Chapter 2

The cold night overthrew the reign of day completely and the stars twinkled, like jewels embedded on its throne. Snow poured down lightly as the wind howled. A lone figure of a woman with ink hair could be seen waiting on the veranda. Lily blew on her right hand as she shivered while standing patiently on the veranda. Her left hand clasped tightly around the lamp and illuminated her face. The tip of her nose as well as her cheeks burned a bright shade of red, giving off an innocent charm. Her ears and fingertips were also splashed with the same color. Despite the burning flame she held, her body still felt the shackles of winter.

'Brother should be home by now'

Soft crunches of snow and the call of her name made her eyes sparkle and her body to relax. She could only be free in front of the older brother whom she truly loved and adored. He was not so far from the house, his dark brown hair and coal black eyes were already visible. His heavy coat fluttered a bit as the wind greeted him with a sway and little puffs of clouds came out along with his breath. A smile stretched on Lily's lips as her brother neared the house. She hung the lamp and hurried towards him when he reached the steps.

"Welcome home, Big Brother Colin", she beamed at him.

Her loving eyes greeted him and eased his worries away. She was safe and in front of him, bearing the most radiant smile he has ever seen. Colin returned the gesture sincerely and rubbed his sister's head, affection radiating off his palm. This action made Lily's smile deepen and her heart was full of happiness. The warmth from him truly calmed her down and assured her that everything will be alright. Oh how she wished it would stay that way. But fate has funny ways of twisting the happy moments and shattering her temporary bliss.

"I come bearing good news. Where are they?"

Lily's smile froze on her face when she heard this. He didn't even notice her swollen cheek, but she shrugged it off and plastered another smile. She opened the door and patted her thick skirt.

"Mom's upstairs and dad... well he's out drinking again"

Colin gave her a sorry smile and took of his expensive winter coat. She eyed the piece and grimaced. The people in town kept fawning over it and praised her brother for having a great eye but, it looks ugly to her. The coat covered his tall frame to his knee, the fur that covered his neck was the color of mud during rainy days, stones that were supposed to look like gems were littered just everywhere, the color and the texture of the fabric made her skin crawl and frown. But somehow, she didn't tell him this. Her eyes followed him as he passed by her and headed to the stairs. She bit her lip and hung her head low.

"Lil sis, I'm sorry I won't be able to help you", he smiled sheepishly.

'You have never helped me, even once'

"But I am very tired and I need some rest. Man, studying is hard. You're lucky that you are a woman, Lils. All you have to do is pester your husband for money and do the housework", he laughed.

'Don't kid with me, how about you do all of this?'

"So, big brother is gonna get some rest before dinner, okay?", he waved her off.

"Please rest well, brother", she smiled.

"You really are a good sister", he chuckled and turned to head upstairs.

Lily had her shoulders slumped when she heard his steps ascend. Each creak of the wood amplified the surging emotions inside her. She loved her brother. She truly did. He was family to her, he had been kind to her even if he did say some questionable things here and there which sometimes irritated her. So she thought it was only right that he demand something from her in return.

'Right?'

"Oh and do refrain from serving the soup you cooked yesterday. It was disgusting"

"Yes, brother"

*****

Dinner was quite rowdy and soft laughters rang within the house. The soft glow from the candles brightened up their faces as they wolfed down the hearty dinner she made. The sounds from the plates were not violent, for once. Lily smiled along and prayed to the war god that she would be forgotten as her parents sang praises of her brother's achievements. She truly thought her brother was amazing. He was everything a woman could ever want- a handsome face, smart, calm, and he got accepted in the academy. They were currently celebrating his acceptance and the atmosphere was lighter than ever. Lily had learned to cherish these moments and she basked under the warmth that wasn't meant for her.

"Lily the town head has finalized the marriage papers. Tomorrow, the wedding will commence", her mother announced.

A clang echoed through the dining room as silence enveloped them. Lily had lost the hold of her spoon and dropped it on her bowl. They all turned their heads to her, each held a different emotion. Her father was clearly displeased as his eyebrows were knit together. Her mother was even more furious as she glared at her petite frame. Her brother was shocked as his mouth hung open, his eyes held a complex stare. She digested the information and when she came to, her pale hands were shaking. The mood dropped and the laughter ceased.

"She's not ready", her father spat.

"Who are you to decide whether she's ready or not? At this point, she's just a parasite munching away our funds and staining the family name", her mother argued.

"The girl can't even lift anything"

"Why would she need to lift anything when she could just act like the whore she is?! After all, she managed to snatch his attention with her lewd ways"

Lily turned her head to her brother, asking for help. But, his head dropped and he refused to meet her teary orbs. For the first time in her life, Lily Woods felt that she was completely abandoned. Colin, the brother she loved and respected, had abandoned her. No, she might be seeing things. She was sure that she did everything he asked her to. Lily was sure of it as he often gave her headpats and smiles. She gripped the fabric of her skirt and clenched her teeth as the overwhelming emotions flooded her heart and mind. Her brother would not leave her, he loved her as much as she loved him.

'Are you sure?', a tiny voice inside her asked.

Doubts swept her confidence away and slowly ate her hope. She didn't want this marriage. But what could she do? People would call her lucky as someone like her ended up getting married to a fine man. But the town head's son, Jeremy, was far from a gentleman. She had seen the disgusting looks he had given her, gazes that seemed to bear ill intent and made her shiver. She had seen how he treated the women he used to be with.

Her small face turned sour with how things turned out. First thing in the morning, she will be wed to a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. She was beyond terrified. But the thought that scared her the most was parting with her sibling, her only comfort. The ache in her chest started to spread and reached her eyes. But she held back, she wouldn't want to look like a snowflake that would crumble upon a single touch, even if her walls were already collapsing.

"I-I don't w-want to marry hi-im", she meekly spoke.

A crash followed after her protest and blood dripped down from her cheek. A burning sensation grazed her cheek and her mother breathed heavily, her stormy eyes held the traces of a madwoman. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. And the decision was final.