2

My consciousness sank into darkness.

When I opened my eyes, I was floating in midair inside the attic.

Music from the banquet drifted up from below. I drifted through the door and down to the first floor.

The display case in the hallway was lined with Clara's awards and trophies, accumulated over a lifetime.

Every single one had been polished to a shine.

At the very bottom of the case, shoved beneath everything else, was a family portrait I had drawn as a child.

But the figure of me standing in the corner had been scribbled over with black ink until my face was unrecognizable, as if to make one thing clear.

I, their daughter, had never been meant to exist in this family at all.

"Where's Iris? Today is her twentieth birthday, and you're still keeping her locked in the attic?"

Edmund sat at the head of the table, his brow furrowed.

He was the former Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, and his words still carried weight.

Helena's expression soured.

"Edmund, why bring her up?

"The prophecy is still hanging over us. We can't let our guard down."

Edmund let out a cold scoff and swept his gaze across the long table.

It was laden with roasted meats and berries, all foods meant to strengthen the body.

The very same foods I had been forbidden to touch my entire life.

"Years of those potions have already wrecked Iris's body.

"Bring her out and let her eat something."

Helena slammed her goblet on the table.

"Edmund, do you really have to ruin the mood for everyone over that girl?

"Today is the most critical day of the prophecy. We can't afford a single risk.

"Besides, she was grabbing for the cake first thing this morning. No manners whatsoever. She'd only embarrass herself out here."

The table went dead silent.

I hovered at Edmund's side, wanting to explain.

Mom, I didn't mean to.

I just hadn't had a birthday in so long. When I saw the cake, I got so excited that I wanted to touch it. Just once.

Grandpa, please don't fight with them over me.

It's my fault.

Roland walked in from the side hall, a slight crease between his brows.

"I just went up to the attic and called out a few times, but Iris didn't answer.

"You don't think something happened, do you? Maybe we should go check on her?"

Helena cut him off sharply, "What is there to check! That little wretch is faking it for sympathy!

"Today is the most important day for Clara. Leave her alone!"

Just then, Clara appeared, lifting the hem of her gown, a moon-crescent necklace in her hand.

She settled into the seat beside Helena and leaned against her, her voice sweet and coaxing. "Mom, this silver chain has such a pretty crescent pattern. Is it for me?"

Helena's expression faltered for a moment. She reached up and stroked Clara's hair.

"It was supposed to be a birthday gift for your sister.

"But that little beast who nearly killed you doesn't deserve it. If you like it, go ahead and wear it."

I stared at the necklace, my chest aching.

When I was small, Helena had held me and promised that when I grew up, she would put this chain on me herself, a silver chain bathed in the light of a full moon.

But I would never see that day.

Maybe it was better this way.

At least with Clara, it wouldn't rot away in the attic alongside me.

Clara's eyes lit up.

"Thanks, Mom!"

She snatched up the necklace and tried to clasp it around her neck, but her hands moved too fast.

The chain slipped from her fingers and hit the marble floor. The clasp snapped in two.

Clara scrambled to pick it up, but the broken edge sliced her finger, and a bead of bright red blood welled to the surface.

Helena steadied Clara's hand. When she looked up, her eyes were burning.

"On a day this important, if you all hadn't kept bringing up that wretched girl, how would Clara have gotten hurt?!

"I'm saying this once: anyone who mentions her again will answer to me!"

I gazed at the shattered necklace on the floor, a dull ache throbbing in my chest.

That was the coming-of-age gift I had waited twenty years for. And in the end, I never even got to hold it.

The banquet continued.

The Elders and guests gathered around Clara, offering congratulations and gifts.

She stood at the center, basking in it all, like a princess who had never known anything but adoration.

No one remembered that today was my birthday, not hers.

Then Edmund drew a gold-embossed scroll from his sleeve.

It was a territory deed exclusive to the Silver Moon Pack's direct bloodline, the most valuable holding under his name.

His voice was low and deliberate. "Iris has suffered too much these past years. Once tonight is over, treat her better."

Helena lowered her gaze and softened her tone, "Edmund, Iris is still my own flesh and blood. How could I keep her suffering forever?

"Once today passes, I'll bring her out and nurse her back to health."

She took the scroll and was about to sign.

Clara suddenly swayed, gripping the table and gasping hard.

"Clara!"

Helena and Roland went pale, lunging to either side to catch her.

Helena whipped her head toward the attic and screamed, "That wretch must be up there cursing you. That's why you're hurt!

"I should have broken every bone in her body when I had the chance!"

Clara leaned into Helena's arms and weakly tugged at her sleeve, her voice trembling. "Mom, don't blame her. Sh-she didn't mean it..."

Helena only grew angrier.

"Didn't mean it? Last time she swapped out your recovery potion, and the dosage was so strong it made you cough up blood. You were bedridden for three months!

"During last winter's hunt, she lured you into Frost Wolf territory. You were clawed and poisoned with frost venom. You nearly died!

"Every single time it's her causing trouble and you taking the fall? If you ask me, she's rotten to the core!"

I stood frozen, a sharp ache twisting through my chest.

Last time, Clara was the one who had sneaked into the storeroom and greedily downed half a bowl of a potent tonic. The dosage was too strong for her body, and she coughed up blood on the spot.

But she had turned around and cried to our parents, telling them I had swapped her potion out of jealousy.

I had no way to defend myself. I was forced to kneel for two days and two nights.

During the winter hunt, she was the one who had wandered off into Frost Wolf territory and gotten clawed and poisoned by frost venom.

I had risked being torn apart by the frost wolves to drag her back, only for her to turn on me and claim I had lured her there on purpose.

I was forced to drink double the suppression potion. I ran a fever for five straight days.

I had fought with everything I had to protect her.

And in the end, all of it was my fault.