Here's why:
* Short Vowel Sound: The vowel "e" in "neck" makes a short "e" sound, like in "bed" or "pen".
* Long Vowel Rule: The long vowel rule typically applies when a vowel is followed by a single consonant and then a silent "e" at the end of a word (like "cake" or "hope"). This rule doesn't apply to "neck".
Let me know if you'd like to explore other words with long vowels!