I Died on My Adopted Sister's 18th Birthday

I am the daughter of the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, my parents are very rich, but I have nothing.

When black magic was eating away at me with a month to live, I asked to borrow ten dollars and they said I was "not worthy."

I dragged my sickly body to buy the cheapest herbal medicine, but I saw them spending billions of dollars to celebrate my foster sister Vivian's 18th birthday.

Tears streamed down my face, I just wanted to spend ten dollars on a piece of fabric and make my own ceremonial robe, even though I wouldn't live to be eighteen.

1

I was infested with black magic at the age of twelve, and now six years later my therapist tells me that I am in the advanced stages of the disease and that I will be dead in a month's time at the most.

When I asked my Alpha father for 10 bucks to buy cloth for my ceremonial robe, he reprimanded me for three hours.

"You think you deserve to wear our pack's ceremonial robes? You're not even worthy of being called an Alpha's daughter!" Father's words cut deeper than any wound.

"A mere 10 dollars could feed three omega pups for a week. How dare you waste our resources?" Mother's voice dripped with contempt.

"But mom, I'm tainted with black magic and I don't know how much longer I'll live. I just want to put on the ceremonial robes and attend a coming of age ceremony as well. "

"Are you kidding me, our pack is very clean, how can we have black magic. "Mom got even angrier at my words, "Not only are you a worthless omega, but you're also a liar, why do I have a daughter like you. " She hung up the phone.

I sat outside the pack's treatment center, fingering the two coins in my pocket - still enough for a ride back to my den on the outskirts of the pack's territory.

But feeling my empty stomach, I chose to walk back in order to have food tomorrow.

I hadn't eaten properly in days. Yet my parents had just commissioned a crystal platform on Crystal Hill for my adopted sister Vivian's coming-of-age ceremony.

It is said that my father spent a billion dollars on my adopted sister, shipping diamonds of every color from Africa just to spell her name on the backdrop of the stage.

And me, their own daughter, because I was just an omega without a wolf, they banished me to a cold, damp lair far from the pack because they said "omegas need to be sharpened to have power" that was their excuse

Back in my den, I clutched my only possession, the stuffed wolf my father had given me for my sixth birthday, when I was still pack's little princess, before Vivian had even arrived.

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, Father's call jolted me awake.

My hands trembled as I answered, only to hear his roar through the phone.

"Where did all that money in your account come from? You thieving little runt! I've transferred it all to Vivian. At least she knows how to use resources properly!"

But that two thousand dollars was what I earned doing errands for other packs last month.

I clenched my fists, too bitter to speak.

I had hoped they would help me. How foolish I was.

I tried to respond, but no words came out.

Father took my silence as guilt and continued cursing before hanging up.

The pain was unbearable now.

The black magic eating away at my body sent waves of agony through my bones. I collapsed by my bed, retching.

Looking at the mere three dollars left in my account, I forced myself up. I needed to get some healing herbs from the center to ease the pain.

But as soon as I entered the healing center, I saw Vivian walking towards me, a fever patch on her forehead and our parents hovering anxiously behind her with several pack healers.

"Sister, why are you here? I haven't seen you at training lately. I heard you've been staying with some male wolf?" Her eyes dropped meaningfully to my stomach.

Because of the corrosive black magic, my ascites had gotten so bad that my stomach was stretched out.

There are still a lot of red marks on my neck from cheap herb allergies, and even though I'm wearing a turtleneck t-shirt, it looks more like a desire to hide it to others.

Vivian covered her mouth in mock shock.

"Sister, are you pregnant? Where's the father? How could he let you come to the healing center alone?"

At her words, our parents snapped to attention.

"So that's why you wanted money - to deal with your little problem! And you have the nerve to use black magic as an excuse! You're so cursed to wish this disease upon yourself!" Mother's voice rang through the hall.

If only they'd bothered to check on me,

They would have known I'd stopped training months ago. How could I be with any male?

Father grabbed my ear, ready to teach me a lesson in front of everyone.

"Papa, don't be like that, my sister must have had a reason. "Vivian took her father's arm in a false sense of humor, and he hesitated.

But mom got even angrier, she slapped me in the face, followed by a kick, her strength was so strong, it was something I couldn't resist without a wolf, I was knocked straight to the ground by her, it hurt so much...

The world spun around me as I struggled to stay standing.

I wanted to show them my diagnosis, prove I wasn't lying about the black magic corruption.

But they wouldn't even look at it, stomping the papers under their feet.

"Carrying some lowborn's pup - get that filth away from my sight!"For the first time, I thought my mom's voice was so shrill and harsh.

"Please, mom,please...it's not what you think. I've never lied to you. Just believe me this once."

They ignored my pleas, walking away with Vivian between them.

2

I spent my last coins on basic pain-relieving herbs, swallowing several at once.

But why did my heart still hurt so much? Why did I feel so cold inside?

I dragged my weak body out of the healing center. Looking at the sky that was about to rain, I headed for my cave.

"Come on, come on, Vivian's birthday ceremony stage is unveiled, let's go check it out. " I was almost hit by two running cubs, their words piquing my curiosity.

When I finally dragged my heavy legs up the hill, the sun came out.

That's when I saw the massive crystal platform gleaming on the hillside, displaying Vivian's coming-of-age ceremony in all its glory.

She stood in front of an eight-foot crystal cake, her ceremonial gown so beautiful, with a moon embroidered in gleaming gold thread, and stars set in diamonds that sparkled in the sunlight.

I watched as she closed her eyes and folded her hands and made her wish.

"I wish for Father, Mother and I to be together forever, and for all sick wolves in our territory to heal quickly."

The crowd erupted in applause as gifts piled up around her.

Father raised his hand. "For my daughter's wish, I'm donating One million dollars to help sick wolves in our territory!"

The applause grew even louder as everyone praised my father and sister's generosity.

They looked so happy together, the perfect family of three.

And I'm just a maggot in the shadows, silently looking up at someone else's happiness.

Finally, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

Behind me, I could hear the crowd gathering.

"I must take my pup to thank Miss Vivian! Without her father's donation, my child wouldn't have survived!"

"Yes, we must all thank her. Our pack will serve Miss Vivian forever!"

Just then, a healer who had treated me earlier came running out.

"Young miss, the pack just received a large donation for treating black magic corruption. It's from Alpha Lucian. Let me add your name to the treatment list?"

Looking at her kind eyes, I remembered Mother's earlier words.

Even a stranger would offer me help, yet my own mother wished me dead.

"If you don't answer, I'll take that as a yes. We can't give up hope of survival!"

"Thank you for your kind words, but really no, I know I'm too serious to cure. It's better to leave it for another pup who needs it more." I smiled and refused her kind offer and quickly left.

I had just returned to my nook and was lying in bed when my cell phone rang.

Father ordered me to come apologize to Vivian and attend her ceremony. Then they'd forgive my 'mistakes'.

Fine. I'd see them one last time.

I put on the only sundress I have that doesn't have a patch on it.I arrived at the ceremony, but they looked at me with disgust.

"What are you wearing? Trying to embarrass your sister?"

They threw me a omega servant's uniform to change into.

I was already cold, and the thin fabric offered little warmth. It was cold that reached into my very soul.

I walked downstairs to see the grand hall packed with guests, feeling completely out of place.

I could hear their praises floating around me.

"Miss Vivian is so beautiful! Truly worthy of being the Alpha's daughter!"

"Of course! The Alpha only has this one precious daughter. She's his pride and joy. I heard he even named a section of pack territory after her!"

Only daughter.

I lowered my eyes and smiled bitterly.

What was I even doing here? I didn't belong anymore.

3

As I turned to leave, a group of young she-wolves surrounded me. The sound of their heels clicking against the marble floor echoed in my ears.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Alpha's shame," Janice, Vivian's closest friend, stepped forward. Her silver dress sparkled under the chandelier lights. "Where do you think you're going, omega?"

My heart pounded as they circled me like predators.

"I was just leaving..." I whispered, trying to move past them.

"Leaving?" Janice's perfectly painted lips curled into a cruel smile. "You dare slack off during Miss Vivian's ceremony? The nerve of this one, girls!"

I could smell the alcohol on their breath as they closed in.

"Look at how she's glaring at us!" Another wolf named Melissa grabbed my chin. "Should we teach this servant some manners?"

Before I could react, Janice deliberately tilted her crystal glass. Dark red wine cascaded down my uniform.

"Oh my!" She gasped in mock horror. "Look what you made me do, you clumsy omega!"

Her eyes gleamed with malice as she lifted her foot. "It's on my new crystal shoes too. You know what to do - lick it clean."

I stepped back, my hands trembling but my chin held high. "No."

Rage flashed across Janice's face. "No?"

Her hand quickly transformed into a wolf's claw and landed on my face.

"No, not here." The other girl grabbed Janice's hand that was raised again and she looked up signaling to go outside.

Suddenly, champagne hit my face, burning my eyes. I tried to wipe it away, but strong hands grabbed my arms.

"Let's see how defiant you are after a little swim," Janice hissed.

They dragged me toward the decorative pool behind the crystal platform. My feet scraped against the ground as I tried to resist, but the black magic had left me too weak.

The pool's surface reflected the full moon above - a cruel reminder of the power I'd lost.

"Please..." My voice cracked. "Don't do this..."

"What's happening here?" Vivian's melodic voice cut through the air.

The girls loosened their grip slightly but didn't let go.

"Miss Vivian!" Janice's voice dripped with false sweetness. "This omega servant was extremely rude. She refused to clean up her mess!"

Vivian glided closer, her ceremonial robe trailing behind her. She studied the scene with calculating eyes.

"Well, well." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "At least there aren't any snakes in this pool."

I saw the gleam in Janice's eyes as she caught Vivian's hint.

"Actually, Miss Vivian," Janice's voice rose dramatically, "I think I saw this omega throwing something scaly into the water earlier. Very suspicious behavior..."

"Really?" Vivian's voice dripped with fake concern. "How dangerous. We should leave then. Wouldn't want any... accidents."

They pushed me hard. The last thing I saw was Vivian's satisfied smirk before I hit the water.

The icy water shocked my system. I tried to swim, but my limbs wouldn't respond - another ability the black magic had stolen from me.

Their laughter echoed across the water as I struggled.

"Come on, swim up, little omega!"

"What's wrong? Snakes got your tail?"

Water filled my lungs as I thrashed desperately.

Through the rippling surface, I heard Vivian's voice: "Let's go inside, girls. Father's about to make an announcement."

"Just a little longer, baby, my servant will be here soon. " Janice's sweet voice was sickening.

Immediately afterward something unknown was thrown into the water by them.

The water was so cold it burned. Or maybe that was the black magic spreading through my veins.

Something smooth and scaly brushed against my leg. Then came the first bite.Okay, now I know what was thrown into the water.

White-hot pain shot through my body as more fangs sank into my flesh.

The venom spread quickly, mixing with the black magic already corrupting my body.

With my last bit of strength and a death grip on the edge, I pulled myself out.

Every movement was agony. Venom and black magic coursed through my veins like liquid fire.

All ten of my fingernails were tipped over, and my bloody ten fingers stung extraordinarily.

I could hear Father's voice booming from inside: "Welcome everyone to my beloved daughter Vivian's coming-of-age ceremony..."

My vision blurred as I stumbled back toward my den, leaving a trail of bloody footprints.

I know, I'm going to die. But at least I'll die in a familiar place, cuddling my old wolf stuffed animal.

As darkness took me, I felt a strange sensation - like being pulled from my body.

When I opened my eyes, I was floating above my own corpse.The body feels light, a sensation that has not been felt for many years.

I tried to leave, but an invisible force bound me to my parents. I was forced to watch everything that came after.

After I died, my spirit followed them through the pack house.

I watched my parents talking in their study:

"We haven't seen Scarlett for a long time," Mom traced my old photo with her finger. "It's only six months until her coming-of-age ceremony. We should call her back, our daughter is about to turn 18 years old."

"That ungrateful brat won't even answer our calls." Father growled. "Let her die out there!"

But Mother, Father...

I'm already dead. Dead on that cold winter night.

I'll never see my eighteenth birthday.

I floated beside them, wanting to scream, to make them understand.

But my voice couldn't reach them anymore.

I remember being a child when we still lived on the outskirts of the pack. Although my mother was the daughter of an Alpha, my father was still just a poor warrior because my grandfather didn't like him.

Wolf stuffed animals were popular amongst pack pups at that time and everyone had them but me. I came back from training that day crying that I wanted one too.

Even though that toy cost fifty dollars, Dad bought it for me,just because I said I liked it.

Back then, I dreamed of having a grand coming-of-age ceremony like the ones in stories. I wanted to wear a beautiful ceremonial robe and have the whole pack celebrate with me.

Then, when I was seven years old, I got very sick. When I woke up from my illness, my father had become Alpha - supposedly he challenged and won my grandfather and we had everything I dreamed of.

A grand pack house, beautiful clothes, endless love.

But the fun was only three years long, and when my dad brought Vivian home when I was ten, nothing was mine anymore.

I became a packless wolf in my own home.

Six months after my death, Mother started having nightmares.

She would wake up screaming my name, her fur soaked in cold sweat.

"Lucian, I keep dreaming that Scarlett is lying in the cold, all alone..." Mother's voice trembled.

Father frowned. "It's just a dream, Sophia."

But the dreams persisted every night.