"Aurora contacted us through the pack-link. She said you... that you've become arrogant beyond reason, that you caused chaos at the Central Den over some seasonal rewards, and she had no choice but to banish you."
Fury blazed through me, threatening to break free.
But my father pressed the apology gifts into my hands.
"Aurora said you two have been pack-sisters for years. If you return and submit to her properly, she'll take you back. You won't be a Den Captain anymore—you'll have to start from the lowest rank again."
He had already prepared the offerings.
My parents lived frugally, wearing the same furs for a decade, yet what they placed in my hands was a precious box of rare healing salves from the mountain territories.
My mother quickly added, "Starting from the bottom isn't so bad. Didn't you work your way up from there before?"
My heart felt hot and cold, and I couldn't help but blurt out questions.
"Dad, Mom, who is your biological bloodline?"
My mother quickly grabbed my sleeve, exuding an anxious breath.
"What nonsense are you talking about! You and Xiaorou have grown up together since they were cubs. We have long regarded her as our own child! Over the years, if Xiaorou hadn't provided you with opportunities to enter her territory, how could you have the stable life you have now?"
My dad nodded in agreement, his old face full of seriousness: "Yes, let's just say that your mother's heart rhythm failed this time. If Xiaorou hadn't found such a good healer and arranged a separate cave for rest, your mother would not have recovered so quickly! Although she has never come to visit in person, she is the head of the clan and it is expected that she will be busy..."
When I heard this, I clenched my hands into fists and my knuckles turned white.
I found a good healer only after I spent 800 silver moon coins to sign up for special medical treatment.
The separate retreat cave was also arranged because I paid in full out of pocket.
Because I was afraid that my parents would feel guilty if they found out that the fee was too high, I lied and claimed that it was Aurora Frostveil who used her Alpha network.
Unexpectedly, the second elder actually kept this matter in mind and was grateful to her.
I felt so miserable in my heart that I could not say a word with a sullen face.
While my mother was cleaning wild fruits in the kitchen, my father took me and asked quietly.