When Lily’s birthday arrived, I went. The entire pack was there, celebrating her memory like she was still alive. I stood at the back, watching as they placed a framed photo of her on the makeshift stage. She was so young, so beautiful.
I was wearing the dress she had chosen for me—a simple blue one.
Anastasia approached with a pitying smile. "Did Mom ask you to come, Gracie? You really shouldn’t be here…" She acted concerned, but I saw right through her.
Marcus was by her side. He didn’t even bother pretending to care. He wouldn’t look at me. He was ashamed.
My mother appeared out of nowhere, gripping my arm tightly and dragging me forward.
Straight to the empty casket.
"Kneel," she commanded, her voice cold. "And tell us where our Lily is."
Like I wasn’t their daughter. Like I was nothing.
My father stormed toward us, his fury crackling in the air. "Are you out of your mind, My Luna?! You brought her here?"
"It’s best that she’s here," my mother replied. "She needs to repent for what she’s done. She needs to tell us where she hid Lily’s body."
I stared at the casket.
If I died, would they care?
No.
They’d celebrate. They’d say justice had been served because a murderer deserved to die.
"My Luna, Alpha Derick… Please don’t do this," Anastasia pleaded softly, clutching Lily’s favorite doll—the one I picked for her, the one my brother Kian had gifted her.
My breath caught.
The memory hit me like a punch to the gut.
Kian was so happy when I chose that doll. Lily had loved it. She carried it everywhere.
And the next day… Kian was dead.
Killed in a rogue attack while handling border disputes. He was supposed to be Alpha. But that future never came.
The entire Redmoon Pack mourned.
I never even had the chance to grieve.
Because right after Kian was gone… Lily disappeared.
My gaze flickered to Marcus. He was looking at me now, and for the first time in a long time, there was pity in his eyes.
"Anastasia’s right, Alpha Derick," he said carefully.
"You still defend the woman who murdered our only son’s daughter?" my father snapped. "I can’t believe you’re this blind, Alpha Marcus!"
Marcus's jaw tightened. "Is love really that easy to throw away, Alpha Derick? She’s your daughter. And I still care about her."
"Care?" My father let out a bitter laugh. "You care for a murderer?!"