1: The Girl with the Dagger in Her Heart.

Chapter 1: The Girl with the Dagger in Her Heart

By Maya Volpyn

"I didn’t expect her to push me."

Lana took me to the lookout like she used to on the good days. She helped me walk, patiently, as I relearned everything from scratch since I came out of the coma.

When the sun began warming the mansion’s gardens, she laughed loudly, as if the world had been made just for her. We walked in silence until we reached the lake. She stopped there, staring at the water with a strange sparkle in her eyes.

"Do you know who's coming to the mansion today?" she asked, and I looked at her, confused.

"I'm not sure… I think our parents are hosting an alpha?"

"Not just any alpha... My parents heard something from the elders. They said the moment the alpha sets foot in this town, he’ll find his Luna. And now he’s suddenly coming to our house. Isn’t that amazing?" she asked excitedly. I lowered my eyes, disheartened. Of course she could stand beside the alpha—beautiful, smart, strong. She was truly gifted.

"I don’t know much about that… But can you really control who fate chooses?" I asked thoughtfully.

"Exactly, you can’t. But it could be a chance. Maybe he is my mate. I'm really hoping so... Besides…" She lowered her gaze, almost hesitating. "The visions claimed with certainty that his mate is in this house. And maybe it’s me."

"Don’t worry, sister. You’ll definitely be the alpha’s mate. You’re a remarkable wolf. I’m just a weak omega… I don’t even deserve to look him in the eye. I still need help just to walk without pain." I said, and she smiled from ear to ear.

"True, right? Not that I’m happy about it, but every she-wolf dreams of becoming a Luna—especially to the alpha who’s risen to power in this region. He’s from a rare bloodline of gods. I bet he’s just as handsome as the stories say."

"And ruthless too," I thought. "From the little I’ve heard, he’s more like a monster from a horror story. A wolf that strong shouldn’t have lightning powers. It’s terrifying knowing he uses them to oppress his servants and people."

"Maya, are you okay?" she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, I was just admiring this place… it’s so beautiful. All the plants, the flowers… everything feels so magical, doesn’t it?" I asked, trying to hide the pain in my legs, leaning on the bridge railing to keep up with my twin sister. "Is that why you bring me here every day?"

"Actually..." She sighed, still looking at the lake. "I come here with you thinking about one thing. I spent days gathering courage… pretending I just wanted to spend time with my sweet little sister, but the truth is a bit harsher, Maya."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You know… in ancient times, weaker wolves were sacrificed. Living in this world would’ve been too cruel for them. But you… they had both of us at once. Didn't they see it as fate giving them a chance? A chance to lose one but still have another? Instead of letting you go, they let you live… until you were awake and became a thorn in my side."

I couldn’t find the words. How did she change from warm to cold so suddenly?

"You’ve been getting too much attention, haven’t you? Since you woke up, it’s like I disappeared. We’re twins, Maya—identical. But they treat me like a shadow," she said, still not looking at me. Her eyes were fixed on the lake’s reflection.

"Lana… it’s not like that…"

I tried to respond, but my voice faltered. Speaking was still difficult. Everything was coming back slowly—strength, coordination… words. And after what she had just said, I didn’t even know how to react.

But Lana noticed. And she smiled—a smile full of contempt.

"It’s always been that way. Mom used to sleep in your room, crying for you every night. And now, even awake, you’re still the center of everything. Even the teachers treat you better." She finally turned to face me. "Why didn’t you just die, Maya?"

The world froze. I stared at her, stunned. She looked so bitter. I wanted to run. But my legs were exhausted from the walk—and maybe that’s exactly what she wanted.

She saw me as a threat? How?

Someone who can barely stand, who has to live in secret—Lana is the only daughter known to the pack. No one knows my parents had twins. Because of my condition, they kept me hidden. The Volpyn family didn’t want to be seen as weak for having a daughter like me—one with no visible wolf, no powers. But Lana… she saw me as a threat.

I was only twelve when I opened my eyes for the first time.

Since birth, this was my condition. But it wasn’t an ordinary coma. I was born with a magical dagger embedded in my chest—a cursed blade piercing my heart, shielded only by my ribcage. No one ever figured out how it got there… or how to remove it without killing me.

I thought the people around me—who witnessed my awakening—were the ones I could trust. But it seems I was wrong.

"How can someone with no power, who’ll never shift, get so much attention?" she spat, filled with hatred. "You don’t even have a wolf, Maya. You’re like a pathetic human. Your existence makes no sense. Why did you wake up? Just to ruin my life?"

"Lana… that’s not true…"

"You can’t even be touched! God, Maya! Don’t you see how much pain you’ve caused our parents? Don’t you see what a burden you are to this family? Just... die already!"

I held onto the bridge, head down, eyes shut, as if her words were blades themselves.

She was right—I was weak, often compared to a human in a world I didn’t belong to.

But I knew a human wouldn’t survive what I endure.

It’s been four years since I woke up.

Now, at sixteen, I’m still fighting just to do basic things. My parents say I need to build endurance. That one day, I’ll stand tall without the dagger draining all my energy. I’ve always fought for that.

"But… I’ve been trying so hard… learning fast…" I whispered.

"It doesn’t matter, you useless Volpyn. You don’t even deserve that name."

"Lana… I can’t take it anymore… If you want to hate me, hate me. But there’s no reason. I don’t even know how much time I have left. Can you please stop?" I begged, feeling my legs give out.

"Today, our parents are receiving important guests. And honestly? I wish you didn’t show up at all. It’s bad enough being the family embarrassment. A little girl who can barely feed herself… Don’t you see how pathetic you are?"

"I—I can… I can stay in my room," I murmured, my voice faint, barely escaping my lips. I never imagined Lana would turn on me like this. "You don’t need to do anything… or be afraid of me."

I struggled to stay on my feet. My legs were shaking, but the fear of my own sister... that’s what was truly consuming me. Lana looked like she was about to do something terrible. My instincts were screaming.

She stepped closer, eyes full of barely contained hatred. She seemed to savor the pain her cruel words caused.

"No, Maya. I’m not afraid of you. But I realized our parents want to give you something I want. Something that should be mine." She smiled, cold and mocking. "So… why don’t you make the lake your grave? No one will take what’s meant to be mine!"

Her hand hit my chest with force.

I couldn’t hold on to anything.

Gravity did the rest—my back hit the water hard as I looked up and saw Lana…

Enjoying the scene.