Chapter 4

I looked up at Lydia, who was standing in the doorway.

She was watching me with those big, innocent eyes, her face a mask of concern.

"Sister, let's make up, please? Just like old times." Her voice was gentle, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears, making her look utterly pitiful.

This was her specialty.

"Do you remember the moonlight flower crown you wove for me?" Lydia continued. "Tomorrow is the Full Moon Festival. Could you make another one for me? As a gift to celebrate my promotion."

A flicker of relief crossed Sarah's face as she quickly urged me, "Isn't that the one thing you're actually good at? Lydia is offering you an olive branch, Elena. You should be grateful and just do it."

I didn't move. The moonlight flower crown pulled my memories back seven years.

Lydia had just been brought home by my father.

I had excitedly woven a crown for her, carefully picking the most beautiful moonlight flowers.

Just because she had once said she loved them, I had woven her a crown, enduring the countless burns the flower's sap left on my fingers.

For a weak wolf like me, the sap was like diluted silver, and every touch was agony.

But I gritted my teeth and persisted, creating a perfect crown.

But when Lydia put it on, she had an allergic reaction and fainted, her entire body breaking out in a red rash.

The pack healer said it was the pollen.

When she woke up, the first thing she did was cry in Caleb's arms. "Alpha, the crown was a token of Elena's goodwill. She said it would be fine if I just wore it for a little while. Please don't blame Elena. It's all my fault for being so willful!"

I still remembered standing helplessly before the medical bay, withering under Caleb's resentful glare. "I didn't know Lydia was allergic to moonlight flowers. She never told me..."

Caleb didn't listen.

He locked me in the pack's cells for three whole days.

It was a living nightmare.

No food, no water, not even basic sanitation.

I curled up in a dark corner, listening to the sounds of laughter and celebration from outside as they toasted to Lydia's "recovery."

By the time I was released, I was so weak I could barely stand.

"Have you forgotten?" I now said, looking at Lydia's flawless face. "You're allergic to moonlight flowers."

At the mention of this, the atmosphere in the room instantly grew tense.

Just then, Caleb pushed the door open.

He heard our conversation and paused mid-stride.

In truth, even when I was delirious in that cell, I had felt it through our mate bond.

He had secretly come to see me in the dead of night.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Now, he was completely on Lydia's side.

"Allergic?" Lydia laughed softly, though I caught the nervous tremor in her voice. "Sister, that was so many years ago."

She stepped closer. "I'm much stronger now. I've long since overcome that allergy. My warrior training has built up my resistance."

As she spoke, she held out her hand, as if to prove her point. "See? I'm not afraid of moonlight flowers at all now."

Her nails dug into my skin, the pressure increasing.

When the pain made me finally wrench my arm away, she stumbled back, falling to the ground as if she'd been pushed.

As she fell, I saw her other hand brush discreetly against her sleeve.

"Ah!" She hit the ground hard, letting out a pained groan.

Almost simultaneously, red blotches began to appear on her pale cheeks.

"Lydia!" Sarah shrieked, rushing to her side. "Gods, she's breaking out in a rash!"

The rash spread with visible speed, from her cheeks to her neck, and down her arms.

It certainly looked like a severe allergic reaction.

John glared at me, his voice trembling. "Elena, what did you do to her?"

I hadn't done anything. I had only pulled my hand away.

But I had no way to defend myself.

Lydia leaned against Sarah, whimpering painfully. "Mom, it's so itchy... Sister, I didn't mean to..."

Even in her supposed agony, she defended me, which only fueled their anger.

Seeing Lydia's swollen skin, John turned and roared, "Elena! You've gone too far!"

"I... I didn't..." The words died on my lips, sounding weak and pathetic even to my own ears.

"You didn't what?" Caleb strode over, his eyes burning with rage. "Again! You've hurt her again!"

He carefully lifted Lydia into his arms, his movements unnaturally gentle.

"I told you, I've overcome the allergy," Lydia whispered weakly against Caleb's chest, her voice barely audible. "It might be... some other reason..."

As she spoke, her eyes were on me, and in them, I saw a flash of triumph.

A look only I could see.