The hatred.

TWO.

~Lenora~

Pain seared through my body from where I had fallen. My palm stung. My knee burned against the cold floor.

“I didn’t push her,” I said, forcing myself to speak. “She tried to take my things and when I refused, she pushed me! And then she fell and started screaming...”

Eleanor sobbed even harder, hiding her face against Vincent's chest. “It's all my fault. I didn’t mean to make her angry. I just wanted to see what she was holding, I'm so sorry. Please don't blame her..."

That was all it took for my words to dissolve completely in their ears. They turned angrily to me.

“You're seriously lying to us again, Lenora?" Vincent said incredulously.

“She always does this,” Davis added. “She pretends to be innocent after hurting people. What is wrong with you? Where did we go wrong in raising you? She's your sister for goodness sake!”

I looked at their faces. There was no doubt in them. No hesitation. Whatever Eleanor did or said, they believed her without questions. In their eyes, I would always be the evil bully. Whatever I said didn't matter, it only made things worse.

I stopped trying to explain, deciding to just pick my things and leave them to attend to their precious love-starved sister.

At that same moment, footsteps echoed again. My father and mother arrived together. Behind them was someone I hadn’t expected to see so soon.

Eric?

For a brief second, my heart forgot how to beat. I blinked rapidly to make sure it was actually him. My Eric. What was he doing here? Was he... here to see me?

His eyes locked with mine and he walked over to me immediately. My chest bloomed with joy as he offered me his hand. How long has it been since I felt this way?

My hand slipped into his gently and he helped me up.

“You should be more careful.” He said with a gentle smile that instantly melted my heart. The same smile that made me fall hopelessly in love with him. I nodded, unable to utter a word. Then he walked over to my father's side.

I didn't understand the coldness but I couldn't just ask him about it right there.

My parents barely spared me a glance. Their attention was on Eleanor, who was still crying softly.

“Darling, what happened?” My mother asked gently, lowering herself to Eleanor. "Why are you crying?"

“Lenora bullied her again,” Davis responded almost immediately. I rolled my eyes in disbelief. I was sick of watching the same act over and over again.

My father frowned, disappointment clear on his face as he turned to me. “I thought we made things clear long ago. Eleanor is the real princess of Starline Pack, what gives you the right to lay a finger on her?”

I stood there, silent as they all turned their attention to her, trying to console her in the best way possible. I was simply ignored like I wasn’t even part of the room.

My mother’s expression changed suddenly, turning bright. “Oh, right. We almost forgot. We were just about to share some good news.” She took Eleanor's hand affectionately. “Something wonderful.”

I felt a strange unease settle in my chest.

Before they could continue, my father turned back to me. His brows knitted together. “Why are you still standing there? Do we need to spell it out for you?”

All eyes turned to me.

“Apologize to your sister, right now!” My mother said coldly. “Look at what you’ve done.”

I opened my mouth to defend myself, then closed it again. What was the point? My fists clenched as I swallowed hard.

"Do we have to make you?" Davis stepped forward, and I flinched.

"I'm sorry, Eleanor," I said quickly. Davis had a very bad temper. Push him further and he would hit me. Again. Eleanor's face lit smugly.

"You don't have to apologise, Lenora. No matter what you do, you will always be my sister and I love you."

"You are so kind, Eleanor," Vincent commented, kissing her forehead gently.

"That's my sweet girl." My mother cooed.

Wow!

Before I could say anything, my father smiled again and turned back to Eleanor.

“At the upcoming birthday banquet,” he announced proudly, “You and Eric will officially announce your engagement!”

The words hit me in the face like a slap. My knees went instantly weak and I unconsciously staggered back from the shock.

Engagement?

I stared at them, unable to understand what I was hearing. How could... How could Eric possibly be engaged to Eleanor? What... What about me?

I looked at him, hoping he would debunk it immediately. Say he was in love with me and wouldn't marry anyone else, anything.

He didn't. Instead, he offered his hand, just like he had done for me earlier and Eleanor gleefully took it. My chest tightened painfully.

"Eric..." I muttered. Watery heat brewed in my eyes. How... How could this be? Is that why he hasn't come to see me all this time? He didn't want me anymore?

As if that was not enough, Eleanor threw her hands over his shoulders, standing on her tiptoes. He held her waist to steady her and right before me, she kissed him.

He didn’t step back.He didn’t refuse the kiss. My head spun. Then claps and happy cheers followed. From my brothers. My parents.

So they all knew. Everyone knew. Only I didn’t.

"I got you something," Eric said softly. His eyes were so full of love as he presented a box to her.

"What is it?" Eleanor asked eagerly as she opened it. My breath caught instantly. It was a necklace. One I would recognise even in my sleep.

The delicate masterpiece made of moonstone and silver. There was only one of it in the whole country and I have wanted it since forever.

"Oh Goddess," Eleanor gasped with shining eyes. "This is so beautiful. I love ittttt!!!"

"I'm glad you like it," Eric smiled and it felt like cold water was dumped on me. How could this happen? First my parents, then my brothers, and now my fiance?

“They look together.”

“This is long overdue.”

“The Alpha’s daughter deserves nothing less.”

"Don't worry, sis, we will get you more impressive gifts."

The praises were endless. My brothers surrounded her, congratulating her, teasing her, promising gifts.

"Eric..." I finally gathered the courage to call his name. Everyone turned to me. "Can... Can we talk?" My voice shook even as I said the words. He stared at me for a few seconds before nodding.

We stepped aside.

“What is this?” I demanded quietly. “You're getting engaged to my sister? When were you going to tell me?”

He looked rather uncomfortable. “This isn’t the time for this, Lenora.”

“Then when is the time?” I asked in disbelief. “After the announcement?”

He sighed. “Look, Eleanor is your sister. What difference does it make?" Seriously? That was all he had to say? "And you should apologize to Eleanor first before questioning me. You hurt her today.”

I laughed softly. “That’s what you're more concerned about? We were together for years, we loved each other and then one day, you just ghosted me and now this?”

“You're taking this the wrong way, Nora,” he sighed. “My family has always planned for me to marry the Alpha’s daughter. You know that.”

“No.” My voice broke with all the hurt I felt inside. “I didn’t.”

“Look, It’s not that I don’t love you,” he said, taking my hand. “I’ll make it up to you, okay? Six months from now, I'll give you the one thing you've always wanted. At the feast, right in front of everyone.”

Six months. I have just one month! I chuckled at the irony. This man before me seemed like an absolute stranger.

"There's no need," I smiled. "Let's just end it here. Nothing you do will ever make up for this betrayal."

He frowned. “Why are you being like this? Are you jealous?”

“Jealous?” I repeated.

“Eleanor is kind and pure,” he said firmly. “You should reflect on yourself. You were never like this. Have you really become as vicious as they say?”

That was the moment something in me snapped.

I smiled. “You know I always thought you had poor taste in women since you chose to be with me. Turns out your taste is even poorer than I imagined” I said lightly. “And your hypocrisy is even more impressive.”

His face darkened. “Enough! I won't stand here and listen to any more of your nonsense!”

I simply bent down and picked up my box. The food inside was ruined, but I gathered what I could. I also picked up the small bouquet of wildflowers the orphans had pressed into my hands earlier.

I turned to leave. I could feel their eyes boring holes into my skin. My words must have carried, because the air was thick with disdain.

“Ungrateful wrench!" My mother muttered.

“Even in front of us, she's still trying to ruin her sister's engagement,” Vincent spat.

“Such a wolfless disgrace doesn't even deserve to be in the same room as Eleanor.”

Their disgust pressed down on me from all sides. As I walked away, a cruel, triumphant voice gloated in my head through the mindlink

"I guess I won, sister."

My grip on the box tightened. Without a wolf, I couldn’t respond to her. I couldn’t even block her out either.

The pain in my chest spread until it was choking. For a second, it felt like my lungs were closing up on me. Just then, a guard rushed in, breathless and panting.

“Alpha!” he shouted. “Someone has volunteered to be the sacrifice!”