I used most of my savings to book a fancy trip to Italy for the whole family. But my parents told me to give my top-floor cruise room to their biological daughter and sleep outside in the snow when we went north.
Our pack’s family was poor and not very important when I was born. My parents didn’t make much money, and they wanted me to drop out of high school so I could work and help the family.
But I worked hard and was determined to become Gamma in our pack.
My parents said they were getting old and wanted to see the world before their eyesight got worse.
I used most of my savings to book a fancy Italian trip for the whole family, which included a special cruise to see the northern lights.
After I almost died protecting our pack from a rogue wolf attack, our Alpha gave me the money as a reward. The injuries I got were bad, but I lived, and the Alpha knew how much I gave up.
I spent three months carefully planning the best trip for our family.
My parents were getting older and needed special care to be comfortable. I also had a 15-year-old brother named Robert who was on vacation from school, so it was best for everyone if the trip happened during his break.
My parents have depended on my income to live since I started college. I worked at a diner in my town while I was in college to pay for my school and help my parents and brother pay for their living costs.
Since he was ten years old, I had been in charge of Robert’s money. I didn’t mind helping all of them. It was worth it to see my family happy.
The Alpha liked me because I was good at fighting. Wolves from all over the world looked up to and respected me, especially those who needed help.
And then there was my friend George. We met when I was 18, and right away we knew we were meant to be together, just like the Goddess wanted. We had been together for three years and were planning our wedding this year.
He wasn’t a high-ranking wolf warrior like me; he was just a regular wolf warrior. I loved him very much and had been giving him money while he trained.
For another three months, I made all the trip arrangements. I made all the reservations and plans for my family so they would be comfortable. The rest of my family just stood back and watched while I did everything.
When Robert said he had never seen the northern lights before, I used some of my extra money to add a premium northern lights cruise to our regular Italian trip. It was worth the extra $50,000 to meet their needs.
My parents told me, “Diane heard about our plans and wants to come along with her adoptive parents,” just a few days before we were supposed to leave for our trip.
We’ve already made arrangements for you to sleep outside in the snow on our trips to the north. All of the rooms and bookings have been moved around.
They showed me the new schedule, which no longer included my name on the luxury accommodations.
When I saw this setup, my blood froze. I have a rare condition that makes my wolf shift uncontrollably when it’s very cold, and I could die from being outside in the cold.
“What do you mean? This is our family trip, and you’re inviting people we don’t know who just showed up?” I asked, trying not to get too angry.
My mother smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “She’s not a stranger. She’s our biological daughter. She wants to join us, so of course we’re bringing her along,” she said.
My blood ran cold. “She’s your biological daughter? What do you mean?”
“You’re just our adopted daughter. Diane is our biological child. We’ve raised you all these years, which was already kind enough. You’ve been taking Diane’s place for too long; it’s time to give it back to her.”
My wolf stirred angrily deep inside me. “What about her adoptive parents? Last week when I wanted to invite my friend to come with us on the trip, what did you say? You said only family members could come, no outsiders. But as soon as she asks, you do what she wants?”
“Her situation is different from your friend’s. Her adoptive parents raised her for a long time, and in our hearts, they’re family too.
I could feel my claws getting ready to come out. “Then why do I have to sleep outside in the snow?” I’m also a family member, and the plans for the trip were made months ago.
“We don’t have enough rooms now that Diane and her adoptive parents are here. We had to make room in your room for her. Your wolf is strong, so you can sleep in the snow by yourself.
