Chapter 2

Laughter brought me back. Dad's voice, Mommy's, and Maya's.

"The Blood Moon Ceremony was beautiful. The square hummed with music and the scent of roasting meat. It was the loudest celebration our pack had ever seen."

Elena's voice held a warmth I had never once heard her use on me.

I drifted and watched them come through the front door. Without thinking, I moved toward them out of old reflex. I always took their coats. I always lined up their boots.

I tried even harder to please her. I just wanted a single compliment. But I never received one.

"Mommy." I opened my arms. "I don't hurt anymore. I'll be good. Don't be angry."

My hands passed through her like smoke.

She shivered and frowned.

"Why is this house so cold? Did someone leave a window open?"

I stared at my own transparent hands. I was dead. The dead cannot hold the living.

Richard glanced down the hall.

"Someone check on Selena. She didn't come out for dinner. Make sure she's alright."

I looked at Elena. Would she cry? If she found me, would she regret it?

Elena snorted and walked toward my room.

"Let her go hungry. Faking a health crisis to steal attention？Why can’t she ever be honest? Why can’t she be more like our sweet Maya?"

She pushed my door open and didn't turn on the light.

In the glow from the hall, she saw me — slumped at the desk, face down and still.

"Still doing this?" Her arms crossed and her voice was pure contempt. "You think lying there gets you carried to bed? Selena. You are ten years old."

I was right beside my body. I screamed at her.

"Mommy! I'm not asleep! Look at me! Touch me, I'm cold!"

She couldn't hear. She only believed what she chose to see.

Maya ducked under Elena's arm and held up her wrist.

"Selena's mark is still red! She's even lying in her sleep!"

Elena patted Maya's head.

"That's my girl. Don't bother with this one. Let her lie there."

Richard leaned in from the doorway.

"Should I carry her to bed? It's freezing in there."

"Don't coddle her." Elena pulled the door shut.

"The elders are clear on this — cold response. Look at that mark. She is still faking her illness. We cannot play along with her act anymore, Richard. She needs to learn how to be an honest werewolf."

The lock clicked and fell.

I stayed beside my own body and watched the crimson glow pulse in the dark. My chest felt hollow, heavier than dying.

Mommy. One step closer. Touch my hand and you'd feel it.

But you won't.

You trust the Goddess's mark more than the daughter the Goddess gave you.

Late that night, a rat crept out from the empty cabinet. I used to scream at rats and jump on furniture. Now I stayed near the ceiling and watched it move across my body.

"Get away," I said. No sound came out.

The rat bit my foot and dark blood welled at the wound. I couldn't feel it.

Good. No more pain. Finally.

I looked down at that small, still shape.

"Don't be scared," I said. "You can't feel it anymore. It'll be over soon."