Shadow Mate - Jen L. Grey Page 0,5

came over to stand next to me.

"What's that you’re clutching?" Max's eyes went straight to the letter, and his mouth dropped. "Is that for me?"

Dad followed Max's gaze, and a huge grin filled his face. "Maybe you got in for next year."

It was unnerving. Max was an exact replica of Dad but twenty years younger. So, to see the hope in both sets of eyes just made it worse. I should have corrected them, but I was still in shock.

"Let's see then." Mom snatched the letter from my fingers, and when her eyes landed on the name, she stopped short. "Uh … it's to you."

"What?" Max's face fell. "I didn't realize you applied."

"Because I didn't." It wasn't even on my radar. "Maybe it's a survey or something."

"Well, open it and see." Dad's face still had a huge-ass smile on it.

"Maybe we should just throw it out." Mom headed over to the garbage can.

"Are you being serious?" Dad's brow furrowed, and he slid it out of her hands. "Either way, let's see what it has to say." He held it out to me. "Do you want to do the honors?"

"Uh... yeah." Something inside me stirred, but I had no clue what the hell it was.

He handed the letter back to me and I took a deep breath. With shaky fingers, I ripped open the envelope and pulled out the contents. As I unfolded the paper, the first sentence rocked the very foundation on which I stood.

Dear Mia,

Congratulations. We are honored to offer you a spot at Wolf Moon Academy.

I stopped there. "How is this possible?" My eyes flicked upward to Mom's face. "I didn't even apply."

"Holy shit!" Max once again grabbed the paper from my hands. "You fucking got in and didn't even apply."

I wasn't quite sure if his tone was filled with surprise, hurt, or disgust. "Maybe there is a mix-up."

"It doesn't matter. We can't afford it." Mom shook her head.

"Not only did she get in." My brother blinked a few times, and a frown filled his face. "She's got a full ride. They are offering her a scholarship that covers classes, all materials, and food, plus a dorm room." He lowered the paper, and hurt reflected in his eyes. "You had to have applied."

Great, now he thought I was lying. "No, I didn't. I swear." He was looking at me as if I’d betrayed him, which killed me inside.

"Then how did you get in?" His voice rang in my ears, and he growled.

"Max." Dad placed his hands on his hips, causing his polo shirt to conform more to his athletic build. "You don't talk to your sister that way. You should be happy for her."

"Like hell I am." Max shook his head and wrinkled his nose. "Is that why you've been acting weird all week? You knew you'd be getting that letter?"

"What? No." He and I had our share of spats growing up, but nothing like this. "I didn't lie."

"See, it's already causing this family to tear apart." Mom frowned and shook her head. "It's best if you go to KSU with your brother next year."

Even though I hadn't applied, now that I had been accepted, I wanted to go. Though, not at the cost of hurting my family.

"This isn't the time for a decision like that." Dad pointed at the round maple stained table that was big enough for just the four of us. "Let's eat and talk about everyone’s day."

"Fine." Max spun on his heel and sat in his usual chair.

This was going to be fun.

I couldn't sleep. No matter what I did, I tossed and turned. Thoughts of Wolf Moon and Liam were circling my head. If I went there, I'd eventually see him again. I couldn't tell if that excited me or pissed me off more.

It didn’t help that here I was pretending I might actually go. I couldn't do that to my brother. It had always been his hope and dream growing up. He made sure to play sports and make an impact. He volunteered to help other packs out with various projects. He even made straight A’s in school. I hadn't tried even one day in my life to do any of that.

Sure, I'd love to go to school there. They had a top of the line education that could only be found at Wolf Moon. Despite all of that, I wasn't willing to sacrifice my relationship with my brother. And let's be real; if Liam and his followers were going to be