Ch. I Hid My Supreme Rank, Regret of the Pack 4 I Hid My Supreme Rank, Regret of the Pack 4

Chapter 4

Mom didn’t even flinch. She just frowned, offended by my tone.

“What do you mean, your money? You live under my roof. Everything in this house belongs to the pack, which means it belongs to your father and me.”

“Your sister is the star of the banquet tonight. She represents our family. She needed something nice.”

Catalina’s eyes instantly filled with tears.

“Mom, you didn’t tell me it was Clara’s savings. I didn’t know.”

She sniffled, her fingers fumbling with the gold clasp on her wrist.

“Here, Clara. I’ll take it off. I don’t want you to hate me over a piece of jewelry.”

She pulled at it. But she didn’t actually unhook it.

Right on cue, Grayson stepped between us, shielding Catalina like I was about to attack her.

“Clara, stop being so petty.” He sighed, pulling out his phone. “It’s just thirty—eight hundred. I’ll transfer it to your account tomorrow. Just drop it.”

Tomorrow. He always said tomorrow. Just like the mango allergy he swore he’d never forget.

I stared at him, my voice completely hollow. “That was my living expense for college. I worked part—time at the pack library for two years to save that.”

At that moment, Declan shoved past me, deliberately bumping my shoulder hard enough to make me stumble back.

He wrapped an arm around Catalina, glaring at me. “I already told you I’d give you money for college! Why do you always have to play the victim and make Cata feel like garbage?”

I looked at Declan. Looked at Grayson. Looked at my mother, who was busy wiping away Catalina’s fake tears.

“Give it back,” I said.

The room went dead silent.

“Give me my money back. Now.”

“Enough!” Dad’s voice boomed through the hall.

He glared down at me, his eyes flashing wolf—gold.

“I will not have your jealousy ruining your sister’s night. You are acting like a feral rogue.”

He pointed toward my bedroom door. “Go to your room. You’re grounded. Don’t even think about stepping out or showing your face at the banquet tonight.”

Catalina peeked out from behind Declan. “Dad, don’t be so harsh on her…”

“Don’t defend her, Cata. She needs to learn her place,” Mom scolded gently, pulling Catalina toward the door. “Come on, let’s get you in your dress. We’re going to be late.”

They walked out.

Declan slammed my bedroom door shut. I heard the sharp click of the lock from the outside.

I stood in the middle of my room.

My chest just felt incredibly empty.

The last invisible string tying me to this family, to this pack, quietly snapped.

I walked over to my desk and opened my laptop.

I logged into the Elite Lycan Academy portal. The orientation for the Healer and Combat factions didn’t start for another two weeks, but early dorm check—in was already open.

Then, I opened a new tab.

I booked a one—way flight to the southern territories for tonight.

Departure time: 11:30 PM.

Outside my window, I heard Grayson laughing about something Catalina said.

I heard the tires crunch against the gravel as they drove off to the hotel.

Half an hour later, my phone lit up on the desk.

A voice message from Mom.

“Clara, your uncle is asking where you are. It looks bad for the pack if you aren’t here for your sister’s big night. Your dad says you can come. Don’t keep us waiting.”

I stared at the screen.

I wasn’t about to sit there like awkward wallpaper while everyone took turns fawning over her, only to toss me a scrap on the way out: “Clara got into college too. That’s nice.”

I didn’t reply. I blocked her number. I blocked all of them.

I grabbed the little bit of luggage I had, forced the lock open, and caught a cab to the airport.

They were going to celebrate Catalina’s bright future. And I was going to leave mine.

***

Meanwhile, at the Skyline Hotel.

The rooftop ballroom glittered with gold light and crystal.

Glasses clinked. Toasts flew across the room.

Every pack member, every relative, and every family friend had shown up.

At the same time, the Wolf Aptitude Board was scheduled to arrive at the banquet tonight to officially announce this year’s highest rank earner.