The scent of damp earth and pine needles was clinging to me as I slipped through the shadowed woods towards the Alpha’s compound. The air was filled with the energy of celebration. Laughter, deep and resonant, mixed with the rhythmic drumming that echoed through the trees.

Sophie, my twin sister, was standing at the center of the festivities, radiant in her hand-stitched elegant gown. The intricate beadwork shimmered in the moonlight, highlighting the graceful lines of her lean, powerful form. She looked every inch the future Luna of a Cascade pack, every inch the beloved child of Silver Moon Pack.

My parents were hovering near her, their faces etched with pride and a possessive affection that sent a pang of loneliness through me. Their hands were rested on her shoulders, their touch lingering, as though they still couldn't believe she was truly back with them. They had once looked at me that way, their eyes filled with warmth and unwavering love.

That was before. Before Sophie had returned.

Seven years ago, when she was found after vanishing during a rogue wolf attack, I’d dared to hope we could finally be a family again. But her first words upon her return had shattered that fragile hope.

“Sister, why did you throw me before the rogue wolves and ask them to take me as their slave?

Sophie’s accusation hung in the air, thick and heavy, poisoning the bond between me and my parents. Suddenly, I was no longer their daughter, their kin, but a villain, blamed for Sophie’s disappearance. The warmth I’d known was gone, replaced by a bitter frost that permeated every aspect of my life.

Even now, years later, their distrust lingered in their every glance, every word, every strained silence directed at me.

At the celebration, Sophie spotted Kaid and me entering the celebration. Her dress swirled around her as she moved, making her the undeniable focus of every eye.

Her smile was bright, almost too bright as she greeted us, “Sister, Kaid, you made it! I was worried you wouldn't come."

Then, as if remembering something, she placed a delicate hand to her throat, her expression shifting to one of exaggerated concern. “Oh, I’m sorry, sister. I forgot... you are still struggling with your wolf form after the Change. Did I just speak too loud? I should be more patient. It must be difficult for you to accommodate different tones of us, werewolves, especially with your… sensitivity.”

Her words were dripping with honeyed sweetness, but her eyes, sharp and intelligent, were gleaming with cruel amusement.

My mother, who had been watching from nearby, let out a low, guttural growl, her lips curling back to reveal her sharp canines as she said,“If it weren't for her, You wouldn't have been sold as a slave in the first place. How can she even blame you? If anyone's at fault, it's her. Now even losing her wolf, she is a disgrace to the pack.”

Her voice was laced with venom, tearing at me with the force of a physical blow. My father remained silent, but his gaze, hard and unforgiving, was mirroring her sentiment.

I lowered my eyes, my breath catching in my throat. It wasn't the first time they'd treated me this way. It wouldn't be the last. But the familiarity didn't lessen the pain—it only deepened it.

Before I could respond, Kaid stepped forward, his usually easy going demeanor hardening. He placed a protective hand on Sophie’s arm, his touch surprisingly firm and affectionate before he said in ancient language, not knowing that I had already mastered the ancient language just to surprise him on his birthday.

“Sophie, Sara isn’t like that. She will not mind, Don’t worry. Besides, she doesn't understand ancient language.”

“Oops…” Sophie grinned, her words filled with malice as she continued, “ I had almost forgotten how many times she brought shame to our family by her lack of knowledge. I hope my sister isn't holding you back, Kaid. I truly feel pity on you for having to get married to my sister.”

Kaid's silence on Sophie’s remark was another kind of heartbreak to me. So, even his discomfort while seeing me being mocked was a facade in the past or it was allowed to Sophie to treat me however she wanted?

He then presented Sophie with a small, intricately carved wooden box, his movements deliberate and reverent, as though offering a sacred artifact. “Sophie, this is for you.”

Sophie’s face lit up, her smile radiating pure joy as she accepted the gift. “Thank you, Kaid. You’re always so… thoughtful.”

As she opened the box, a glint of silver caught my eye. My heart clenched.

The claw pendant.

The Alpha’s ancestral claw pendant—a symbol of strength, leadership, and unwavering loyalty. The one that Kaid had told me was lost during the rogue attack, the same attack that took Sophie.

Now, the truth stared back at me, gleaming under the moonlight. The pendant wasn’t lost. It had never been meant for me. It was always hers.

"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.

I was laying subconscious, moaning in unbearable pain, desperately pleading for help. But, all the guests were busy taking care of Sophie, including my parents and Kaid, their care genuine and eyes showing hurt as if they were punched in the gust just by watching a few scratches on her wrist. Many were busy accusing me, while Kaid and my father were only staring at me, their expressions revealing their thoughts, they were also believing Sophie's words.

“I didn't do it…” I barely whispered, still lying on the floor, unable to move.

“Stop lying, Sarah!” Kaid snapped, “If you didn't hurt Sophie, then how come your nails are filled with Sophie’s hair? How are you going to justify it?”

It was a statement rather than a question, because he didn't even wait to let me explain. He pulled Sophie in his arms and said to her in a concerned voice, “Don't worry, Sophie. I’ll take you to my Pack's infirmary. We have the best healers in the kingdom. You will be absolutely fine. I’ll take care of you.”

“Kaid…” I called him, my voice trembling, only to be refused by my disloyal mate who just passed the judgement on me and proved me to be the guilty one without letting me explain myself. I put Sophie in his arms and left, showing his back to me.

His departure, without sparing a look at my wounds, enhanced the pain I suffered from the beating. I was slowly losing my consciousness and stopped feeling my limbs when I heard my mom's voice, laced with toxicity, “Stop pretending, Sarah!”

“It was just a little beating to put some sense to your mind. Laying there like that, do you want to make me feel guilty? If your fragile body can't even take a little beating, you are a disgrace to our Alpha family. I would better have only Sophie as my daughter than to have a disgraceful daughter like you!”

My mom's harsh words felt like a poison to my wounds, but she didn't care. She never did. While lying there, shivering in cold and pain, I remembered the countless incidents when I was beaten by my parents for Sophie's lies. Though it was the first time I was beaten in public and humiliated, when it comes to my parents, I was accustomed to it. Nothing new for me. Just the pain this time was unbearable because of finding out about my husband’s betrayal.

I kept laying there for what felt like eternity, everyone left for their destination, only I was left to shiver in the cold. Suddenly, I felt a pair of warm hands, holding me from either side and grabbing me up. I could feel this person’s heart beat as he had held me close to his chest, probably carrying me out. A familiar scent felt in my nostrils and I couldn't help but feel safe and secure before I finally closed my eyes.

***

When I opened my eyes, the white ceiling, and the smell of potions placed near my bed, explained to me where I was. I was lying on the bed of Pack's infirmary.

But, who took me to the infirmary?

I hesitated. A part of me, a small, fragile ember of hope, still clung to the memory of Kaid, of the life I had dreamed of. Maybe perhaps it was Kaid. But the image of his cold eyes, of his unwavering support for Sophie, extinguished that ember completely. There was nothing left for me to believe Kaid helped me out.

I lay in the infirmary’s bed, my body weak and my mind reeling. The events of the previous night were hazy, but the pain and betrayal were still fresh.

Suddenly Kaid's face appeared beside me, his eyes filled with concern and his hair disheveled. He looked like he hadn't slept.

"Sarah, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to leave you behind last night. Sophie was pregnant, and I had to take her to the pack's healer. She's having the pups—I had to make sure she and her children were safe."

I turned my head away, unable to look at him. The ache in my chest was unbearable, but I forced myself to stay calm.

"You know how important the bloodline is to the Nightshade pack," Kaid continued, his voice filled with emotion. "If something happened to Sophie's pup, their pack would blame you. Even your parents wouldn't forgive you. I was only trying to protect you..."

I knew he was lying. I knew he had chosen Sophie over me, just like he always did. But, I didn't respond. I didn't let him know that I could see through his lies. But, Kaid hesitated, a moment of uncertainty was visible in his eyes. He reached out to hold my hands. I didn't pull away, but I didn't look at him either. He continued, “I know you are angry at me because I didn't stop Lyra from beating you. I was helpless, Sarah.”

“Lyra was following your mother's command, who is my mother-in-law. I thought it was your family's matter and I shouldn't interfere in that. I’m sorry if my actions hurted you, Sarah. But I meant you no harm. Believe me,” he added.

Kaid waited for my response. He expected me to accept his apology or even thank him for saving my life on time, or just a word for him from my mouth. But, I said nothing. Instead, I turned my head away, not in the mood of even looking at his face. He sighed. Standing up from his seat, he walked out and came back with a bowl of poridge, saying, “Even if you are mad, you need food to recover, Sarah.”

“Let me feed you, honey,” he said while taking a spoon filled porridge near my lips. I didn't refuse him and let him feed me in silence. He mistook the gesture as my forgiveness and a sweet smile appeared on his lips. But, he didn't know, he didn't matter to me anymore, nor were his actions.