In the second year of my union with Damon Ashford, I found out that there was another wolf that got all of his love and vows. Something I have always begged for in every way since the Alpha had joined us when we were still pups.

“You are my fated mate, no other shewolf can be as stunning as you Lyria” He would have said.

But there was another wolf all along. And this other woman was none other than my sister, Lilith.

If it had been another wolf, I would have snapped her into two with this anger. I would have made her regret why she belongs to this pack. But it was Lilith, I dare not touch her.

Although neither of us were born into this pack, the Alpha and Luna took us in when we were pups. Yet, it was always clear who they favored. Lilith. Always Lilith.

The she-wolf with the angelic face and the sly tongue that could convince anyone to dance to her tune. I was the shadow trailing behind her light—a dutiful wolf who could never match her allure.

While I suffered in the pack’s healer’s den, nursing wounds from rogue attacks that nearly cost me my life, Damon abandoned me to be with her.

My heart had already endured countless scars, but this cut the deepest. The mate bond tethered me to him, a bloody reminder of what was never love but was now torment.

The betrayal wasn’t just an affair. It was a full-scale mockery of my already pitiful existence. I learned Damon intended to make Lilith his Luna—discarding me, his fated mate, like I was nothing more than a servant. He was just using me to save face.

But not anymore. No longer will I stay in a pack I am not respected. No longer will I devote loyalty to the love that is not my own.

That night, I made my decision.

If I couldn’t escape the bond, I would escape this life.

The moon shone high as I met with Jareth, the rogue merchant who operated in the shadowlands near the pack's borders. He was rumoured to be untrustworthy and capable of dangerous things. But that's what I intend to do now. Dangerous silent moves that would shake the foundation of this territory.

“ Let me see this one” I demanded with my veil on.

“This is no ordinary retreat,” he said, his voice low and enticing. “This is a ship of the wild rivers, hidden in the uncharted territories. Fully stocked with provisions and enchanted to evade detection. Once you set sail, no wolf—Alpha, Beta, or rogue—will be able to find you.”

I stared at the map he spread before me, tracing the rivers that would carry me far away from this wretched pack.

“Will it take me to a place where I can leave all of this behind?” I asked, my voice sharp and cold.

Jareth’s grin widened. “You’ll vanish completely. No one will know where you’ve gone.”

“Then it’s settled,” I said, cutting him off before he could continue. “I’ll take it.”

“My lady…..the outside world is dangerous” He began again.

“ Anyone that wants to go on a journey of no return should have a companion so they won't die of loneliness before reaching the far away lands. Are you certain you wish to—”

“Yes. Prepare this immediately. Do your job. I will go alone!” I replied, my eyes still on the map.

“But my….” He protested. I turned my back. He proceeded again and said “You will need it…”

“I said no one,” I snapped, silencing him.

His head dropped further. “As you wish.”

He handed me a seal, a token of the agreement. “It’ll be ready in five days. But you’ll need to prepare for the journey. Once you leave, there’s no coming back.”

“I don’t intend to.” My voice held no hesitation as I turned and walked away.

The moment I stepped into the shadows, my mind was set. I would leave it all behind—the lies, the betrayal, the suffocating chains of the pack.

The following evening, Damon approached me during the pack’s evening feast. His voice was soft, calculated, as if he still thought I was the naive wolf who’d once loved him.

I was blinded by love then but now I could see how bad he was at pretending.

“Lyria, don’t forget,” he said, his eyes glinting under the torchlight. “Tonight is the full moon gathering. We must present ourselves before the Alpha.”

His words made my stomach twist in disgust. Who was he deceiving again? This Lyra? This new me? This ungrateful wolf had spent the past moon phases sneaking off to meet Lilith, whispering sweet lies into her ear while I waited like a fool that I was.

I didn’t bother looking at him. “I know,” I replied, my voice flat and emotionless.

“Lyria… are you fine? I want us to go there together “

I rolled my eyes in my head, holy pretender!

“Lyria?” He called again. His voice softer.

I clenched my jaw, suppressing the urge to growl. “No need,” I replied curtly. “I’ll find my way there.”

He frowned but said nothing more, leaving me to prepare for the gathering alone.

The clearing buzzed with the energy of the pack. Wolves in their human forms clustered around the bonfire, laughter and conversation filling the air.

I arrived late as expected, and as always, all eyes were on me. Just that this time, I do not care what they have to say.

“Lyria, do you have no respect for the pack?” Lilith's voice rang out, sweet and venomous. She stepped forward, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

“You’ve kept us all waiting. Is it so difficult to understand the importance of punctuality? Or perhaps you think yourself above the pack’s traditions?”

“See a wolf that was rescued, now thinking she is above authority.”

“That’s why Lilith is the best. She's always there managing the affairs of this pack after the Alpha and Luna”

“A disgrace”

The murmurs around me grew louder. The Alpha and Luna, sitting at the head of the gathering, made no move to stop her. Their disapproving gazes pierced through me, as if I were nothing more than an unwelcome intruder.

Soon I would bless them with my disappearance and they could keep their sly words to themselves.

“Lyria…..this should be the last time everyone has to wait for you” Lilith's voice came again.

I forced myself to remain calm, though my claws itched to rip the smug expression off her face. “I see no reason to rush to a gathering where the rules only seem to apply to me,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger building within me.

There were gasps but it quickly vanished when Lilith's voice came again “Perhaps if you spent less time sulking in the shadows and more time contributing to the pack, you’d be treated with more respect.”

My gaze flicked to Damon, who stood silently by her side. He didn’t defend me, didn’t even look in my direction. Well, I didn't need his support. Not that he ever did.

I clenched my fists. “Respect is earned, not given to those who betray their packmates.”

The air grew thick with tension. The Alpha finally rose, his booming voice silencing the murmurs.

“That’s enough.” His eyes bore into mine, cold and unforgiving. “Lyria, you will remember your place. You are not the daughter of this pack, merely a wolf we took pity on. Show gratitude or leave.”

His words hit me like a physical blow yet it felt soft, I was already mentally disconnected from them.

“You have your favourite, Father. “ The words rolled out of my lips before I could stop it. But I wasn’t wrong, the Alpha and Luna have their favourite and it would never be me in this or next world.

“Take a position next to your mate immediately!” The Alpha commanded.

“ Yes father ” I gritted my teeth.

Sitting next to Damon who pulled me closer to him made me want to vanish right away. But come to think of it, why should I live the hard life?

Why did Lilith always bask in the light of the Alpha family’s favor, while I, her supposed sister, was left in the shadows?

I could still recall the day we were brought into the Red Fang Pack as pups. The Alpha and Luna had lost their only daughter to a rogue attack years ago. When they found Lilith and me wandering the wilderness, they decided to take us in.

I thought I found home but I was wrong. Wrong from all angles. But was it my fault I have a different face and aura compared to Lilith?

Lilith, with her golden hair and angelic smile, bore a striking resemblance to their late pup. To the pack, Lilith was introduced as their true-born daughter, while I was merely "the stray they took pity on.” And the council bought into it, Lilith grew into it and I was forced to play my role dutifully as the stray that was given shelter.

Over time, I grew numb to the whispers, the stares, and the cold indifference. My life was a pale, flickering shadow compared to Lilith's blazing light. But even at that, the man I was loyal to still chased my sister relentlessly like I do not exist. How horrible could they be?

“Lyria!” Lilith's voice came pulling me put of thoughts. I rolled my eyes in my head for the hundredth time, dreading the venom she was going to spit from that mouth yet again.

"Lyria, Father and Mother have treated you with love. Can’t you show a shred of respect to the family that raised you and let your mind be present?” her tone dripping with fake concern.

I kept my face blank, meeting her sharp gaze with icy detachment. "I am here. And for earlier, sorry for being late" I said curtly, not giving her the drama she craved.

Her lips curled in a victorious sneer. "You’ve always been like this—distant, ungrateful. It’s no wonder the pack hardly acknowledges you."

Before I could respond, Damon, my supposed fated mate, interjected. "Lilith don’t get upset. Lyria didn’t mean any harm. Let’s not ruin this feast over a misunderstanding."

The first words out of his mouth weren’t to defend me, but to comfort her. Of course, I was not surprised, at least not anymore.

Right beside me he flashed a smile to her, something she returned immediately. The sight was nauseating, but it wasn’t even the least surprising. I had seen the messages—thousands of them—hidden in a secret compartment of his inner chamber. Each one was a love letter to “Dear Lilith, My Moonlight”

Every moment he shared with her was documented with care. Not a single word was about me. It was as if our entire courtship had been a farce, a performance to please the Alpha and Luna.

Winning the Alpha and Luna’s heart was easy, he was one of their best warriors, he had superseded every alliance made, gained new allies and brought terror on any pack that dared trespass. With his presence, almost every war was won and we expanded on our territory. To crown it all, he always knew what the Alpha’s thinking without him saying a word and with eye signals, he obeyed without complaining even if it would cost him more harm than good.

He was just the perfect mate to teach someone like me the ways of the pack like Lilith. And like that, we were to bond under a oath in few moon phases time.

I stood, tired of Lilith and Damon exchanging secret glances at each other.

As if on cue, the Luna’s cold voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Lyria, sit down. You’re fortunate to have someone like Damon willing to take you as his mate.”

I wanted to burst into laughter. Fortunate? I glanced at Damon, his face glowing with pride under their praise. His eyes were not as appealing as when I was blinded by his love.

As if exchanging glances was not enough, Lilith came over to our space and sat next to him, slightly pushing me over the edge.

Under the table, his hand brushed against Lilith. My wolf, Ember, growled low in my mind. I bit down the urge to snarl, swallowing the lump rising in my throat.

“Soon, I will disappear so you can continue your love story” I muttered, closing my eyes.

Lilith's laughter rang out like a melody as she whispered something to Damon. Their closeness felt like a dagger twisting in my chest. But then, it was only a matter of few nights.

“ Damon, you are such a sweet wolf” Lilith giggled. Everyone carried on with their affairs like nothing was wrong.

I clenched my fists under the table, nails digging into my palms, and forced myself to eat in silence.

Silence.

But I refused to break. This new Lyria doesn't break.

Instead, I focused on the promise I’d made to myself. Soon, I would leave. Leave the Red Fang Pack, leave this suffocating home, and leave behind everyone who had made me feel like I was nothing.

I planned to disappear before the next full moon. The Black Sea bordered our territory, and I knew of a lone island far beyond its waves where no wolf would dare search and Jareth would make sure my trail are erased.

“Are you alright, Lyria?" Damon’s voice broke through my thoughts. His hand brushed my arm, but I jerked away before he could touch me.

"I’m fine," I said sharply, rising from the table. "I’ve lost my appetite.”

Before anyone could stop me, I walked out into the cool night air, letting the silence settle over my thoughts.

The next morning, I awoke to find Damon standing in my chamber, his expression bright and eager. At once I felt like digging my claws down his throat.

"Lyria, get up," he said, grinning. "Today’s the day we meet the seamstress to prepare for the mating ceremony!"

“You sat with her during the embroidery right?”

I sat up abruptly, Ember growling in frustration. It was only a week until the ceremony.

Damon’s grin widened. "Finally, I can make you my mate and bring you home. I’ve waited so long for this.”

Home. The word felt foreign on his lips. Everything from him was just a calculated plan that I caught on a little bit late.

“Lyria! you have been acting strange, are you OK?” Damon asked.

I forced a small smile, nodding as he pulled me from the bed. But my mind was already elsewhere.

Even the mating ceremony seemed orchestrated to put Lilith in the center of everything as always.

For years, she had overshadowed me—framing me for stolen supplies, whispering venomous lies to the pack elders. She thrived on making me look unworthy. And before questions asked, I was already found guilty.

Every time, Lilith would start her statement with “ I found Lyria at the border, this time what she did was different and worse than the last time… ”

And nobody would wait to listen to the next sentence, boom, I was already punished.

But this time, I had a plan.

My gaze hardened as I looked at Damon. He had no idea what was coming.

“Lyria, why are you staring at me?” He asked, confusion plastered on his face.

“Oh…., just stressed and looking at you gave me more hope Damon.”

“In few nights, you will be mine completely”

“That mating night, I will give you a special present, Damon” I smiled.

“Really? What would that be?”

“Wait till then…” I smirked.

I would give them a surprise on the day of the mating ceremony. One they would never forget.

One that would change everything.

Damon had his arms wrapped around me like I was some sort of trophy on our way to the seamstress. And just when he wanted to kiss me, I pushed him away in disgust but quickly masked it by saying “Catch me if you can”

Before we knew it, our wolves took over, running fiercely, he was giggling but I was scheming. Just as his wolf caught up with mine, I turned swiftly giving him a subltle tear on the same hand Lilith had held.

“Here we are…” I said, not leaving room for explanation over the scratch.

When we arrived at the wedding dress store, I froze at the sight before me. There she was—Lilith. Standing in front of the mirror, swirling in my dress.

Every thread, every stitch, I had sewn with my own hands. No, the seamstress let me sew it, she guided me but she let my imagination run wild. Damon was aware when I was doing embroidery on it.

The intricate patterns mirrored the phases of the moon, and the lace on the sleeves was meant to represent the strength and fragility of our kind. It wasn’t hers to wear, yet there she was, twirling with a radiant smile plastered across her face, as if the entire world adored her.

And perhaps, it did.

“Lilith!” I yelled. My wolf, trying to jump out.

“You’re late again, Lyria” Lilith said, her voice carrying that saccharine sweetness she used so well. “We’ve all been waiting.”

“You are waiting for who? Me? Who are you fooling?” I demanded, moving closer to her.

“I think you might need my help as your sister?” She ignored me.

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. “I wasn’t aware we had a schedule,” I said coolly, my eyes narrowing as I took in her reflection.

“Oh, don’t be upset,” she said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. “I was only trying it on. It’s such a beautiful dress—I couldn’t resist. Damon told me you embroidered it by yourself and wow”

“Besides, don’t you think it looks better on me?” her voice came again, this time lower than intended with a smirk.

My wolf stirred inside me, clawing at the surface, urging me to respond. But I kept my tone steady. “Take it off, Lilith.”

Ember wanted Lilith's blood, my wolf wanted to tear off that innocent look and rip out her sinful heart.

She turned to face me fully, her expression feigning innocence. “You really don’t have to be so possessive, Lilith. After all, aren’t we sisters?”

“Sisters in name only,” I bit out before I could stop myself.

“Oh…you said so yourself. Why blame me for your misfortune though?” Lilith asked, adding to my anger.

“ I will wipe away that smile from your face if you get me angry” I scowled.

“ Now if you don't want me to give you a scar you will forever bear, take off my dress. I have little patience in me Lilith. Very little” I added.

Her face fell for a fraction of a second, but she quickly masked it with a pout. “Well, if you insist sister…” She glanced over at Damon, who had been standing to the side, watching us with amusement dancing in his eyes.

Or rather, watching Lilith with admiration.

“Lyria be gentle on her…I get that you are stressed but Lilith is fragile” Damon held my gaze but shift it instantly towards Lilith.

“What do you think, Damon? Doesn’t it suit me?” Lilith looked at herself again in the mirror, pushing me to the edge.

Damon. The man who had once vowed to protect me, to stand by me through thick and thin even though it were lies. Now, he stood there like a statue, his eyes flickering between us before a smirk curved his lips.

“You look… breathtaking Lilith,” he said, his voice low and smooth.

“You have always been the most beautiful of all wolves” he added.

“You have no shame. Not a little. Both of you” I shook my head, stepping closer to Lilith, ready to make her regret putting on my dress.

Lilith giggled, spinning once more before finally stepping out of the dress. “I suppose I’ll leave it to the bride then,” she said with a sly smile. “But you must admit, it did look stunning on me.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. Without another word, I grabbed the dress and turned to leave.

“Lyria,” Damon called out, his voice laced with concern. I stopped but didn’t turn around.

“What?” I asked, my voice cold.

“If you have nothing reasonable to say…my wolf needs to run” I added immediately.

“Don’t take this the wrong way. Lilith didn’t mean anything by it. You know how playful she is.”

I laughed bitterly. “Oh, I know exactly what she meant.”

He didn’t reply, and I didn’t wait for one.

Before stepping out, I turned one last time to see them smiling wholeheartedly about how Lilith would make the perfect mate.

“Your sister is just stressed Lilith…don't take it to heart” Damon consoled Lilith.

That was what i needed to confirm.

I walked out of the hall, the gown trailing behind me like a ghost of what could have been.

Back at my quarters, I sat by the fire, staring at the dress. The flames cast shadows across the room, their dance matching the turmoil in my chest.

The bond between mates was sacred—etched into the very fabric of our existence. And yet, here I was, about to bind myself to someone who had already betrayed me in more ways than one.

Damon captivated me at first with his eyes that lied they meant well for me. He pretended like I mattered, even when he would leave me at the cliff to go meet Lilith who cried wanting to save an earthworm. And when I would break my arms, he would pretend like he came to check on me whereas, his eyes never left Lilith.

If I hadn’t find out he was inlove with my sister, I would still keep blaming myself for things I knew nothing about. Lie to myself yet again, that he loved me and it was just duty calls every night he left me to sit by the river and never showed up.

“Did you see Lilith at the seamstress’?” I heard whispers.

“You didn't? Oh, you missed a beautiful sight that you could have behold”

“No I didn't…tell me, what did you see?” Another voice came, though hushed.

“Lilith…she is a gem really”

“I know…I hate this suspense…tell me what actually happened” The voice sound impatient.

“Alright” Another voice giggled.

“She looked so perfect, like the dress was made for her! You would almost think that the union was between her and Damon” The voice came again.

“She’s so beautiful…her beauty is a gift from the moon goddess as it screams perfection. Especially those innocent eyes”

“And when you are done gossiping, you should leave my doorstep.” I cleared my throat. The voices immediately went mute, then their steps hurried till they were heard no more.

I reached for the gown. I could feel my hands trembling as I held the delicate fabric of the gown in my arms. The dress wasn’t just a piece of clothing—it was a symbol of everything I had poured into this sham of a union.

“Damon, you are not worth it. Not worth the time I dedicated into this masterpiece. Not worth the hours and sleepless night every design took.” I gritted my teeth.

“You are just a waste of my time and effort. And believe me, your days are numbered“

Thud.

Into the fire the gown went.