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.

Because of the last rite before I became fully his, the Alpha and Luna had ordered me to spend nights in his chambers. As if we were not mated already. It was Lilith's idea, so as to not look guilty for putting on my gown and to prove she wanted the best for me as her sister.

I didn't argue. I was done doing all of that. I have connected with Jareth and everything will be ready a day to the mating ceremony.

“These place should be tidied”

I heard Damon return to the den, the faint scuff of his boots against the stone floor echoing through the space. I didn’t bother looking up. Instead, I stayed on my side of the bed, my back to him, pretending to sleep. His scent—once intoxicating—now made me want to rip him off.

The bond between us was still there, the lies I once believed still posed as the truth, a connection forged by the Alpha and Luna. The connection was still there, though faint, a part of me that I would burn completely believed he didn't know what he was doing.

But his betrayal had killed the part of me that once cared.

“My moon lily…” He said walking in. I knew that word wasn't meant for me, because even the syllable sounded like Lilith's name. I closed my eyes but Lilith's innocent face made me open my eyes back.

“Lyria…you must have been tired”

He sighed, heavy and deliberate, as though trying to draw a reaction from me. When none came, he muttered something under his breath and moved toward the hearth. I heard him toss his cloak over the chair and sit down, but I still didn’t turn.

“Still awake?” His voice was calm, almost too casual.

“What do you think?” I said, not bothering to hide the bitterness in my tone.

“ Lyria, you walked out on Lilith the other day….she apologised for wearing your dress. And you are still bitter?” The words rolled from his mouth uncontrollably.

I scoffed, tired of being bonded to this sham called union. If it was the previous Lyria, I would have begged him to choose me, that I could do what Lilith was doing.

“ The real mating is soon…I went to the Alpha and Luna, a lot of preparations are being made. Can't wait to have you as mine”

These last statements made me realize Damon took me as a dumb pup that doesn't have her senses heightened.

“Can you look into my eyes…Lyria…these behaviours from you are really alarming”

I didn’t have to look at him. I already knew where he’d been.

Lilith’s scent clung to him like a second skin—sweet and cloying, a severe mockery of everything I used to cherish about my sister. I had caught them once, deep in the woods where they thought no one would see. Since then, I hadn’t confronted him. What was the point? I’d felt the truth through the bond every time he disappeared.

He didn’t love me. He never had. And now, I don't want his love even if offered on a gold plate.

The Alpha and Luna might have chosen us as mates, but Damon had chosen Lilith.

“You can’t ignore me forever, Lyria.” His tone carried the faintest growl, a warning from the wolf within.

I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. “I’m not ignoring you, Damon. I just don’t care enough to respond.”

That got his attention. He stood, his heavy steps echoing as he crossed the room. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Him feigning ignorance triggered another memory I buried. He came behind me, trying to help me apply oil to my bruised area. Anything to make him look like he didn’t deserve cold treatment from me.

I pushed back.

“How did you get these?” He was referring to my bruises.

“It's been there for months now, and you are just noticing” I smiled, shaking my head. If it had not been that I found out his other wolf was my sister, I would be holding on and be thinking I was the problem.

“Lilith is fragile, and the Alpha doesn't want anything to happen to her” He said, dropping the oil.

“Me too…I love her” I nodded.

The memory hit me hard.

It was last month, during the full moon. I’d wandered into the clearing late, avoiding the pack as much as I could. That’s when I saw them—Damon and Lilith.

Her wolf brushed against his, her tail curling flirtatiously around his. She let out a low, playful growl that I’d never heard her use around anyone else.

“Damon,” Lilith said, her voice light and teasing, “you spoil me too much.”

He smirked, his wolf practically preening under her attention. “Someone has to. You deserve it, don’t you?”

My heart clenched painfully, but I didn’t move. I stayed hidden behind the trees, my claws digging into the bark.

Lilith turned her head slightly, her golden eyes locking onto mine. She saw me. And instead of guilt or shame, there was triumph in her gaze. She leaned closer to him, her muzzle brushing his neck.

I stumbled back, unable to watch anymore.

Later that night, Damon had come to my chambers. I was still sitting in silence, the image of them together burned into my mind.

“Lyria,” he said softly, stepping into the room

I didn’t respond.

He cleared his throat and held out something in his hands—a small bouquet of moon lilies. Shewolves loved them. A peace offering. A lie wrapped in delicate petals.

“I thought you might like these,” he said, his tone almost nervous.

I stared at the flowers and then at him. “Where’d you get them?”

His jaw tightened. “Does it matter? They’re for you.”

“Oh, it matters.” I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Because if you’re giving them to me, I’m guessing Lilith didn’t want them.”

“You are my mate….Lilith is your sister and I take her as my own too.” He lied, not batting an eye.

“Take those to her. I’m sure she’ll appreciate them more.” I smiled with a heavy heart.

Damon’s grip on the bouquet tightened, his frustration evident. “You’re being unreasonable.”

“That’s why the pack and other territories prefer Lilith. She is just too soft and wants the best for everyone unlike you.” He added.

I stared into the fire, the crackling flames unable to drown out the memory of that day. The Alpha had stood tall before the pack, his voice echoing as he declared, “Lyria and Damon, fated by the Moon Goddess herself.”

I had looked at Damon, my heart racing with joy. “Did you know?” I whispered, breathless.

He smirked, his wolf proud. “It was always going to be you.”

The pack howled in celebration, their voices rising to the heavens. I had thought it was the beginning of something beautiful.

Now, I realized it was the worst mistake of my life.

Damon looked at me, unable to tell what I was thinking. Nobody could in the pack because while growing up, Lilith was everyone's favourite and I was the stray who they gave food and shelter to so as to not die.

Many times, Lilith would be praised for learning how to fight as a shewolf and when we were put against each other to fight, she would lose but I get punished because I struck her too hard.

Then, I cried to the extent that I couldn't cry anymore and just accepted my fate and distanced myself from her and everyone until Damon came and pretended I was the most beautiful wolf.

“Lyria?” He called out. I looked at him, realizing he was still in the den with me.

His face darkened. “You’re still my mate.”

I took a step closer, letting him feel the heat of my anger. “Do you think that means anything to me anymore? The Alpha might’ve tied us together, Damon, but you’ve done everything in your power to destroy that bond. I won’t be your second choice.”

“You’re not my second choice,” he said, his voice low.

“No?” I arched a brow. “Then why do you reek of her? Why do I feel your bond with her growing stronger while ours fades? Don’t stand there and lie to me, Damon. I’m done being the fool.”

“Then you are a big fool, if you think I am having something to do with Lilith. You are just bitter, Lyria. Probably jealous of your sister” He lied again. To my face.

“ I am sorry…” I nodded my head. Left him in the den, and went to the inner chamber. I was done begging to be seen by him. I don't even want to be bonded to him forever. I knew the truth already, even though he made it messy and blamed me. The truth still remained which is, as long as I am in this territory and pack, I will never leave Lilith's shadows.