The Freedom to Love

My dad, Leroy Graham, stared as I, Sylvia Graham, engraved Delia Graham's name inside the crown. He stood there in stunned silence.

"Sylvia." The corners of his mouth lifted like he had just found an entire gold mine.

"Do you even know what you're doing?" He asked.

"Of course." I turned the crown so he could see it clearly.

All these years, he had always favored my stepsister, Delia. She got the first pick of every hunt, the finest silks, and even the most expensive combat tutors.

The money and love she received were a thousand times more than mine.

Now that I stepped aside, he probably couldn't wait to throw her into Lucian Kramer's bed.

"Delia is gentle, quiet, and well-mannered. She's far more suitable to stand beside Lucian," he said before clearing his throat as if trying to sound like a proper father. "As for your mate, I will arrange someone else for you–"

"Don't dress up the mistress' daughter with pretty words," I cut him off.

"She's only a year younger than me. While Mom was still sick, you were already sleeping with her mom, weren't you?

"I don't need a cheating father to choose a mate for me."

My dad avoided my gaze, just like he always did when I hit a nerve, and quickly changed the subject. "That's enough. Since you're willing to give up the position of Luna Queen, I'll have the marking ceremony rearranged immediately. Delia will need a more fitting dress."

"Wait," I said.

He stopped abruptly and frowned.

"I never said I'd give it up for free.

"My mother's belongings in Graham Pack all go to me. Her jewelry, her trunks, her old letters, and the moonstone necklace around Delia's neck.

"I want all of it."

I paused and added, "And 50 million on top of all that."

"Sylvia, don't push your luck."

"Push my luck?" I stared at him. "A crown. An Alpha King. A chance for you to hold your head high across the northern territory. Isn't that worth the price?"

He looked at me for a few seconds before finally giving in.

"The money will be transferred tonight. As for the necklace–"

He hesitated before speaking awkwardly. "I'll have Delia take it off and give it to you."

He left with the crown. He walked so fast it was like he was afraid I might change my mind.

After the door shut, the room finally fell silent.

I quickly booked myself a flight. I then caught sight of myself in the mirror.

The white dress clung tightly to my body.

My waist was cinched, and my back was forced straight. It was as if wearing it meant I would naturally become someone the royal family could approve of.

But I had already tried that once in the past life.

I had ground myself down to nothing and still gained nothing in return.

I let out a long howl as my bones stretched beneath my skin.

My shoulder blades tore through the fabric. My waist tightened to its limit. White fur burst through inch by inch.

The gown, that symbol of restraint, finally gave way and ripped into pieces.

The night breeze brushed against my fur, and for the first time, I felt alive again.

I had snow-white fur, strong limbs, and fangs and claws that could tear flesh apart.

These were the things I should have been proud of all along.

Even if I wanted to dye my fur red tomorrow, no one had the right to stop me.

Because this was my body.

It was mine alone.

No one would ever force it into a cage of gold thread and rules again.

I sprinted out of Graham Pack and headed straight for the busiest bar in the neutral zone.

The pounding bass slammed against the door. The air was thick with alcohol and perfume.

When I leaped in through the back door, the bar owner happened to look up.

All he saw was a snow-white wolf landing under the moonlight before shifting back into human form the next second.

I grabbed a dark red velvet curtain from the window, tore it apart, and wrapped it loosely around my body. I left only my shoulders and one leg exposed.

The bar owner's face turned pale.

"Oh my Moon Goddess! Is that you, Miss Sylvia?" His voice trembled. "Everyone in the northern territory knows you're getting marked by the Alpha King tomorrow. Why would you come here? Lucian hates bars, nightlife, and–"

"And joy." I finished the sentence for him while tying the fabric around my waist. "I know."

He took two nervous steps forward. "If the royal family finds out, I'm finished."

"Relax." I borrowed lipstick from the counter and slowly twisted it open before applying it on my lips. "From now on, I'm just a regular customer."

He blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean–" I pursed my lips and looked at my reflection. I finally looked like myself again. "I don't need Lucian anymore."

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a werewolf near the stage tuning his bass.

He had black hair and two small rings on his earlobe. The tendons on the back of his hand tightened as he plucked the strings.

I beckoned him over with my finger.

He hesitated before walking over with his bass.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Larry Everton."

"Larry Everton." I repeated it before sliding my hand over his fingers. I traced along the back of his hand until I reached his wrist. "You have nice hands."

His ears turned red instantly.

I smiled and tapped his sexy lips gently. "When you go on stage later, make sure you look at me while you play."

The music hadn't even started.

I suddenly heard a familiar, annoying voice behind me.

It was cold and deep. There was irrepressible rage in it.

"Sylvia, who did you just touch?"

My entire body went stiff.

What an annoying guy.