CHAPTER 2: Another Chance.

The conditions were overwhelming, but my sister gladly accepted the terms on my behalf and brought me to the Lesley Estate.

I followed her because I loved her. Because she had stood up for me numerous times when she visited the temple for prayers and saw people bullying me.

I followed her because each time she saved me, she'd tell me, "Hang in there, Sister, I'll bring you back home soon."

I believed her because she was my twin sister. Because she was very kind and had no reason to hate or bully me.

However, getting to the estate, I didn't get the kindness I expected. Rather, it was more rules.

“Never ever take off your veil. And I don't want you anywhere near the main manor.” My mother spat with fury.

“In this estate, you're nothing but a servant who regrettably shares my daughter's resemblance. The day you expect a familiar bond, that day you leave this kingdom,” My father groaned with face twisting with rage.

“You're not allowed to cook, serve or eat from anything this house provides, else you jinx us all.” My brother sneered with disdain.

“What's that smell coming from her?" My mother turned away, gagging. She waved her hand irritably, "I don't want to see her. Her sight makes me sick!"

"Take her to the stables,” My father ordered, “She'll live with the horses, eat from what they eat, drink from what they drink, and sleep where they sleep. She's not allowed to leave!"

“Father,” Jeanine tried to speak up for me.

"Not this time, Jeanine," My father spat and stormed off.

My mother's maids helped her towards the main manor, while my brother gave me a dead glare before marching off.

I'd lie if I said I wasn't hurt by their words. But what broke me further, was my sister, whom I thought actually cared about me.

Her facade of care dropped the moment our parents and brother were gone.

She giggled. "That was easier than I thought."

I froze, "Je–Jeanine?"

Slap!

"How dare you call Milady by name?" one of her maids slapped me across the face, sending me stumbling into the horse carriage behind me.

I held my cheek, shocked. Not because of the slap, but the betrayal coming from my sister.

“What did you think?" she stepped forward, smiling sweetly, "That I brought you here to roam around me?” her pretty face twisted with disgust. “No, Hoe, I brought you here to hide you away. Now that I'll become the Crown Princess and future Luna Queen, I cannot allow you to ruin my image.”

Her voice dropped, colder and sharper than my parents ever had.

“Do you know what people would say if they found out that I, the future Luna Queen, with a once-in-a-lifetime Silver-coated Alpha wolf, has a wolfless, cursed twin?” she continued, her face morphing into killing intent. “They would laugh at me. They would question my worth. They would doubt the Alpha King’s decision. And I could fall to your level too.”

Each word struck harder than the slap I received. I wanted to speak, to tell her I'd never take off my veil. That I'd never harm her. That I loved her and wanted her to live her best life, but my lips trembled.

My heart hurts.

Her lips curled with disdain. “You are not my sister. I've never considered you as such. You are my shame. The shadow in my heart.”

"Th– then, my did you show up for me at the temple?" I stuttered, unable to believe that something that looked so real and true could be faked.

"Otherwise, would you have quietly left your veil on? Would you have easily come with me to the estate?" she scoffed. "You're so naive and stupid. More reason you cannot be my sister."

Something inside my chest cracked. I should already be used to this. I'd received hurtful words from every single person I've ever crossed, all my life, but I didn't know why my sister’s hurt more than everything else combined.

Maybe because I had believed foolishly that Jeanine, my twin sister, felt something for me, just like I felt for her. Maybe because, all those years, the idea of her I built in my mind, the idea that supported me through darkness, had been effortlessly shattered.

“So you will stay out of sight,” Jeanine continued, her tone returning to that sweet, practiced gentleness I was used to. “You'll never come out no matter what. No one else but the people here must know you live here. And above all…”

There were only her two maids around us. She must trust them a lot to show them this side of her.

Her fingers lifted, lightly tapping the veil over my face. “Your face must remain hidden behind that veil. Alright?" then, the smile vanished, replaced by a look that sent a chill down my spine. "Otherwise, don't blame me for ruining it.”

I said nothing. Only nodded my head and obeyed.

I still have six years. Things could change for the better. I could awake my wolf and find my mate, who would finally treat me better.

...

For the next couple of years, I lived in the stables, ate and drank from the horses' plate.

During the night, I cleaned the stables to reduce the smell. During the day, I was back in the stables, hiding behind horses.

When horses were needed, those few people who knew of my existence came to get the horses for the masters and mistresses of the estate.

When my father was promoted to the title of Duke of Nadrasei, they moved into a bigger estate in the bigger cities. They took me along but this time, my room was in the dungeon, where they were sure I'd never cause trouble.

I never intended to cause trouble.

Six years have passed since then. It was finally the day we turned eighteen, my last day to prove I was a werewolf. The only chance to find a mate and save myself from death.

My parents brought a different priest, instead of the High priest, to the estate and had him perform the ritual in secret. If I still didn't awaken my wolf, there would be no need to go to the mating ceremony. My punishment could be carried out as soon as possible, to prevent an accidental identity reveal.

Once again, the ritual ended, I remained wolfless.

My family smiled with satisfaction. Perhaps, they were hoping I'd failed again.

My mother turned away, already losing interest. “Then there’s no reason for her to attend the mating ceremony.”

My brother, Alfred, snorted. “Exactly. Why waste time presenting trash before the kingdom?”

Jeanine stepped forward then, placing a gentle hand over her chest as if she were truly heartbroken.

“But Father…” she said softly, her voice laced with concern. “Shouldn’t we still let her attend? She's still a citizen of the kingdom until declared otherwise.”

All eyes turned to her.

But I didn't. I lowered my head, clenching my dress. If she hadn't shown her true colors six years ago, I might still be foolish to think she was speaking up for me with good intentions.

My Father frowned. “No dear, a person without a wolf cannot find a mate. That girl will only cause us to lose face if we let her attend the ceremony.”

She was about to argue when my mother cut in.

“Your father is right, Sweetheart.” She took my sister's hands into hers, patting the back of her hand gently with love and affection. One I'd longed for all my life and would never experience.

“The Crown Prince is an outstanding General, who has once again won victory for the kingdom. It's a thing of celebration, plus he'll be taking you as his Crown Princess today,” she continued, smiling dotingly. “So, will you allow such a glorious day to be ruined by that jinx?”

Jeanine lowered her gaze, playing her part perfectly. “But Mother, if we don’t bring her, and something happens later… won’t people question us? After all, I brought her here myself. The council approved and gave her six years. We still have to answer to the council.”

She paused, then added carefully. “And if she fails to find a mate in front of everyone… then her execution will be justified. No one will question us.”

I finally raised my gaze, coincidentally locking eyes with her. A glint flashed in her eyes.

She wanted me to be publicly humiliated and executed.

Did she hate me that much? But why? I never did anything wrong to her. I barely saw her in the last six years I spent with them. And only once did she speak to me. That first day.

“What if she lifts her veil and exposes her identity in front of everyone?” My brother chimed in. “That girl is vile. I promise you, Little Sister, she has a heart filled with hatred for everyone in this family. If we give her a chance, I swear by the goddess, she'll bring us down, especially you.”

There was silence.

All eyes turned towards me, filled with hostility and craze.

Six years ago, I would have tried to assure them that I'd never sabotage my sister. But now, somehow, Alfred was right.

I do hate everyone in this family. I wanted them to fall and be disgraced. Revenge burned in my veins… But that was all it was. Just hate.

I've known long ago that hatred without power to act on it was just heartache.

“She can't be trusted,” my father suddenly said, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me. “Just lock her up in her room. Once the ceremony is over, I'll serve her punishment and write to the council afterwards. It doesn't make a difference who kills her." He waved his hand dismissively.

By room, he meant the dungeon.

Just as the guards were reaching for me, commotion broke out by the entrance.

“Your Grace, the Crown Prince has arrived!”

Just as the guard made the announcement, the Crown Prince, a tall, broad, handsome man in battle armor walked in gallantly, like he was gliding through the battle field.

His nose was high, lips thin, face contoured and structured like a god’s.

The sight of him mesmerized me. My heart stumbled over itself.

When he smiled, my legs felt like overcooked vegetables.

Suddenly, he looked my way and froze. “Mate?”