Alpha’s Mistake Chapter 01
The night my foster sister Nicole White tampered with my warrior application, my parents stood outside the door and watched coldly.
She changed my United Pack Elite Warrior Academy submission to the worst Omega Academy in the pack.
I forced down my anger and went to confront her.
But she just hid behind Hugo Hall, the pack leader’s son and my childhood friend, sobbing like her heart was breaking.
“I’m just some stray they took in. I was scared that if you left for the Elite Academy, they’d realize I’m worthless and kick me out.”
“The only way I’m not gonna spend my whole life being less than you is if you stay in this pack.”
My parents backed her up with stern faces.
“Look, family doesn’t keep score, Natalie. If you’ve got the talent, you’ll shine no matter what academy you’re in.”
Hugo stepped in front of her and gave me an impatient look.
“She doesn’t even have parents. You? You’re not gonna starve if you don’t become some elite warrior. Do you really have to come down on her this hard?”
***
The room got so quiet I could only hear Nicole’s fake, muffled crying.
Hugo frowned deeper when I didn’t answer.
He stepped closer, looking down at me.
“Natalie White, quit acting like the whole world’s out to get you.”
“Nicole already knows she screwed up. She got down on her knees and apologized, and you still ignored her. What, you want her dead?”
His voice had that smug, charitable tone.
“Look, after you graduate from Omega Academy, I’ll let you join my pack. You can be my Beta.”
“With me around, you think you’ll ever go hungry?”
I looked at the boy I’d grown up with.
He remembered Nicole was scared of the dark. He remembered she loved honey cake.
But he forgot how much blood I’d spilled on the training ground, how many bones I’d broken, just to pass the United Pack selection.
My mom walked over, pulled Nicole into her arms, and patted her back like she was something precious.
“Don’t cry, Nicole. Natalie’s not mad at you.”
“Her wolf spirit is strong. She’ll shine wherever she goes. But you’re weaker, so staying here where we can look after you is better.”
My dad chimed in. “Natalie, you’ve always been the mature one. Just think of this as helping your little sister out.”
“She’s had a hard life. We can’t just abandon her.”
I watched this happy little family of three, plus the self-righteous knight charging in to save the damsel in distress.
It was strange. I thought I’d scream my lungs out or cry tears of humiliation.
But I just calmly reached out and closed the laptop showing the tampered application screen.
“Fine. I won’t make a big deal out of it.”
My voice wasn’t loud, but it made all four of them freeze for a second.
Hugo’s eyes flickered with surprise, then he visibly relaxed.
He walked over and reached out to ruffle my hair like he always did.
I turned my head and dodged.
His hand hung in the air. His face darkened.
“What’s your problem now?”
“I already promised you could be my Beta. What else do you want?”
I looked up and met his amber-brown eyes. “Nothing. That’s fine.”
Hugo stared at me for a moment, like he was trying to find a hint of sulking.
But my face was completely blank.
He snorted and pulled his hand back.
“Good that you get it. Tomorrow I’ll take you to buy that limited-edition bag you’ve been eyeing all season. Consider it compensation.”
“And stop giving Nicole attitude about this.”
My mom let out a relieved laugh.
“See? That’s my girl. Family doesn’t hold grudges.”
“Natalie, go clean up and come eat. I made your favorite, BBQ ribs.”
Nicole peeked out from my mom’s arms, giving me a timid look.
“Natalie, thank you. I swear I’ll make it up to you someday.”
I looked at her pathetic, innocent act and nodded.
“Don’t mention it.”
The four of them walked out of my room together.
Soon the clinking of dishes and Hugo teasing Nicole drifted in from the kitchen.
I sat at my desk and pulled open the bottom drawer.
An envelope sat quietly inside.
Two months ago, I’d already received my full-ride scholarship offer from the United Pack Elite Warrior Academy.
The warrior selection, the application—the school only asked me to go through the motions to boost their stats.
That tampered application was nothing but a useless piece of paper to me.
