Dawn broke with a reluctant light, bleeding into the heavens after a seemingly endless night. The world outside seemed blissfully unaware of her inner turmoil. The sky bore hues of soft blue and gentle gold, promising sunshine, while birds greeted the day with cheerful chirps that sounded foreign to her ears.


    Calista''s emerald eyes lingered on the view from her small bedroom window, her fiery red hair catching the morning light. To anyone else, this could''ve been the start of a beautiful day. But for her, it would be just another trial to endure—a repeat of the endless script she couldn''t escape.


    Her lips tightened into a thin line. Enough of this self-pity, she thought bitterly, tearing her gaze away. The weight of her daily chores pulled at her already-slumped shoulders.


    The kitchen greeted her as it always did: still and silent, save for the subtle hum of tension buried in every corner of her home. She worked swiftly, putting together the morning meal like clockwork, knowing full well that no amount of effort would earn their gratitude.


    Calista lived with her parents and two siblings, though they felt more like strangers than family. Emily, her elder sister, was an angel in their parents'' eyes, with beauty and charm to spare—though to Calista, she resembled a manipulative witch conjured straight from the underworld. Jacob, her elder brother, was nice enough in a detached, indifferent way.


    Her parents? Rachel and Mateo barely tolerated her presence. To her father, the beta of Crescent Moon Pack, Calista was a blemish to the family name. A curse. She often wondered if she was even theirs—a feeling only reinforced when her fiery red hair and green eyes drew looks of disdain from everyone in the house.


    Her eighteenth birthday was two moons away—a date she both longed for and feared. She''d finally shift into her wolf form, a milestone every werewolf looked forward to. For her, it was the only chance to prove herself. Maybe then, she thought, they''d stop looking at her like she didn''t belong.


    "Mother, Father," Calista called out hesitantly after setting the table. "The food is ready."


    Rachel and Mateo descended first. Her mother passed her without so much as a glance, her features passive but dismissive. Her father''s grimace deepened as his sharp, blue gaze landed on Calista. Still, she tried—she smiled faintly at him. But that only earned her a more pronounced grimace, as though her very presence soured the air.


    She swallowed hard, dropping her gaze to the ground as Emily and Jacob joined them.


    Emily floated into the room like a queen, her golden hair shining and her steps light. She radiated charm and poise, even when her smirk carried venom. Jacob trailed behind, indifferent as ever.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    They sat around the table, digging into their meals with an unspoken tension hanging over them. Calista ate quietly, though her thoughts churned. Why did she feel so… separate? Her emerald eyes flickered toward her family. None of them shared her features—her flame-red hair, her green eyes. She looked more like a stranger in her own home.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by Emily''s voice, sharp and haughty.


    "Why does this food taste so bad?"


    The accusation hung in the air like a dagger, aimed squarely at Calista.


    "It''s not bad," Calista replied, keeping her voice calm though she gritted her teeth inwardly. "I''ve made it the same way as always."


    Emily''s brown eyes narrowed, her lips twisting into a sly smile. "Are you saying my taste buds are wrong?" she retorted, her tone dripping with mock outrage.


    Before Calista could answer, Emily turned to Rachel, who promptly leaned into her daughter''s playacting.


    "No, sweetheart, you''re right," Rachel said smoothly, her soft voice turning sharp as she addressed Calista. "Why does it taste bad, Calista?"


    "I-I don''t know," Calista stammered. "I thought—"


    Her explanation was cut short by Mateo slamming a heavy hand on the table, the loud thud making her flinch.


    "Emily has training today," Mateo barked, his deep voice full of authority, "and she needs her strength! You had one job, Calista!"


    The shiver running through her spine was familiar by now, but it never lost its sting.


    Her father reached for her bowl, throwing its contents across the room in a flash of controlled fury. Soup spilled onto the floor like wasted tears.


    "Father…" Calista''s voice cracked, but he silenced her with a glare. Emily''s triumphant smirk and Rachel''s passive face were daggers of their own, and even Jacob avoided her gaze.


    "Clean that up," Emily ordered sweetly, as the rest of them continued their meal without missing a beat.


    Her face burned, but she did as they wished. Tears pricked her eyes, though she refused to let them fall. Why fight back? The result would only be worse.


    By the time they left to spend the day shopping for the upcoming banquet, her shoulders felt heavy with exhaustion. She wasn''t invited, of course. That was made perfectly clear. She''d heard it enough times: she was bad luck—a curse.


    Pulling a hood over her distinctive hair, Calista slipped out to gather food from the market.


    The crowd ignored her presence, and she liked it that way. When a familiar voice called out her name, her defenses momentarily dropped.


    "Calista!"


    Turning, she spotted her only friend in the world—Aurora.


    Aurora''s long raven curls bounced as she sprinted toward her, a wide smile spreading across her flawless features. She threw her arms around Calista in a gleeful hug. "Hey, I was starting to think you''d disappeared on me!"


    A small, genuine smile tugged at Calista''s lips. "Aurora," she greeted warmly, her voice light for the first time all day.


    Aurora was everything Calista lacked—a free spirit, bold and unapologetically vibrant. The two friends made their way through the market, Aurora peppering her with playful jabs and news about the upcoming banquet.


    "Did you hear about the prince?" Aurora gushed. "I heard he''s so handsome. Can you imagine being chosen as the Luna?!"


    Calista chuckled softly, but her heart weighed down once more. The thought of her sister Emily being groomed for that role wasn''t far from her mind. Neither was the possibility of her family being truly free from her the moment her sister rose in status.


    Could she ever break free of their disdain, or was she doomed to remain a shadow beneath their radiance?