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Chapter 4

Author: Goya
Ten days later, it was Sylvia's birthday.

It was also the day Alpha King Ezra had set.

At the birthday banquet my parents threw for Sylvia, I sat alone in the corner, waiting.

I didn't expect Sylvia—who'd been surrounded by admirers just moments ago—to suddenly walk up to me.

"Big sister, you're not actually going to the Alpha King's pack to bond with him, are you?"

When I didn't answer, she leaned in close to my ear. "I don't think you have the guts, honestly. All this fuss you're making—it's just to get your family's attention, isn't it? But as long as I'm here, Mom, Dad, and Kyle don't care about you at all. Don't believe me? Watch."

Before I could react, she let out a sharp scream. A huge splash erupted from the artificial lake.

Heads turned. Raymond and Kyle both dove in at the same time, hauling Sylvia back up.

I watched coldly. Sylvia wasn't even trying anymore. Same old act, same old script.

Shivering in Raymond's arms, Sylvia's voice came out weak and trembling, tears glistening in her eyes. "Big sister, I was only begging you not to ruin yourself by marrying the Alpha King. Why did you push me?"

Suddenly, everyone was surrounding me. My parents. Kyle. Raymond. Like mountains closing in.

"Lilith, apologize to Sylvia. Now." My father's voice boomed from above.

I sat perfectly still. There was a time when their favoritism would've broken me. But now? I was past feeling anything at all.

"I didn't push her." My voice was calm.

"Lilith!" Kyle's tone was harsh. "So drawing the Alpha King last time didn't teach you a thing, did you? You actually dared to shove your sister into the water again!"

Sylvia's sobs cut through. "Dad, Kyle, don't blame big sister. She probably saw how lively my birthday party was and felt left out sitting by herself—that's why she... It's not her fault. I'm just an adopted daughter. I never should've had such a big party in the first place."

"Sweetheart, what are you saying? You're our daughter. You deserve the very best." My mother gently smoothed her hair, then turned to me, her eyes turning sharp. "If she didn't push you, did you jump in yourself? You're the guest of honor tonight—why would you humiliate yourself like that?"

Watching them close in, refusing to let go, I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe. The Alpha King's people were coming. I couldn't keep dragging this out.

"What do you want from me?"

Kyle stepped forward. "You won't understand until you've been through the same thing. Jump in right now, and we'll call it even."

My whole body went cold. He wanted me to dive into the water in front of every single guest?

"Jump." Raymond urged.

Time was running out. Slowly, I stood up. "After I jump, you leave me alone."

They nodded. I turned and dove in.

The water was freezing. But god, it felt good.

When I climbed back out, only a few scattered onlookers remained by the shore. They looked away the moment our eyes met.

No one offered me a towel. No one pulled me into their arms. I walked out of the banquet hall alone, shivering.

The Alpha King's car was waiting in the shadows, low and discreet. I shut the door. The driver hesitated, then finally asked:

"Miss... your family—don't they want to see you off?"

I was quiet for a long time. Then I said softly, "I don't have a family."

The car drove off into the night, carrying me far away from that place that was never really my home.
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