Chapter 1

Lily POV

I used to think I could withstand anything fate threw at me…

I mean – I was hated by my father and my sister, practically a maid in my own house and the invisible daughter of Alpha Stone … but nothing prepared me for the sight that greeted me.

My hands trembled on the doorknob of my sister’s bedroom as a strangled gasp escaped my lips. The door was slightly ajar, and through the narrow gap, I could see Lucas – my boyfriend and mate-to-be of three years cuddled together with my sister, Vanessa on the bed.

Their voices drifted out, hushed but clear in the quiet hallway.

“Just reject her, and it will be over,” Vanessa murmured, running her fingers through Lucas’s hair. “You promised me, Lucas. Don’t chicken out now,”.

Lucas sighed, pulling Vanessa closer. “I know that, but… it’s her birthday today, Nessa. Can’t it wait?”

Vanessa's eyes narrowed as the corner of her lips lifted into a sneer. “And also, mine, in case you’ve forgotten.  So, consider it my birthday gift… it has to be today. Trust me, it’s better this way,”.

The hallways spun under my feet and my vision blurred, my mind reeling as the words I just heard sank in. I stumbled back from the door, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces.

“I’m getting cheated on and rejected on the same day as my birthday,” I whispered to myself as tears rolled down my cheeks “Thank you, moon goddess, a perfect way to start my 18th…,”.

~~~24 Hours Earlier~~~

I was known as the child who killed her mother at birth…

But if you’re kind enough and want to call me by my name, then it’s Lily…Lily Stone.

I was lounging at the small window of my room which was the attic of the Golden Moon Packhouse, gazing out at the lush forest that bordered the pack lands. The evening sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, a beautiful sight that usually uplifts my spirits but today I felt empty.

Tomorrow, was my 18th birthday, a day that should be filled with excitement and celebration. Instead, a familiar sense of dread settled in my stomach.

I turned away from the window, my eyes falling on the small calendar on my desk. Two birthdays were circled in red: mine and my sister Vanessa’s. I was so unfortunate to be born on the same birth date as Vanessa and one would think we would be sharing our special day. When in reality, Vanessa’s birthday always overshadowed mine.

No one even remembers that I was born that day. No gifts, not even a birthday song.

Sighing, I ran my hand through my long, chestnut hair. Wondering what it would be like to have a normal family. One that cared about me. But that was a luxury, I’d never know.

My father, Alpha Gregory Stone had never shown me an ounce of affection; but it was understandable since his mate had died protecting me. And Vanessa?  Well, sisterly love was not in her vocabulary.

To her, I was as good as one of the Omegas that served in the pack house.

A soft chime from my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. My heart pulsated with happiness when I saw it was a message from Lucas my boyfriend. If there was one bright spot in my miserable life, it was him. Lucas had been my rock – he was the son of the Pack’s Gamma but rather than bullying me like every other person did, he was the only one who extended a hand of friendship to me and since then… our love had grown into a deep bond.

My hands flew over my phone as I responded to his greeting.

“Hi, Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. What time are you coming?”

I held my breath, waiting for his response. We had a big fight a few days ago, it was a miracle we were still talking to each other. My heart fluttered with warmth when I noticed that he had read the message immediately and was typing back. Even if I had no one to rely on, even if my family seemed to forget my existence including the entire pack, on days like tomorrow, I rely on Lucas.

“Might run a bit late. I have something to take care of first. But I’ll be there, I promise,” he replied.

A small frown creased my forehead as I stared at his message. “Is everything okay?” I typed back quickly.

“Yeah, don’t worry—just some stuff to take care of. I’ve got plans for us,” he replied again.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I sighed with relief. Lucas always prepared something small and intimate for my birthdays. He was the only person that made me feel seen, who made my birthday feel like it mattered.

“Okay, no problem,” I typed back attaching a lot of emojis. “Looking forward to it!”.

I set my phone down and flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with Lucas lately. We’ve fought more this month than we had in all the years of our relationship and it was over very insignificant issues.

He was becoming more distant these days. His messages were shorter and less frequent and it took him hours to reply every time I brought it up, he would assure me everything was fine or he would say I was obsessing too much over him.

“Stop it!” I muttered to myself. “You’re just being paranoid,”.

I have to give Lucas a break… as a son of our Pack’s Gamma, the beam was on him now that he was an adult. Naturally, everyone expects that he would take over the reins once his father retires, so, I would cut him some slack.

 I decided to go downstairs. I had intentionally avoided going there today since the entire Pack House buzzed with activity. The preparations were for Vanessa’s 18th birthday.

 As I crept down the stairs, voices drifted from the living room - the unmistakable voice of my father and Vanessa’s pretty high-pitched laughter.

“Sweetheart, you’re going to love your gift,” he said, his voice warm with affection. “I can’t wait to see your face when you open it,”.

I inched closer, peering from the doorway. My stomach twisted with jealousy and sadness as I saw my father sitting on the couch, his arms draped casually around Vanessa’s shoulders. She was curled against him, staring at him with adoring eyes. On the coffee table, was a large wrapped, gift box tied with an elegant bow.

“Daddy!” her delighted squeal filled the air “You shouldn’t have. You’ve done enough already,”.

“Nonsense, Nessa,” he chuckled pressing a kiss on her forehead. “My little girl only turns 19 once and you deserve to have the best party in the history of Golden Moon Pack. Plus, you deserve to be spoiled. You’re royalty,”.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I stared at Alpha Gregory… Our father… I’ve never heard him speak to me with such tenderness. Swallowing hard, I stepped into the living room. They both looked up as I entered and immediately, their smiles faded.

“Lily,” he said, his voice suddenly cold. “What are you doing down here? Didn’t I tell you to remain in your room today? I don’t want you to be in the way of the decorators,”.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “I was just getting some water,”.

“Well, hurry up and get back to your room. I don’t want you touching anything or ruining something. By the way, I was just telling Vanessa about her birthday party tomorrow, here at the pack house,”.

Vanessa smirked, tossing her perfect hair over her shoulder. “It’s going to be amazing. Everyone who’s anyone will be there,”.

I stood frozen, suddenly feeling like an intruder. “Oh,” I managed to say. “That sounds … nice,”.

I watched as the Alpha’s expression hardened. Fixing me a cold stare, he said: “I want to make something clear, Lily. Tomorrow’s party is for Vanessa. I don’t want you showing up and causing any … disturbances,”.

The words hit me like a physical blow. I knew my father didn’t care much for me, but to be explicitly uninvited to a party on my birthday? That was a new low.

Vanessa’s eyes glittered with mockery. “Oh, don’t be so hard on her, Daddy. I’m sure Lily understands. After all, she wouldn’t want to ruin my special day, would she?”

“But…” I started; my voice small. “It’s my birthday too,”.

He waved his hand dismissively. “You know what I mean. This is Vanessa’s special day. You’ll only upset her if you’re there,”.

Vanessa nodded, a mocking sympathetic look on her face. “It’s just… you know how you are, Lily. Always so awkward. It would ruin the mood,”.

The patronizing tone made my blood boil. I wanted to retort and remind them that they made me this way. They made it impossible for me to belong to this pack. From working like a slave in the pack house to Vanessa constantly picking on me with her friends.

So, if I was awkward, it was because of them.

I felt tears pricking at my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Instead, I lifted my chin, meeting my father’s cold gaze.

“Fine!” I said my voice steadier than I had expected. “I’ll stay in my room and make sure I won’t be in your way. So, happy birthday dearest sister, in advance of course, since I will be making extra effort not to ruin your day. And just so you know, I have plans with Lucas… so, I’ll be busy too,”.

“Don’t be like that, Lily,” she snickered “I would have wished you a happy birthday but, you shouldn’t have been born in the first place and on my birthday of all days. I wish you were never born,”.

Vanessa always looks for new ways to make me feel less of myself but thankfully, I’ve grown a thick skin.

So, I didn’t say anything in reply, I simply flashed her a defiant smile and murmured under my breath as I left.

“I don’t care about your stupid party anyway! I have Lucas!”