Her Day, My Torment

"I had become the Luna of the pack.Mom called it a blessing. She said I'd married up, and that I should bring my sister, Ruby, into the same circles.Ruby was already scheming for a noble match.That was the whole point of her come-of-age celebration.I hated all the schemes.And the lilies on the table made it hard to breathe.My throat began to swell. My chest tightened.I realized I was allergicBut I couldn't rest. "Bring Ruby around. Say hello to the wealthy families.You're the Luna. They'll treat you with respect," Mom said.I stayed.The wine she handed me made things worse.And my pampered sister, out of jealousy, forced an handful of allergy medicine down my throat. It was the kind forbidden for pregnant women.And I was six months carrying a wolf pup.In tearing, gut-wrenching pain, my pup left me.Mom cried again and again, begging for forgiveness.I pulled my hand away.Whatever love I had for her was gone."