Chapter 1

The scenery outside the car window transformed from the bustling city to the quiet suburbs, but my heart beat faster with each passing mile. The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with sympathy. I knew what he was thinking—poor kid, lost her father and now being shipped off to live with strangers.

What he didn't know was that these "strangers" weren't really strangers at all. In the world of wolf-kind, there were no true orphans. When a Beta lost their family, they were sent to the nearest Alpha family for protection. It was tradition, and now, it was my only option.

The car pulled up to an enormous mansion, and I nearly stopped breathing. The setting sun cast an orange-red glow on the castle-like structure, making it breathtakingly beautiful. So this was the Silvermoon family estate? I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how shabby my old suitcase looked.

God, I look like I packed everything I own in a thrift store reject.

The driver helped me with my luggage and patted my shoulder gently. "You'll be fine, kid. The Silvermoon folks are pretty decent."

The massive front door slowly opened, and an elegant woman stepped out. She had chestnut hair and gentle eyes, radiating maternal warmth. This had to be Luna Cordelia.

"Avalon, welcome home," she said, her voice as soft as a spring breeze. As she walked toward me, I could sense the genuine sincerity and care in her heart. My emotion-sensing ability always worked like this, beyond my control, but this time, I was grateful to feel that she truly wanted to accept me.

"Thank you, honored Luna," I whispered, not daring to meet her eyes.

"Just call me Cordelia, or..." she paused, a flicker of hope in her eyes, "if you'd like, you could call me Mom."

My eyes instantly welled up. After losing my father, I thought no one would ever offer me that again.

Cordelia chuckled, glancing up at a second-floor window. "Don't be scared, sweetheart. Those three might be hiding like wolf pups now, but soon they'll be all over you."

Following her gaze, I spotted three shadowy figures behind the curtains. My ability clearly picked up three distinct emotional waves—nervousness, excitement, curiosity, and... something like a protective instinct?

"Are they... spying on me?" I couldn't help asking, my lips curving into a small smile.

"Of course they are." Cordelia guided me toward the house. "My oldest, Lysander, is sixteen. He acts aloof, but he's the kindest soul you'll ever meet. My middle son, Evander, is fifteen—a total sweetheart who takes care of everyone. And Zephyr, my youngest, is thirteen like you. He's as energetic as a wolf pup and might drive you a little crazy."

We had barely entered the living room when those three figures came racing down the stairs, trying to act casual. But their rapid heartbeats and nervous emotional waves gave them away.

The one standing in front was probably Lysander. He had dark hair and sharp eyes, already tall and built like a young man. I could sense that beneath his cool exterior lay intense protectiveness and... nervousness?

"Welcome... home, Avalon," he cleared his throat, attempting to sound serious. "Your room is upstairs. If you need anything..."

Before he could finish, Evander stepped forward. His eyes were gentler, with a natural warmth to them. To my surprise, he lightly sniffed the air around me.

"You smell like lavender. It's soothing," he said softly. "It helps when you're sad."

I froze. Wolves did use their sense of smell to understand others, but I hadn't expected them to be so open about it. Even more surprising was that Evander was using this as a way to comfort me.

"Whoa! Can you really sense our emotions?" Zephyr suddenly exclaimed, circling me like an excited puppy, his eyes incredibly bright. "What are you sensing right now?"

Looking at their expectant faces, I couldn't help but smile. It was my first genuine smile in days.

"I sense..." I deliberately paused, watching as they all waited anxiously, "that Lysander is nervous, Evander is warm-hearted, and you..." I pointed at Zephyr, "are like an excited wolf pup."

"Ha! I told you she was awesome!" Zephyr jumped up happily.

Lysander's face turned slightly red, clearly not expecting his nervousness to be exposed. Evander just smiled warmly, his eyes full of kindness.

Just then, a deep, authoritative voice spoke: "Looks like our little guest is already settling in."

I turned to see Marcus—the Alpha of the Silvermoon family. He was tall and imposing, radiating the powerful aura of an Alpha, but when he looked at me, his eyes were full of fatherly affection.

"Hello, Alpha Marcus, sir," I greeted him nervously with a small bow.

"Call me Marcus," he approached and gently placed his hand on my head. "From now on, this is your home."

Time passed quickly, and soon it was dinner. As we sat around the massive dining table, it finally hit me that I was now part of this family.

The dining room was lit with warm yellow lights, and I found myself gazing out at the moon, feeling an inexplicable connection to it.

"Child, you seem drawn to the moonlight," Marcus remarked with pleasant surprise. "Look, even the moon is welcoming you home."

Before I could respond, the three brothers began their "battle."

"Avalon, try this!" Lysander extended his chopsticks.

"This tastes better!" Evander countered.

"I got it first!" Zephyr protested loudly.

Watching them nearly knock over plates, I couldn't help but laugh. "You guys... don't have to fight. I'll try everything."

As I spoke, a strange feeling flowed from within me. I sensed their tension and excitement, and instinctively wanted to calm these emotions. Suddenly, the entire table fell silent.

Everyone stopped moving, their eyes filled with wonder.

"Child, what did you just do?" Cordelia asked softly. "I feel so much calmer."

I was confused myself. That feeling... it was as if my emotion-sensing ability had worked in reverse—not receiving, but projecting.

"I... I don't know," I admitted honestly. "I just wanted everyone to relax."

Marcus and Cordelia exchanged a meaningful look. I could feel their surprise and... excitement?

"It seems our little princess doesn't just sense emotions—she can influence them," Marcus said gently. "That's a very special gift."

"A special gift?" I felt uneasy. "Is that... a good thing?"

"Absolutely," Evander said softly. "It means you can help others feel better. That's a beautiful thing."

"And," Zephyr added excitedly, "it means you really are part of our pack!"

Looking at their sincere smiles, feeling their acceptance and affection, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. But this time, they weren't from sadness, but from warmth.

"Thank you all..." I choked out, "thank you for accepting me."

Cordelia rose and came to my side, embracing me gently.

In that warm hug, I felt a sense of security I hadn't known in a long time.

Gazing at the full moon outside, I made a silent promise: I would work hard to truly become part of this family. Just as they had accepted me, I would use my ability to protect them.

This was my first night with the Silvermoon family, and the beginning of my new life.