Chapter 2

Kyle, Raymond, and I grew up together. Thick as thieves, always together.

Until three years ago. I went to visit Raymond at the border, got lost, and completely dropped off the map.

My parents were wrecked. The house lost all its laughter.

Then Sylvia showed up.

She was some distant cousin on my mother's side—and weirdly enough, she had a look that reminded everyone of me. After her parents passed, mine took her in without a second thought.

Sylvia was bright, chatty, and knew exactly what to say. Within days, she had everyone eating out of her hand.

The house started feeling alive again. Warm.

And somewhere along the way, it was like I'd never existed.

Six months ago, war broke out between packs. I barely made it out alive, clawed my way across the border, traveled a thousand miles, and finally came home.

I thought I'd walk into open arms. Instead, I walked into the distance. They kept me at arm's length, like they were afraid Sylvia might get the wrong idea.

The night I came back, I heard my mother comforting her. "Sweetheart, you'll always be our favorite daughter. Nothing and no one is ever going to change that."

"Besides, your sister spent years in a place like that. She's probably rough around the edges now. Nothing like you—so sweet, so thoughtful."

I stood frozen outside the door, ice water running through my veins.

In my hand, I was still clutching the crystal my mother used to bless me with. The one she'd enchanted a thousand times to keep me safe.

...

News spread like wildfire through the whole pack—the Alpha's sister was actually going through with bonding to the Alpha King.

By the time I got home, my parents and Kyle were already talking.

Kyle barely finished when my father slammed his hand on the desk. "Ridiculous! Everyone knows what that wolf is—cold, bloodthirsty, a monster. No father in his right mind would send his daughter to someone like that. And now my own daughter's volunteering to go? What are the pack members going to think of me?"

My mother didn't even look up from her jewelry box. "When Lilith comes back, don't yell at her. She'll just make everyone miserable again."

"She's just sulking because Kyle embarrassed her in public. She's not actually going to bond with the Alpha King. Who in their right mind would? Lilith's not that stupid."

Right on cue, Sylvia squeezed out a few tears. "Mom, it's all my fault… If Kyle hadn't stood up for me, she wouldn't be acting out like this."

My mother grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her face. "Sweetheart, ever since your sister came back, we've all been walking on eggshells just to keep the peace. You've been the one taking the hit."

"What she did today? It was just a little joke. Nothing serious."

My father's voice went low and firm. "Don't you blame yourself, baby. She's just throwing a tantrum. No way she'd actually throw her life away on someone like that."

My mother picked up a crystal bracelet and slid it onto Sylvia's wrist. "Here, pick whichever one you like before your sister comes back and starts fighting you over—"

She stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes caught me standing in the doorway.

The crystal bracelet hit the floor with a soft clatter.

Every single face went blank.

If this had been a year ago, I would've lost it. Screamed at my mother for treating me like a thief in my own home—when I had never once fought Sylvia for anything. Demanded to know why my father and Kyle only ever saw her.

But I was too tired.

Or maybe—by the time you decide to leave, you stop caring enough to fight.

Under their frozen stares, I said nothing. I just turned and walked upstairs.