Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Cora’s POV: A long and daunting name was listed on the diagnosis column—'Neurogenic Wolf Spirit Atrophy'. The senior doctor hesitated before explaining to me, “This is an incurable disease.” I was a professor of healing studies, so, of course, I knew about it. However, I could not understand how such a rare illness could fall upon me. I decided to donate my body to the Central Research Institute for further research on spirit atrophy. I carefully filled out the ‘Spirit Severance Donation Contract’, formally renouncing the right for my wolf spirit to return to the pack's sacred grounds after my death. Only when I reached the column for 'Immediate Family Signature' did my pen stop. By law, if a direct relative was still alive, their consent was mandatory, or the donation would not be accepted. In this world, I had only him. In the end, I reached him through the mind link, my voice hoarse as I said, “Will you sign the Spirit Severance Donation Contract for me?” I tried to make my tone sound calm, but there was only silence on the other side. The wordless pause stretched unbearably long. I whispered tentatively, "Casey?” The next moment, a voice I knew sounded familiar, yet it was laced with disgust. “Are you out of your mind?” The words lodged in my throat. Before I could say another word, the mind link was cut off with a sharp tone. Six years had passed, yet his hatred had not faded in the slightest. That night, I booked the earliest flight to Moonshadow City. That was where Casey was stationed now. When I arrived, he was hosting a banquet, and the wolf guards blocked my way. “Commander Casey of the Silverfang Patrol is celebrating his sister’s birthday today. He has reserved the entire building. Outsiders are not allowed.” I softened my voice, pleading, “I’m here to meet Commander Casey… I’m also his sister.” Casey had only one blood relative in this world—me. The guards, of course, did not believe me and wanted to chase me away. Just then, the banquet hall doors opened, and a tall figure slowly emerged. His voice was cold and familiar, edged with mockery. “Stop trying to claim kinship.” My whole body trembled. After six years, the brother who had once sobbed through our mind link, begging me to see our mother one last time, now looked at me with nothing but indifference. My throat tightened, and not a single word would come out. Casey walked past me. I panicked and blurted, “It'll only take a few seconds… I just need your signature.” I hurried after him, fumbling through my bag for the contract and a pen. At that moment, a woman leaped down from the carriage and called out cheerfully, “Casey, over here!” She was the star of tonight’s banquet—his foster mother’s daughter. Casey’s gaze passed right over me and landed on her. As I was blocking him, his expression instantly darkened. Suddenly, he snatched the pen from my hand, flipped to the last page, and signed without hesitation. “Don’t ever come looking for me again, not even if you need someone to claim your corpse.” The words cut through me like claws raking across my chest. I stood frozen for a long moment before finally nodding. Only after getting my response did he finish the last stroke. With the signature complete, he said coldly, “Now, get lost.” Instinctively, I stepped aside. His face lit with a carefree smile as he walked toward that woman. I slipped out through the side door, turned back in a daze, and collapsed onto the ground. Looking down, I pounded my legs that were growing weaker by the day. How many more days could I hold on? … The next morning, I returned to the academy to teach. I had just finished my lecture when I saw Casey standing at the classroom door, frowning at me. I froze for a moment. The dean gestured for me to go over. Casey’s voice was low but sharp, sounding accusatory. “Care to explain this?” I did not understand. Then, his gaze swept the classroom. One of my students immediately hurried out, calling, “Casey.” It was then I realized—his foster sister, Victoria, was one of my students. No wonder her voice had sounded so strangely familiar to me last night. “I didn’t know—” Casey cut me off, saying, “Resign.”

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

I froze for a moment, almost laughing from anger. “Why should I resign?” Casey looked down at me, his eyes cold. “Wolves like you lack the decency to be a lecturer. I won’t entrust Victoria to someone like you.” My chest tightened, and I struggled to suppress the furious stirrings of my wolf. “No.” He let out a short, humorless laugh, as if he had expected that answer. “That’s fine. Then, I’ll transfer Victoria to another academy. As for the research equipment I promised to donate… Since the contract hasn’t been signed, I’ll take it back.” The dean’s expression changed instantly. He tried to smooth things over. “Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding? Why don’t we sit down and discuss—” Casey cut him off with a dismissive wave. “No need. I’m not interested in speaking with this lecturer.” He then turned his sharp gaze to me. “If she doesn’t resign within three days, we’ll leave.” With that, he turned and walked away. The dean and several others stood by, offering me silent comfort with strange expressions on their faces. “Professor Cora, you don’t need to worry. The academy would never dismiss a lecturer without reason. As for his donation, we can do without it.” However, we desperately needed those instruments for our ongoing research. Watching Casey’s back as he strode away, my chest burned as though on fire. I could not stop myself from chasing after him, moving to block his path. “Casey, you can’t do this.” He lowered his head, and a mocking curl appeared on his lips. With apparent disdain on his face, he brushed aside the arm I had placed on his sleeve. “You're just spending your adulterous father’s money to do what you like. The year our parents separated, you clung to that Alpha father of yours and stood by while he used his status to drive our mother out of the pack. “For the sake of a limited-edition moon-silver chain, you didn’t even go see her one last time. For six whole years, you never once set foot back home. You never even visited her grave.” The hatred in his eyes deepened with every word. “Tell me, Cora. How am I supposed to talk with a wolf like you?” I could barely speak, my voice faint as I whispered, “Things aren’t the way you think they are…” He scoffed, leaning in closer. “Oh? Then why don’t you tell me your sad little story? I’d love to hear it.” I opened my mouth, but the truth was caught in my throat. My mind flashed back to my diagnosis. Neurogenic Wolf Spirit Atrophy would always start with weakened strength. Then, the wolf's spirit would begin to stiffen. The body would slowly get unresponsive. In the end, both the wolf spirit and the nervous system would die together. I was already beyond saving. Death awaited me. Even if I told him the truth, what would it change? At most, it would wring a few more tears out of him when I died. What was the point? Casey’s voice dripped with a cruel satisfaction, as though he was savoring the taste of revenge. “All this groveling for a salary? Or is it because Charles Windsor landed in Silver Prison, and now that your backer’s gone, you've come crawling to me?” Charles Windsor, the Alpha of the Ironclaw Pack, was our father. He was convicted of embezzling pack funds and sentenced to life by the Northern Werewolf Federation Court. I could not bear to hear more of his accusations. I turned to leave, but his hand shot out, seizing my wrist in a bruising grip. His strength was sharp, his voice laced with fury. “Why aren’t you talking? Run out of lies already?” I jerked free. Suddenly, it hit—that hollowing weakness, the kind that would come with spirit atrophy. My limbs gave out, my vision went dark, my knees buckled, and I collapsed hard onto the floor. An adult wolf would never fall so easily. To others, I must have looked like I was faking it. Sure enough, Casey let out a sneer. “Six years later, and your pathetic act has only improved.” His expression was twisted with disgust as he strode past me, his voice like ice. “You’re just like your ungrateful father. You deserve it.” I sat on the ground for a long time, watching him walk away, before finally dragging myself up with the wall’s support and stumbling out step by step. I left my resignation letter on the dean’s desk and walked out of the academy. The moment I stepped outside, Luke’s car pulled up. His face was twisted with anger. “Why is Casey treating you this way?” He had not even finished speaking when Casey himself emerged from the building. Before my father’s downfall, Luke had been his legal advisor, fighting for his interests. Casey had never liked him. His cold gaze swept over us, a mocking smile tugging at his mouth. Unable to hold back, Luke shouted at Casey, “Do you have any idea what Cora has gone through these past years—”

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Casey’s footsteps faltered. I quickly lowered my voice. “Stop it!” Luke clenched his teeth and held back. Casey only paused briefly before getting into his car. Lately, I had been feeling my wolf unraveling more and more, my mind slipping in and out of clarity. The moment I got into Luke’s car and settled into the seat, my vision went blank. Leaning against the backrest, I mumbled in a daze, “The 50,000 I owe you… I’ll find another way to pay you back…” I was ten years old when I learned my father had another she-wolf outside. That winter, the cold came suddenly. Casey and I had just come home from school and pushed open the front door, only to see our father sitting in the living room with a strange she-wolf beside him. Our mother's eyes were swollen red, and she choked with tears. Casey instantly stepped in front of me, covering my eyes with his hand. “Cora, don’t look. Listen to me.” He then led me upstairs. That night, when I went down to get water, I passed by my parents’ bedroom and heard our father’s cold voice through the door. “If you can’t accept it, then break the bond. Aren’t there plenty of Alphas in other packs who’ve done the same?” However, breaking a bond was not something that could be done so easily, and the process dragged on for more than half a year. In the end, our mother agreed to leave with nothing so that she could have custody of Casey and me. From a castle estate of several thousand square feet, we moved into a shabby house barely 500 square feet. Our mother worked odd jobs during the day and begged lawyers for help at night, gritting her teeth as she demanded child support from our father again and again. She was busy. Most of the time, it was just Casey and me, looking after each other. Every day after school, he would wait at my classroom door and take my hand to walk me home. To save a bit of money on the bus fare, we often walked the long way through dark streets. Whenever I grew tired and complained about my sore feet, he would bend down, let me climb onto his back, and laugh. “Such a pup, always so spoiled. I’ll carry you home.” One night, after carrying me home, his congenital heart disease flared up. His wolf body convulsed, and he collapsed onto the old couch. I panicked and rushed to find his medicine, but when I opened the drawer under the coffee table, all I saw was an empty pill bottle. That night, our mother did not come home. She had gone to confront our father for child support. I used the landline to call for an ambulance and followed the paramedics as they rushed Casey to the medical facility. His hospitalization fees, plus the medication he needed afterward, were a massive amount for our mother. It was then that I realized only our Alpha father could truly save him. The next morning, as Casey lay pale-faced in the hospital bed, with dark circles under his eyes, he suddenly pulled out a bracelet from his pocket, as if performing a magic trick, and handed it to me. “Happy birthday, Cora.” That bracelet had cost 50,000 dollars. Casey was still underage at the time and was unable to officially register for work in the pack. He had secretly cut back on his own medication to buy me the gift I had dreamed of. My heart ached to the point of tears. However, when I took the bracelet, I deliberately frowned and said, “This isn’t the limited edition I wanted. I told you I wanted the moon-silver chain necklace.” He fell silent for a long time before whispering, “Someday… when I can earn money, I’ll get it for you—” I interrupted him, saying, “I don’t want to stay here anymore. I want to go back to Dad.” His lips trembled, and with effort, he raised his hand to brush my forehead. “You’re just talking nonsense again, aren’t you?” I shoved him away, impatience written all over my face. We stared at each other in silence, and the air froze. Finally, his hoarse voice broke the stillness. “You… really mean that?” I did go back to our father. I went back to the manor in the highlands, wore new clothes, and restored my dignity. I returned to my elite school, where there was no trace of my brother. Then, when I turned 16, our mother fell critically ill and was rushed into a medical facility. They announced that she was dying. However, that night, I was on our father’s yacht, celebrating his birthday. As fireworks lit up the sky, Casey reached out to me through our mind link. It was the first time he had ever cried while speaking to me. His words were broken, desperate. “Cora… Please come back… Mom says she wants to see you one last time.” However, all I said was, “Dad’s party isn’t over yet. Maybe… tomorrow.” The next day, when I went back, I never saw our mother again. Only her death certificate awaited me. Casey had stood at the hospital ward door, saying coldly, “Cora Windsor, don’t ever appear in front of me again.” That was the first time he had ever called me by my full name. I never even saw our mother's body. Afterward, Casey and I went no contact for six years straight. I jolted awake from the haze in my mind when I heard Luke’s voice. “We’re at your place.” He leaned over to unbuckle my seatbelt. “You… were crying?” His gaze darkened as he studied me. “Your father is already in Silver Prison. Why won’t you tell Casey the truth? Wasn’t it you who swore that once Charles Windsor fell, you'd immediately go back to Casey and visit your mother’s grave?” I said nothing. Luke was my best friend now. I did not want him to know about my illness. His voice dropped lower. “Cora… Did something happen?” I pushed the door open and bolted, escaping up the stairs. However, after just a few flights, I was so dizzy I saw stars. I stumbled into my apartment and collapsed straight onto the couch, drifting into a heavy sleep. When I woke, hunger gnawed at me. I wanted to find something to eat, but I could not stand up. It was getting worse. I needed to get to the hospital. With great effort, I finally managed to press the number for my emergency contact, but the line took forever to connect. At last, a cold voice answered after a long silence. “What is it?” Then, it struck me. I had set Casey as my emergency contact.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Panic seized me, the plea for help stuck in my throat. Clenching my teeth through the tremors racking my body, I forced out the words, “Wrong number.” On the other end, Casey let out a sneer. “Then don’t waste my time.” The line cut off the next second. I sat there in a daze until midnight, when Luke’s call came through and gave me the chance to ask for help. “I can’t move right now… Can you call an ambulance for me?” I was sent to the hospital. After several rounds of therapy, I barely regained some feeling in my arms and legs, but my movements were still slow and heavy. My condition was deteriorating. After much thought, I decided to settle my debt with Luke while I still had some strength left. The only thing I could sell that was worth anything was the birthday gift Casey had bought me when I was 16. I brought that old necklace to a secondhand shop and quietly bargained with the shop owner. “It was expensive when it was first bought. Could you maybe take it for a higher price?” The shop owner rolled his eyes. “This outdated style? The most I can offer you for it is 30,000." I did the math with my fingers. My medical bills and lodging had long drained my savings. “Please, 35,000. I’m begging you.” Just then, a deep, icy voice came from behind me. “Has the piece I ordered arrived?” The shop owner's expression changed instantly, breaking into a fawning smile. “It just arrived. I was about to call you to pick it up!” Casey walked forward. Victoria’s gaze landed on the necklace in my hand. She hesitated, then tugged lightly on Casey’s sleeve and turned to me. “Cora, I really like that necklace… Could you sell it to me?" "I’ll let you have it at the price of 35,000 dollars.” Casey’s brows furrowed, his tone turning cold. “Victoria, don’t buy secondhand jewelry. It’s filthy.” His words froze me where I stood. Victoria was quickly ushered into the back room to try on her necklace. Casey lingered. I shoved down my pride, took the 30,000 from the shop owner, and sold the necklace. Casey's stare weighed on me until I could hardly breathe. I grabbed the money and hurried out, immediately calling Luke. Before I could even hang up, Casey appeared in front of me, his expression dark and stormy. I had already pushed my body to its limit. Each of my muscles was weak and trembling. Afraid he would notice, I lowered my head, intending to slip past him quickly. However, his hand shot out, seizing my arm. Through gritted teeth, he hissed, “You like sending your money to Luke that much? That dog who single-handedly sent your father to prison? Do you really believe he won’t bite you next?” Everyone in the circle knew it was Luke who had struck the final blow, shoving Charles onto the trial stand. I stayed silent, and Casey let out a mocking laugh. “Or is it that you want him to appeal for Charles?” My legs wobbled. I tried to pull away, my voice cold. “This has nothing to do with you.” However, he gripped my wrist, refusing to let go. He sneered under his breath, “You’re right. It doesn’t. But watching you fall apart makes me feel good. Oh, and here’s some news. Luke’s been kicked out of his firm. Did you know?” My face went pale. I snatched out my phone and called someone from Luke’s former firm. The reply came in a calm tone. “He resigned at the beginning of the month. He mishandled a key document in Commander Casey's case, got reported by the client, and was struck off the roster.” My world spun. My body tilted sideways until I caught myself against the wall. My voice shook from suppressing my anger. “Whatever’s between you and me has nothing to do with Luke!” Casey’s eyes turned ice-cold. “Nothing to do with him? How many years did he spend laundering Charles' dirty money? And when things went south, he turned on him and threw him in jail. “Luke is a greedy, cunning, and despicable dog. Yet you still stay around him. Doesn’t being with him make you sick?” His words cut too deep. I could not hold back anymore and raised my hand to slap him. However, before I could swing, he caught my wrist in midair. His grip was merciless, the pressure of his joints crushing into my veins. Through clenched teeth, he said, “Cora, what makes you think you have the right to hit me?” My head roared, the world spinning violently. My symptoms were striking, and my vision blurred. Instinctively, I clutched the front of Casey’s shirt. Through the haze, I saw his expression shift in an instant—panic flooding his face. “What’s happening to you?”