The Alpha’s Forgotten Daughter Chapter 02
Maya sat in the passenger seat, chattering away with Ethan about what kind of hot Alpha she might meet at college.
Mom and Dad chimed in with doting smiles.
I was wedged into the far–left corner of the back seat, staring at the streetscape blurring past.
“Claire.”
At a red light, Mom suddenly turned to look at me.
“Your school is only a few subway stops from Maya’s. When you don’t have class, go check on her.
She has a delicate constitution. Freshman week will be hard on her.”
“I want you bringing her soup every day. And don’t forget her laundry.”
“You hear your mother?” Dad snapped.
“Stop with the books. Your sister comes first.”
Outside the window, I watched a family pick out ice cream cones for a pair of twin girls.
I nodded. My voice came out even. “Understood.”
At the mall, the four of them made a beeline for the luxury boutiques on the first floor.
Mom waved her hand, approving a $2,800 wool coat for Maya.
Dad and Ethan swung the shopping bags without blinking, swiping their cards.
Maya twirled in front of the mirror like a princess in her element.
I watched for a moment, then turned and rode the escalator up to the department store’s second floor.
With the money I’d scraped together from my summer job, I picked out the cheapest plain black backpack I could find.
When I got back, they were circled around Maya in her new shoes, taking photos.
Nobody noticed I’d been gone.
Ethan had clearly forgotten he’d promised to buy me a bag.
That evening, the family pulled up at an upscale bistro downtown.
The moment we pushed open the private dining room door, a glittering banner hung across the back wall: [Congrats, Maya! We’re So Proud of You!]
I stared at those words, then silently pulled out the chair closest to the door and sat down.
The entire table was piled with seafood and desserts–all Maya’s favorites.
The door swung open, and a group of my high school classmates poked their heads in—they’d been eating nearby and stopped to say hello.
Mom’s eyes lit up. She immediately pulled them inside, bursting to brag.
“Oh, what a coincidence! We’re hosting at
celebration dinner for Maya! Our Maya got into-”
The students froze. The air turned awkward.
Their eyes kept darting toward me, curled up in the corner,
After all, that enormous banner didn’t carry my name.
To cut through the tension, a male classmate hurriedly cleared his throat.
“Hey, we booked a private room at the karaoke
place across the street. Most of the class is there you want to drop by later?”
Before I could shake my head, Maya shrieked and tugged on Mom’s arm. “Mom! I want to go! I’ve been
stuck at home all summer! Let me have some fun!”
Mom frowned but pursed her lips. She turned, her eyes boring into me, her voice hard.
“Claire, you go with them.”
“Maya cannot drink. Don’t stay out late.”
“If anything happens to her, you answer to me.
“You hear that?” Dad added sharply. “Watch your sister.”
I met Maya’s triumphant gaze and lifted my chin.
“Let’s go.”