Making the right decision

Margaux Pov

Lucien looked down at me, his expression hardening into something completely unrecognizable. "You're weak, Margaux. I'm going to be the Alpha of this pack. I don't need a wolfless Luna. I need someone who actually has power. Someone like Margot."

A collective murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Isn't she literally her twin sister?" a blonde she-wolf whispered loudly.

"How could he do that to her?" another muttered, shaking her head. "And to think he played the best friend card for years."

But then the whispers turned cruel.

"Honestly, serves her right," a male wolf laughed softly from the back. "How does a wolfless bitch think she's going to climb the ranks and run a pack?"

The room started to spin. The walls felt like they were closing in, the whispers bouncing off my ears like a heavy load. Nobody stepped forward. My parents stayed glued to the spot. My sister stood frozen. Everyone just stared at me like I was an exhibit in a museum of failures.

I took a step back, turned around, and ran.

My legs moved on pure instinct, pushing through the heavy double doors and carrying me up the stairs of the main house. I slammed my bedroom door shut, locking it, before collapsing onto my bed and pulling the heavy duvet over my head.

The tears wouldn't stop. I pressed my palm against my chest, trying to stop the ache in my lungs. I didn't even know what hurt worse the fact that my best friend had utterly humiliated me, or that my own family had stood there and let it happen.

I slid off the bed, pulling myself into the cramped space underneath it, curling into a tight ball on the hardwood floor.

"He's right," I whispered into the dark, my voice trembling as I wiped my face. "I'm wolfless. But that doesn't mean I'm weak. I'm a good person."

I lay there in the quiet, watching the dust motes float in the sliver of light under the bedframe, losing track of how much time was passing.

Then, the heavy sound of the front door closing downstairs jolted me out of my thoughts.

My heart did a quick, foolish flutter. I scrambled out from under the bed, quietly unlocking my door and slipping out to hide behind the wooden banister of the staircase.

Maybe it's him, I thought, a desperate, stupid spark of hope lighting up in my chest. Maybe he realized he made a massive mistake.

I leaned over the railing, peering down into the lit entrance .

But it wasn't Lucien

~~~~~

Peering through the wooden slats of the staircase banister, I watched my parents and Margot practically burst through the front door.

They looked rushed, like they were trying to outrun the entire disaster that had just gone down at the hall.

"I knew she'd end up being an embarrassment to this family," my dad muttered, tossing his keys onto the entryway table. He didn't even look at my mother.

"Don't say that beta," my mom said, though her voice lacked any real bite. She rubbed the back of her neck. "It's just bad luck."

Hearing her say that made the tight knot in my throat loosen, just a fraction. At least she wasn't completely throwing me to the wolves.

"But what are we supposed to do now?" My dad stepped closer to the living room, facing Margot, who was standing by the window, staring out into the dark. "Lucien's eyes were practically glued to you the second he ended things with Margaux."

"I wasn't even fated to him, Dad," Margot said, not turning around.

For a second, a tiny spark of relief flared up in my chest. I actually thought she was going to stand up for me.

"He's Margaux's best friend," Margot continued, her voice turning icy. "And I actually awakened a top-tier wolf tonight. I don't really want my sister's sloppy seconds."

My dad took two quick steps toward her, his face tight with desperation. "Lucien is the heir to the entire southeastern territory, Margot. Your life would be completely set. We would be set."

"There's Richard. There's literally ten other high-ranking guys," Margot shrugged, finally turning around to face him. "If Lucien actually secures the Alpha title, then fine. I'll think about accepting the second-chance bond. But only then."

My knees gave out. I sank onto the top step, my palms pressing flat against the cold wood to keep myself from making a sound. My entire chest went hollow, like someone had scooped out my insides and left me to freeze.

"See? She is Smart," my mom praised, a huge smile replacing her worried expression. She walked over and wrapped her arms tightly around Margot. "I always knew you had a brain, unlike your sister."

"Thank you for actually making us look good tonight, I felt so proud" my dad added, joining the hug.

A tear slipped down my cheek, hot and silent, dripping onto my bare knee.

"Okay, drop the touchy-feely stuff. I need to go check on Margaux," Margot said, pushing my parents' hands off her shoulders.

"Is that really necessary?" my dad sighed.

"She's probably sleeping by now anyway," my mom added, turning toward the kitchen.

"Still, I need to give her those anxiety drops before she freaks out and breaks the pack," Margot said, a sharp giggle slipping out of her mouth as she started toward the stairs. "If I don't do it, who will? Besides, I have to play the supportive sister card until she finally packs her bags and leaves."

My jaw dropped, I covered my gasped with my hands as I scrambled backward on my hands and knees with my eyes widely open, keeping my movements completely silent. My twin didn't just say that right, she doesn't mean it. I bolted into my bedroom, dived under the duvet, and closed my eyes, forcing my breathing to slow down. My skin was freezing, shivering under the sheets, but sweat was still sticking my hair to my forehead.

A minute later, the mattress dipped. A warm hand brushed my bangs aside.

"Margaux," she whispered.

I opened my eyes, trying to look like I'd been asleep.

"I told you to be careful with Lucien," Margot said, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. She ran a finger along my hairline. "He really messed you up, didn't he?"

I sat up, resting my back against the wooden headboard. I wiped my face with the back of my hand, and Margot silently handed me a tissue.

"Thanks," I mumbled, blowing my nose.

"I'm just… I prayed so hard that the goddess would pick him," I said, my voice cracking on the last word. More tears spilled over, and I couldn't stop them no matter how hard I tried.

"I'm so sorry you have to go through this," Margot whispered, wrapping her arms around me and holding me tight.

"Thank you, Margot," I breathed, leaning into her, still wanting to believe there was some piece of my sister left in there.

She pulled back and unrolled a small piece of white paper she'd been holding. "Here. This will help you calm down."

I expected the usual bitter medicine drops, but instead, there was a small, sweet rice cake wrapped in the parchment. I took it from her, forcing a small smile that didn't even come close to reaching my eyes.

"Thanks, Margot."

I took a bite and swallowed it.

"Don't worry, you'll be able to sleep now," she said, tucking the heavy blanket around my shoulders.

Almost instantly, a heavy wave of drowsiness washed over me. My eyelids felt like lead, and before I could even try to fight it, my head hit the pillow and everything went black.

The next morning, the winter air was sharp and freezing against my face as I walked back from my usual run.

Usually, this was my favorite part of the day. The pack members would wave, and Lucien would always be waiting under the big tangerine tree at the corner of the path, holding a cold bottle of water and laughing at how red my face was.

Today, the space under the tree was empty.

And nobody waved. Instead, everyone I passed shifted away, their eyes darting to me and then quickly looking down at the gravel.

"Why is she even still walking around here?" a girl from my year whispered to her friend as I passed.

"I know, right? It literally feels like we're walking on eggshells just being in the same territory," the friend murmured back.

I kept my chin up, staring straight ahead and pretending I was completely deaf.

I made it back to the house, slipping through the front door. The living room was dead silent. I started up the stairs, but as I reached the landing, a hushed conversation from my parents' bedroom stopped me in my tracks.

"You have to be the one to tell her to pack up," my mom's voice was low, but the house was too quiet for her to hide it. "It's better if she's just gone. I don't want her around to ruin things when Margot and Lucien start mating."

"I know," my dad agreed. "Honestly, it's getting way too uncomfortable having her in the house. Besides, she's wolfless. It's not like anyone in the pack is going to care if we get rid of her."

"I'll take care of it today, don't worry," he added.

I heard the soft rustle of them moving, followed by my dad kissing her forehead.

My hand flew to my mouth, the small face towel I was holding slipping through my fingers. I backed away, one slow step at a time, until my back hit my bedroom door. I quietly turned the knob, slipped inside, and turned the lock.

The room felt entirely too small.

I dragged my black duffel bag out from the bottom of the closet. I didn't cry. I didn't freeze. I just grabbed my simplest clothes: my hoodies, jeans, a couple pairs of shoes, and a few pieces of jewelry that actually belonged to me. I stuffed them into the bag, zipping it shut with a sharp, decisive pull.

I looked out the window at the gray, winter sky.

"As soon as it's dark," I whispered to the empty room, "I'm out of here."