastened the clasp at her nape. That smile stung my eyes.

I opened my mouth. Closed it. Said nothing.

That necklace. It was the one I'd picked out.

Caleb had been in a good mood that day. He'd said, "When you get into a werewolf academy, I'll buy it for you. You're my girlfriend, aren't you?"

The day the Final Trial scores came out, I wanted to tell him I'd done well.

But everyone was cheering for Nina. No one asked me.

Even Caleb had quietly accepted that I couldn't even make it into Community Werewolf Academy.

And now — the thing he'd promised me, he'd given to her.

Necklace secured, Caleb finally turned to look at me.

"Ava, this is study material for you. Your foundation's weak. Don't waste yourself once you're at Community Academy. Work hard — maybe you can transfer to the city."

I stared at him for a long time. My throat ached with the pressure of everything sitting in it. In the end, all I said was:

"Caleb. As of today, we're done."

Caleb froze.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I didn't answer. I threw the bag on the table and walked out.

Behind me, Ethan's irritated voice carried through the hall.

"She loses it over the tiniest thing. She's got nothing on Nina. Let her go. Don't chase her."

My feet paused a moment. Then I stepped through the front door.

I wandered outside all day. No one called.

Around dusk, one text from Mom: Get home. Now.

Nothing else. Not a word more.

I wiped the corner of my eye, and suddenly I laughed.

What was I still hoping for, exactly?

When I got home to pack, I pushed open the door — and my room looked like it had been ransacked.

The folder on the desk. The one with my acceptance packet.

It was gone.

My brain whited out.

The next second, Nina appeared in the doorway, looking pleased with herself, like she was waiting for a thank-you.