Trusting the Omega's Daughter was a Mistake

The sun had yet to rise when I awoke feeling an excruciating pain. It wasn't just my head—every inch of me ached. Movement felt impossible, but despite the agony, I forced myself to pull the blanket over me, as I also shiver from a fever that made the cold seep into my bones.

Moon Goddess, what is happening to me?

Still too early to wake anyone, I decided to drift back to sleep, praying that the pain would vanish by the time I opened my eyes again. But when I did, things had only worsened. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and fear gripped my heart.

At seventeen, I was terrified. Terrified of whatever was happening to me. Gathering what little strength I had, I climbed out of bed. With the blanket still wrapped around me, I slowly descended the grand staircase of our mansion, desperate for help.

"Brother! Brother!" I called out, but even though I could hear his voice coming from the kitchen, he didn’t respond.

Assuming he hadn't heard me, I moved closer. There, I saw my brother, Tobias, chatting happily with our cousin, Ruby. As I stepped closer, I overheard them discussing plans for Ruby’s upcoming eighteenth birthday, and with just a few snippets of their conversation, it was clear the party was going to be grand. They talked about banquets, a grand ball, and even inviting the pack's Alpha!

At that moment, I realized my own birthday was fast approaching too. I wondered if my brother would put the same effort into planning something for me. But then again, I remembered, I hate celebrating it.

“Brother…” I called out again, my voice softer this time.

Both Tobias and Ruby turned to look at me simultaneously, their expressions tinged with disappointment at being interrupted. Ruby, however, quickly shifted to her usual fake-concerned tone. "Oh my, Scarlet! Why are you wrapped in a blanket? Are you feeling sick?"

As Ruby moved toward me, Tobias stopped her. "Don’t go near her, Ruby. She might infect you with whatever disease she’s got. I don’t want you getting sick before your birthday." His eyes were locked on mine as he spoke.

The pain I was already feeling doubled at his words. My own brother, so protective of Ruby, didn’t even care to ask what was wrong with me. I couldn't help but feel jealous—jealous of Ruby for getting the best of Tobias, the version of him I used to have.

When we were kids, Tobias was my knight in shining armor, always ready to protect me no matter what. He wouldn’t even let a mosquito land on my skin. He wasn’t just my brother—he was my best friend, my role model, and my playmate. With our family whole, I was happy. We were happy.

But everything changed…

On my tenth birthday, along with my family, Ruby, and her mother, I insisted on going to Starlight Realms—a famous amusement park within our pack’s territory. I was determined to go, despite the warning our pack had received about a potential rogue attack.

What was meant to be a joyful day quickly turned into a nightmare. A group of rogues ambushed us, leaving my mother, father, and aunt with fatal injuries. They all died shortly after.

Ruby, Tobias, and I managed to escape the attack unharmed, but the horrific tragedy still haunts me to this day.

It’s the reason I began to hate my own birthday and why my brother changed—becoming cold and distant. He blames me for our parents’ deaths, repeatedly saying that if I hadn’t insisted on going to the amusement park, they would still be alive.

Since that day, Tobias had taken Ruby in our mansion, treating her like his own sister. Nearly eight years had passed, and nothing about our arrangement had changed.

If only I could turn back time to the days when I had the caring brother I once knew, I would.

If only I could turn back time, I would never have insisted on going to Starlight Realms.

If only I could… but tragically, I couldn’t.

Shaking off the thought into my mind, I forced a smile. “I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation. Please, continue. Don’t mind me.” With that, I went straight to the medicine cabinet and grabbed a few painkillers. They seemed like the only thing that could help me now.

After swallowing the pills, I sat on a nearby sofa to rest. I took a deep breath, in and out, but a sudden wave of nausea hit me. When I couldn’t hold it back any longer, I rushed to the bathroom, horrified by what I saw.

Pure crimson blood spilled from my mouth.