Chapter 1

Sapphire’s pov

All my life, I've been haunted by one nightmare : my mother's death. As if that wasn't enough, the Moon Goddess decided Larisa deserved the perfect mate while I get the honour of getting every floor in the packhouse. 

Lucky me.

I'm what people would call the classic Cinderella — work like a slave, forced to live in my sister's shadow, watch and sulk in my little corner as my sister gets showered with love, and act invisible around everyone in the pack. My life was going nowhere. 

Everything was out of reach — happiness, love, joy. 10 years into this life of mine and I was beginning to think I was cursed. 

While polishing the marble floor, I overheard 2 maids whisper to each other. 

The middle-aged blonde among them twirled her hair in her finger. “Diana, the mating ceremony is in 2 days.” 

Her companion, a younger brunette, gasped. “Oh my Goddess, Catherine, you're right. Everyone’s going and I absolutely have nothing to wear.”

“After tonight's shift, let's go to the dress maker’s.” Catherine said, squeezing her wet rag into a bucket.

Diana scoffed. “No. All the maidens will be there. What do we do?”

“How about Sapphire? She makes dresses.”

“Sapphire? You mean ugly Sapphire?” Diana scoffed again. “I'm surprised she even has a talent.”

“I know, right? I saw the dress she made for Larisa. It was out of this world. We could tell her to make the same for us.” 

“Sure, but I'm not paying.”

“Who says anything about paying her?”

Both of them giggled before walking away.

I stopped scrubbing the floor and looked at the palm of my hands – raw and red. One more scrub and I fear my skin will peel off.

“Is she done scrubbing the floor?! Sapphire!” Larisa yelled, adding a stomp to the floor. 

I resumed scrubbing the floors, ignoring the pain that came with it. 

Larisa came along with a shimmering pink gown, the dress I made for her. “Hey!”

I looked up. “Yes?”

“The waist doesn't have any diamonds! Why did you make it like this!” She yelled.

“If I try to sew it with my sewing machine, the needles break. I couldn't do it any further so I sprinkled some shimmer instead.” I explained.

“Hmm.” Larisa tossed the dress to the wet floor. “I don't want anything that won't make me sparkle. Fix it and you better make it dazzle.”

I looked at her retreating figure. It takes an insane amount of self-control to not smack her across the face. 

I heaved a sigh and took the soiled gown. “It’ll be alright, Sapphire. Don't break.”

I folded the dress and kept it on a table. As I resumed scrubbing the floor of the grand hall and almost everyone that walked past me, talked about one thing : the mating ceremony.

“I can't wait for my mate to take me out of here.” A girl squealed as she stepped into the place I had just scrubbed. 

Mate huh? 

I didn't have a mate but the next two days would determine my fate.

Who would my mate be?

Would he even be my salvation? If he would, then I'd like to get out of here.

I would want him to save me from the shackles holding me down. 

If he did then I would finally be free from being Larisa’s shadow.

Night fell over the pack and so did the October rain. 

I sat in my room with the candle light on.

Each time the wind slapped against the window, the candle light flickered as though it would soon let out. 

I pinched my eyes as I sewed the diamonds on Larisa’s dress, hoping I would be done with it soon.

Ten minutes later, I was done.

“Thank Goddess.” I gave the dress a look-over and I was satisfied with my work. 

Larisa would be dazzling on the day of the mating ceremony while I… it didn't matter what I would wear. As long as I met my mate, I was more content. In two days time, I will find my mate and happily ever after. 

Hopefully.

I pushed back my seat at the same time I heard my door creak open. 

“Sapphire? Are you awake?” A female voice asked.

“Yes. Who's there?” I asked, grabbing the candle stand.

“It's Diana and Catherine.” The door opened fully and they both walked in. “We'd like you to make a dress for us. I hope that isn't much trouble.”

The look in their eyes said trouble but I couldn't say no to them. Father said I shouldn't say no to my superiors. 

After taking their measurements and the fabrics, I slumped into my chair and hissed. “I hate myself.”

Then I remembered I had to return Larisa’s dress to her. 

I nearly folded the dress and went to her room. But when I got there, I heard noises. Muffled noises like that of an argument.

“This is why I neglected Sapphire and groomed you. It's to secure the pack's alliance!” Father yelled. 

“But father, you're throwing my life away!” Larisa retorted. “I cannot marry the Lycan King. King Dimitri is a menace! Do you know the cruel things I've heard about him? He's the devil!” 

“Your duty is to the pack, Larisa! And your duty is to marry the Lycan King! My decision has been made!” He announced.

The door flew open and he stormed out of the room. 

Just then Larisa fell to the floor on her knees and sobbed. 

When I tried to say something, she got up and slammed the door in my face. Well played, little sister. 

I kept the dress on the floor for her and turned on my heels. At least my fate wasn't decided like hers. I still had a chance. 

“My mate… whoever you are…. I'm coming.”

Two days later, 

The day of the mating ceremony arrived and so did the Lycan king. All of the Silvermoon pack including me, greeted His Majesty. 

The Alpha of our pack, father welcomed him to the pack and threw a celebration to welcome him into the pack.

I had my plans – to find my own mate during the ceremony and get the hell out of here. But I guess I wasn't the only one making plans.

I wasn't dolled up.like the rest of the maidens. I styled my curly white hair in a chignon and painted my lips with a pomegranate I stole from the kitchen. Makeup is expensive and I earn next to nothing. 

Satisfied with my look, I walked out of my room with a proud smile. Tonight, I win.

However, I didn't think my victory would be coming anytime soon. It had been 2 hours since the party and my mate was a no-show. I was beginning to worry.

I took another glass of wine and swallowed everything in one gulp. This was frustrating.

“This year's ceremony is so boring. Am I right?” Larisa said, passing me a glass of wine.

I took it without hesitation. “Yup. Might as well get drunk than sleep on it.”

Larisa laughed. “Are you drunk, big sis?” 

“Shh.” I shushed her and giggled. “Don’t tell father.”

Larisa smiled. “I won't. It'll be our little secret.”

“Good.” I giggled, feeling dizzy. My eyes fell on the wine glass. The way it swirled in the cup made me wonder if it was wine or something else.

Before I could give it a good sniff, Larisa nudged me in the ribs. “What are you doing? Sniffing the wine? Do you want everyone to think you were raised in the countryside? Behave!”

“But it looks suspicious. Is this even wine?” I asked, completely under the dizzy spell.

“It isn't,” Larisa smirked. “Don't worry, big sis. It's just apple juice.”