The Silver Moon Heiress

Chapter 3

Elara pov :

When I returned home, everything changed instantly.

My mood. My happiness. Everything.

Sienna, my stepmother, was already waiting for me. She looked furious because I had come home later than she expected.

"Do you have any idea what day it is the day after tomorrow?" she asked sharply.

"Of course. It's the full moon night," I replied, knowing she wasn't talking about my birthday.

"Oh, so you know. You did this on purpose."

I frowned in confusion.

What had I done this time?

"I'm sorry... what?" I asked, genuinely not understanding what she was talking about.

"Oh, please don't pretend you don't know anything. You're just like your mother—a pathetic, jealous bitch." She crossed her arms. "You know the upcoming full moon is Aveline's first shifting day, and there are still thousands of things left to do. Yet you came home this late?"

My heart ached—not because of the insults directed at me, but because she had once again insulted my mother.

The mother I didn't even know.

I didn't know whether she was alive or dead.

Every single time Sienna got angry, she cursed my mother. I wished I knew something about her—anything at all—just so I could prove Sienna wrong.

Sometimes they told me my mother didn't want me.

That I was the reason she left.

Nobody knew how much those words hurt.

Was I really the reason?

If my own mother didn't want me... then why was I brought into this heartless world?

Holding back the tears burning in my eyes, I forced myself to answer.

"I already sent all the samples to Aveline. Once she chooses one, I can finalize everything. The catering, decorations, theme, flowers, invitation cards... everything."

"You did?" Sienna blinked before sighing dramatically. "She must have forgotten. You know how busy she is these days. My poor girl." She shook her head. "It's your fault. You should have reminded her."

People always say everything has a limit.

Don't push someone too far.

I think that was my limit.

She had crossed it.

Unable to control myself any longer, my voice rose.

"Why does everything always have to be my responsibility and never hers?"

As if fate enjoyed making my life miserable, another voice suddenly echoed behind me.

"Is that how you speak to your mother?"

My body stiffened.

Dad.

I slowly turned around. Anger was written all over his face.

Before I could even explain, Sienna's eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, honey..." she sniffled. "Don't blame her. It's my fault. I only asked her to help me with the preparations for Aveline's shifting ceremony. I shouldn't have expected so much from her."

God...

Someone please give this woman an Oscar.

Dad looked at me with disappointment.

For the first time in months, he spoke more than two words to me.

"You ungrateful girl. Do what she asks."

I simply nodded.

I didn't defend myself.

There was no point.

Whenever I tried, Dad always believed Sienna and Aveline in the end.

He never believed me.

Dad wrapped an arm around Sienna before the two of them walked away together.

The moment they disappeared, the tears I'd been holding back spilled uncontrollably down my cheeks.

Only then did I realize someone else had witnessed everything.

Beta Uncle.

He must have arrived with Dad.

Sympathy filled his eyes as he looked at me.

He was one of the very few people in this pack who genuinely cared about me.

I quickly wiped my tears away and forced a small smile, even though my eyes were still wet.

He walked over and gently patted my head.

"Just tell me if you ever need any help, alright?"

I nodded silently.

"I know you've been trying your best," he said softly. "Not everyone sees it... but I do."

His words nearly broke me all over again.

I wanted to tell him how exhausted I was.

How no matter what I did, it was never enough.

How every mistake somehow became mine, while Aveline was praised even for things I had done.

But the words refused to leave my mouth.

Instead, I simply nodded once more.

"Thank you, Beta Uncle."

He gave me a reassuring smile before walking away, leaving me alone in the quiet hallway.

I turned and walked toward my room.

The moment I closed the door behind me, the little strength I had left disappeared.

I slid down against the door and buried my face in my knees as silent sobs shook my body.

For everyone else, the upcoming full moon was a night of celebration.

For me...

It was just another reminder that no matter how hard I tried, I would never truly belong in this family.

I didn't even realize how long I had been sitting there.

The ringing of my phone pulled me back to reality.

I glanced at the screen.

Aroan.

A small smile tugged at my lips despite everything.

I answered the call.

"Hello?"

"So..." his voice came through the speaker. "Should I start planning a prison break?"

I frowned.

"...What?"

"You know. For Sienna. Because if she made you cry again, I'm about five minutes away from committing a crime."

A soft laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.

"There it is," he said triumphantly. "I knew I'd get at least one laugh."

"You've officially lost your mind."

"I lost it years ago. You were there, remember?"

"I was trying to save it."

"You failed miserably."

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

"Beta Uncle called, didn't he?"

There was a brief pause.

"...Maybe."

"Aroan."

"Fine." He sighed dramatically. "He did."

"I told him not to worry."

"And you think anyone who knows you actually listens when you say that?" he asked. "You could be standing in the middle of a fire saying, 'I'm fine,' and I'd still bring a bucket of water."

"You'd probably trip over the bucket."

"I would."

"And splash yourself instead."

"Very possible."

I laughed again.

He chuckled softly.

"I like that sound."

My smile faded into something smaller, softer.

"What sound?"

"You laughing."

Silence settled between us for a moment.

"It's better than hearing you pretend you're okay."

My heart tightened.

"You know me too well."

"I have to," he replied. "You're my best friend. Someone has to read the instruction manual that came with you."

"Oh? And what's written in my manual?"

He cleared his throat dramatically.

"Chapter One: Elara Mooncrest. Warning—will insist she's fine while carrying the emotional weight of an entire kingdom."

I rolled my eyes.

"There isn't a kingdom."

"Yet."

"Aroan..."

"What? I'm being optimistic."

I smiled, shaking my head.

He continued before I could reply.

"Chapter Two: Feed her."

"...Excuse me?"

"When Elara is sad, give her food."

"I'm not a stray puppy."

"No. Puppies growl less."

"I do not growl."

"You absolutely do."

"I have never growled at you."

"You literally growled because I stole one fry from your lunch last week."

"You stole half my lunch!"

"Technical details."

I couldn't stop laughing now.

"There she is," he murmured, his voice warm with relief.

"The girl I was trying to call."

The smile on my face slowly softened.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"For what?"

"For always knowing how to make me smile."

His answer came without hesitation.

"That's my job."

"And who gave you that job?"

"I did."

"Sounds illegal."

"It probably is."

Another laugh escaped me.

He laughed too.

"If anyone ever makes you forget how amazing you are," he said gently, "call me."

"Why?"

"I'll remind you."

The joking tone was gone now.

Only sincerity remained.

"And if reminding you doesn't work..."

He paused.

"I'll annoy you until it does."

I smiled through the tears gathering in my eyes.

"That sounds more like you."

"I know."

"And, Elara?"

"Yeah?"

"No matter what anyone says..."

"You'll never have to face it alone."