Seven
Emira’s POV
A sweet being who cares about me? Loves me?”
“Oh, please. I’d sooner believe a raven could turn white,” I said sarcastically and walked straight into the kitchen.
I wasn’t a fool. I saw Diana for who she really was–like mother, like daughter.”
Anger simmered beneath my skin, burning hot and sharp behind my eyes. To them, I was always the villain. It was so easy for them to slap labels on me–call it concern when it was just polished cruelty.
It was already 9 PM when I stepped into the pack’s grand hall. Werewolves from high–ranking families filled the place, mingling with well–known Alphas. Everything looked luxurious and perfect.
I’d never been to a celebration this grand. When my mother was alive, birthdays were small, quiet affairs. Family–only. Genuine.
My chest tightened with the weight of old memories, and I forced them down, hardening my face to stone.
Diana’s favorite song played softly in the background. She stood at the center of it all in a deep navy gown, glowing like a damn princess–smiling wide, eyes sparkling, draped in affection. My father embraced her tenderly, while her mother stood beside them, beaming with pride.
And just like that, I was ten again. My mother was still alive. The world still felt whole. I thought the father I adored loved me too. Turns out, all along, he was having an affair–while my mother was still breathing.”
Even to her last breath… she thought she was the only one he ever loved.§
My grip tightened around the paper bag in my hand.”
“Sis!” Diana’s too–bright voice cut through the noise. She rushed toward me, arms wide. The hug she gave me felt fake as hell, but I stood still and let her.
Then came my father. He looked at Diana with pride lighting up his eyes… and then looked at me.
No warmth. No love. Just acknowledgment.
“I’m glad you made it. Diana was hoping you’d come,” he said, casually. Like I was just some guest on a list. Once, that would’ve stung. Now? I felt nothing. After five years of being treated like dirt in this pack, I’d learned not to expect anything.”
I said nothing, just handed Diana her gift. She gasped and hugged me again like we were close. I saw it–how proud my father looked at her.
The celebration continued. I stayed far off in the corner, just watching.”
Then came the big moment: a large box handed to Diana from the Alpha of Blue Crescent Pack. Gasps filled the room as she unwrapped an intricate ruby necklace–custom–made for her, of course.
Everyone looked at her like she was the moon itself. The lucky one. The chosen one.
My heart twisted, and I walked off, needing air.
I found myself on the balcony–the one place I used to run to as a kid. My little escape. My favorite spot.
I took a breath and leaned on the railing, trying not to drown in memories. This whole place was soaked in betrayal. That’s why i left in the first place.
Then I smelled Diana’s scent./
“Do you like it?” she asked, her voice dripping with pride.
I ignored her.”
“Being married to a comatose man?” she continued, stepping beside me, wearing that smug little smirk. “Father told me. How pathetic. You’re stuck with someone who can’t even open his eyes–meanwhile, I have everything wanted. And no matter what you do, Emira, you’ll never outdo me.“\
She leaned in, whispering, “Just like your poor mother. She really thought she was the only one Father loved… but it was always my mother. That’s what she gets–trying to take what was never hers to begin with.”
The second a loud, clean slap echoed through the air.
