"I need some air," I growled, the human words feeling clumsy in my throat. I made my way away from the crowd, staring at me for not speaking their ancient language, but I didn't care. I was accustomed to their whispers and stares.The backyard was a blessed relief, the crisp night air a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. The moon hung fat and low, casting long, skeletal shadows across the manicured lawn. The scent of damp earth and pine needles was intoxicating, a balm to my frayed nerves. I leaned against the rough bark of an ancient oak, trying to slow my racing heart. My reflection in the darkened window of the house seemed alien – too human, too constrained.
But, I didn't expect Sophie to chase after me
When she appeared, her face was no longer the picture of polite amusement she’d worn inside. The mask slipped, revealing the cruel satisfaction beneath. Her eyes, usually warm and hazel, glittered with something cold and predatory.
"I honestly don't know how you have the nerve to show your face here," she snapped, her voice low and menacing. "Can't you smell it? No one wants you here. Your weakness is truly pathetic."
“Mom and Dad are ashamed of you, and your mate, well he doesn't even care about your presence when I’m before his eyes. He only has me in his heart. Even a fool can see that but you,”
The words were like barbs, pricking at my control. I kept my gaze fixed on the moon, its silvery light bathing the world in stark contrast. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction.
Her tone sharpened, laced with a feral edge. "You pathetic runt, did you actually think Kaid chose you? He only did it to clear my ways with Kalean. He explained everything to me. The night of the bonding ceremony, he left you in the wedding night chamber and came to see me. He shifted with me, under the full moon. He told me the one he truly desires is me.”
She stalked closer, her scent – a cloying mix of wildflowers and something musky, something wrong – filling my senses. "Didn't you see how tired he was the next morning? It's because we went all out that night. We slept under the full moon, our bodies rubbing against each other on the grasswoods.”
“Accept it, Sarah.You're a mistake. If I were you, I’d just run off into the woods and let the wilds claim you."
Every word was a claw, raking at the fragile control I struggled to maintain. My hands clenched, the urge to shift, to unleash the beast within, almost overwhelming.
Seeing my silence, Sophie lost her calm. She held my arms and shook me by force, saying, “I’m speaking in human language, not ancient, you dumbass illiterate! Can’t you hear me?”
She then let out a chilling laugh as she continued, "Oh, I guess you are taking all these as lies. I forgot how dumb you are. Let me help you see the truth, then?”
Before I could react, she lunged, throwing herself against me. I stumbled backward, surprised by her strength. I tried to defend myself and in haste a straps of Sophie's hair stuck to my nails. She immediately retreated. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she threw the pendant Kaid had given her and scratched her wrist, dripping blood.
"Help!" she shrieked, the sound jarringly human. "She attacked me! She wants to kill me!"
Her cries echoed through the night, a distorted melody of fear and accusation, while I stood frozen, the beast within me roaring to life, struggling against the leash of my human mind.
Sophie’s shriek ripped through the night, shattering the fragile peace of the pack gathering and drawing a crowd of anxious wolves to the garden, staring at us with puzzled eyes. The low growls and murmurs of greeting turned to snarls as they took in the scene.
Without hesitation, Kaid rushed to Sophie's side, his eyes widening in concern as he immediately pressed Sophie’s hands, the movement swift and decisive and asked, “What happened, honey? How come you are bleeding?”
In her response, Sophie turned to me, her eyes wet and her expression a mask of wounded innocence, causing everyone to glaring at me with suspicion.
“Sis, if you wanted that pendant, you could just ask for it from me. Why must you attack me for merely a pendant?” she whimpered, her voice trembling. "Why… Why did you attack me? You know I’m still weak after the Change…"
Listening to this, Kaid’s expression turned cold. I saw him clenching his fists as he turned to look at me before spitting, “Sarah! How could you be so narrow minded, going as far as to attack your little sister for a piece of jewelry? Don't you know she is pregnant?”
“I didn't know you could be this jealous, Sis, or else I wouldn't have accepted any gift from Kaid,” Sophie sobbed, turning to our mom, she said, “Mom, she even tore my gown to make me feel humiliated before everyone.”
“Sis, if our pack members mock you for your little knowledge of ancient language, how is that my fault? Why do you have to make me feel humiliated like this just to feel great about yourself?”
“Is that so?” My mom said, her voice laced with venom. Her face was contorted with rage, her eyes glowing with a dangerous light as she commanded the beta of our pack,“Lyra! I think I failed to discipline my elder daughter. That's why she acts on her will. Please help me discipline her so that she doesn't repeat her mistake again.”
Having been commanded by the Luna of the pack, Lyra instantly shifted to her huge wolf and charged at my weak human body. My wolf struggled to appear and protect herself, but I had her controlled, not letting it out. The result was that I was beaten to death in front of all the pack members, my parents and my husband, but no one moved to help me. They believed Sophie's lies. They always did. And Kaid…Kaid just watched, his expression unreadable, as I struggled, the Alpha I had chosen, the Alpha I had bonded with, doing nothing while I laid lifeless on the grassland, unable to move.
