Chapter 2

That night, my sleep was restless.

Memories of the past whirled relentlessly in my mind, pulling me apart.

My dreams brought back the smiling faces of my parents before they adopted Maeve, carrying me on their shoulders and showering me with love.

The picture flipped, and I was faced with their annoyed and icy stares.

I remembered how, when we were pups, Maeve would dump the greens she hated onto my plate, only for Ivy to berate me for threatening her behind their backs and keeping her from eating.

My mind wandered back to the time Maeve slipped and fell into the pond, but Gerald blamed me for no reason, punishing me to stand in the freezing water for the whole day.

…

While I was trapped between sleep and waking, my tears silently soaked the pillow.

Suddenly, the sound of cheerful chatter yanked me out of my nightmare.

Stepping out of the bedroom, I was stunned when I took in the living room.

The living room was transformed into a different living space in just one night.

Every piece of furniture I had picked out was gone, replaced by the vintage lace-style pieces that Maeve preferred.

Holding Maeve from behind, Ulric held her up high.

Maeve, a photo frame in hand, hung it on the wall.

The picture captured a family of four smiling brightly.

Ivy emerged from the kitchen with a plate of fruit, gushing with admiration.

“Oh, would you look at that? Ulric is so sweet to Maeve. The pair look like loving mates together.”

Gerald sneered, “Tell me about it. The picture looks so much better without the one wolf pulling a sour look over every little thing.”

They were too engrossed in their conversation to notice I was standing right there in the dark of the corridor.

The giggles died down the moment I approached.

Spotting me, Ivy furrowed her brows in disgust.

“Oh, my Goddess. Why do you sneak around the house without a peep? Don’t just stand there. Can’t you come over and lend a hand? Why can’t you be thoughtful like Maeve?”

Ulric put Maeve down on the ground.

Turning around, he looked at me with a face of hurt.

“So you were home. Isobel, did I do something wrong? Why did you miss such an important ceremony yesterday?

“If Maeve hadn’t taken your place, I would’ve been humiliated as the Alpha.”

I smirked.

“I guess I owe you a thank-you for teaming up and putting me to sleep.

“Wasn’t it your plan from the start to have Maeve take over the ceremony with a valid excuse?”

Ulric went stiff, his eyes flicking in disbelief.

“H-How did you know?”

I didn’t answer his question.

“Ulric, you could’ve just told me if I wasn’t your choice for a mate. I’m not the type to hang on to you.

“Why did you have to give me hope, only to pull me down from grace?”

As guilt washed over him, Ulric reached his hand out to me.

“That’s not how it is, Isobel. Hear me out…”

Out of nowhere, Maeve approached me.

She gripped my sleeve, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Isobel! It’s all my fault! I just love Ulric so much!

“I swear that it’s never my intention to compete with you! I just… I just wanted to bring closure to my love with no future.”

She was inconsolable.

“Leave Mom and Dad out of this. Ulric’s not at fault either. If you want to blame anyone, just hold me responsible!

“You can take your anger out on me. I won’t hold it against you even if you kill me!”

She stood there defenseless, ready to take every blow I threw her way.

“Maeve!” Ulric shouted in panic.

He grabbed Maeve’s arm and pulled her into his arms, his heart aching for her.

Ulric snapped his head back and yelled at me furiously, “Isobel, when are you going to stop?

“She’s your sister. Why must you push her past breaking point? If you can’t even show a bit of grace, I will have to seriously reconsider whether you’re fit to be my Luna.”

Ivy lunged forward and shoved me.

“You have no one to blame but yourself! You’ve been petty since you were little. You just can’t stand Maeve!

“If you had known that Maeve had feelings for Ulric, someone of your vicious nature would have killed her.”

Caught off guard, I staggered and fell back on the edge of the cabinet. My wounds split open and bled once more.

Still, no one spared me a glance.

All eyes were on Maeve.

Ulric wiped Maeve’s tears away tenderly while Ivy and Gerald hovered by her sides, patting her back reassuringly.

Meanwhile, they would throw me a look now and then as if I was some unforgivable enemy.

Heartbroken, I gritted my teeth and grilled them.

“I’m petty? Tell me one thing Maeve hasn’t taken away from me.

“She stole my candy, toys, clothes, and even my mate. Why must I step aside because she wants something?

“I’m your daughter. Why can’t you show me a bit of love?”

Smack!

A hard blow landed on my cheek.

Gerald jabbed his finger at me.

“Silence!

“Are you accusing us now?”

“Maeve is crying from hurt, and you’re still twisting the facts. Are you only going to stop when she’s dead?”

My cheek burned numbly as a sharp ring echoed in my ears.

I brushed away the trace of blood on my lips and chuckled mockingly.

That was right. What was I expecting?

All my life, Ivy and Gerald had always taken Maeve’s side unconditionally whenever a conflict arose between us.

I was delusional to think I could speak to their conscience by voicing my pain. It was ridiculously naïve of me.

“Fine.

“Since I’m such an eyesore, I’ll leave.”