Chapter 3: "Elara Is Dead"

Elara's POV

The Pack is throwing a massive celebration for Serena. Her homecoming ceremony.

The community center has been transformed into something out of a fairytale. String lights hang from every beam, flowers decorate every table, and representatives from three neighboring Packs have been invited. This is the biggest event Silvercrest has hosted all year.

Father catches me in the hallway two days before the ceremony. "Elara, you'll sing at the celebration."

It's not a question.

"Show everyone what our Pack is capable of," he continues. "Let them see the talent we've cultivated here."

I nod. Of course. Display our harmony. Prove we're one big happy family.

The day of the ceremony arrives. I'm in the dressing room two hours early, doing vocal warmups. My throat feels tight. Nerves, probably. I keep practicing scales, trying to loosen up.

There's a knock.

Serena walks in carrying a steaming cup. The scent of honey and mint drifts toward me.

"Hey," she says, her voice soft. "You're singing tonight. Your throat must be killing you from all that practice."

I stare at her, surprised. Is she actually being thoughtful?

"I made you some tea. Honey and mint. It's really good for your voice."

Something warm blooms in my chest. Maybe she's finally coming around. Maybe we can actually be sisters.

"Thanks, Serena." I take the cup, wrapping my hands around the warmth. "That's really sweet of you."

"Drink all of it," she says, smiling. "I want you to be amazing tonight."

I take a sip. It tastes good. Soothing. I drink more, then finish the whole thing.

"Better?" Serena asks.

"Yeah. Much better."

"Good." Her smile widens just a fraction. "I'll leave you to it. Break a leg out there."

She slips out. I don't see the flash of satisfaction in her eyes as she closes the door.

The ceremony begins. The community center is packed. Pack members in formal wear, neighboring Alphas and their delegations, everyone dressed to impress.

I'm backstage, waiting for my cue. My throat feels scratchy. Probably just nerves.

The host's voice booms through the sound system. "And now, Silvercrest's very own Elara will perform for us."

Applause erupts.

I walk onto the stage. The lights are bright. I can see faces in the crowd. Pack members I've known my whole life. Derek in the front row, looking proud. Father beside him, expression expectant. Marcus off to the side.

And Serena, center stage in the front row, beaming.

I take a breath. Open my mouth.

The first note comes out wrong.

Horribly, terribly wrong.

My voice is raspy, broken, like sandpaper scraping against glass. It doesn't even sound like me.

The crowd goes silent. Then the whispers start.

"What's happening?"

"Is that really her?"

Father's face turns dark.

I try again, panic rising in my chest. "I'm sorry, my throat is..."

But every word sounds worse than the last. Strained. Ugly.

Serena stands up. Her voice carries across the room, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Oh no, are you sick? Or... did you not want to sing at my celebration? Do you think I'm stealing your spotlight?"

The whispers get louder.

Judgmental eyes turn toward me.

Derek strides onto the stage and grabs my arm, practically dragging me off. His grip is tight enough to bruise.

"What the hell are you doing?" he hisses once we're backstage. His eyes are blazing. "Embarrassing Father in front of

other Packs? You really can't stand seeing Serena happy, can you?"

"No, that's not... something's wrong with my voice..."

But it comes out garbled and broken. Even my excuses sound like lies.

The ceremony ends early. Awkward goodbyes. Forced smiles. The visiting Packs leave quickly.

The Pack doctor examines my throat. His expression grows grim.

"Your vocal cords have been burned," he says. "Wolfsbane extract. A lot of it. Whoever gave you something to drink did this deliberately."

Wolfsbane.

Serena's tea.

I run to find her. She's in the lounge, surrounded by Derek, Marcus, and Finn.

"It was you!" My voice comes out in a hoarse rasp. "You put something in that tea!"

Serena's eyes immediately fill with tears. "I was just trying to help. How was I supposed to know you'd react like this? Are you accusing me on purpose? To make everyone hate me?"

She runs out, sobbing.

"Enough," Derek says, his voice sharp. "We all see how jealous you are. But framing Serena? That's low, even for you."

I turn to Marcus. He'll believe me. He has to.

"Marcus, please. You know I wouldn't..."

He won't meet my eyes. "Elara, you've been acting really weird lately. Maybe you should just... take a step back."

They all leave. Chasing after Serena. Comforting Serena.

I'm alone.

The hospital treats me. Basic care for the burns. The pain in my throat is excruciating, like swallowing fire.

When I get home, I need to find Marcus. He said he'd always be on my side. He promised.

I'm walking past Serena's room when I notice the door is cracked open.

I push it wider.

Marcus and Serena are locked in an embrace. Kissing.

The sound of the door makes Marcus look up. There's a flash of guilt in his eyes, but it vanishes fast. He actually looks annoyed.

"Elara." He doesn't let go of Serena. "Look, I need to tell you something. Serena's my fated mate. I can feel it. That bond, that connection. It's supposed to be. You and me? We were never meant to happen."

He takes Serena's hand and walks past me.

Serena glances at me as they leave. There's a smirk tugging at her lips.

My world shatters.

That night, rain pours down in sheets.

I'm standing on the cliff at the Pack's border, soaked to the bone. Water runs down my face. Rain or tears, I can't tell anymore.

Images flash through my mind like a slideshow.

Serena's face when we first met. That cold look in her eyes.

"You're so kind to me. So very kind." The ice in her voice.

Every time she cried, I lost something.

Every time she offered "help," disaster followed.

It hits me all at once.

She planned this from the beginning. From the moment she walked through our door.

My guilt, my kindness, my need to make things right. She used all of it. Turned it into weapons against me.

I start laughing. It's a broken, painful sound. The laughter turns into sobs.

I take off the silver necklace. The one that marks me as Silvercrest. I place it carefully on a rock.

Beneath it, I leave a note: "I finally understand. There was never a place for me here. Elara is dead."

I turn and walk into the storm.