Chapter 1

Everly POV

Today was my sister Ruby's coming-of-age celebration.

My family had gone all out with a lavish affair.

Xavier and I had barely stepped into the ballroom, his phone rang.

"Everly, I'm so sorry. There's an emergency meeting at the company."

Still, he came to greet my Mom and Ruby. Handed over the gift himself.

The table settings were exquisite.

An abundance of lilies arranged across the centerpieces.

Within moments of sitting down, my chest felt tight.

My breathing grew hard.

I leaned toward Ruby.

"Could we... remove the lilies? I think I might be allergic."

Ruby pouted.

"I hired a professional photography team today. No flowers would ruin the shots."

Mom turned toward Xavier, her smile a little too bright.

"Everly doesn't have allergies. She's been healthy since childhood."

Ruby sneered, "Figures. Everly's a Luna now. Suddenly even the air we breathe isn't good enough for her."

The wolf pup shifted inside me.

I cupped my belly. "The doctor told me, pregnancy can change your body's reactions..."

"Nonsense! There's no such thing as ‘changes in your body,’" Mom’s hand jabbed the air. She froze for a second when Xavier looked up.

"I gave birth to both of you," she said, voice sharp with authority. "Do you think I wouldn't know?"

Ruby shot me a sharp look.

"Having such a fragile Luna in our Silver Moon pack is going to be a nightmare."

Xavier glanced at his watch, then pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek.

"Everly, I have to go. Maybe I rushed a bit getting here, and that made you feel uncomfortable. Rest for a while."

He brushed his hand over my six-month pregnant belly. "Take care of our wolf pup. I’ll pick you up later."

"You're a Luna, and every eye in the pack is on you," he added in a soft voice, "Just hold on a little longer, okay?"

And with that, he strode away.

Ruby's coming-of-age celebration was far more lavish than the one I had.

Thanks to my Luna status, many of the noble families had come to attend, adding weight to Mom's careful planning.

She wanted Ruby to marry into one of those noble families.

Now that Xavier had to rush back to the office, Mom would certainly not let me leave.

I hadn't been allergic before, so I wasn’t aware of the shortness of breathing until it got worse.

Mom hurried over, her steps quick.

"The Graysons are here, and the Rothwells! Both are important families. Look at them!"

She lowered her voice, eyes sharp with excitement.

"Everly, quick! Take Ruby over and greet them. Show her off before the other girls get there!"

My breathing grew heavier.

My throat started to swell.

"Mom... I don't really know them. And I'm not feeling well now."

"You're a Luna! They'll expect a few words when they see you. Take Ruby with you. This is her only chance!"

She gave me a push. I stumbled slightly, nearly losing my balance.

I hated being treated like this.

I married Xavier because we loved each other from our school days.

It was not schemed or calculated.

But Mom wanted Ruby to climb the social ladder, and I become her tool.

Today was Ruby's most important day. I didn’t want to upset her.

I took her hand, led her to those families, greeted them with a fake but polite smile.

Ruby clearly loved this. She flitted from conversation to conversation, happy as a bird.

By the time we'd made our way around the hall, I was already exhausted.

My throat was swollen. Every breath required effort.

The pup in my belly kicked a few times, making my chest tighten with worry.

I turned to Mom. "I need to go to the hospital now... Please tell Ruby—"

"Go ahead. It's your turn to speak!" She yanked me toward the stage. "Your little heartwarming story about you and Ruby. I told you to have it ready weeks ago."

Two spotlights hit me as the hall erupted in applause.

The emcee's professional voice carried across the hall.

And the crowd responded with energy..

"Now, let's welcome Ruby's sister, our Luna Everly, to offer her blessings to her dear little sister!"

The cheers grew louder.

I was a Luna. I couldn't falter at a moment like this.

I took a very deep breath and stepped onto the stage.

I began my tender story.

Mom's care, the bond between sisters, all woven from the small, everyday moments at home."

In truth, ever since Ruby had been brought back into the family five years ago, Mom had poured all her love into her.

Mom, feeling she owed Ruby too much, gave her everything she could.

And she would never deny Ruby’s requests.

I had worked through school to pay my own way and even covered part of Ruby's expenses, because Mom couldn’t handle it all alone.

The thin air made my head spin around.

The light on the stage stung my eyes.

"Finally... congratulations, Ruby. Wishing you a life filled with everything beautiful..."

I forced the last words out. My voice trembled.

When the applause swelled around me, I retreated into the shadows.

I walked toward the exit, but Mom blocked me.

"Where are you going? The celebration has just begun."

"Mom, I really need to go to the hospital... So many guests here... it won't matter if I'm gone for a while."

Her eyes never left Ruby on the stage.

She held my hand, ignoring my discomfort.

"You have to hold the room for Ruby. If it weren’t for your Luna status, how many noble families would even show up? How many would pay Ruby any attention?"

My phone buzzed in my pocket—Xavier.

Relieved, I swiped to answer.

"Everly, it sounds lively over there. Everything all right?" His voice was soft. "I've got a long meeting ahead and can't really take calls in between."

"Xavier, I—"

Mom snatched my phone before I could finish.