Born Out Of Spite.

The hate in the glares they shot at her made the room overly suffocating for Marianna to breathe properly. Asides from the shaman who gawked at her in a somewhat pitiful way, the rest glared maliciously at her. 

Luna Ren retained her stance, and towered superiorly over a very unsettled Marianna. How…did they think she would take that type of suggestion?

Although they might find her existence meaningless, Marianna loved living – how would she possibly give up her life just for Mariah! The same Mariah who never hesitated to treat her spitefully. 

With her eyes lowered, she was oblivious of how furiously Luna Ren gawked at her. In the next moment, Marianna had a handful of her soaked hair gripped firmly by Ren. 

So callous was the Luna that she literally pulled her hair brutally – one might think she desired to rip it off Marianna's scalp. 

“Your highness, please!” Marianna's timid voice cried out for mercy, yet Ren maintenanced her tight grip. Marianna tearfully gazed at Ren, who seemed enraged. 

“Don't play mute with me, slut. Didn't you hear me properly? You are to give your heart to Mariah, what can't you possibly understand!” she growled at her, then tugged more recklessly on her hair.

Despite the pains, Marianna refused to respond – it wasn't mandatory she was Mariah's donor. Were they not countless wolves in the pack?

Surely, one would definitely prove a match – why her? She, too, had a life to live. Marianna needn't ponder deeply about the whole situation; she might appear selfish, but so be it. 

Never has she ever merited from anything she has done, but laying her life thoughtlessly for others?

No. She wouldn't!

Ren got highly crossed at her silence. Wickedly, she tossed Marianna aside and she fell brutally on the floor. 

The shaman could clearly tell she wasn't feeling well at all – the rate at which she shivered and even the redness of her eyes were alarming. 

He stole a glimpse at her supposedly mother; wasn't she going to say anything? Even though he had heard about Gloria Clarkson's brutality towards her other daughter, he didn't assume she would be this heartless. 

Marianna heaved unsteadily when her head began to pound so excessively – the injury she sustained from yesterday's fall was yet to be healed. They didn't even worry about her current state but wanted her to die for Mariah so easily?

Ren went closer to her again, and her hated gaze was incessant. “Listen here, I'm not concerned about your opinion. Mariah's transplant will be held a week from now! Be prepared to die for her sake” that was the Luna's last utterance before she left. 

Amaya soon trailed after, then again halted to sneer disgustingly at Marianna. 

“You're rather fortunate; you'll be dying for such a just cause” she left quickly before Marianna picked herself quietly from the floor. 

Marianna ogled at her mother and hoped to find some sort of empathy in her eyes – yet…

“M-m-mother, will you really not say anything? Don't I deserve to even live?” Marianna questioned with large balls of tears rolling down her cheeks. 

Gloria laughed heartily, but it ended abruptly. “For Mariah to die and you to live will be an abomination. Someone as worthless as you shouldn't live, Marianna. Now get out. Out!”

Soon, Marianna could be seen walking shakily towards her basement for a room. Once she arrived, she flung herself on the sturdy mat. 

Tears filled her eyes immensely as she shut them gently. No matter how unpleasant the situation was, she was going to die. 

••

Six consecutive days had passed since the Alpha returned. Although he dissented greatly against his return being celebrated, Luna Ren went ahead and did so glamorously. 

Practically, everyone in the Crimson Moon Pack was joyous during such a time, well, all except Marianna. What cause did she have to be gleeful?

Mariah's transplant was drawing nearer; her demise too.

Mariah could barely walk during these days, and so was suggestively moved to the Royal Palace. Gloria was now treated as an in-law while Marianna was, well, still the same maid. 

Presently, Marianna could be seen in the kitchen, preparing a cup of herbal tea for Mariah. She took it upon herself to do so. 

Her kindhearted nature couldn't bear to see her sister in such a state, and so tried to do all she could to help. The Palace was expectantly bubbling with life – Alpha Nickolas' return was still being celebrated, but Marianna was the sole maid who didn't engage in any activity. 

How could she when Gloria was determined to kill her with unbelievable work loads? The kitchen was scanty with her and some few maids being there. 

A smile crept up her lips once she was done with the tea. She placed it on a coaster, then made her way to Mariah's room. 

Mariah was being accommodated in a room next to Amaya's bedroom – Nickolas' was located pretty far from theirs.

From his behaviors, Marianna was certain the Alpha was introverted. He was rarely seen during the celebration; maybe because he wasn't interested initially. 

During the past few days, she hasn't set her eyes on him again. A part of her felt relieved, while the other saddened.

She wanted to relish in the pleasure of gaping at his perfect face. She wondered how anyone could appear so… bewitching! 

Weirdly, Marianna was happy that Mariah would get married to such an ethereal being. It did imply her death, but that was how the Moon Goddess had designed her fate, right?

Ultimately, she arrived at Mariah's room. A knock was placed on the door, then Gloria's voice spoke from within; Marianna gulped down bashfully. 

She pushed the door silently and Mariah with Gloria came into view. She was thankful that Mariah was conscious as a smile spread on her lips. 

Mariah sat upright on the enormous queen-sized bed, while Gloria sat beside her at the edge.

“Your tea, my Lady” Marianna nearly muttered – the spacious gap between herself and Mariah was somewhat pathetic. 

Gloria collected the cup of tea from Marianna. She did a light bow then made to leave but was called back. 

Immediately she turned to face them, the entire content of the cup bathed her face. Marianna winced lowly at the hotness of the liquid – what did she do wrong now?

“How dare you serve her something this boiling hot! Do you want to die, wench!” Gloria shot nastily, while Marianna noiselessly endured the pain. 

“Please forgive me ma'am” She apologized sharply but got snarled hatefully at. 

“I give you a minute to return with another cup. Leave!” Gloria screamed at her before she scurried off. 

Unpredictably, a word wasn't uttered by Mariah; she simply watched the entire scent mutely. The truth was, she felt too weak to even speak, unless Marianna would have gotten slapped by her. 

Gloria diverted her attention back to her precious daughter before a large smile spread on her lips.

She stretched her arm to caress Mariah's flawless face mildly. 

“My baby, don't worry, you'll get better soon, okay?” she reassured her softly, then again Mariah unhesitatingly slapped her hand off.

“Don't touch me with that stinky hand” She literally warned darkly only for Gloria to smile pretentiously. 

How could her daughter treat her so? While they awaited Marianna's return with the cup of tea, Luna Ren walked in. 

“Greetings your highness” Gloria stood then bowed respectfully while Mariah merely looked elsewhere. 

“How are you doing now, Mariah?” Luna Ren went to stand next to her. “As obvious as it may, I still can't walk properly. When will the darn transplant be done? I'm tired of this!” she hushed haughtily yet Ren simply smiled. 

“Don't freight. The transplant will be carried out tomorrow, okay? Just be patient”.

Their conversation got paused once Marianna strolled in with her head bowed. Luckily, she wasn't insulted but yelled at to leave sharply. 

Gloria handed the cup of tea to Mariah, who reluctantly accepted it – the tea was truly bitter, but she didn't have an option than to swallow everything in a go. 

Seconds passed after gulping down the entire content, but Mariah soon felt the discomfort within her internal organs. 

“Mariah!” Gloria gasped shockingly when blood rushed from her mouth, nose and even ears. 

In the next instant, Mariah began to vomit blood excessively, to Ren and Gloria's amazement.

Mariah puked every single…internal organ while her body vibrated endlessly. They watched in horror and disgust at the scene, then Gloria rushed to hold Mariah. 

Her body was so feeble, light and…lifeless in her embrace. “Mariah? Mariah? Mariah!” she screamed repeatedly with tears running down her eyes, but Mariah was long dead. 

“Dear Goddess” Ren covered her nose with her palm – the smell which hung in the air was utterly revolting. 

Gloria's tears wetted Mariah's clothes – she was crying inconsolably. “She…she did this! Marianna did this! The tea must have been poisoned. She killed her sister! That harlot!!” Ren shouted bitterly as she clenched her fist tightly. 

“Guards! Guards!” Swiftly, three guards came to the door. 

“Marianna Clarkson, find that vile woman. Find her now!”