From Now On, I’m My Own Princess

"Erin, isn't this ring gorgeous? You're not angry with me, are you?" Lily leaned against Mom and held up her right hand. Lights streaking past the car window flashed across the diamond on her ring finger. The glittering halo made my eyes sting. I looked away and lowered my gaze to my own bare finger. "No." Mom visibly relaxed and gently patted the back of my hand. "I knew you'd be sensible. Ever since you were little, you've always given your sister whatever she wanted. This time is no different." Dad was driving. He glanced at me in the rearview mirror and chimed in, "Exactly. Aiden is an Alpha and always busy with pack affairs. Lily's outgoing personality will balance him perfectly. You're too quiet. You'd only be miserable if you married him. I'll find you someone more suitable next week. Elder Wilson's son is a widower with a child, but he's honest and dependable. He'd suit someone steady like you." I stared at my reflection in the car window. "Okay." Lily giggled and leaned over to link her arm through mine. "I knew you loved me best. Tomorrow, I'm trying on the dress I'll wear when I meet Aiden. Come with me, okay?" I pulled my arm from hers. "I have something to do at school tomorrow. I can't." Lily's smile froze. Her eyes instantly filled with tears. Mom frowned. "The appointment is already booked. Can't you deal with school another day?" "It's only an engagement. Do you really have to be so petty about it? We raised you. Are we really worth less to you than a man you've never met?" I looked down at the skirt pooled across my knees. "I really do have something to do." Dad slammed on the brakes. "Enough. We're a family. Stop fighting. Erin, your sister is the princess, and you're the knight. A knight protects the princess. That's only natural." I said nothing. I simply watched the shadows of the trees slide backward outside the window. I'd been hearing those words for 22 years. Every birthday, Lily was always the princess, and I was always the knight. When we were children, Lily wanted my doll. Mom said the knight had to yield to the princess. She promised to buy me a new one the next day. Later, Lily wanted the guaranteed admission I'd earned to an elite werewolf academy. Dad said the princess needed to be looked after. My grades were good, so I could pass the entrance exam myself. After that, she wanted my bedroom. Now she wanted my engagement... Every time the cards were drawn, I was expected to give in to her, no matter how unreasonable her demand. Every time, they told me I was the knight and had to be sensible. They said good girls were rewarded for behaving. Somehow, my reward never came. When we got home, I headed straight for the stairs. "Erin, cut up some fruit for us." Mom gave the order without even looking up. I stopped. "I'm tired. I want to go to bed." After hanging her coat on the rack, Mom turned and studied me. "Are you still blaming us for letting Lily take your place? Erin, you can't be so selfish. Your sister has always been frail. We've pampered her since she was little. Aiden is an Alpha, so marrying him will give her a life of comfort. Besides, you're the one who drew the knight card. You can't blame anyone else." My fingers tightened around the banister. I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd overheard outside the study the night before. Dad had asked, "Did you mark it? Lily has to get this engagement." "Don't worry," Mom had replied carelessly. "I rounded off the edges of the princess card. Tomorrow, I'll guide Lily's hand to it first." They'd gone to absurd lengths to give Lily everything she wanted, yet I was the one expected to pay the price. I turned and went upstairs. Before closing my door, I heard Lily say sweetly, "Mom, maybe we should give the engagement back to Erin. I don't want her to be upset." Mom soothed her with aching tenderness. "Silly girl. The engagement should have been yours in the first place." My phone lit up with a message from Aiden. Aiden: Erin, I can't wait to see you at the engagement party in 3 days. Smiling, I texted him back. Erin: I can't wait to see you either.