Chapter 1

Weston's brow furrowed. "Lyra, this choker isn't worthy of your sister."

I looked him straight in the eye. "Then why should it be worn around my neck?"

He froze for a second, then laughed.

"Since we were kids, everyone in the pack has called you Riley's shadow. The energy from the moonstone is too potent for you. Plain onyx suits you better. Tame. Safe."

He was right. Everyone did call me the shadow.

Riley and I are twins, but from the day we were born, everyone treated me like her pale imitation, unworthy of standing by her side.

Riley danced at the center of every pack banquet, adored by all. I practiced piano until my fingers bled, but I could never draw the crowd's gaze like she did.

I steamed her beautiful dresses, helped her with her makeup, and listened as the pack called me "the shadow" for a decade.

I told Weston more than once how much I hated that name, and every time, he would say, "Alright. Anything you want."

But whenever Riley was around, each promise felt like another needle piercing my heart.

I looked at Weston calmly. "Let's break off the engagement."

Weston reached out to caress my cheek, his eyes regarding me as if I were a pup throwing a tantrum. "Don't be difficult. If you don't like this necklace, we'll get another. Don't say things like that. The bonding ceremony is only a week away."

"I'm serious."

Riley suddenly cut in, pushing the moonstone necklace toward me. "Lyra, take mine. Your bonding is days away. Don't embarrass Weston in front of the pack over something so trivial."

Weston forcefully put the moonstone back around her neck. "This was always meant for you. Lyra's wolf is too weak. It would be a waste of its power on her."

The choice had been a charade from the very beginning.

Weston had already set aside the best for Riley. I was just called over to create the illusion of choice, left to accept whatever remained.

I pulled my hand back and turned to leave.

Weston followed with a weary sigh. "Alright. I'll take you to look at the furniture for the new house. You can have whatever you want. Just stop this, okay?"

We had just walked into the territory's largest furniture showroom when Riley's eyes locked on a magnificent display in the center. "The feel of this leather is fantastic. This set would be perfect for my apartment."

Weston's expression softened instantly. "Then I'll have it sent to you. We can get the set Lyra wanted later."

That was the handmade cedarwood sofa I had been waiting three months for, custom-ordered from a craftsman on the other side of the continent.

Weston paused, then pointed to a black leather sofa in the discount corner. "This one will do for now. The style is similar, and you're not picky. I'll buy you a better one later."

I ignored the product catalog he offered me. "That won't be necessary. I'll be moving out of the Alpha's residence tonight. You don't need to prepare anything for me."

His hand froze in midair. The smile finally vanished from his eyes. "That's enough, Lyra."

"I've said what I needed to say."

Late that night, just as I had finished packing a few clothes, Weston brought my parents into the main pack house.

My mother seized my wrist, her grip so tight it hurt, and dragged me into the center of the living room.

"Have you lost your mind? The bonding ceremony is almost here, and you dare to call off the engagement? Being bonded by an Alpha is a blessing you should be grateful for."

My father unleashed his Alpha presence, slamming me down onto the carpet. "You don't get to make decisions about this alliance."

You listen to me. You don't have Riley's charm. An Alpha even considering a dull, plain girl like you is a blessing from the Moon Goddess.

In the past, I would have swallowed every word, hoping my obedience might earn me a scrap of warmth.

Tonight, I had no desire to please them. I just stared at them coldly.

Weston walked over, gently helped me up, and tried to smooth things over with a smile. "Don't talk to her like that. Lyra is very obedient, just nervous before the ceremony."

My mother's anger immediately subsided, and her face broke into a fawning grin. "See? The Alpha is still defending you. Where else would a waste like you find such a merciful mate?"

I almost laughed out loud.

Everyone expected me to be grateful, to thank Weston for being willing to choose a mate who would always come second to her sister.

"If you really dare to break the engagement," my mother said, "you will never set foot in this pack again."

The room fell silent.

I took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. "Fine."

I went back to my room and pulled out my book of herbal remedies from under the bed.

Riley said healers were cowards, and Weston needed a mate who could help him manage his business empire.

So I forced myself to put down my herbs and learned about pack assets, resource allocation, and how to soothe his volatile moods.

I worked myself to the bone, but no one ever truly saw me. They only regretted that I wasn't Riley. For twenty years, I had been forced to wear a skin that wasn't mine.

I dialed Chloe's number. She was my only friend, a rogue medic who roamed the southern border, treating injured wolves who dared not return to their packs. At a time like this, she was the only one who could help me.

When she answered, I couldn't hold back my tears. "Chloe, are you still looking for a supply runner?"

Chloe was silent for so long I thought the call had dropped. "Lyra, your bonding ceremony is a week away."

"I'm well aware."

"You've loved Weston since you were a child. For him, you gave up your future as a Healer. You did so much to ensure he could be a good Alpha. Are you really going to throw it all away and leave now?"

I stared out the window at the desolate moonlight. "Yes. I've made my decision."

Chloe didn't speak for a long time. Then her voice became crisp and decisive. "Alright. I support you. I already have a safe route planned. I'll wait for you at the convoy rendezvous point on the night of the ceremony."

I rubbed my eyes, a smile touching my lips. "It seems the Moon Goddess has already chosen this day for me."