Alpha’s Mistake Chapter 04
After Hugo left, I took my ID and went out. Canceled my phone number.
Then I got a new one.
I didn’t want to keep anything that connected me to them.
That night, I came home to a bright living room.
My mom was holding a fancy new couture gown up to Nicole.
Pale blue. Delicate. Expensive as hell.
“Nicole, this is perfect for your party tomorrow. I had someone bring it all the way from the capital.”
Nicole touched the fabric and smiled, all shy and fake.
“Thank you. This is too much. I almost feel bad wearing it.”
My dad laughed and jumped in. “Don’t even say that. You look amazing, and that just makes the whole family look good.”
I changed my shoes and headed for the storage closet.
My mom caught me out of the corner of her eye. Her smile vanished.
“Natalie, come here.”
She pointed to a plain plastic bag in the corner of the couch.
“Your cousin wore this dress last year. It’s washed and clean. Wear that tomorrow.”
She looked me up and down with disgust. “Stop dressing like a bum. People will think we mistreat you.”
I walked over and picked up the bag.
Through the plastic, I could see an ugly, faded floral dress. Old style. Dull colors.
“Got it.” I took the bag and went into the storage closet.
My mom’s complaining voice followed me through the door.
“Look at her. Acting like we owe her a million bucks. She flunks into some Omega Academy and suddenly she’s the victim.”
Nicole’s sweet, understanding voice came next.
“Don’t be mad, Mom. Natalie’s hurting inside. We should be patient with her.”
I sat on the narrow bed, pulled out that ugly dress, and shoved it into the trash can under the bed.
Then I pulled out my suitcase and started packing the last of my things.
There wasn’t much to pack.
A few changes of clothes. Some important documents. Nothing in that house was worth taking.
I tucked the blood contract and my new SIM card into an old book and buried it at the bottom of the suitcase.
The next evening, I wore my usual white T-shirt and jeans and took a cab to the biggest hotel in the pack’s central district.
I barely stepped into the banquet hall when I heard the laughter and chatter inside.
At the main table, some uncle raised his glass and shouted about how great Nicole was.
“Nicole’s a total star! So quiet and sweet, and then she goes and lands a spot in the pack’s Beta Academy. That girl’s gonna go far!”
My dad couldn’t stop smiling. He waved his hand like he was being modest.
“Oh, stop. The kid worked hard. We just did our part.”
My aunt turned, scanned the room, and her eyes landed on me.
She curled her lip and spoke loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“Honestly? It’s just genetics. Her own kid always seemed sharp, but look what she got into—some Omega Academy. Some people you just can’t compare.”
A few people laughed softly, agreeing.
Nicole heard my aunt and immediately put on her worried face.
She gathered her skirt, walked over to my parents, and got all teary-eyed.
“Aunt, please don’t talk about Natalie like that. She actually trained really well. Maybe she just got nervous during the warrior selection.”
“Natalie, don’t be sad. I’ll visit you all the time. If you don’t understand something, you can always ask me.”
I put down my fork and wiped my mouth with a napkin.
“Thanks. No need.” My voice was flat.
Nicole’s face froze for a second, and then the tears fell like a faucet turned on.
“Natalie, are you still mad at me? I know I took your spotlight, but I really didn’t mean to—”
Hugo saw it and stormed over, pulling Nicole into his arms.
He glared at me, his eyes full of warning.
“Natalie, you really want to ruin tonight for everyone?”
He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket and opened it for the whole room to see.
A diamond necklace sparkled inside.
The same one I’d stared at through a store window for months during senior year. Never bought it.
Back then, Hugo followed my gaze and laughed, ruffling my hair. “When you get into United Pack, I’ll buy this for you as your graduation gift.”
Now, he brought it out and put it around Nicole’s neck himself.
“Nicole, this is for you. I hope you shine just like this necklace every single day on the training field.”
Nicole touched the necklace and smiled through her tears.
“Thank you, Hugo. I love it.”
The room erupted in applause and cheers.
My mom watched with satisfaction, then turned to me.
“See how good Hugo is to Nicole? Take notes. And quit walking around looking like you just bit into a lemon.”
I watched Hugo gently tuck Nicole’s hair behind her ear and felt absolutely nothing.
He frowned, clearly annoyed by my lack of reaction.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something else, the banquet hall doors burst open.
A messenger in a green uniform rushed in, sweating.
He held a small silver tube with words stamped in gold: UNITED PACK ELITE WARRIOR ACADEMY.
“Excuse me! Who is Natalie White?”
The messenger’s loud voice echoed through the hall.
“I have an acceptance letter from United Pack Elite Warrior Academy. Please sign for it!”
