Chapter 2

"Mrs. Underwood."

A hand clamped down on my mother's wrist.

It was Evan Blackmoon—my Alpha childhood friend. The young Alpha I'd grown up with.

He stood at the doorway, brows furrowed.

"Maria's always been too proud, too competitive. Right now, whatever you say to her, that stubborn pride of hers won't let it through."

He paused, then shot a cold look toward the crack in the door.

"Maria, I know you're bitter. But Alice is a rare white wolf. She can't be the price of your rise. Just be reasonable this once, alright?"

No answer from inside. Because I couldn't move anymore.

The silver had pierced clean through my skin, shrinking around my bones. I didn't even have the strength to scream.

I stared at that sliver of light.

Mom. Open the door.

I was so close. So close to being saved.

But the light vanished. The iron door slammed shut again.

Through the door, I heard Evan let out a soft sigh.

"Maria, don't worry. Once your sister makes it through safely, I'll talk to my father. You can rejoin next year's Moon Rite. The pack will accept you. We can still stand side by side."

Footsteps faded. They were all gone.

The basement fell into dead silence.

I stayed frozen in that pose, hand still raised against the door. And then—I stopped breathing.

Mom. You were this close. This close to seeing me.

From the void, my soul floated up.

I watched them crowd around my sister and load her into the car. Mom fixed her hair. Dad handed her a blood tonic. Evan checked her dress. All of them wearing easy, relaxed smiles.

Only me—mindlink severed, sealed alone in the basement, nothing but a cold corpse.

Dad. Mom. You protected my sister from death so perfectly.

But what about me?

My drifting soul was pulled toward the Full Moon Altar, where my sister was.

Everyone was showing off their wolf strength. Only Alice sat restless, glancing again and again at the great clock above the altar.

The first round ended. Back at camp, she begged our parents to go back.

"I'm really worried about Maria. She didn't eat anything yesterday. We need to check on her!"

My mother frowned.

"Alice, you've always been my kindest daughter. But you know—we have to put you first. Maria's situation can wait. It's not urgent."

Tears spilled down my sister's face. She reached for my mother's cloak—and got slapped for it.

My mother's eyes went red, her voice breaking.

"Alice, focus. Your only job right now is to get through the ceremony and shift. Or else—did Maria suffer all this for nothing?"

My sister bit down hard on her lip.

My mother softened her voice. "Stay here. I'll go back to the manor, grab your moonstone, and check on Maria while I'm at it."

Alice finally let out a breath of relief.

My mother returned to the manor. She picked up the moonstone, walked to the basement door, and softened her tone.

"Maria, I know you're angry. Just hold on a little longer. After the ceremony, we'll take a trip to the Ancestral Ruins. I'll buy you that hunting bow you wanted. Okay?"

Silence.

My mother's face went dark.

"Maria! Unbelievable—are you really throwing a tantrum at me right now?!"

She pulled the door open. A crack. And there—my clothes. Just a corner of them, peeking through.