Chapter 4

At dawn, white flowers filled a side hall of the castle.

My pack was allowed to come see me off one last time.

My mother pressed a sachet embroidered with my new name into my hand, her eyes red. "Once you get to the south, don't send anything back. Your sister's marriage can't have a stain on it."

Miles stood to one side, unable to meet my eyes.

He cleared his throat, as if he could make the moment less painful. "I had sweet berries planted all around your new house in the south. They're your favorite."

I paused while straightening the sleeve of my burial dress and looked up at him. "I like the sour ones."

Miles froze, embarrassed. He'd even forgotten what I liked.

Kyle never showed up.

A guard whispered something in my father's ear. His expression changed. "Sera, our future Luna, scraped her forehead while trying on her crown, and the Alpha is furious.

"He says Gwen has always known how to behave, so there's no need to wait for him. Hurry up. We can't let this delay the coronation. We still have to attend it."

I gripped my skirt as my heart ached. I knew none of them loved me. Still, it hurt to hear them expect me to be obliging even in death, to make way for Sera's coronation.

Miles handed me a bowl of the potion. The wolfsbane I'd added myself was already dissolved in it.

So be it. Once I drank it, I'd finally be free. This time, I hoped the Moon Goddess would be fair and wouldn't favor anyone.

My mother hurried over with a wild berry. "Quick, keep this in your mouth. You've always hated bitter things."

I shook my head and refused it. In my final moments, I wanted to remember the pain.

I looked at each of them. I'd hoped my parents would let me stay. I'd hoped Miles would feel at least a little regret. Most of all, I'd hoped Kyle would be sorry to let me go.

But Kyle was busy comforting his fated mate. Miles wanted to erase his shame. My father clung to his petty power. My mother cared only about my sister's marriage.

As long as I drank the potion, everyone would get what they wanted.

I took the bowl and drank it all in one go.

The bitterness burned my throat.

At least this pain was real. For years, I'd fooled myself about the love I'd received and everything I had.

I'd spent my life waiting for someone to say "stay." In the end, no one did.

At last, I was leaving this world of lies.

I clutched the sachet as my vision blurred.

My mother was still murmuring beside me. "Just sleep. When you wake up, everything will be fine."

In a daze, I thought I could smell the fruit in our pack's courtyard again. I saw my mother smiling and opening her arms to welcome me.

Outside the door, I finally heard Kyle's footsteps. Too late. "Why didn't anyone give her honeyed berries? She hates bitter things."

He sounded annoyed. Then he ordered coldly, "Watch the time. Open the coffin exactly three hours from now. Don't leave her in there too long. She'll be uncomfortable."

It won't hurt this time, Kyle.

I closed my eyes. My heart stopped beating for good, and I never woke up again.