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Chapter 3

作者: Bagel
Weston pulled a cotton dress from a rack and thrust it into my arms. "Lyra, just put this on. Riley has to attend a pack social event tonight, so don't waste her time. This one is simple. It suits you."

Simple and suitable. His usual excuses to placate me.

I took the dress I would never wear, a strange calm settling in my heart.

When I finally reached my breaking point, I didn't cry or scream. I just didn't have the energy to fight for scraps anymore.

That evening, we had dinner at my parents' house. It was only then that I remembered it was my birthday.

Of course, it was also Riley's birthday.

Weston had brought the cake himself. He placed the box in the center of the long table and said with a smile, "You two share a birthday, so one cake is enough. It's simpler."

The cake was exquisitely made, topped with slices of mango and pale yellow cream.

Riley loved mango. I'm allergic. The smell alone has made my throat swell since I was a child, weakening my wolf for an entire night.

But no one thought anything was wrong.

Weston stuck the candles in the cake and placed a birch-wood crown on Riley's head. "Riley, you make a wish first."

I looked at the mango cake, at the crown, at the adoration in Weston's eyes. "Weston. You used to prepare two of everything. Why is there only one cake now?"

The dining room fell silent.

"Why do I always have to be last?"

The smile vanished from Weston's face, and his brow furrowed. "Hasn't it always been this way? Why are you picking a fight over everything today?"

My mother shot me a cold glance. "She's your sister, and she's been stronger than you since you were born. If you had half her ability, you might be the one blowing out the candles first."

Suddenly, I was speechless. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I finally understood that you can't make people see what they refuse to.

Riley closed her eyes and made a wish. The whole table sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Weston's voice, low and warm, was among them.

When it was my turn, the candles had burned down to tiny stubs.

Weston glanced at them. "There are no spare candles. Making a wish is just a formality anyway. You can do it next year, Lyra."

For over twenty years, he was always saying "next year." And my "next year" never came.

Just because my wolf was weaker, did I really not deserve to be loved properly, not even once?

A maid brought me a small corner piece of the cake without any mango on it. She was the only one who remembered my allergy. The others had already moved on to discussing the bonding ceremony.

My mother asked, "Is the venue for tomorrow's ceremony ready?"

Before I could speak, she turned to Weston with a fawning smile. "The leaders of the surrounding packs are all coming to witness the ceremony. Riley was just chosen as the pack's Lead Ambassador. This is the perfect opportunity to show her off."

Weston nodded without a second thought. "Good idea. We'll cancel the vow exchange at the altar and replace it with Riley's crowning ceremony."

Riley immediately waved a dismissive hand, her expression a mask of innocence. "Oh, no. I wouldn't want to steal Lyra's spotlight."

Weston looked at her earnestly. "If you're going to be invested, it should be the grandest ceremony possible. I'll have the guards set up the venue for you, with the best lighting and offerings reserved for you."

This was my bonding ceremony. And they were turning it into Riley's crowning ceremony without so much as asking me.

It didn't matter anymore. This ridiculous ceremony would never be completed anyway.

The thick air in the hall was suffocating.

I excused myself, claiming I was dizzy, and went to my room. Downstairs, Weston and my parents were excitedly discussing the details of the investiture.

I pulled the duffel bag from under my bed. There wasn't much in it.

Everything I owned in this house was what Riley had left behind. I only took my book of herbal remedies and a dagger for self-defense.

As I zipped the bag, a cheer erupted from downstairs. They were chanting Riley's name.

I heard my mother's shriek of joy, my father's clapping, and Weston's voice, thick with pride. "I knew you would be the most beautiful Ambassador our pack has ever seen."

Then, Riley's voice, tinged with a hint of petulance, "But the crowning ceremony clashes with your bonding. You all have to be with Lyra then. I'll be so bored on the stage all by myself."

The living room was quiet for a moment, and then Weston spoke. "You won't be alone."

"I promise."
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