The Sweet-Voiced Trueborn From The Black Forest Chapter 01
I am the biggest “ugly duckling” turned “swan” in the Silvermoon Wolf Clan.
My parents worshipped beauty and voice above all else. They decided, the moment I was born, that I had neither.
Even my first cry sounded more like a puppy’s yelp than the deep, soulful howl of a wolf.
Everyone in the delivery room recoiled. An ugly pup, born to a family of celebrities—how could that be?
They gave me the dismissive nickname “Runt” and sent me away to my grandmother’s house in the Black Forest.
I didn’t earn the right to return home until I scored 1550 on the SATs and got accepted into Moren—the top-ranked university in the country.
My movie-star father barely glanced at me before furrowing his brow.
Bigger hat. Darker sunglasses. Keep the mask on.”
“Wrapped up from head to toe like that—are you too ugly to be seen?”
My pop-diva mother scoffed.
“She’s probably seen us taking Vivian on that reality show, Supernova. She’s scared of being outshone by her little sister the first time they meet.”
“Ugly, and full of schemes.”
Vivian rushed over warmly and took my hand. “Runt, looks aren’t everything. You don’t have to be so insecure around me.”
My hand, which was about to pull down my mask, froze.
For the past two months, Grandma had been writing letters every month, urging them.
“If you don’t take her back soon, my fence is going to collapse! The wolf packs in the back mountains have been howling like they’re in heat every night, and strange wolves are constantly climbing my fence to peek! It’s not just them—other shifters have joined in too, setting up telescopes all over the surrounding high ground!”
……
Seeing me stand there in silence,
Vivian immediately turned to our parents with a reproachful look.
“Mom, Dad, Runt is already very sensitive because of her appearance.”
“We should be encouraging her, complimenting her, not upsetting her further.”
Father frowned at me. “Take off the mask. Let me see if there’s any hope.”
Before I could move, Mother let out a cold laugh.
“Vivian was born with golden eyes and flowing silver hair—she was famous throughout the clan for her beauty.”
“But this one walks in without even a greeting. Did the wild wolves of the Black Forest eat all her manners?”
“Better keep the mask on. I don’t want to lose my appetite looking at her face tonight.”
But it wasn’t that I wouldn’t greet them.
It was that, facing these strangers I was meeting for the first time in eighteen years,
I simply couldn’t force the words “Mom” and “Dad” out.
I gripped my duffel bag. “Where’s my room?”
The mask hid my face, but not the pure, ethereal quality of my voice.
My mother, who had been bristling with hostility just a moment ago, seemed electrocuted.
She actually stuttered, speaking with surprising courtesy.
“Second door on the left, upstairs.”
Catching the puzzled stares from Father and Vivian, Mother realized her slip.
Her face flushed with chagrin, and her tone turned sharp.
“Every room in this house has a purpose. The one you’re staying in was Vivian’s dressing room.”
“Vivian inherited our best traits. She’s already being courted by multiple entertainment companies, and she’s not even of age yet.”
“That room is full of custom gowns and a vanity table. They’re useless to you, but essential to her. You understand, don’t you?”
I nodded. “I understand. Sorry to intrude.”
“I’m only staying for a week. I’ll move into the dorms after I register.”
My mother, the diva, succumbed again to my voice.
“Well, there’s no rush, actually.”
Well… there’s no rush, actually. You could—you could stay until you graduate, maybe. Find a place after.”
I had already made my plans.
I nodded without speaking and headed for the stairs.
Behind me, my mother was still muttering.
“What a waste of a voice… a siren’s call trapped in a wolf.”
“Too bad her looks don’t match. She’ll never be presentable.”
Back in my room, I shut the door and stuffed my sunglasses and mask in my pocket.
My bag sat by the bed, ready to go.
I hadn’t taken out a single thing beyond my daily essentials.
In the class group chat, the Resident Director was arranging dorm assignments.
“Out-of-town students who need early move-in, please sign up with me.”
I typed a reply without hesitation.
“Hi, this is Lyra Voss. I’d like to apply for early move-in next Friday, if possible.”