Chapter 19 

 

The morning sunlight spilled through the tall dining room windows, casting a warm glow over the long 

table filled with silver dishes and delicious food. The smell of scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, and 

fresh-baked bread filled the air. It reminded me of the breakfasts I used to dream about but never had. At 

home, I was always the one cooking, never the one being served. 

I sat at the table with a steaming cup of tea between my hands. Alexandra sat across from me. She was biting into a buttery croissant, while Rylan sipped from a black mug of coffee beside her. It felt peaceful 

and safe. 

“Did you sleep okay?” Alexandra asked, tilting her head with a bright smile. 

I nodded. “Yeah. Better than I expected.” 

“You needed it,” Rylan said gently. “You’ve been through a lot.” 

I looked down at my plate. The scrambled eggs were perfectly fluffy, but my appetite wasn’t quite there. 

Something was still heavy in my chest. 

After a long pause, I finally said the words that had been circling in my head since yesterday. 

“I really think… it might be true,” I said quietly while twisting my fingers around the teacup. “That my 

parents aren’t really mine.” 

Rylan and Alexandra both looked at me. 

I swallowed hard and kept going. “They always treated Roxanne better. Even as kids. She got everything. 

Love. Attention. Pride. I was just… there. A burden.” 

Rylan frowned and set down his coffee. “That kind of favoritism doesn’t come from nowhere. It makes 

sense now.” 

I looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?” 

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “They favored Roxanne because she is their biological daughter. You’re not. You were never treated as their blood because… you aren’t. That’s the 

truth, Lisa,” 

The words hit me hard, but at the same time, I had already known. Deep down, I had always known. Still, hearing it out loud hurt in ways I didn’t expect. 

“So…” I said softly. “I’m really not one of them.” 

“No,” Rylan said. “But that’s not a bad thing.” 

I blinked at him. “Then who am I? Who do I belong to?” 

He sighed. “That’s what we need to find out.” 

1 

“I want to know,” I said firmly, my voice stronger now. “I want to clear all these doubts. I want to know who 

my real parents were… are.” 

Rylan nodded slowly. “Then you should go back to your old pack. Ask them. Demand the truth.” 

1 froze. My hand trembled slightly as I set down the cup. “No,” I said instantly. “Never. I’m never going back 

there.” 

“Lisa-” 

“No,” I cut him off, my voice rising. “They humiliated me. They rejected me. Kael rejected me. Roxanne 

destroyed me. I was nothing to them. I won’t go crawling back for answers.” 

There was a tense silence. I didn’t realize I was shaking until Alexandra reached out and touched my 

hand. 

“Okay, okay,” she said quickly. “Let’s not talk about that anymore. It’s way too early in the morning for all 

this drama. We need happy vibes, not tragic flashbacks.” 

I gave her a weak smile. I appreciated the way she tried to ease the mood. 

“Besides,” she added, smirking playfully, “you have dark circles under your eyes, and I’m going to blame Rylan for that.” 

Rylan raised an eyebrow. “What? How is that my fault?” 

“Because she is stressed out and you’re supposed to be the comforting, charming Alpha figure,” she said 

while tossing her hair over her shoulder like a diva. “Do better.” 

He rolled his eyes. “Thanks for the motivational speech.” 

“You’re welcome,” she said cheerfully and popped another piece of bread into her mouth. 

I giggled softly, feeling a bit lighter thanks to their silly banter. 

Suddenly, Rylan’s phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at it, sighed, and answered. 

“Hello?” he said. 

There was a pause, then his face lit up a little. 

“Oh, really?” he said. “Congratulations, then. That’s amazing news.” 

Another pause. 

“Of course, I’ll come. How could I miss your engagement party? You’re a good friend.” 

I looked up curiously. 

He nodded again. “Yeah. Okay. Sounds good. I’ll see you there.” 

He ended the call and set the phone down. 

Alexandra raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. “Okay, spill. Who was that?” 

 

“Alpha Damien,” Rylan replied and picked up his coffee again. “From the Crescent Moon Pack. He’s getting engaged and invited me to the celebration.” 

“Ohhh!” Alexandra squealed. “Damien! I love him. He’s so charming and tall. And he dances really well.” 

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Rylan muttered. 

She turned to me with sparkling eyes. “Lisa, you have to come with us!” 

My eyes widened. “Me?” 

“Yes, you!” she said excitedly. 

“No, I… I can’t,” I said quickly, pushing my plate away. “I’m not family. It wouldn’t be appropriate.” 

“You are coming with us,” Rylan said firmly. “And that’s final.” 

I blinked. “But-” 

“No ifs. No buts,” he cut me off smoothly. “You’re part of this house now. You’re coming.” 

I looked at him, speechless. Alexandra leaned forward with a wicked grin. 

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll help you pick out a gorgeous dress. Something that will make all the 

she-wolves jealous and all the males stare.” 

“Oh, please,” I groaned. 

“Oh, yes,” she said dramatically. “You’re going to be the star of the party.” 

“I don’t want to be the star,” I muttered. 

“Tough luck,” she said. “You already are. You just don’t know it yet.” 

“She’s right,” Rylan said, a teasing smirk playing at his lips. “With the right dress and that fire in you, you’ll outshine everyone.” 

I blushed and shook my head. “You two are ridiculous.” 

“And you love it,” Alexandra said and tossed a grape at me. 

I caught it and tossed it back. She laughed and caught it in her mouth. 

“See?” she said. “You’re already loosening up. Just wait until we go dress shopping. We’ll get you 

something elegant. Or maybe something with a little sparkle. Or maybe… something red.” 

“Red?” I asked. 

She wiggled her eyebrows. “You have this mystery vibe going. Red will make it pop.” 

“I don’t know…” 

“Oh hush,” she said. “You’ll wear what I give you.” 

“Sounds like a threat,” I mumbled. 

 

“It is,” she said proudly. 

Rylan chuckled. “This is going to be fun.” 

+25 Points 

“Easy for you to say,” I muttered. “You don’t have to squeeze into heels and glittery gowns.” 

Alexandra clapped her hands. “Heels! Yes! We’ll get you a nice pair. Maybe even stilettos.” 

“Please don’t,” I begged. 

“Oh, come on,” she said. “You’re going to look like a goddess.” 

“I’ll look like a newborn deer trying to walk.” 

“Then Rylan will catch you if you fall,” she said, winking at him. 

He grinned. “Happily.” 

I groaned. “You two are teaming up against me.” 

“That’s because we love you,” Alexandra said sweetly. 

I paused. Those words warmed something deep in my chest. I looked at her. I was unsure of what to say. 

She smiled at me. “You deserve good things, Lisa. Let us spoil you a little.” 

I nodded slowly, the lump rising in my throat again. “Thank you.” 

Rylan stood and walked around the table. He placed a hand on my shoulder. “We’re going to help you get 

answers. But for now, just let us take care of you.” 

I looked up at him and smiled. “Okay. But I still think the heels are a bad idea.” 

Alexandra stood too. She was laughing. “We’ll start with wedges.” 

“Compromise?” I asked. 

“Fashionable compromise,” she corrected. 

I stood up, feeling lighter. The world still had shadows, but for now, I was standing in the sun. 

Maybe going to the party wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I needed to be seen, not as the weak girl from Nightshade, but as someone new. 

Someone stronger. 

And with Rylan and Alexandra by my side, I didn’t feel so lost anymore. 

I felt like I belonged.