Chapter Two — One Good Thing

Esteria

I walked away from Cassiel’s house without looking back.

My steps were fast at first because I wanted to put as much distance as possible between myself and the people behind me. But the farther I went, the harder it became to keep myself together.

Tears blurred the road ahead, and I wiped them away, but more followed. Cassiel’s words refused to leave my head.

‘Dorah is my fated mate.’

Then another image came. His body over hers, the way Dorah held him, the passion between them before they realized I was standing at the door.

I squeezed my eyes shut briefly as I walked. Why couldn't I stop seeing it?

Three years. For three years, I had loved Cassiel. I waited because I wanted to finish college before completing our chosen-mate bond. And he agreed. He promised we would finally have our own home and our own life once I graduated.

Tonight should have been one of the happiest nights of my life. Yet, I was walking home alone.

For three years, having Cassiel in my life made me believe that fate hadn’t given up on me. I had almost caught the happy life that most people could have easily. But now, once again, I was left behind and abandoned by everyone.

A sob escaped me, so I covered my mouth and kept walking. For the first time, I found myself wondering if Luna Lumina had been right all along.

Maybe I really was cursed. Why else did everything in my life hurt this much?

I lost my parents. My wolf never awakened. Most people in Silvercrest treated me like something was wrong with me.

And now the one man who chose me had found the woman the Moon Goddess actually created for him.

By the time Alpha Corvian’s house came into view, my eyes were swollen. I wiped my face quickly.

The last thing I wanted was for anyone inside to see me like this. Especially Lumina and Selianna.

I entered quietly and headed straight toward the stairs. I was almost there when a voice suddenly filled the room. 

“Well, well, well.”

I stopped. Of all the people I didn't want to see tonight, Selianna rose from the sofa with a grin already spreading across her beautiful face.

She looked perfect as usual. Her long hair fell neatly behind her shoulders, and even at home she carried herself with the confidence of someone who had been raised to believe she belonged above everyone else.

I lowered my gaze and continued toward the stairs, but she stepped in front of me. “Look who we have here. I was just waiting for you.”

“Please, Selianna.” My voice sounded exhausted even to me. “I'm not in the mood, and I certainly don't have the strength for any of your torment tonight.”

“And why is that?” Her laugh filled the room. “Oh, I forgot. I just received some very interesting news about my beloved Esteria.”

Fresh tears filled my eyes. I hated that she could see them. But I wiped them away quickly.

“Okay. Say whatever you want to say and let me go.”

“Of course I will, but not so fast.” Her smile widened. “You see, I like seeing you this vulnerable. It is the only time you seem to remember your place.”

I tried to move around her, but she blocked me again. “Selianna.” 

“Cassiel found his fated mate.”

My chest felt too heavy immediately. 

“And it isn't you.” She continued. 

But I said nothing.

Her voice became sweeter, which somehow made it worse. “A wolfless girl dreaming that a future Alpha would choose her forever. You should have known better.”

Footsteps approached from behind us and Luna Lumina entered the room. Her gaze moved between us. “Oh, you're back this early? What happened?”

Selianna looked delighted. “Let me tell you the latest news, Mother. Apparently, Cassiel finally snapped out of his illusion because the Moon Goddess herself showed him the right way.”

She looked directly at me. 

“He rejected her.”

Lumina's eyebrows lifted. Then she smiled. “Well, that's good. At least now she might learn to stop dreaming too big.”

Something inside me broke. “What kind of people are you?”

Both women stared at me. My tears started falling again, but this time I didn't bother wiping them.

“Why do you enjoy my pain so much? Why do you hate me?” 

Lumina's expression hardened, her fist tightened beside her, and I could see her boiling already

“I haven't done anything to you. I do your laundry even though this house has more maids than we need. I help prepare your meals. I clean things your staff can easily clean because you ask me to do it, and I never complain.”

My voice rose higher. “What else do you want from me?”

“Lower your voice.” She finally let out. 

“No!”

Selianna's eyes widened because she knew that I had never shouted at Lumina before.

“I lost the man I loved tonight. My best friend is his fated mate, and somehow that still isn't enough for you. You need to stand here and enjoy it too?”

Lumina crossed the distance between us and her palm struck my cheek. My face turned sideways.

“You want to know what you've done wrong?” she snapped.

I slowly looked at her.

“You are cursed, Esteria. That is what you've done wrong.”

My breath caught.

“You keep lifting your head and dreaming that one day you'll become something greater than my daughter. That is what you've done wrong.”

Selianna raised her chin now, clearly enjoying my pain. 

Lumina continued. “You should have learned years ago to be grateful for what this family gave you instead of constantly reaching for things that were never meant for you.”

“Lumina!” Alpha Corvian’s voice thundered through the room, and everyone froze.

He stood near the entrance, his face dark with anger. His gaze fell on my cheek. Then on his wife. “What did you do?”

Lumina stepped back. “She was being disrespectful.”

“So you hit her?”

“You didn't hear what she—”

“I heard enough.” His voice became dangerously quiet. “Selianna, take your mother upstairs.”

“Father—”

“Now.”

Neither of them argued again. Lumina gave me one last hard look before walking away with Selianna.

The moment they disappeared upstairs, the strength left my body, so I sat on the nearest sofa.

Alpha Corvian came toward me. “Esteria.”

“I am fine.”

“No, you're not.”

That nearly made me cry again.

He sat beside me. “I heard about Cassiel.”

I stared at my hands. “Apparently everyone has.”

“He found his fated mate.”

I nodded and Corvian sighed. “That doesn't excuse how they treated you.”

My throat tightened. “For years, I thought Cassiel was my way out of here.”

Corvian's expression changed. Then I realized what I had said and quickly looked away.

“Esteria—”

“I didn't mean—”

“Yes, you did.”

He sounded hurt rather than angry. Yet he rested his hand over mine.

“I brought you into this house because your father was more than my Beta. Solren was my friend. I promised myself you would have a family after he died.”

My eyes burned.

“He was a good man, Esteria. Never allow anyone to convince you otherwise.”

I nodded. And Corvian squeezed my hand.

“And don't allow tonight to convince you the Moon Goddess forgot you either. Cassiel found the woman meant for him. It hurts now, but that doesn't mean there isn't someone meant for you too.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “I don't even have a wolf.”

“You're twenty-one.” He smiled gently. “Your wolf may simply be late.”

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But the house suddenly felt too small. The walls felt too close.

“I need some air.”

“Now?”

“Just for a little while.” I whispered. 

He studied me before nodding. “Don't go far.”

I stood and went upstairs long enough to change my shoes and grab a light jacket. Then I left again.

The night air helped at first. So I kept walking until the houses thinned out and the forest came into view.

Thunder rolled above me. I should have turned back. Instead, I walked further into the forest. 

The rain started lightly before becoming heavier. Within minutes, my clothes were soaked. Then I stopped and looked toward the dark sky. My chest was heaving now. 

“Are you happy now?” My voice trembled.

“Was giving me no wolf not enough?” Tears in my eyes mixed with the rain.

“You took my parents. You let me grow up feeling like a burden. And the one man who chose me anyway?” I laughed bitterly.

“You gave him to my best friend. What did I do to you?” Thunder crackled and it was the answer I got. 

My anger finally broke. “Did my father offend you? Did I?” I wiped my face.

“If you're really merciful like everyone says, prove it tonight.” Now my voice has dropped. 

“I don't need you to fix my whole life.” I closed my eyes. “Just give me one good thing tonight.”

A sob escaped me. “One night where I don't have to feel this pain.”

And for several seconds, there was only rain. Then warmth moved beneath my skin, and my eyes opened.

The strange sensation spread through my body before fading and I frowned.

What was that?

A deep howl suddenly tore through the forest and I froze.

Another howl followed. This time it was very close and my breath caught.

Something was coming toward me.