My Sister Took My Crown. I Took My Freedom

"It was just to make Stella's crown look perfect, so I used your share of the Moonshadow flowers too."

My brother Blake's voice was exceptionally harsh in the quiet living room.

He was holding that intricate, gorgeous flower crown. Every pale, glowing petal was full and flawless.

It was the highest honor a female could receive—handpicked by family near the Moon Goddess statue right before the bonding ceremony.

Stella let out a delighted squeal, snatching the crown and placing it on her head. "It's so beautiful! You're the best, Blake!"

Mother stroked Stella's hair lovingly, her eyes a little red. "My baby, you deserve the grandest ceremony. With this, you'll have enough standing in front of their pack. You will always be the Silver Moon Pack's brightest pearl."

Father, who rarely smiled, actually looked pleased as he sternly added, "Exactly. If that boy dares to do you wrong, the entire Silver Moon Pack has your back."

I stood in the corner, feeling the wolf blood in my veins run cold.

A week ago, in this exact living room, what was the cold tone my father used to warn me?

"Cora, once you're bonded, you need to rein in your temper. Be absolutely loyal to your new pack and don't cause us any trouble."

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat and looked at that single crown.

"What about mine?" I heard my own dry voice ring out.

The laughter and chatter in the living room came to a dead halt.

Blake froze, rubbing his nose awkwardly. "Uh, I just wanted Stella's crown to look perfect, so I used up all the Moonshadow flowers around there."

Mother frowned, shooting me an impatient glare. "It's not a big deal. I'll have someone cut a few red roses from the garden for you to wear. Stop pulling a long face over nothing and ruining everyone's mood."

A few red roses.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

They were the ones who told me that the Moonshadow crown was tied to a daughter's lifelong happiness and honor.

It turned out that the "daughter" they were willing to give everything for never included me.

I stayed silent until dinner.

I looked at the dishes on the table.

Stella had recently gotten into seafood, so every single dish had seafood in it.

But I was severely allergic to seafood. Even a tiny bite would make me break out in hives.

I looked at my mother and couldn't help but say, "Mom, didn't I tell you I'm allergic to seafood?"

She paused, as if finally remembering something, and said lightly, "Oh, I forgot. Why didn't you say something earlier?"

I could only offer a bitter smile.

Because I had told her countless times.

But she never remembered.

Not wanting to argue, I walked toward the kitchen to ask the chef to make me something else.

Suddenly, my father slammed his knife and fork onto the table. The sharp clatter made me flinch.

"Enough! I bet you're not even allergic. You're just still mad we gave your flowers to Stella!"

Blake, who was stuffing his face with shrimp, waved his hand in disgust. "If you don't want to eat, then get lost and go back to your room. Stop ruining everyone's appetite with that dead face of yours. And bring up a bottle of wine from the basement while you're at it."

I looked at the table full of seafood, then at the picture-perfect happy family in front of me.

It had been like this my whole life.

Because I was born much healthier and stronger than Stella.

My parents and brother always believed I stole Stella's nutrients in the womb.

So I had to yield to her, to make it up to her.

During school parent-child events, they fought over who got to go with Stella, while I went alone.

When Stella broke a vase, they only cared if she had cut herself. But when it came to me, I was punished and starved for three whole days.

Even the date of the bonding ceremony—Stella insisted on having it the same day as me, and no one ever asked if I was okay with it.

They just said, "You're sisters anyway, isn't it great to have the ceremony together?"

But I knew the truth. Stella just enjoyed the thrill of stealing all the attention.

I didn't go get the wine. I wanted to turn around, go to my room, and just eat some bread.

Then I heard my father say, "How about we all go camping at the park tomorrow? It's a rare family outing."

I paused and reminded him, "Tomorrow I have a meeting with Jasper to finalize the ceremony details."

"That's your business," Father said without even looking up, his tone as cold as if he were speaking to a stranger.

I stayed silent for a moment. Without looking back at them, I walked straight to my room.

The moment the door clicked shut, the heavy boulder that had been crushing my chest finally shattered.

Along with the very last sliver of hope I had for this family.

Since their definition of "family" didn't include me.

Then I didn't want them anymore, either.

My phone lit up. It was a text from my fated mate, Jasper.

"Did your parents agree to move the ceremony up by a day?"

I typed back, "We don't need their permission. Let's just do it."