FINALLY DIED

VELORA

Later that evening, I'm already back at the place I stay. I call it that because it never feels right calling it home.

To Aveline, Father, and Rose, this is home. But for me, it stopped feeling that way the moment I became old enough to understand what a family was supposed to feel like.

Speaking of Rose, Aveline's mother, I can only say she has made my life twice as miserable. As if constantly finding new ways to make Father hate me more isn't enough, she also made it a rule that I must be home thirty minutes after school closes.

Which is practically impossible. The drive from school takes at least forty minutes without traffic. So I have no choice but to sneak out of school thirty minutes early every day just to avoid another punishment.

I wipe the sweat from my face as I finish putting away the last of the dry-cleaned clothes I picked up less than five minutes ago. My arms ache. My cheek still faintly stings from earlier. All I want is to lock my door and disappear until morning.

A knock sounds on my door. "Come in!" I call.

The door opens and Louisa walks in with her usual tight frown. "Good evening, Ms. Velora."

I give her a faint smile. It's all formality. She doesn't treat me any differently from the rest of the staff.

"Madam Rose needs you downstairs."

"Alright. I'll just finish with—"

"Right now, Miss." Her voice is firm. "That's the order."

I don't bother arguing. I leave the rest of the clothes where they are and follow her downstairs to Rose's room.

The moment I step inside, I see Aveline sitting on the edge of the bed. She looks almost too comfortable. Like a judge waiting for the accused to be dragged in before her.

I stop just inside the door. Something is wrong. I can see it in the hard set of Rose’s mouth. Aveline has done something again. Before I can even ask what this is about, Rose gets to her feet.

Smack!

Her palm connects with my cheek so hard the sound cracks through the room. The sting spreads instantly, sharp and hotter than the burn I feel inside, bringing tears to my eyes before I can stop them.

"You insolent child!" she snaps. "Tell me your sister is lying about you flirting with her fiancé at school today."

My eyes widen. I look toward Aveline. She doesn’t even bother hiding her satisfaction.

"No…” I touch my aching cheek. “I didn’t—”

"I don't need excuses. Just answer my question!"

Her voice rises. I bite down hard on my lower lip until I taste blood. I’ve been down this road too many times to believe the truth will help me. The more I defend myself, the worse the punishment becomes.

So I lower my head. "I'm sorry." My voice comes out small. I hate myself for saying the words. Not because I mean them. Because I know what happens when I don't. "It won't happen again."

I can’t let them find out what really happened with Eryx today. Rose would lock me in my room for a week. Aveline would let me live it down. And if they ever discovered how he looked at me… They way those ears pierced through mine… She’d kill me.

And suddenly, all those foolish thoughts I'd allowed myself to have earlier feel ridiculous. For one stupid moment in the library, I let myself imagine that maybe Eryx could actually see me. Maybe the way he touched my chin and the way he asked why his wolf knew me, meant something.

Maybe… No. He's Aveline's fiancé. They're going to be together whether I like it or not. Whatever that little fantasy was, it ends here.

I keep my head bowed, cheek throbbing, and wait for whatever comes next.

"It won't happen again?" Rose repeats, irritation rising in her voice. "It was never supposed to happen in the first place." 

She points at Aveline. "Look at your sister. She's put so much effort into supporting this family. I won't have you ruin everything because of your foolishness." She turns toward her chair. "That's why I've changed my mind. You're helping Louisa prepare dinner tonight and do the rest of the chores.”

My face falls. But she isn't done.

"After you go to the store and pick up Aveline's dress for her date."

"You said I could take a break tonight." I remind her quietly. My voice almost breaks even as the words scrape against my throat.

"It's because you have too much free time that you keep doing things you're not supposed to."

I want to scream at them… My head has been pounding since I got home. Like a dull, relentless throb that makes the sting across my cheek burn hotter. All I wanted was to finish the laundry, crawl into bed, and disappear for a few hours. Now I have to drag myself to the store, prepare dinner, and do more chores until my body gives out. Again.

Another tear threatens to fall. I blink it away hard, swallowing the thick ache rising in my chest.

"Mum." Aveline finally speaks. 

As much as I want her to stay out of it, I can’t help the small, stupid hope that she’ll say something useful for once. She looks at me with an expression so sincere that, for one fragile second, I almost believe her.

"I'm still angry with Velora," she says. "But I don't think making her do all of this tonight is necessary."

"No, Ave. You're not siding with her this time."

"I'm not, Mum." She gets up and walks toward me.

Rose watches carefully as Aveline stops beside me and takes my hand. Her fingers are cool and gentle as they rub the back of my hand. Exactly the perfect picture of a concerned sister. The same hand that has never once protected me.

"I'm not siding with her," she repeats softly. Her voice is kind and sweet. "I just think she should rest tonight. She can do whatever you need her to do this weekend instead."

Then she looks at me, that same sweet smile still in place. “What do you think, Vel?”

I stare at her. I know that look. There's something behind that sweet smile.

She's planning something. And suddenly, I understand. Hell, no… The mating ceremony. She wants to keep me from going.

It’s the only chance I would have had to see Eryx again. The only night where, for a few hours, I might have stood in the same room as him without being ordered to disappear. The only night the Moon Goddess might finally have looked at me long enough to give me my wolf. To give me something.

And now she’s taking it away with a smile.

My stomach twists so violently I feel sick. “No…” I whisper. “Please, don’t—” 

“Fine,” Rose says before I can finish.

My words die in my throat.

"Thanks, Mum!" Aveline says brightly. She turns to me with the sweetest smile, still holding my hand like we’re sharing a private victory. “See? I told you I’d help.”

My chest tightens until it hurts to breathe. Something inside me cracks deep, like a glass shard splatters inside me. I force myself to smile back but the expression feels like it might split my face open.

Because I know exactly what Aveline has just done. She didn’t save me. She just made sure I would be trapped in this house, scrubbing floors and folding laundry, while she walked into the ceremony on Eryx’s arm. While everyone else found their mates. While I stayed exactly where I’ve always been — unwanted, unseen, and left behind.

And she did it while holding my hand. While looking me in the eyes and pretending to be kind.

The worst part isn’t even the lost ceremony. It’s that some small, stupid part of me still wanted to believe for just one second that she might actually care.

That part of me is quiet now. I think it finally died.