autumn ivy karlach

The Smith family welcomed a pair of twins, and an expert claimed one a lucky star and the other a curse. He predicted that the lucky twin would become the top scholar in eighteen years. Their grandmother, valuing boys over girls, was certain that the elder brother, Joel Smith, was the fortunate one and tried to kill his sister. A kind maid, Ivy Lake, saved Zoe Smith, who was then raised as a servant in her own home. Years later, both siblings make three wishes, and soon, the Smith family becomes the richest in Halton. Their faith in Joel deepens, and Zoe suffers even harsher treatment—until the scholar's plaque arrives. To everyone's shock, the so-called cursed girl, Zoe Smith, is actually the real top scholar!

The day the Royal Academy's screening results came out, the twin Alpha heirs — Julian and Damien — stood in front of me. Each of them was holding an application form. "Ivy. Have you decided whose name you're putting on that form?" In my previous life, I chose Julian for love. I gave up my direct admission to the Royal Academy and stayed behind in the pack with him and Celeste — his childhood-friend Omega who'd failed the screening — to help them train for another year. I thought that was what it meant to go through hardship together. That was love. But the pack laughed at Celeste — an Omega who thought she could get into the combat track at the Royal Academy. She couldn't stand the gossip, ran off alone, and was killed by rogue wolves. Julian threw me into the silver pit — the pit our pack used to execute traitors. Silver burns a wolf's flesh like acid. "If you hadn't been so desperate to cling to me, I could've focused on protecting Celeste. She wouldn't be dead!" "Ivy Hale — all of this is your fault. You ruined us." He poured silver down my throat. I died thrashing in agony. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day the screening results were announced. This time, I slipped my arm through Damien's and gave the brightest smile I had. "Let's apply to the Royal Academy together." Julian let out a quiet, relieved breath and turned to go find his Omega. He didn't see the way Damien's hand tightened around mine — or the obsession and ambition he couldn't quite hide behind his eyes.