They Cast Me Out—Then Their Curse Began Chapter 01

They Cast Me Out—Then Their Curse Began Chapter 01

When I was eight, Grandma Eleanor said Blackthorn Pack’s ward was failing. She sent me to the Moonveil Shrine in the northern highlands to bear the omen for the whole family.

I studied under Elder Witch Morwen for three years. Just as I got used to life in the highlands, Grandma Eleanor came with my parents to take me home.

As soon as we stepped inside, Grandma Eleanor held out a basin carved with a blood moon and begged me to drop one drop of blood into it.

I knew exactly what she was doing.

Blackthorn Pack had escaped the immediate omen, and she wanted to keep using my blood to hold onto their protection and blessings.

After that, Blackthorn Pack seemed blessed by the Moon Goddess. Its warriors won every battle, and every enemy who dared to resist fell one by one.

But my health only got worse.

The wealth of the Ashbourne family had always been bought with my life.

Grandma Eleanor knew the truth, so she treated me better than any other grandchild.

She made the kitchen make me healing soups and sent the best herbs and precious blood supplements straight to my room.

Even so, I grew thinner every day, always looking sickly and weak.

Three years ago, Grandma Eleanor died suddenly. The only good days I had in Blackthorn Pack died with her.

Grandma never told anyone about using a pup’s blood to feed the pack.

But her favoritism toward me had planted jealousy in everyone else.

Especially my two sisters and my brother.

Before long, they started targeting me openly and secretly.

First, my large northfacing suite in Ashbourne Manor was taken by force by Vanessa.

Then, the gowns, shawls, and moon dance dresses that belonged to me ended up in Celeste’s closet one by one.

Even my phone, game console, and laptop—everything that connected me to the outside world—were taken by Carter.

The precious supplements meant to heal me were taken by my own mother Lydia to her family’s house.

She said a kid like me didn’t need such nice things.

But that same morning, she’d watched me spit blood into the bathroom sink.

…

A year ago, not long after my twentieth birthday, Frostmere Pack sent envoys to visit.

That was the first time I met my packarranged mate—Adrian Vale.

He was cleancut and smelled like pine. Grandma had picked well for me.

But more than his scent, I noticed his blood sign.

Elder Witch Morwen had told me it meant loyalty and long life.

He was only a year older than me, cheerful, funny, and easy to talk to.

When he learned I was sick, he brought me many precious blood treats.

All of it stung Vanessa badly.

As soon as Frostmere Pack left, she stole the supplements Adrian had given me.

At dinner, she sat at the table and said casually to Cedric and Lydia that she felt the tingle for Adrian Vale, and he should be her mate.

My parents didn’t hesitate for even a second.

Right in front of me, they agreed Vanessa should marry Vale instead.

They never asked me how I felt, not once.

Vanessa lifted her chin and looked at me, pride burning in her eyes.

But I didn’t fight or scream.

I didn’t say a single word.

After years living in this family that didn’t value me, I’d learned to hide my feelings.

Besides, my weak body couldn’t handle strong emotions anymore.

Vanessa had been spoiled her whole life and had to win at everything.

I’d seen her blood sign.

She and Adrian Vale were naturally incompatible. The Moon Goddess would never bless their bond.

If they tied themselves together.

It would only end in tragedy.