Chapter 5

When my sister returned from work, Dad made a big announcement at the dinner table.

"We'll be holding a banquet next month to publicly announce Amelia as the Alpha’s daughter," he declared.

The food in my mouth suddenly lost its taste.

"No way!"

Everyone turned to look at me, and Dad asked, "Leo, do you have concerns? Don’t worry, even after we reveal Amelia’s identity, you’ll always be my little darling."

That made it worse.

How could I possibly chase after my sister if everyone knew she was the Alpha’s daughter?

"Fine, then this house can have her and not me!"

I immediately regretted my words. Would my sister hate me for that?

I stole a glance at Amelia, only to see her smile gently at me, then tilt her head when she caught me looking.

I quickly averted my gaze, feeling embarrassed. Then, her voice, calm and soothing, reached my ears.

“Dad, I’m grateful just to be acknowledged. But the banquet… I don’t like large crowds.”

I felt an overwhelming wave of guilt.

"No! The banquet must go on!" I insisted. "The Alpha’s daughter deserves to walk under the sun with pride!"

Mom, clearly fed up, yanked off her slipper, ready to smack me.

"Leo! Do you want to be beaten today or what? First you’re fine with it, then you’re not!"

That night, lying in bed, my stomach started growling.

Earlier, I’d avoided a beating by running off, but now I had to accept hunger.

I heard Amelia get up, then she walked out.

A short while later, she returned with a plate of pasta.

"I knew you’d be hungry tonight," she said, setting it down in front of me.

I was so touched I almost cried.

I stole another look at her, only for her to suddenly lean closer.

My heart raced as I froze, holding my fork mid-air.

At that moment, she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, her laugh light and teasing.

"Why do you look so dazed?"

Just then, a man I couldn't stand appeared—my rival, someone I deeply disliked.

The Riverside Pack and our Pumpkin Pack were long-time allies, often visiting each other. Today, he had come as a representative of Riverside.

The moment he saw Amelia on the couch, he froze.

“Amelia? What are you doing here?”

He looked at me, sensing the hostility in my gaze, and his eyes narrowed.

"Leo tricked you into coming back home?"

"Amelia, listen to me—Leo’s no good, don’t let him fool you, he—"

“Stop! Just stop!”

I quickly interrupted him, as he was about to drag up some embarrassing stories from my childhood.

He fell silent, glaring at me.

I couldn’t stand him.

"Why don’t you just leave already?"

Amelia, sensing my frustration, pulled me into her arms and glared coldly at Shran.

"Shran, you’ve crossed a line. Leo is my brother, and that will never change."

I was floored. Did she just say I was her brother?

Looking at Shran’s smug face, my heart shattered.