Chapter 4

The pack had already started printing the guest lists.

I flipped one open and saw, right at the top in the boldest print:

Guest of Honor: Serafina Voss, Candidate for High Priestess of the Moonlight Rite.

My own name only showed up further down, in the section for the bonding couple, small, tucked in like an afterthought that couldn't be left out entirely.

My mother saw me looking and said, without much thought, "Serafina's the Silver Wolf bloodline's High Priestess. All the guests from every pack are coming for her. Don't read too much into it. Your name's on there too."

I didn't say anything.

I already knew that. My name was on the list, but not because anyone was looking forward to seeing me. It was only there because a ceremony needs two names.

Three days before the bonding ceremony, the pack held a family dinner. That day also happened to be my birthday and Serafina's.

Kyle had ordered the cake himself, and when it came out, the whole table was full of praise. The frosting was piled high, covered in crushed pistachios and hazelnuts, Serafina's favorite.

I was allergic to nuts. For a wolf-kin, an allergic reaction could stir up the wolf, or worse, choke off the breath entirely.

Not one person at that table remembered.

My mother was busy cutting Serafina the most perfect piece with the frosting flower intact. My father was talking to Kyle about next month's council meeting.

Kyle stood there holding a small tiara, waiting to set it on Serafina's head.

None of them meant any harm by it. Their minds were just always full of Serafina. They were used to it, used to giving her the best of everything first, used to her preferences, used to me never pushing back.

Kyle set the little tiara on Serafina's head, smiling.

"Our future High Priestess gets to make her wish first."

I looked at that cake covered in nuts, at the little tiara that belonged only to my sister, and finally spoke up.

"Kyle, we used to have two of everything in this house. Why is there only one cake now?"

The long table went silent.

Kyle's brow furrowed.

"We've been busy with the rite lately. I only had the kitchen order Serafina's favorite flavor. I forgot about your allergy. That's on me."

My mother shot me a cold look, her fork and knife clinking softly against her plate.

"Your sister's going to be the next High Priestess. Of course she goes first. If you had half her talent, you'd get to make the first wish too."

I fell silent again.

Right. They would never think they'd done anything wrong. In their eyes, it was only natural for the Silver Wolf bloodline to get an extra share of favor.

Serafina closed her eyes to make her wish, and everyone hummed the blessing song under their breath.

By the time it was my turn, the candle had burned down to a stub, wax pooling on the frosting.

Kyle glanced at it and said, offhand, "No more candles left. It's just a formality anyway. Make your wish next year."

Twenty-some years, and it was always next year.

I never once got to see that next year come.

One of the maids cut off a corner of cake that hadn't touched the nuts and quietly set it on my plate.

I made an excuse and went back to my room early.

Downstairs, Kyle and my parents were all holding their breath, waiting for the results of Serafina's selection as High Priestess of the Moonlight Rite.

I leaned against the window and went through the herbs and healing tools in my bag one more time.

There wasn't much worth bringing. Almost nothing in that house had ever been meant for me anyway.

A cheer erupted from downstairs.

Serafina had been chosen.

I heard my mother shriek, my father clapping, and Kyle saying, "I knew you could do it."

Then Serafina's voice came, sweet, with just the right touch of a pout.

"But the Moonlight Rite falls on the same day as Ella's bonding ceremony. You'll all be with her, and I'll be up there all alone."

The living room went quiet for a second.

Then Kyle's voice came through, "We won't let you be alone."

I stood in the dark and let out a small laugh.

Of course. It was always like this.

Late that night, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Lila.

[The car and your new identity are all sorted. The healing room's ready too, just waiting on you. The morning of the ceremony, take the staff entrance. The car will be waiting at the end of the alley.]

I typed back one word.

[Okay.]

Three more days.

Three more days, and I'd walk out of this life where I always came in second, for good.