pte

at the bottom of the stairs, wearing a dress that wasn't hers. That dress was mine. More

derstand what was happening. My father didn't seem to care much, and whenever I asked my mom about it, she would b

its style. It had been a long gown before, but now there were cuts and additions that made it a

g with emotion, "that's my dress.

and down. "Oh, this old thing? It's not like yo

y father had married her mother when I was only twelve years old, and Kelly was a year older than me. Despite the fact that we were

caution or restraint. "You went into my room an

e just jealous because you know I'm right. You've always

onger. But as if on cue, our parents walked in, the

on here?" my father as

rrowed a dress," Kelly answered with feig

my stepmother asked, ey

ed," I whispered, trying to hold back

ined. "Your mother is gone, and we need to move forward. It's ju

other's hand came down hard against my

to your sister!" she hissed,

rjected weakly, but she

ily," she spat, turning back to me. "You will not caus

, I could only nod, tears prick

her tone icy. "Now

hing in my defense, but instead, he just sighed and looked away. My heart sank as I reali

ut. Sobs wracked my body as I collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in the pillow. Why did it have to

s you so much. I didn't even get to say goodbye properly. They took your b

l, this lonely. As the tears continued to stream down my face, soaking the pillow beneath me, I made a silent pro

t the hardwood floor made my stomach churn. I quickly wiped away the last remnants of m

ight now, I've decided that you can wash my bags and clothes for me." She tossed a pile of des

o keep my voice steady despite

smile morphing into a sneer. "Wash

hallenged, tired of

h malice, "I'll make your life even more misera

lenching my fists at

auditioning to be one of the Alpha King's breeders. Can you imagin

e of expensive clothes on my bed, a spark of determination ignited within me. I couldn't take this anymore-th

perate plan, and I knew that there were risks involved, but anything would be better than liv

e of purpose. "I'm going to do it. I'll find a way

help but imagine what it would be like to be free from her and my stepmoth

y to the palace an