- 4 hours ago
Belated redemption
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00:00At midnight, my soul floated out of the basement.
00:03My bedroom door was shoved open.
00:05My brother, Gareth, barged in, scoffing when he didn't see me.
00:09Aren't you a little old to be playing hide-and-seek and throwing tantrums?
00:12Normally, I would have argued back.
00:14But this time, I just floated beside him, unable to make a sound.
00:19Gareth called my phone.
00:20It went unanswered.
00:22Annoyed, he raked a hand through his hair and casually flipped through the journal on my desk.
00:26There was only one thing written inside.
00:2999.
00:30The number of times they had let me down over the years.
00:33Gareth didn't get it.
00:34He frowned, tossed the journal onto the floor, and left a voicemail.
00:38Stop with the stupid games.
00:40Lottie wants your homemade cookies, so get back here and make them for her.
00:43It's her graduation day.
00:45Don't you dare ruin it.
00:47Get home within the hour and I'll forgive you.
00:49Gareth pocketed his phone and returned to the living room.
00:52Leora's not in her room and she's not answering her phone.
00:54He told our parents.
00:56She always does this.
00:57Blows things out of proportion.
00:58Lottie disappears and waits for us to beg her to come back.
01:01We've spoiled her.
01:02Roderick said finally.
01:03No one contact her this time.
01:05Let's teach her a lesson.
01:06She can cool off on her own and she'll come crawling back tomorrow.
01:09Lottie drifted over, gently tugging on Roderick's arm, her face a mask of concern.
01:14Dad, don't say that.
01:16What if something really happened to Leora?
01:18Maybe I should text her.
01:20You know Leora and I are so close.
01:22She lowered her eyes.
01:23The very picture of an innocent, gentle fawn.
01:26I watched as she pulled out her phone, her slender fingers tapping on the screen.
01:30Hope you enjoyed getting marked up by those robes.
01:33Who are you screwing now?
01:34The party was a blast, BTW.
01:36Thanks for not showing up.
01:38It would be so much better if you just dropped dead.
01:40After sending it, she deleted the message and typed a new one.
01:46Sister, are you okay?
01:47We're all so worried about you.
01:49If you're mad at us, just take it out on me.
01:52Please, just come home.
01:54She held the phone up for everyone to see.
01:56A perfect portrait of a caring, considerate sister.
01:59Cecilia pulled her into a hug, her voice dripping with sympathy.
02:03You're always so kind, Lottie.
02:05This has nothing to do with you.
02:07Leora is just being immature.
02:09Immature?
02:10A bitter laugh escaped my ghostly form, though no one could hear it.
02:14In their eyes, it was always about Lottie.
02:17Who would even remember that today was supposed to be the day I received my Distinguished Service Award,
02:22an honor given only once every two years?
02:25Knowing they would all be celebrating Lottie's graduation,
02:28I had told them not to bother coming to my ceremony.
02:31I never tried to compete with Lottie for their affection.
02:34But just as I was about to leave for the ceremony, three rogue wolves had burst in and dragged me
02:40into the basement.
02:41I struggled, terrified.
02:43How did you get a key to our house?
02:45One of the men, Buck, dangled a keychain in front of me.
02:48It was Lottie's.
02:49Don't bother struggling, he sneered.
02:51You're not leaving this basement today.
02:53I won't tell anyone, I promise.
02:55Please just don't kill me.
02:57I'm begging you.
02:58In the end, they ignored my pleas.
03:00They pinned me down, violated me, and bit my neck raw, taking countless photos amidst their foul taunts.
03:07The other two men, Huck and Grimm, showed no mercy through it all.
03:11I fought with all my might, and in the struggle, my head slammed against the corner of a table.
03:17Blood gushed out instantly.
03:18Terrified, they fled.
03:20I summoned the last of my strength, dragging myself across the floor to my phone and licking the screen to
03:25dial for help.
03:28Every werewolf can feel when a family member is in mortal peril through their pack bond.
03:33But they all just thought I was vying for attention.
03:35Not only did they decline my calls, but they even sent me a message.
03:39Faking suffocation again? Drop the act.
03:42Your father and I don't have time for your drama.
03:44We've already severed our pack link to you.
03:46Only my mate, Killian, picked up.
03:49Help me. Killian, I'm dying.
03:51His reply was cold and sharp.
03:53Leora cut the drama. This is Lottie's big day.
03:56There's a limit to your attention-seeking.
03:58I already told you I'd make it up to you with a graduation present.
04:01Killian, I was already dying.
04:03A bitter smile touched my lips.
04:06Too bad. You'll never get the chance to make it up to me.
04:09Within 24 hours, the stench of decay will start to drift from the basement no one ever enters.
04:15Lottie always said she wished I were dead, so no one would compete with her for your love.
04:19Now her wish has come true.
04:23My spirit was trapped in the living room, forced to watch their cozy family scene.
04:28My father, who usually went to bed early, was wide awake, sitting with Ella as she opened her graduation gifts.
04:35My mother was picking out stunning dresses online, promising a whole new wardrobe for Ella's trip.
04:40Mom, I already have so many clothes. My closet is full, Ella said in a sweet voice.
04:46Then we'll put them in Leora's room. She's always so focused on her duties, she never buys new clothes anyway.
04:52Is that okay? Leora will be upset.
04:54Cecilia frowned.
04:55Lottie, you don't have to be so timid. This is something Leora should do for you as her older sister.
05:00Gareth sat nearby, diligently shelling pistachios for Lottie.
05:03Just watching the warm scene unfold, I couldn't say a word. Turns out, a spirit can cry. The warmth was
05:09theirs. The loneliness was mine.
05:11But Leora's still not back, and she's not replying to my texts.
05:15Lottie said, her voice pitiful.
05:17Is she still mad at us? I feel so terrible with her not here.
05:20At the sound of Lottie's voice, the three of them finally shifted their attention from her and remembered me.
05:26Roderick frowned instinctively.
05:28Don't mind her. She just wants us to revolve around her. When will she ever grow up?
05:33Cecilia's face showed a flicker of impatience.
05:36It's just a distinguished service award. They give one out every two years.
05:40Doesn't she know Lottie's college graduation only happens once?
05:44Why must she throw a tantrum on a day like this?
05:49Lottie pouted playfully at Cecilia.
05:51Mom, don't say that. Leora will be sad if she hears you.
05:55She had to practically beg for that award.
05:57Oh, did I just say that out loud?
05:59Though she said that, the triumph in her eyes was impossible to hide.
06:04I knew Lottie was never innocent.
06:06Growing up, her grades were never as good as mine.
06:09Even though Roderick, Cecilia, and Gareth adored her and always put her first,
06:15Lottie would still occasionally fabricate evidence that I had plagiarized.
06:19Each time, Roderick would beat me without question.
06:22From a young age, I told myself that one day, I would find my own mate and feel what it
06:27was like to be someone's first choice.
06:29Just once.
06:30But I never imagined that two years after meeting Killian, his heart would also start to drift toward Lottie.
06:36I should have been sad, but perhaps I was already numb.
06:39My soul was too numb to feel so much as a ripple of pain.
06:43The housekeeper, Hudson, brought out a platter of desserts.
06:46All of them Lottie's favorites.
06:48Naturally, they stopped talking about me.
06:50Lottie, college must have been tough.
06:52Here, eat more of your favorites.
06:54Roderick and Gareth kept feeding her, and soon her cheeks were stuffed like a chipmunk's.
06:59She smiled brightly, boasting about her achievements in college.
07:03She'd already landed an internship at a top investment bank on Wall Street.
07:07Future was boundless.
07:09Roderick and Gareth listened, showering her with praise.
07:12And I just floated silently to the side.
07:14The clock struck one in the morning.
07:16I still hadn't appeared.
07:18Cecilia seemed to feel a pang of guilt, finally remembering me.
07:21She placed a few slices of strawberry tart, a flavor Lottie disliked, onto an empty plate and handed it to
07:27my brother.
07:28Her expression was a little unnatural.
07:29Gareth, save this for Leora.
07:31She can have it when she's done with her tantrum and comes back.
07:34Let's not have her think we only favor Lottie.
07:37See, we saved some for her.
07:39I stared at the tart slices, feeling nothing.
07:41Gareth thought for a moment, then reached for the plate.
07:44Suddenly, Lottie shrieked and snatched her hand back from where it rested near a gift.
07:48Mom, it hurts.
07:50This gift, it's silver.
07:54Roderick, Cecilia, and Gareth immediately rushed to her side.
07:57Seeing the red, burn-like mark on Lottie's palm, Cecilia's eyes scanned the room, finally settling on an open gift
08:05box.
08:06That gift box.
08:07Is that Leora's?
08:09Lottie immediately looked like she was about to cry.
08:12Mom, please don't blame Leora.
08:14The gift was on my bedside table this morning.
08:16I'm just happy she was willing to give me a present.
08:18In an instant, disappointment and rage filled Roderick and Gareth's faces.
08:22I knew it.
08:23How could I have such a vicious sister?
08:25We're out of gauze.
08:26I'll get some from the basement.
08:27Enough.
08:28Stop arguing and get Lottie to the pack healer, Meredith.
08:31Roderick kicked the gift box, the one Lottie had stolen from my room, and slammed his hand on the table
08:36in fury, Gareth said before they left.
08:38Lottie's eyes darted around.
08:40She grabbed Gareth's arm.
08:42Don't go.
08:43Meredith will have gauze.
08:44It hurts so much.
08:46If Gareth had taken one step closer to the basement, he would have smelled the overwhelming stench of blood.
08:54But it was not to be.
08:55At Lottie's words, the family hurried away, leaving only my spirit floating in the empty living room.
09:01I wanted to scream that I hadn't done anything, but I could no longer speak.
09:06And I knew that even if I could, they would never believe me.
09:09So be it.
09:10Hudson, hearing the commotion, came out to clean up the mess and sighed.
09:14Miss Leora, why do you never learn to protect yourself?
09:16My spirit floated back to my room.
09:19Seeing the journal on my desk, a flood of memories washed over me.
09:22When I was 10, our family held the decennial bloodline awakening ceremony.
09:27That day would determine every cub's future status and power within the pack.
09:34Gareth was first.
09:35His wolf form was pure black, a symbol of power and future leadership.
09:40Roderick looked at him with undisguised pride.
09:42When it was Lottie's turn, her wolf was a rare snow white,
09:46possessing a natural aura of peace that calmed all the pack members around her.
09:51Cecilia held her, calling her the family's treasure, not wanting to disappoint my parents.
09:57I stepped onto the awakening platform filled with anticipation,
10:00but when my wolf form appeared, everyone fell silent.
10:04My wolf was just an ordinary gray wolf, no special abilities,
10:08no rare coat color, so plain that I would be lost in a crowd of pack members.
10:14From that day on, I became the family's common one,
10:17someone not worth investing resources in.
10:20Even after I achieved the highest academic honors,
10:23they still believed bloodline determined everything.
10:27Gareth and Lottie enjoyed all the favoritism and resources,
10:30and I, like my wolf's bloodline, was ordinary, expendable.
10:36My spirit followed Lottie to Meredith's clinic.
10:39Before long, my mate, Killian, burst in.
10:42He rushed straight to Lottie's side,
10:45grabbing her hand and anxiously examining the red mark on her palm.
10:48His eyes were wild with anguish.
10:51Um, how did this happen? What did Meredith say?
10:53Killian, don't be like this.
10:55Her voice choked with tears, yet she managed a weak smile.
10:59It's not Leora's fault.
11:01She probably just wanted to surprise me and forgot for a moment
11:05that we werewolves can't touch silver.
11:07The more understanding she acted,
11:09the darker Killian's face grew.
11:11He looked up, his voice seething with anger.
11:14Leora, where is she hiding now?
11:16Lottie, don't be sad.
11:17I'll make sure to teach her a lesson for you.
11:20We hadn't completed our mate bond,
11:21so he couldn't sense my death,
11:23much less know that I was right beside him,
11:26watching him in silence.
11:28After leaving the clinic, Killian called my phone.
11:31When it went unanswered, he left a message.
11:34Leora, how could you be so vicious,
11:36using silver to harm your own sister?
11:38I always thought you were kind,
11:40but you'd do something like this out of jealousy.
11:42Killian's voice was furious.
11:44I was on my way to give you your award gift.
11:46It's a family heirloom,
11:48a pendant to congratulate you,
11:50but now you don't deserve it.
11:52Consider this your punishment.
11:53You better pray Lottie is okay.
11:56Otherwise, consider our mate bond ceremony canceled.
11:59I listened to his accusations,
12:01my heart too weary to even feel a thing.
12:06I should have known long ago.
12:08We had fought over Lottie many times before.
12:11During a hunting training session,
12:13he had been completely focused on Lottie's agile form.
12:16When I tripped over a root,
12:18he just called me clumsy.
12:20When we ate together,
12:21he never remembered that I couldn't handle spicy food,
12:24yet he could personally bake over 20 different kinds of desserts
12:28to make Lottie happy.
12:29I argued with him about these things countless times,
12:33only to be told,
12:34You're overthinking it.
12:36I just think of Lottie as a little sister.
12:38His coldness made me feel like a possessive lunatic,
12:41but I loved him so much.
12:43I thought his presence was a gift from the Moon Goddess,
12:46that he could be mine and mine alone.
12:49I was wrong.
12:51So completely wrong.
12:53My parents loved Gareth and Lottie for their bloodlines.
12:56Why did Killian love her?
12:58I didn't know.
12:59And now I'd never have the chance to find out.
13:02Because now,
13:03whether I fell or was beaten,
13:06I would never feel pain again.
13:08After midnight,
13:09Roderick, Cecilia, and Gareth finally returned home,
13:12exhausted.
13:13I floated in a corner of the living room
13:16and heard Cecilia sigh.
13:17It's a shame Killian's bloodline isn't strong enough for Lottie.
13:20They'd be perfect together.
13:22Look how attentive he was at the clinic.
13:25My spirit froze.
13:27Then I heard Roderick speak.
13:29Yes, Killian is quite capable.
13:31And I think Lottie likes him too.
13:33It would be perfect if they were mates.
13:34But these things are guided by the Moon Goddess.
13:37Don't overthink it,
13:38Cecilia said.
13:39Killian's bloodline isn't worthy of our precious white wolf.
13:43It's better to let him be with Leora.
13:46Their gray wolf bloodlines are a better match.
13:48Even if he completes the mate bond with Leora,
13:51he can still dote on Lottie,
13:53she added casually,
13:55then looked up and noticed the house was dark.
13:57A faint, metallic smell hung in the air.
14:00Looks like the moonstones in the house have run out of energy,
14:04Roderick said annoyed.
14:05Gareth, go to the basement and get a new one.
14:08Gareth grunted in agreement and strode toward the basement.
14:11The closer he got,
14:13the stronger the metallic smell became.
14:15His wolf instincts made him frown,
14:17but he dismissed it as a dead rat in the house.
14:20What's that smell?
14:22Roderick and Cecilia followed him toward the basement door.
14:25Gareth pushed it open.
14:27A thick, nauseating stench of blood and decay rushed out to meet them.
14:32In the darkness,
14:33a body lay in a pool of dried, blackened blood,
14:36its eyes not fully closed.
14:38Gareth stopped dead.
14:40Leora?
14:43Gareth froze.
14:44My name in a choked whisper on his lips.
14:46But Roderick was the first to react.
14:49His stunned expression twisted into a scowl.
14:52Leora, are you out of your mind?
14:54Have you had enough of this?
14:55Pulling a stunt like this just for attention.
14:58Cecilia chimed in, her voice sharp.
15:00Get up.
15:01Do you have any idea how disgusting you look?
15:04You'd stoop to playing dead just to steal Lottie's spotlight?
15:07My spirit floated beside them,
15:09watching them yell at my cold corpse.
15:12They still didn't believe I was dead.
15:14They thought this was just my latest ploy for sympathy.
15:17Gareth finally snapped out of his trance.
15:19He strode forward and kicked my arm impatiently with the toe of his boot.
15:23Stop acting.
15:24Get up.
15:24My body shifted slightly on the floor, but otherwise, I was still.
15:29That sent him over the edge.
15:30I said, get up.
15:32Gareth bellowed, and his next kick sent my body rolling over.
15:35The impact revealed the fatal wound on the back of my head,
15:39along with the countless bite marks scarring my neck.
15:41For the first time, I saw true panic on their faces.
15:45Panic for me.
15:46Her body?
15:47Cecilia's voice trembled.
15:49She was finally realizing something was terribly wrong.
15:52Her body?
15:53Why is it so cold?
15:55Roderick's expression finally shattered.
15:58A werewolf's body temperature is naturally higher than a human's.
16:02If I were faking it, my body couldn't possibly be this cold, this stiff.
16:08Drop the block, Roderick said.
16:10Drop the block.
16:11We blocked our pack link to Leora.
16:13Drop it now.
16:14Let's see if she can fake being alive.
16:18It was the only way to be sure if a werewolf was truly dead.
16:22Roderick, Cecilia, and Gareth closed their eyes, concentrating,
16:27trying to find my faint light within the pack's spiritual bond.
16:31One, two, three.
16:33Gareth's eyes flew open first.
16:35All the color drained from his face.
16:37He staggered back a step.
16:39His body hitting the wall with a dull thud.
16:42Roderick went rigid, his lips starting to tremble uncontrollably.
16:47Cecilia's face, a mask of scorn and anger moments before, dissolved into pure terror.
16:54Where my life force should have been, there was only a cold, silent void.
16:59I watched their expressions, wondering if they could feel even a fraction of the pain I had endured.
17:06Impossible.
17:07Cecilia collapsed to her knees and crawled toward me.
17:10Leora.
17:11Leora is really dead.
17:15While my family home descended into chaos, Killian was blissfully unaware that I was gone.
17:21He had gone back to the clinic to see Lottie again.
17:24My spirit followed him, watching as he gently changed the bandage on her hand.
17:29Does it still hurt?
17:30Killian's voice was softer than I'd heard it in a long, long time.
17:35Lottie shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears.
17:39Not anymore.
17:40Not when you're here.
17:41Leora went too far.
17:42Killian said, his voice laced with anger.
17:45When she finally shows up, I swear I'll make her regret it.
17:48Don't blame Leora.
17:49Lottie said, her fingers tightening around his hand.
17:52She was probably just desperate for everyone's attention.
17:55The sight of her pain only tightened the knot of protectiveness in his chest.
17:59Lottie, you're too kind.
18:01She hurts you like this and you still defend her.
18:04I just worry about her.
18:05Lottie whispered, leaning into Killian's arms.
18:08Leora has been so lonely her whole life.
18:11She just needs to be loved.
18:13Killian stroked her hair.
18:14What she needs is a lesson, not love.
18:17Selfish people like her only know how to hurt others.
18:20Look at your hand.
18:21Look what she did to you.
18:23Lottie sobbed against his chest.
18:26Killian, I'm scared.
18:27What if my sister hates me?
18:29She won't get the chance, Killian said, holding her tight.
18:32I'll protect you.
18:33I won't let anyone hurt you, including Leora.
18:38I floated nearby, listening to them paint me as a villain.
18:42They spoke of my viciousness, my selfishness.
18:45But who among them knew I was already a cold corpse?
18:48Killian, Lottie said softly.
18:51There's something I've always wanted to tell you.
18:54What is it?
18:55I know you feel differently about me, she said, her cheeks flushing.
18:59And I...
19:00Killian was silent for a long moment.
19:03What is it, Lottie?
19:04We can't...
19:04Why not?
19:06Lottie looked up, her expression wounded.
19:09You don't love Leora.
19:10The entire family can see it.
19:12My ghostly form stilled.
19:15I didn't expect his answer.
19:16I don't love her.
19:18Do I?
19:20Killian hesitated, then shook his head as if to clear it.
19:23Do I?
19:23Leora is my mate.
19:24We're supposed to have our mating ceremony soon.
19:27Then cancel it.
19:28Lottie said urgently.
19:29You said it yourself yesterday, didn't you?
19:32That if anything happened to me, you'd cancel it?
19:35No, Lottie, I can't.
19:36I only said that to teach her a lesson.
19:38Killian lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.
19:41I've always thought of you as a little sister.
19:43My mate is Leora.
19:45It will only ever be Leora.
19:49Lottie stared at him in disbelief, fresh tears spilling from her eyes.
19:54My spirit heard his confession, but my heart felt nothing.
19:58Killian, I'm already dead.
19:59Your love is far too little and much too late.
20:03Killian, I always knew Leora was more likable.
20:06I don't blame you.
20:07It's my fault for not being good enough.
20:10Lottie cried, clinging to him.
20:12Killian hesitated, not pushing her away.
20:15Just then, his phone rang.
20:17It was Gareth.
20:18That must be Leora.
20:19She's probably home.
20:20Killian said, a flicker of relief in his eyes.
20:24Lottie, don't cry.
20:24I'm going to give her a piece of my mind.
20:26He answered the phone.
20:28But it wasn't news of my return.
20:30It was Killian.
20:32Killian, Leora's dead.
20:34What the hell kind of mate were you?
20:36Killian's eyes widened.
20:37Leora's dead?
20:38The phone slipped from his numb fingers and clattered to the floor.
20:42The memory of my last desperate call must have crashed down on him.
20:47He sank to his knees, his face a canvas of dawning horror.
20:51He finally understood.
20:53I wasn't throwing a tantrum.
20:55I wasn't fighting for attention.
20:57I was never coming back.
21:01Killian sped home, arriving to find Roderick in my room, clutching my journal.
21:06He opened it to the first page, and his hands began to tremble.
21:1017.
21:11Tenth birthday.
21:12The whole family forgot.
21:13Only Hudson the housekeeper remembered and bought me a small cake.
21:1623.
21:17Lottie got a paper cut.
21:19Cecilia and Roderick stayed up all night with her.
21:22I had a broken bone and had to lie in bed alone.
21:2532.
21:25I won first place in the PAX science fair, but Cecilia and Roderick went to watch Lottie's
21:30hunting trials.
21:31Page after page, it was a litany of disappointments.
21:3499 entries from childhood until now.
21:37Every single one was dated.
21:38A detailed account of their neglect.
21:42The three of them huddled around the journal, tears streaming down their faces.
21:4645.
21:47At the bloodline awakening ceremony, I became the most common gray wolf.
21:51Roderick was so disappointed he turned and walked away without a single word of comfort.
21:5648.
21:57Our anniversary.
21:58Killian spent the day helping Lottie pick out a dress.
22:01Are we still going to have our mating ceremony?
22:03Moon goddess.
22:04Please show me the way.
22:0652.
22:07Cecilia said it would be better if Lottie were their only daughter.
22:10Mom, it was my birthday.
22:12The last entry read, once it hits 99, I'm done hoping for their love.
22:17It's probably going to hit 99 tomorrow.
22:19They won't remember to come to my award ceremony.
22:22They only care that it's Lottie's graduation.
22:24The journal slipped from Roderick's numb fingers.
22:27What have we done?
22:30Cecilia slumped to the floor, sobbing hysterically.
22:34Leora, I'm sorry.
22:35I'm so sorry.
22:36Gareth picked up the journal, his hands shaking as he flipped through the pages.
22:40Every number was a needle piercing his heart.
22:43We owe her so much.
22:44He choked out.
22:45She remembered everything and we just took it all for granted.
22:48Killian stood frozen in the doorway, a silent witness to their grief.
22:52He remembered the past two years, how I had so cautiously tried to share my academic achievements
22:58with him.
22:58I had craved his attention, but he had always been distracted by something, or someone, else.
23:04I'll hold a funeral for her.
23:06Roderick sobbed.
23:07The grandest funeral the pack has ever seen.
23:10I want the entire pack to know that Leora was our most outstanding child.
23:14But it was too late.
23:16An apology can't bring the dead back to life.
23:18I was too tired to care.
23:20A week later, my funeral was held.
23:22All the werewolves who had missed me at the award ceremony came to pay their respects.
23:27They mourned me, calling me the pack's most brilliant researcher.
23:31But my family had never known that part of me.
23:35All they knew was the troublemaker who fought with Lottie for their affection.
23:40Killian knelt before my grave all night.
23:43Leora, I was wrong.
23:44I was so wrong.
23:45He whispered to the cold stone.
23:47I thought I didn't love you, but now I know I'm nothing without you.
23:51Come back, please.
23:53Yell at me.
23:54Hit me.
23:54Just come back.
23:55But I could never go back.
23:57Cecilia placed a platter of my favorite desserts in front of my headstone.
24:01She had finally remembered that I loved mango tarts when I was little.
24:05But she remembered far, far too late.
24:08Roderick and Gareth knelt beside her, repeating my name like a prayer.
24:12They swore they would spend their lives atoning for their sins.
24:15But I didn't need their atonement anymore.
24:18The funeral was grand.
24:19Only Lottie wasn't there.
24:21She claimed she wasn't feeling well and couldn't come.
24:24In reality, she was at home, celebrating.
24:27Celebrating that there was finally no one left to compete with her for love.
24:32While sorting through my belongings, Roderick found my moonstone.
24:36If a werewolf dies nearby, a dimmed moonstone will record their final memories.
24:41The realization hit him like a physical blow.
24:44He quickly called Cecilia and Gareth over.
24:47Killian followed them.
24:48A silent shadow.
24:50Leora's last moments.
24:51They're saved and...
24:52He said, his voice trembling.
24:54We have to see what really happened that day.
24:56They gathered around the stone and placed their hands on it.
24:59It began to glow, and an image of my final moments flickered to life.
25:03I was at home, getting ready to leave for my award ceremony, when I heard a noise downstairs.
25:08Three strange rogues had broken in.
25:10She's here.
25:11Stick to the plan.
25:12Buck spoke, dangling a keychain with Lottie's signature charm on it.
25:16You sure no one's gonna come looking for her?
25:18Relax.
25:19The whole family's at the little sister's party.
25:21No one gives a damn about this one.
25:23Huck laughed.
25:24A sinister grating sound.
25:25Lottie said, if we just rough her up and take a few pictures, she'll get us accepted into the pack.
25:31Remember, don't actually kill her.
25:33Just ruin her reputation.
25:35In the vision, I backed away.
25:39My face etched with terror to me.
25:42Don't be scared, little wolf.
25:43It'll be over soon.
25:45They dragged me toward the basement, grim close on their heels.
25:49Watching this, my family was stunned into silence.
25:52My death wasn't an accident.
25:53It was a setup.
25:54The vision continued, showing me being violated.
25:58I fought back desperately.
25:59My head slammed against the sharp corner of a table, and blood gushed from the wound.
26:04The rogues panicked and fled.
26:06With the last of my strength, I tried to use my pack link to call for help, but the connection
26:10was severed.
26:11The phone calls I managed to make were dismissed as me, acting out for attention.
26:16Finally, I lay in a pool of my own blood, my eyes wide with despair.
26:21The moonstone went dark.
26:23Gareth was the first to react.
26:24He stormed into Lottie's room, where she was happily trying on new clothes.
26:29It was you.
26:29You hired those rogues to kill Leora.
26:34Lottie's face went white.
26:35She waved her hands frantically.
26:37No, Gareth.
26:38What are you talking about?
26:39Look at what the moonstone recorded.
26:41What else do you have to say for yourself?
26:43Gareth was so furious, he was on the verge of shifting.
26:46Lottie, how could you do this?
26:48She was our sister.
26:49Seeing the irrefutable proof in the moonstone's light, Lottie finally dropped her innocent act.
26:55She shrieked.
26:56I only wanted to ruin her reputation.
26:58I never meant for her to die.
27:00She's the one who hit her head.
27:02How is that my fault?
27:04Besides, you all hated her, didn't you?
27:07Isn't it better now that she's dead?
27:08Her hysterical confession stunned Cecilia and Roderick.
27:11They were only just now realizing that Lottie was never the gentle, sweet girl they thought she was.
27:18Roderick slapped Lottie hard across the face.
27:20You monster.
27:21Leora was your sister.
27:23She never competed with you for anything.
27:25We were the ones who wronged her, not the other way around.
27:29Cecilia collapsed to the floor, unable to believe this was the daughter she had cherished.
27:34Lottie, we gave you all our love.
27:36Why would you do this?
27:40All Your Love?
27:41Lottie sneered, a wild look in her eyes.
27:44If that's true, then why are you all acting like this now that Leora's dead?
27:49Didn't you only love me?
27:50Unable to take any more, Killian lunged forward and punched Lottie square in the face.
27:55Shut up.
27:56Leora was a thousand times better than you will ever be.
27:59Lottie fell to the floor, blood trickling from her split lip.
28:03Don't act so devoted now, she spat.
28:05Killian, you abandoned Leora for me more times than I can count, didn't you?
28:09Her words made everyone turn to look at Killian.
28:12He was speechless, the shame burning on his face.
28:16I was wrong, he whispered.
28:17He whispered.
28:18We were all wrong.
28:19Gareth stepped toward Lottie, his eyes filled with a terrifying, cold fury.
28:24You killed Leora.
28:25You don't deserve to be a part of this family.
28:27Get out and never show your face to us again.
28:32After being cast out of the family, Lottie's life quickly fell apart.
28:36Without the pack's protection, she could only afford to live in the cheapest, most run-down rentals on the edge
28:42of human territory.
28:44Soon, the news that she had orchestrated her own sister's murder spread throughout the packs.
28:49A wolf who kills their own kin, the alpha elder Alfred pronounced, is an abomination and will be exiled forever.
28:56She tried to find a new pack to take her in, but no one wanted a murderer in their midst.
29:01Stripped of her status, Lottie became a true rogue, despised and alone.
29:05She wandered the streets, a ghost haunted by hunger and cold.
29:09To survive, she was forced to cut deals in the shadows.
29:11Three months later, during one of those deals, she encountered the forbidden fruit.
29:15It was a narcotic that werewolves were absolutely forbidden from touching, a poison for the soul.
29:21She knew the consequences, but she took it anyway.
29:24Only in its hazy bliss could she forget my death, forget the blood on her hands.
29:29The forbidden fruit slowly ate away at her wolf spirit.
29:32Her strength faded, her sanity crumbled.
29:35Finally, she died alone in a filthy, dark alley.
29:40In her last fleeting moments of clarity, she remembered me being kind to her when we were children.
29:46How I would share my candy with her, and how I would stay with her when she had nightmares.
29:51But it was all too late.
29:52When Killian heard the news of Lottie's death, his face was a blank mask.
29:56He wasn't the same Killian anymore.
29:59After my death, he became a hollowed out shell of the man he had been.
30:03He quit his job and locked himself in his room.
30:05The walls were covered with my photos, and a picture of us sat on his desk, gathering dust.
30:11He started drinking heavily, started hurting himself,
30:14searching for a pain that could eclipse the one in his soul.
30:17Leora, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
30:19It was the only thing he ever said.
30:21He desperately sought out dark magic, trying to find a way to contact the dead,
30:26beg for a forgiveness he knew he didn't deserve.
30:29I could feel his dark summons tugging at my spirit, but I never answered.
30:33A year after my death, Killian took his own life.
30:38He died in front of my grave, clutching a faded photo of us.
30:43Having lost two sisters and a mate, the crushing guilt finally broke Gareth.
30:48He began a frantic hunt for the three rogues, Buck, Huck, and Grimm, who had attacked me,
30:54but was gravely injured in the ensuing fight and left crippled for life.
30:59As for Roderick and Cecilia, unable to bear the trauma of their children destroying each other
31:04and then dying one by one, they both succumbed to a severe case of wolf sickness,
31:10their minds lost to grief.
31:12They were sent to an isolated treatment facility to keep them from harming themselves or other PAC members.
31:18Of our once-proud family, only Gareth was left, sitting alone in his wheelchair.
31:24He watched over the empty house, a silent guardian of our old memories.
31:29A family portrait hung on the wall, the last one we ever took together.
31:33I was still alive then, still smiling, still holding on to a sliver of hope for them.
31:39But now, it was all over.
31:42My spirit drifted through the dilapidated house, watching this final tragic outcome.
31:48My betrayers had received their punishment, but I felt no satisfaction.
31:52Death had rendered it all meaningless.
31:54Moon goddess, if I could do it all over again,
31:57I hope I could live in a family without favoritism, without indifference, without betrayal.
32:03Let me feel the warmth of being truly loved, just once.
32:07But in this life, my spirit has grown weary.
32:10Let me finally rest.
32:11We do not rest.
32:13We do not rest.
32:13We do not rest.
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