Chapter 3

I took out a blank sheet of paper and started from scratch, rethinking the herb combinations and extraction methods.

I designed the potion's structure and chose the ingredients, then I started writing.

I don't know how long I worked.

I stared at the finished recipe. It was perfect. A powerful antidote capable of neutralizing even the most potent wolfsbane poison. The base was a blend of Silverleaf and Laurel essence, but the core was a rare, glowing night-fungus that offered a mysterious and potent healing power for werewolves.

I named it "Moonlight Dew."

Suddenly, someone gasped.

"Whoa! Cora just posted a new recipe. This one's amazing... it neutralizes wolfsbane!"

I frowned. A new recipe?

"Gods, this formula is brilliant!"

"Freya, your sister is so talented! I'm so jealous!"

Murmurs of awe filled the healing center. I saw them all staring at their phones. I grabbed mine and opened the pack's social network. I was shocked to see Cora's latest post.

The caption read: I will continue to work hard for the good of the pack. I'm sharing my newest creation, Moonlight Dew, with everyone.

I looked at the attached image and my eyes went wide.

It was the exact recipe I had just created. Cora had somehow posted it before I even finished writing it down.

Someone walked past my workstation and snatched the paper from my desk.

"Hey, look! This is the same recipe Cora just posted!"

Everyone crowded around.

"It's identical!"

My heart sank. I stood up to grab the paper back, but someone shoved me hard.

"Freya, are you trying to copy your sister's recipe?"

The crowd buzzed with gossip.

"Wow, she always acts so innocent. I can't believe she'd actually steal someone's work!"

Then someone in the crowd shouted:

"Have you guys noticed? All of Freya's recipes look a lot like Cora's!"

People started pulling up my old recipes, comparing them to Cora's.

I took the chance to snatch my paper back. "This was mine to begin with! Cora is the one who's been copying me! It was always her!"

Just then, Cora walked through the door. She stood there in a beautiful moon-silk gown. Her eyes were red, tears streaming down her face. Her voice was choked with sobs.

"Sister, why are you stealing my recipes? I know you don't like me, but I worked so hard on those..."

She added softly, "Ever since you came back to the territory, you haven't liked me. Are you still mad at Mom and Dad?"

Her damsel-in-distress act worked perfectly. The crowd's sympathy for her turned into fury at me. Someone from behind gave me a hard shove.

I lost my balance and fell forward, my head hitting the edge of a lab table.

Blood ran down my face and dripped onto the floor.

Cora knelt down, pretending to help me up. But the moment she touched me, she threw herself backward onto the floor.

She widened her eyes, looking pitiful and weak. "Sister, why did you push me? I was just trying to help you up..."

Everyone rushed to Cora, asking if she was hurt. Then they pointed at me and screamed.

"Don't go too far, Freya! You got caught copying and now you're lashing out?"

"Exactly! Cora, just leave her. A shameless person like that deserves to fall and break her neck!"

Cora slowly got up, looking wronged. "No matter what, she's still my sister. I'm okay..."

I met Cora's gaze, a cold smile playing on my lips. "You're right, sister. My mistake. Come closer, I have a secret for you."

Cora approached me, looking hurt.

I smiled at her. The moment she was close enough, I slapped her. Hard.

The force of it sent her stumbling back, and she fell to the ground.

"Oops. How clumsy of you, little sister. I barely touched you."

Cora sat on the floor, clutching her face. She glared at me with pure hatred through her messy hair, then quickly put her innocent mask back on.

I was done playing her games.

While everyone was still gaping at Cora, I got to my feet and walked right out of that viper's nest.