“Wait, hold on—who told you he’s my boyfriend?” I almost coughed from the shock. “Adam did,” Nora said cheerfully. “He told me he’s your boyfriend and that you two are going to mate next year. That’s such a bummer—I was planning to introduce you to my second brother so you could be my sister-in-law.” She let out a big, dramatic sigh, trying to act all grown-up. “Oh well. Since it’s already decided, you two better make it work. A guy who knows how to make flower crowns is a rare find. You have to treat him right, Raelyn.” I nearly laughed out loud. Where was this even coming from? Kids and their wild imaginations. “Alright, stop listening to his nonsense,” I said, tapping her gently on the forehead. “Adam and I are not a couple.” That wiped the frown right off her face. “Really? Then that means you can be with my second brother, right? I’m telling you, he’s super handsome. He’s a little quiet and serious, but lots of girls like him. He’s coming to Varken tomorrow to pick me up. I’ll introduce you when he gets here.” “Uh...” I froze, not quite sure how to respond. She looked like she was maybe seven or eight—why was she already so into playing matchmaker? Where did kids even get this stuff? “You are not going out with her brother!” Adam burst in, clearly not amused. “Absolutely not!” “Why are you arguing with a child?” I gave him a look and rolled my eyes. Adam, clearly not amused, turned to Nora and warned, “If you try to set Raelyn up with anyone else, I’m never making you flower crowns again.” But Nora didn’t miss a beat. She pouted and fired right back, “And if you don’t make me flower crowns, I will set her up with someone else!” I pressed a hand to my forehead. Seriously? Neither of them thought to ask how I feel about any of this? Thankfully, Mary walked in just in time to call us in for lunch. Nora dropped the argument immediately and grabbed my hand, happily tugging me back inside. Adam followed behind us, sulking in silence. At the table, Max seemed distracted. He kept sneaking glances at me, like something was on his mind. Finally, he spoke up. “Raelyn, I hope you don’t mind me asking a personal question.” I smiled. “Sir, your curiosity is written all over your face. Go ahead—ask me anything. If I know the answer, I’ll tell you.” Max gave a slow nod. “What was your father’s name?” “My father…” I paused as the name rose up from deep in my memory. “James Beck.” The mood at the table shifted immediately. Max went quiet, clearly processing something. I couldn't help but ask, “Why? Do you know him?” “It’s more than just knowing him,” he said softly. “Raelyn... do you remember your mother’s name?” I froze for a second, then said, “Vanessa Goldberg.” The moment I said it, something changed in Max’s eyes. His expression shifted into something I couldn’t quite place—shock, disbelief, maybe even sorrow. I didn’t know what was going through his head, but he gave a smile and said, “That’s a beautiful name. I must’ve been mistaken.” I knew he was holding something back. He wasn’t ready to say more at the table, and I didn’t press. But after lunch, once Adam and Nora went off to finish their flower crowns, I quietly slipped away and made my way to Max’s study. Max and Mary were both there. When they saw me enter, their eyes immediately filled with tears. “Raelyn...” Mary whispered, her voice trembling as she said my name. By then, I had already started to piece things together. I looked at them and asked, “So my mom was from the Imperial Pack? She was part of the Goldberg family, wasn’t she?” Growing up, my mother had never once mentioned any ties to the Capitol’s Imperial Pack or the Goldbergs. I’d always thought she was just an ordinary werewolf. Back then, Shadow Pack was still small, and my father was just a simple woodworker. We weren’t part of any powerful bloodline—or so I’d believed. Max finally spoke again, his voice full of emotion. “She wasn’t just from the Goldberg family... she was my little sister. Greg’s only daughter.” I’d heard bits and pieces about the Imperial Pack before. Over twenty years ago, their eldest daughter disappeared right before an arranged marriage. Rumor had it she ran off with a werewolf sculptor, and not just any sculptor—a famous one. Alpha Greg, known for being strict and proud, buried the story. No photos of the man, no name. Just silence. It became a scandal no one dared speak of. The pack pretended she never existed. I never imagined that story had anything to do with me. “You know,” Max said quietly, brushing a tear from his cheek, “Greg searched for her for years. He never gave up. Then she disappeared with a man named James—and that was it. Greg was so heartbroken he ended up in the hospital.” My heart twisted. I didn’t know what to say. My mom... She always seemed so soft and quiet, never the rebellious type. I never imagined she’d have the kind of courage to defy everything for love. Max nodded. “Luckily, your father—James—he wasn’t just any man. He was one of the most respected sculptors of his generation. I like to believe he gave her a good life. That she didn’t regret her choice.”