Chapter 2: I Want Nothing From the Ashford Family
I put away the old photos and began packing up. A maid knocked.“Miss Lina, the banquet has started. Mr.Nathan asked you to come down after changing.”
“I know.”
I opened the door and walked directly towards the bustling party. The maid’s eyes widened.“Oh my Moon Goddess. What is Miss Lina wearing? Did she lose her mind?”
At the party, Sophie wore a white evening gown, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, the picture of a pure, innocent girl–next–door. She looked petite and adorable, gentle and fragile. Nathan and Brandon stood beside her, showering her with gentle, indulgent smiles. Their wolves also loyally surrounded Sophie in the center, like knights with their princess. The scene was idyllic. Nathan found himself thinking of me.*If only Lina could be this well–behaved,* he thought. In recent years, her disposition had become increasingly arrogant and domineering.
“Lina’s here!”
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remained impassive under all FirstQuarter Pack’s attention. I wore a simple T–shirt, but atop my head sat a magnificent gold phoenix crown. A magnificent emerald necklace graced my neck; jade and gold bracelets adorned my wrists; and a large pink diamond ring sparkled on my finger.
Laughter erupted.
“Lina is so tacky, wearing all that jewelry! She looks like a new money.”
“She’s definitely doing it on purpose, to show off and embarrass Sophie. Sophie is adoptive.”
I sauntered to Sophie, my tone calm.“Congratulations. You’ve finally become a member of the Ashford Family. The Ashford family is one of the top three family in our Pack.” In my past life, the day Sophie joined the Ashford Family marked the beginning of my nightmare. No matter how hard I tried to please them, to be obedient, my brothers favored Sophie. Nathan had even said he wished Sophie were their biological sister in mindlink. This time, I wouldn’t cling to this worthless family.
Sophie, consumed by jealousy at the sight of my jewelry though she hid it well, shrank back
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remained impassive under all FirstQuarter Pack’s attention. I wore a simple T–shirt, but atop my head sat a magnificent gold phoenix crown. A magnificent emerald necklace graced my neck; jade and gold bracelets adorned my wrists; and a large pink diamond ring sparkled on my finger.
Laughter erupted.
“Lina is so tacky, wearing all that jewelry! She looks like a new money.”
“She’s definitely doing it on purpose, to show off and embarrass Sophie. Sophie is adoptive.”
I sauntered to Sophie, my tone calm.“Congratulations. You’ve finally become a member of the Ashford Family. The Ashford family is one of the top three family in our Pack.” In my past life, the day Sophie joined the Ashford Family marked the beginning of my nightmare. No matter how hard I tried to please them, to be obedient, my brothers favored Sophie. Nathan had even said he wished Sophie were their biological sister in mindlink. This time, I wouldn’t cling to this worthless family.
Sophie, consumed by jealousy at the sight of my jewelry though she hid it well, shrank back
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slightly. “Lina, I know you don’t like me, but don’t worry. I won’t compete with you for the brothers‘ affection. I’m just an omega, but you are their werewolf sister of the bloodline.How could I really be one of the family member?“Tears welled in her
eyes.
A cynical smile curved my lips. What a perfect image of a delicate, innocent flower—so pure, yet hiding something underneath! I’d been fooled by her innocent facade in my past life, only seeing her true nature before my death.
Brandon quickly intervened. “Sophie, don’t cry! Who said you were an outsider? From now on, you’re my real sister.”
Sophie lowered her eyelids, concealing a flicker of triumph.
Nathan produced a box.“Sophie, this is a gift for you.”
Sophie acted surprised. “Nathan, isn’t this for Lina? I can’t take it!”
I wasn’t surprised to see the limited–edition figurine inside. In my past life, Nathan, with good \ intentions, had ‘kindly‘ decided to give my
long–awaited figurine to Sophie as an apology.
Nathan said. Take it. She owes you.”
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Brandon grumbled, “Lina, even though Sophie isn’t holding her near–drowning against you, and Nathan gave Sophie a gift on your behalf, where’s your sincerity?”
I nodded. “I know. That’s why I brought an apology gift.”
I removed all my jewelry, placing each piece on a
tray.
“This is the antique phoenix crown from Eldest Brother.”
“This is the emerald pendant from Second Brother.”
“This is the century–old ginseng from Third Brother.”
“This is the rare pink diamond ring from Fourth Brother.”
“This is the jade bracelet from Fifth Brother.”
“This is the gold trophy from Sixth Brother.”
I laid them out one by one.“These are all very important to me. As an apology gift, this should be sincere enough.”
I knew Brandon would demand an apology. I’d prepared this beforehand. Since Sophie’s arrival,
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my brothers hadn’t given me any decent gifts; these were the most valuable items I owned. I knew they’d eventually find ways to take these back to give to Sophie.
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So in front of all the pack members, I gave her my most meaningful gift.
Brandon’s expression froze. These were things Lina treasured! How dare she?
Nathan pursed his lips.“Lina, what do you mean?”
“Nathan, I said these are my sincere apologies. Brandon, don’t you think this is enough?”
My expression remained impassive, my emotions. unreadable.
Sophie, surprised, wondered what tactic I was
employing – retreat to advance?
–
She quickly spoke,“Lina, these are gifts the brothers gave you. They’re too precious and valuable to take. I can’t have them.”
Brandon exploded.“That’s right! They’re our gifts! How can you give them away to someone else?”
Sophie’s smile faltered. “Brandon right, I’m just someone else, not a family member. I’m just an outsider. How could I deserve these gifts.”
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Brandon, realizing his mistake, hastily
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explained, “Sophie, I didn’t mean it. I’ll find something else for you. How could you take gifts that have been given?”
Sophie immediately burst into a fresh display of tears.“Thank you, Brandon.”
Brandon’s heart softened. Now this is a well–behaved sister.*Well–behaved, cute, and obedient.
Nathan sighed.“Lina, what are you doing?” She’d always treasured these gifts, never letting anyone touch them. He hadn’t expected her to give them all to Sophie as an apology! Was she trying to sever ties? Or was she angry about him giving her figurine to Sophie? He didn’t believe she genuinely wanted to give them away.
Brandon scoffed, “She’s just venting. We all know it. When will you ever grow up like Sophie, Lina? You are a member of the alpha family, be mature, like your younger sister.”
I remained impassive.“These gifts are worth tens of millions. As an apology, is this enough? Brandon, are you going to be stingy?”
Brandon stammered,“Am I that kind of person?”
“Then let everyone in our First Quarter Pack be a
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witness. These gifts are my compensation.”
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Nathan was irritated.“Lina, stop, messing around.”
How could she give away such precious gifts? Even if she was angry at Brandon, she shouldn’t give away the gifts the rest of them gave her! These were the more precious thing they, as werewolves, had given to their youngest sister!
“Nathan, do I seem like I’m playing around?”
I pressed the tray into Sophie’s hands. “It’s all yours
now.”
Including the six brothers. They’re all yours now, Sophie. Build bond with them and be their adorable werewolf sister, just like you wished.; I wanted nothing from the Ashford Family
anymore.
Sophie looked uncomfortable, sensing Nathan and “Brandon’s displeasure. Holding the tray, her palms
felt hot. She never expected this, caught completely off guard. If she didn’t handle this carefully, it could turn the brothers against her. Lina was becoming impossible to deal with!
I didn’t wait for her to speak, and turned to leave.
“Lina, stop right there!”
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wasn’t a real apology! But I didn’t stop.
Nathan frowned. “Lina is becoming increasingly
out of line! She doesn’t even act like a werewolf of /the Ashfords!” He was particularly upset about the jade pendant – it was a gift he bought himself after his first major success and held great personal significance.
Brandon felt frustrated.“I agree. She’s doing this to anger us on purpose.”
Sophie, listening, gritted her teeth. Lina’s trick had worked; she wouldn’t let it stand.
She clutched the box, her voice weak.“Nathan, Brandon, did I do something wrong again? How could I accept Lina’s most precious things? They all represent the werewolf family honor! What should I do?”*Damn Lina! Digging this pit for me!* Sophie’s wolf howled silently inside.
Brandon said sternly, “Since it’s her apology gift, keep it! I bet she’ll regret it in three days.” He was waiting for her to regret it so he could taunt her.
Nathan spoke gently.“Sophie, keep the box for Lina. She’ll get over it.” Lina had thrown tantrums before; it always passed. He didn’t believe she actually wanted to give the gifts away.
“Okay, I’ll take good care of them “S. 1:
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a sweet, obedient smile. While her wolf screamed inside, “MINE! MINE!”
Nathan sighed. Lina used to be just as
well–behaved. He looked at Sophie, relief washing over him. “Thank Moon Goddess Sophie isn’t like
that.*
I returned to my room and lay down. I was probably feverish from the near–drowning. My head swam. I closed my eyes. I needed to plan my leaving from the Ashford Family, to build my own independent life. After the WAT, my scores could have gotten me into a top university.
But because of Brandon, I’d gone to the same second–tier university as Sophie. I’d been her servant at university, always taking the blame for her mistakes. Disobedience resulted in my credit cards being frozen. Despite being the only -bloodline sister in alpha family of the pack, my life was worse than a poor omega. Sophie had stolen my thesis, accusing me of plagiarism, and I was expelled.
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This time, I wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes. I would go to a prestigious university! As for tuition and living expenses, I could participate in Esports competitions to earn prize money. With my skills from my past life, I could still make a living this
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way.
After the banquet, Nathan came to my bedroom door. He hesitated before knocking, but there was / no answer. His wolf heard nothing but silence.
The door was locked.
“Nathan, Sophie seems to have a fever. Please come and take a look.”
