The Prophecy Said I'd Kill My Sister, But I Died First

I crashed to the floor.

The heavy thud carried through the door.

Helena had already walked away, but she stormed back, slamming her palm against the wooden door.

"Iris, what are you doing in there now?

"We've kept you in line for years, and you still haven't learned a single thing?!"

Outside the door, Clara clutched her chest and wheezed as she tried to calm her down.

"Mom, don't be angry. Iris probably didn't mean it."

That was all it took for Helena's fury to melt into tenderness.

She gathered Clara in her arms, rubbing her back and murmuring soft reassurances.

But the next instant, she whipped around toward the attic, her eyes blazing.

"Can't you behave just this once? Do you always have to scare your sister and keep us on edge every single day?"

My lips trembled as I tried to defend myself.

But the wave of exhaustion and agony crashing through my body wouldn't let me speak a single syllable.

Pack lore said that when a werewolf was on the verge of death, hearing was the last sense to go.

So it was true.

My vision had gone black. The years of suppression potion had eaten through my body, and my organs burned as though set on fire.

My consciousness grew hazier with each wave of pain, but I could still hear Helena's voice outside, soothing Clara.

I couldn't help but wonder.

Mom, Dad, why is it that when Clara gets a little fright, you rush to comfort her with everything you have?

But for me, there's nothing but punishment and blame?

Outside, Helena was scolding me again in that cold, cutting tone, "Today is your twentieth birthday and the most dangerous day of the prophecy. If you had any conscience at all, you'd stay put!

"Otherwise, don't blame us for breaking your bones and crippling you for good!"

Roland's voice joined in, stiff and dismissive, offering hollow reassurance, "Enough. Stay in there and think about what you've done.

"Get through today, and it'll all be over."

The room fell into deathly silence. I had no strength to respond.

They hesitated, as if wanting to say more.

But Clara cut in at just the right moment, "Mom, Dad, the Elders and the guests are all waiting at the banquet.

"Don't let her ruin things for everyone."

Only then did Helena toss out one last line before turning to leave, "Iris, just hold on a little longer. Get through today, and you'll never have to drink the potion again."

But Mom, I stopped believing your promises a long time ago.

And I probably wouldn't make it through tonight anyway.

The Moon Goddess's prophecy was our family's secret.

Three years ago, my parents had used it to avert a crisis that nearly destroyed the Silver Moon Pack.

From that point on, they believed in the prophecy without question.

When they first learned of it, they'd only told me to limit contact with my wolf.

Then, at a banquet one evening, I saw Clara sitting alone in a corner, looking lost and lonely.

I stepped toward her, wanting to keep her company.

She immediately began trembling all over, her breath coming in ragged gasps, and collapsed to the floor.

I panicked and tried to call for our parents, but a slap cut me off.

Roland charged at me and kicked me into a wall.

Searing pain shot from my shoulder blade and spread through my body. Blood soaked through my clothes.

Everyone rushed over to tend to Clara. Not a single person looked back at me.

But from where I lay, I saw something no one else did. Clara, nestled in Roland's arms, was watching me with a cold little smirk.

After that, I was locked in the storage room for four full days.

My wounds festered. Doses of the suppression potion came at irregular intervals. I passed out from hunger multiple times and nearly died.

By the time I was let out, there was no warmth left in this family. Only confinement and punishment.

The moment I mentioned anything related to wolves, they would force another dose of the suppression potion down my throat.

I begged them to understand that I had no intention of hurting Clara.

But they dismissed my pleas as lies, and tightened the restraining collar further and further.

My fiance, learning of what I was going through, secretly sent me a moonstone pendant to ease my pain.

It was the only light in my dark existence.

I kept it hidden against my skin, guarding it like a treasure.

But my parents found it.

Helena decided the pendant would awaken my feral gene and crushed it in front of everyone.

Then she forced several times the normal dose of the potion down my throat and, while I lay half-dead at her feet, said, "Someone with a feral gene running through their blood doesn't deserve love!"

The next day, she severed every tie between me and my fiance and transferred the engagement to Clara.

From that point on, I was trapped in a cold cage, learning to suppress every instinct, every emotion.

Eventually, even the thought of reaching out to my wolf filled me with crippling fear and nausea.

I gave in. I didn't dare step out of line again.

My wolf never appeared again.