Isabella was marrying Alpha Henry, and she insisted that I be her maid of honor. But on the day I tried on my dress, my wolf—who had never shown herself before—suddenly sent me a warning through our telepathic bond. “Be careful. Your stepmother and Isabella are trying to steal your destiny!” The next second, I intercepted Linda’s wicked thoughts through our Mind Link: “The waistline of this maid of honor dress is perfect for covering up the curse marks. Once the ritual is done next week, Emma’s destiny will belong to Isabella. Isabella will marry Alpha Henry in glory. As for whether Emma survives the ritual… well, that’s up to her luck.” At that moment, a chill ran down my spine. I was never their beloved younger daughter. I was just a destiny vessel they had raised for twenty-two years, waiting to be sacrificed for Isabella! Since you chose to be ruthless, don’t blame me for tearing this hypocritical family apart! The fitting room had a massive full-length mirror, lit by bright, harsh lights. I stood on the pedestal, wearing a pure white maid of honor gown. My stepmother, Linda, knelt at my feet. With pins held between her lips, her hands deftly tightened the fabric around my waist. She looked up, her eyes filled with warmth and motherly affection. “Our Emma is so beautiful. On your sister’s wedding day, you’ll definitely be the most stunning maid of honor.” She reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear, her fingertips warm against my skin. Looking at the reflection in the mirror—a face that shared some resemblance with hers—I was about to offer a happy smile. But then, a cold, sharp voice echoed abruptly in my mind through our Mind Link. *This waistline is perfect. Once the ritual is done next week and the cursed seal is covered with lace, no one will notice a thing under this dress.* *As long as she doesn’t survive the ritual, Isabella can take her destiny. Then, her bond with Alpha Henry will be completely secure.* *Trading one worthless life for our family’s lifelong wealth is an honor for this brat.* My smile instantly froze on my face. I felt the blood drain from my body. My hands and feet went completely numb. I stared blankly at Linda. Her lips hadn’t moved at all. She was still wearing that same sweet, maternal smile. But that voice was unmistakably hers, filled with a chilling, calculated malice. “Mom…” I heard my own voice trembling. Linda immediately stood up, grabbing my hands with deep concern. “What’s wrong? Is the dress too tight? Why are you so pale?” *Did this brat notice something? No, I need to keep a close eye on her these next few days. Nothing can go wrong at the final moment.* I bit the tip of my tongue hard until I tasted copper, using the pain to suppress my terror. “I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night,” I forced a weak smile. Linda let out a sigh of relief and patted the back of my hand. “That’s good. The big day is just around the corner, so you must take care of yourself. Isabella is counting on you to walk her down the aisle.” I lowered my eyes to hide the cold anger in them. Walk her down the aisle? More like delivering my destiny—and my life—on a silver platter. This would be the last day I played the role of their obedient daughter. On the drive home, my father, David, was behind the wheel. Usually a man of few words, he uncharacteristically glanced at me several times through the rearview mirror today. “Emma, I’m taking you to see a witch tomorrow. You’re twenty-two and still haven’t shifted. Maybe she can find out why.” His tone was flat, as if he were talking about a trivial errand. I leaned against the car window, watching the city lights blur past, and said nothing. Linda immediately chimed in. “Yes, if you had even half of Isabella’s talent, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.” *The witch tomorrow is already paid off. Once we bring her there, we can complete the final preparation for the ritual. David even has the wolfsbane ready to suppress her wolf. She won’t be able to resist.* I gripped my seatbelt so hard my knuckles turned white. Twenty-two years. I was finally seeing this so-called family for what they truly were. The living room walls were covered with portraits of Isabella from childhood to present. She wore designer dresses and tiaras, treated like the family’s most precious treasure. Meanwhile, I didn’t have a single solo photo on the wall. Growing up, if Isabella coughed, Linda would cry with worry. If Isabella got sick, David would drive across the city in the middle of the night just to get her favorite strawberries. And me? I was always physically weak, barely showing any werewolf traits. When I ran high fevers, Linda would simply toss two pills onto my nightstand. “Be good, Emma. Mommy has to go take care of Isabella. Take the medicine and sleep it off.” I used to think they favored her because she was more talented. I tried so hard to be perfect. I did all the chores and pushed myself in training, desperately hoping for just one nod of approval. Now, I finally understood. I wasn’t their daughter. I was just a “destiny vessel”—carefully raised and ready to be slaughtered for Isabella. ***
At dinner, the table was filled with a lavish feast. Linda set a steaming bowl of meat soup directly in front of me. “Emma, drink more of this. You need to build up your strength.” She smiled warmly, the wrinkles around her eyes softening. *The heavy sedative is already mixed in. Once she falls asleep, we’ll drag her to the witch tomorrow morning. It saves us the trouble of dealing with a struggle.* Looking at the greasy soup, my stomach churned. “Thanks, Mom.” I picked up my spoon and gently stirred the liquid. Linda sat across from me, her eyes locked onto my every move without blinking. “Drink it while it’s hot. It won’t taste good once it cools down,” she urged. I lifted a spoonful to my lips, pretended to get burned, and coughed violently. “Cough, cough… It’s too hot!” I bent over, spitting the soup into a thick napkin I had prepared in advance, then quickly stuffed it up my sleeve. “How can you be so clumsy?” Linda frowned, a flash of impatience crossing her face. *What a useless brat, choking on a spoonful of soup. Just drink it and go to sleep. Don’t ruin tomorrow’s plans.* I looked up, my eyes red from coughing. “Mom, I really can’t drink any more. I’m going to my room to sleep.” Linda looked at the half-full bowl, her expression darkening. “No! You have to finish it! I spent the whole afternoon brewing this for you!” She abruptly stood up, grabbing the bowl and trying to force it down my throat. I jerked back, causing the soup to splash all over the tablecloth. “Mom! I said I don’t want any more!” I raised my voice. Beside her, David slammed his forks down onto the table. “Is that how you speak to your mother? Drink it when you’re told!” Looking at their mask-slipping faces, the coldness in my heart deepened. I couldn’t have a direct confrontation right now. I inhaled deeply, pretending to submit. I picked up the bowl and drank it down in large gulps. But with every gulp, I held the soup in my mouth, using the napkin to wipe my lips while spitting the liquid into a dry sponge hidden in my sleeve. After the last gulp, I slammed the empty bowl onto the table. “I’m done. Can I go to sleep now?” Linda’s expression finally softened, and she smiled with satisfaction. “Good girl. Go on, get some rest.” *The sedative will kick in within thirty minutes. Tonight is secure.* Once inside my room, I locked the door. I rushed to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and shoved my fingers down my throat to force myself to throw up. I retched until nothing but stomach acid came out. Weak and exhausted, I leaned against the sink. In the mirror, my face was ghostly pale and my eyes were bloodshot. I looked like a monster. But I didn’t cry. My tears had dried up the moment I realized the truth. I pulled a small glass vial from the bottom of my backpack. I carefully squeezed the remaining soup from the sponge in my sleeve into the vial. This was my evidence. Next, I pulled out an old, deactivated phone, connected it to a power bank, and hid it under my bed inside a pile of junk, turning on the voice recorder. With everything set, I lay on the bed, closed my eyes, and waited. At midnight. Faint footsteps approached my door. With a soft click, the door was unlocked from the outside with a spare key. I slowed my breathing, lying completely still. Linda and David crept to the side of my bed. “Is she completely out?” David whispered. Linda waved her hand in front of my face and shook my shoulder. “She’s dead to the world. That sedative is strong.” She sneered, showing no pity for her daughter, only the triumph of a successful plot. “Hurry up, stop wasting time and get the contract,” David urged. The sound of rustling paper echoed in the quiet room. “Grab her thumb. Press it right here,” Linda directed. I felt a rough hand grab my right thumb, pushing it toward a cold ink pad. *Once she signs this blood contract, she’s ours forever.* Just as my fingertip was about to touch the “Destiny Swap Contract,” I snapped my eyes open. In the darkness, my gaze was piercing. “Dad, Mom, what are you doing?” ***
Linda shrieked in terror, dropping the ink pad. It shattered on the floor, splashing red ink like a pool of fresh blood. David stumbled back, crashing into the wardrobe. “You… how are you awake?!” Linda pointed at me, her voice trembling. I slowly sat up, my cold gaze sweeping over their panicked faces before landing on the paper with the partial thumbprint. “A Destiny Swap Contract?” I read the words aloud, a mocking smile playing on my lips. “You sneaked into my room in the middle of the night just to make me sign this?” Linda recovered quickly. She snatched the paper, trying to hide it behind her back. “Emma, let me explain. You know Isabella’s situation. She needs a stronger destiny to match Alpha Henry. I had no choice. Can’t you just do this for your sister?” She fell to her knees by my bed, tears streaming down her face. “I raised you myself. How could I want to force you? But Isabella… she can’t lose everything!” *Calm her down first. Once she softens, we’ll bind her and take her to the witch tomorrow.* Watching her Oscar-worthy performance, I felt sick to my stomach. “Do this for her? By giving up my own destiny?” I asked coldly. David’s face darkened, and he took a harsh tone. “What do you mean ‘your destiny’? A destiny swap won’t kill you! We’ve raised you for twenty-two years, fed you, and clothed you. Now that the family needs you, what’s wrong with making a small sacrifice?” “A small sacrifice?” I scoffed. “Your idea of a sacrifice is drugging me and trying to force my thumbprint while I’m unconscious?” I threw off the covers, walked to my desk, and picked up the glass vial containing the soup. “This vial contains the soup you fed me tonight. If I take this to the Werewolf Council for testing, guess what will happen? Drugging, coercion, and conspiring with dark witches to swap destinies… how many packs do you think will banish you for these crimes?” Linda and David’s faces drained of color. “You… you dare threaten us?!” David snarled, his finger shaking as he pointed at me. “Try me.” I met his gaze without a hint of fear, refusing to back down. The air in the room froze. Seeing that force wouldn’t work, Linda tried to play the emotional card again. “Emma, don’t be so heartless! We are your parents! If you report us, where will you go? No pack will ever accept an outcast like you!” *This little bitch dares to threaten me! Once this is over, I’ll make her pay!* Staring at her fake, pleading face, the last shred of familial affection in my heart shattered. “Parents? The moment you decided to use me as a destiny vessel for Isabella, we ceased to be family.” I pointed at the door. “Now, get out.” David exploded in rage. He lunged forward, raising his hand to strike me. “You ungrateful brat! I’ll beat some respect into you tonight!” I didn’t flinch. I just stared at him coldly. “Go ahead. Hit me. But I promise you, if you touch me tonight, this recording and this vial of evidence will be on the Elders’ desks by tomorrow morning.” I pointed toward the bed. I knew he wouldn’t dare kill me. He still needed me alive to swap destinies with his golden daughter. David’s hand froze in mid-air, unable to come down. Linda grabbed David’s arm, glaring at me with venomous eyes. “Fine. You think you’re so smart. You think these cheap tricks can threaten us? Let me tell you, Isabella’s marriage is set. Alpha Henry has already agreed to the alliance. If you ruin this, I will make your life a living hell!” “We’ll see about that.” I walked over and flung the door open. “Get out.” Linda and David slunk out of the room like scolded dogs. The moment the door slammed shut, all my strength vanished. I slid down against the door, collapsing onto the floor. I hugged my knees tightly, burying my face in my arms. I didn’t cry. I just felt cold. Bone-chillingly cold. ***
The next morning, I got up and washed my face as usual. Linda and David were sitting on the living room sofa, their faces incredibly grim. Seeing me walk out, Linda sneered. “Pack your things. We’re going to the witch.” I ignored her and walked straight to the foyer to put on my shoes. “I have errands to run.” “What errands?! Your sister’s entire future depends on today!” David leaped to his feet, blocking the door. I looked at him calmly. “I said, I’m going out. If you want a scene that the entire pack will talk about, I don’t mind screaming for help right now.” David grit his teeth, but eventually stepped aside. They didn’t dare risk it. They had too much to hide. Leaving the house, my first stop was to see Susan Wilson, a retired member of the Werewolf Council. Susan was a highly respected and righteous Elder Luna. We had met by chance, and after learning about my situation at home, she had been quietly looking out for me. I handed her the recording, the vial of drugged soup, and the photo of the “Destiny Swap Contract” I had taken on my phone. “Ms. Wilson, I need your help.” I explained everything that had happened from start to finish. Hearing the story, Susan trembled with rage. “This is monstrous! How can parents do this to their own flesh and blood!” She slammed her hand on the table and stood up. “Emma, don’t worry. I’ll take you to the Council right now! This cannot be tolerated!” I caught Susan’s hand and shook my head. “Ms. Wilson, if we go to the Council now, they will just deny everything. Once we go back, they’ll only find more vicious ways to retaliate.” “Then what do you want to do?” Susan frowned. I took a deep breath, determination shining in my eyes. “I want to ruin their reputation completely. I want them to lose everything they care about.” I looked at Susan. “Ms. Wilson, I need you to help me find a certified witch to analyze the chemicals in this soup. Also, I need you to look into Isabella’s birth records. I suspect she isn’t my father’s biological daughter.” Susan stared at me for a moment before nodding firmly. “Alright, I’ll help you. Rest assured, as long as I’m here, no one will hurt you.” Over the next few days, I didn’t go home. I stayed in a safe house Susan arranged for me. Linda and David searched everywhere for me. They even confiscated my old ID and phone that I left at home, but I kept my actual phone with me. By the weekend, Isabella’s fiancé, Henry, came to visit the family. Henry was the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, a powerful and arrogant man. Linda and David treated him like royalty, serving him tea and flattery. Isabella wore an elegant, expensive dress, leaning softly against Henry’s chest, letting out sweet, delicate giggles from time to time. “Henry, do you think our wedding will be the grandest of the year?” Isabella asked, her eyes sparkling. Henry wrapped his arm around her, kissing her forehead. “Of course. You’re the most beautiful she-wolf I’ve ever seen. Our wedding will be the talk of the entire territory.” “But… I feel like someone is jealous of me…” Isabella sighed, her eyes drifting toward me standing in the corner. Linda instantly got the hint. She marched over, grabbed my hand, and dragged me forcefully in front of Henry. “Alpha Henry, don’t worry. Everything is going according to plan. Emma is very obedient. She will cooperate fully.” *Once we seal the deal in front of Alpha Henry, this brat won’t dare back out. And if Alpha Henry is pleased, we can demand twenty percent more in the dowry alliance.* I stared coldly at Linda’s pathetic, flattering face, and violently shook off her grip. “When did I ever say I would cooperate?” The living room went dead silent.
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