Elira's POV

“Honey, why are you taking so long? You said you wouldn’t be gone that long,” Monica said, flashing me one of her fake smiles.

“Sis, how are you?” she asked, pulling me into a brief hug. “I know it’s not easy to lose Alpha Lucas.”

Then she pulled back and looped her arm around him.

She gave me that fake, syrupy look of concern. I smiled back, cold as ice. “I’m fine. Why should I grieve? People leave. Nothing to cry about,” I said flatly, catching the way Lucas’s jaw clenched. His eyes burned holes into me, like he didn’t expect that answer.

Monica’s gaze dropped to the boxes. “You’re burning them?” lo

“Yeah. Why should I keep anything?” I shrugged.

“Aww, that’s sad,” she pouted, then turned to Lucas. “Honey, we need to go. I have a follow-up at the hospital.”

Lucas didn’t move. He stared at the box. “Don’t burn that. I’ll keep it—for my brother,” he said.

I was about to argue, but he didn’t give me the chance. He ordered one of the guards to take it away. My jaw clenched. What the hell was he doing? Why not just let me go? Why keep torturing me like this?

“Let’s go,” he said, and the two of them walked off like the perfect little couple.

And that’s when it hit me—no matter what I did, I’d never be Monica. Never be the one they chose. I’d never be enough.

A single tear slid down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly.

I kept my head down, ignoring the stares from the pack as I waited for the documents for the island to be finalized. I just needed to leave. Elder Thomas promised to keep quiet about it, that he’d manage things until Thorne decided to take the Alpha title.

Later that day, I returned to the packhouse after handling finances and a council meeting. Monica approached me, beaming, and grabbed my hand.

“Sis! It’s been forever since we went out together. Thorne’s racing tomorrow. Come with me. Don’t just stay holed up here, mourning Lucas,” she said sweetly.

Lucas… racing? That was new. He never did stuff like that. That was Thorne’s thing—speed, risk, freedom. Not Lucas. But something inside me wanted to see what he was up to.

I didn’t want to go, but Monica pushed so hard that I finally gave in.

The next morning, we were at the race track. Monica ditched me to find Lucas, and I wandered around until I spotted his cousin Drake talking to him.

“Seriously? You’ll get yourself killed!” Drake snapped, shaking his head. “I don’t get why you’re doing all this just to stay close to Monica.”

Lucas’s voice was calm, too calm. “It’s the only way. I don’t even know how to drive this car. Tampering with the brakes is all I could do.”

My blood froze.

“You’re insane,” Drake muttered. “Look, I get it. You love Monica. But she’s your brother’s wife. And Elira—your own wife—was wrecked when you died. You really felt nothing seeing her break down like that? She loved you, man. She loved you so damn much.”

Lucas didn’t say a word.

Drake ran a hand through his hair. “Let her go, bro. Let Monica go. Stop this mess.”

I stood there, hidden, silent, breath caught in my throat.

Then I heard Lucas speak.

“I’ll go back to Elira. But after two years with Monica... I’ll fix things.”

Go back?

I scoffed quietly and turned away.

Back to who?

The girl you left broken?

The one who died inside the moment she realized you faked your own death?

There’s no Elira waiting for you.

You can rot in your perfect fantasy with Monica.

You think I was the reason for your misery for five years?

You’re worse than Thorne.

I found a seat as the race began. The crowd roared, wild cheers erupting when Thorne’s name was announced.

Monica returned, sitting beside me. “Don’t look so gloomy, sis. You should get out more.”

I didn’t answer.

“You know, fate’s just cruel like that. Your husband died, mine survived the rogue attack. You’re just unlucky, but hey—some people are born like that. I guess I’m just lucky,” she said with a smug little smile.

I clenched my jaw, hiding the storm brewing inside me. I was about to snap when a loud crash made everyone go still.

“Honey!” Monica screamed in panic.

Elira's POV

Lucas’s car crashed into the guardrail. He swerved too hard, and people started panicking. Monica ran toward the wreck just as the ambulance arrived. They pulled his unconscious, bleeding body out of the car before it burst into flames.

She climbed in with him, crying hysterically.

I stayed where I was, calm. Watching.

How far could someone go for love?

I used to be like that. Pathetic. Chasing someone just to be loved back. Doing everything just to feel seen. But no matter what I did, I was never enough.

Lucas almost died for Monica. That’s love, huh?

It made me feel even more pathetic—because I knew no one would ever do that for me. No matter how much I gave.

Five days passed. I buried myself in the pack's duty, not even bothering to check on Lucas. I didn’t care how he was doing or if he even alive.

Then my phone rang. It was the hospital.

“Miss Blackthorn, maybe you forgot about the item in the freezer. Today’s the last day we’re holding it. Just let us know if you’re picking it up or not.”

I had forgotten. “I’ll be there today.”

I hung up, sitting on a bench and staring out into the distance. That ache in my chest wouldn’t go away. My wolf felt it too.

I touched my stomach.

“This is the right thing,” I whispered.

When I got to the hospital, I walked fast. I was about to turn toward the morgue when I passed by a room and froze.

It was Lucas’s room.

The door was slightly open. I heard Monica crying.

“Alpha Thorne won’t be able to race again,” the doctor said. “He tore his anterior cruciate ligament.”

Monica sobbed. “I’m sorry, honey… You love racing so much…”

The doctor left, and then I saw it. The smile on Lucas’s face. That look in his eyes—the kind of look he never gave me. The softness, the warmth… all for her.

He never looked at me like that. Not even once.

“It’s okay, honey. Don’t blame yourself. Stop crying… It hurts me seeing you like this,” he said, full of affection.

Monica blushed. “That’s why I love you so much.”

“And I love you,” Lucas said. “I’d rather lose racing than lose you.”

I felt like throwing up. My heart shattered all over again. My wolf howled inside me.

My hands shook as I turned around, forcing myself to walk toward the morgue.

Then I heard her voice.

“Elira!”

I turned. Monica was walking toward me, all smiles.

“Sis, you’re here! Why didn’t you drop by to visit Thorne?”

“I didn’t know you were here,” I lied.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here anyway. Just wanted to tell you—our sixth wedding anniversary’s in two weeks. I really hope you’ll come. I don’t want you to feel lonely.”

Her voice was sweet, but her smile felt like poison.

The same day I planned to leave the pack for good.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t forget your anniversary,” I said flatly.

She tilted her head, pretending to be concerned. “You sure? Maybe you’ve forgotten after losing your husband.”

My wolf growled inside me.

“I’ll be expecting you,” she added.

“I have important things to do,” I said, brushing past her. Truth was—I couldn’t stand being around her anymore. Or any of them.

After settling the hospital matter, I went back to the pack. My phone pinged while I was getting back to my duties.

It was a message from my father.

[How long are you going to ignore us? You’re being stubborn and ungrateful! Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want! You never think of your parents—that’s why Lucas died! Monica is better than you. Be on my birthday, I'll expecting you.]

I replied: [Okay.]

It’s been five years since I last went to the Nightshade pack. They didn’t even attend my wedding. But when it was Monica’s wedding? They were all there, all smiles. She got their blessings. I got silence.

Even here in the pack, I never felt like I belonged. My parents always doted on my younger sister. I spent years trying to earn just a sliver of their attention. But I could never compete. Monica always outshined me.

Bitterness clung to the back of my throat.

Even Thorne… he was my destined mate, but all his affection? It was for her.

I used to think Lucas loved me. That maybe, just maybe, he chose me. But no—he loved Monica too.

I laughed bitterly, a hollow sound in the silence.

Everyone I ever loved… loved her more.

And now?

This will be the last time I ever see my parents again.

Elira’s POV

The birthday banquet was held on a lavish cruise ship. I arrived with Lucas and Monica, boarding the deck under the blinding lights and fake smiles.

My parents met us, beaming—but their eyes were only on Monica and Lucas. I was just... there. Invisible. But I’ve gotten used to that, so I stayed quiet.

“Our sweet little girl, look at you, you’re getting thinner,” my mother said as she kissed Monica’s cheek, her expression filled with worry. “I know it’s hard to lose your baby, sweetheart. But don’t worry, I’ll keep praying to the Moon Goddess that you’ll get pregnant again, strong and healthy.”

My father, former Alpha Harold, wrapped Monica in a tight embrace—like he hadn’t seen her in years. That hug… gods, how I wished he’d hold me like that, even just once.

“You need to eat more, sweetheart. A lot more,” Father said, then turned to Lucas, who was doting on Monica like she was the air he breathed. “And you—give us a grandchild soon, and take care of our girl. We love her so much.”

“I know, Alpha Harold. For your daughter, I’d do anything. I love her more than anything in this world.”

Those were the same words Lucas once told me. “I’d do anything for your happiness,” he said. But he never said he loved me—not like that.

My eyes stung. My wolf whimpered inside me.

No one wanted us. Not even my own blood. No one except Elder Thomas.

I stepped forward, handing my father a gift—a rare luxury watch, the exact brand he loved. It hadn’t even hit the market yet. I worked hard just to get it… hoping that after I left, he’d at least remember me when he saw it.

“Father. Happy birthday,” I said softly. “Here’s my gift.”

They all looked at me like I had just appeared out of nowhere. My father nodded, not even glancing at the paper bag. He waved over a servant to take it and toss it with the rest of the gifts like it was nothing special.

Monica beamed as she handed him hers. “Happy birthday, Daddy! I hope you like it!”

My father lit up as he opened her gift like a child unwrapping a treasure. It was just a cheap bottle of berry wine. Ordinary. But his smile made it look like gold.

“I love this, sweetheart! You know how much I adore berry wine!”

If you're the favorite daughter, everything you touch turns to gold—even the cheapest things. If you’re not? You’re just... there.

They left me behind like they always did. Not even a glance back.

I walked to an empty table tucked in the corner—far away from everyone’s curious and pitiful eyes. As I sat, my father took the stage.

“Good evening, everyone. I’m so happy you’re all here,” he began, grinning wide. “I want my sweet daughter to come join me on stage.”

Applause echoed. Monica stood, glowing in her deep red tulip dress, stealing the spotlight as if she was born for it.

“My sweetheart,” Father said, voice full of pride, “thank you for coming into our lives. You’re our light, our happiness.”

The words stabbed into me like blades.

“Daddy,” Monica sniffled, tears in her eyes. “You know how much I love you.”

The crowd cooed. My father melted.

“I want everyone to know… Monica Starwind will be the heiress of our pack. Everything I have—every title, every land—will belong to her.”

The room went quiet.

Whispers broke out. Murmurs of confusion.

Traditionally, the heiress is the eldest daughter. But there I was—getting nothing. Not even a single coin.

My hands trembled. My chest tightened. It felt like my simple dress was choking me.

I stood up. No one noticed. No one ever noticed.

I walked out of the banquet hall, out to the deck, desperate to breathe.

The sea wind hit my face. I gripped the railing, lips trembling. Anger boiled in me. I wanted to scream. I wanted to shout that I was their daughter too. But what for? I’d only look pathetic.

Life has never been fair to me. Not once.

I sighed and looked up at the moon, trying to calm the wolf inside me. She was furious too.

She understood. She always did.

But that small peace shattered when I felt Monica’s presence behind me.

“What are you doing out here alone, Sis?” she asked, voice sickeningly sweet. “You should be inside, enjoying the party. Don’t be out here sulking like a loser.”

I stayed quiet. But my wolf growled.

Monica moved closer, smirking. “Look at you. All pitiful and pathetic.” Her voice was full of mockery

“You’re weak. Still begging for our parents’ love—but they love me. Not you. Never you. Can’t you see that?”

She laughed cruelly.

“My husband? He never wanted you. Thorne? Loves me. Only Lucas lobe you but well he's dead, you are alone and nothing, Elira. No one wants you. No one loves you. What’s the point of being alive?”

I was the eldest. But she never treated me like one. She took everything from me—my family, my pack, even the men I loved. Thorne. Lucas.

Why? Why go this far? Why say these things?

“What do you want from me, Monica?” I said coldly. “They already love you. I don’t care.”

She sneered. “You’re my sister, but I can’t stand you. I wish you didn’t exist. Why can’t you just die already?”

Then, out of nowhere, she shoved me.

She was strong.

I stumbled back, shocked, struggling to grab hold of something—anything.

In the panic, my hand caught hers.

She didn’t expect that.

And in one terrifying second... we both went over the edge.