Chapter 1 Chapter 1

My family was attacked by rogue wolves when we entered their territory. My wolf was gravely injured, and in the end, I was the one who saved everyone. As I collapsed, exhausted, no one came to me—they all ran to my adopted sister, Fiona, fussing over a few shallow scratches. By the time pack members carried me to the infirmary, the healer delivered the cruel news: my wolf had been struck by a silver dagger, and the one-month-old pup in my womb wouldn’t survive. Yet my mate, Luke, had given the only life-saving treatment to Fiona. With no other choice, I refused the healer’s remedies and numbed my wolf’s pain with crude herbs—knowing it would only buy us three days before death. In those last days, I let everything go. I gave Fiona all my possessions and insurance money while my parents smiled in approval. I signed the bond-severing agreement Luke slid across the table without a second thought. Luke was satisfied, believing I was considerate. Kane, my brother, nodded his head when I told him to give my room to Fiona. Even my son, Jim, squealed with joy when I asked him to call her “mom.” No one questioned why I gave all my belongings to Fiona, and their approving gazes said it all: “Good. The old Emma is back.” But as the clock ticked down, one thought haunted me: When they find our bodies—my wolf and my unborn pup—will that satisfaction turn to regret? --- I forced down the bitter herbs under the watchful eyes of the healers. Three days. That was all I had left to live. After choking down the medicine, I dragged myself to Fiona’s room—only to find them there. My father was meticulously peeling apples for her, while my mother gazed at her with a smile so warm it could melt winter frost. They were laughing, sharing some private joke, their faces alight with affection. Then they saw me. The laughter died. Their smiles hardened into ice. "Emma." My father’s voice was a blade, sharp and merciless. "Still pretending to be sick? We know the truth—you were never ill. Did you come here just to torment Fiona again?" My mother’s lip curled in disgust as she jabbed a finger at me. "You’ve always been jealous of Fiona. How dare you steal her chance at treatment? I never imagined my own flesh and blood could sink so low—plotting against her adopted sister like some petty villain!""No matter what tricks you pull, Fiona will always be better than you.""In our eyes, she’s already won." At my mother’s words, my gaze flicked to Fiona—her lips curled in a smug, triumphant smile, one my parents didn’t see. A bitter laugh escaped me. How many times had I heard this before? Once, I would have fought back. I would have screamed that Fiona was the liar, the schemer, the one playing them all for fools. But I would not do it anymore. What was the point? They’d never believe me. Then my father spoke, "Emma, we need to talk." I forced a smile. "Of course, father. In fact, I have something to say too.""I’ve decided to sign over my companies to Fiona. After all… she’s wanted them for so long." The room froze. My father stiffened. My mother’s eyes widened, suspicion flickering across her face. "How did you—?" Father began, then he caught himself. "So… you’re agreeing?" I nodded. Of course they were shocked. For years, they’d begged, demanded, and even forced me to hand over everything I’d built—while Fiona watched with those deceptively sweet eyes. But now? None of it mattered. I was dying. "Oh, Emma!" Mother’s face lit up. "This is the right choice. Fiona is far more capable than you—so sharp, so gifted—your companies will thrive under her!" The door swung open. "Wait—what? Did I hear correctly?" Kane strode in, clutching a bouquet of Fiona’s favorite flowers. Kane's gaze shifted to me, carrying an intensity I hadn't anticipated. "She agreed," Father said, a proud gleam in his eyes. "Finally." Kane exhaled, as if I were the unreasonable one all along. Without another glance at me, he turned to Fiona, pressing the flowers into her hands. "Congratulations. I always knew you’d surpass Emma. You were born for this." Inside, my wolf howled—a sound of raw, bleeding agony. But outwardly? I smiled. "Here’s the contract." I slid the papers toward Fiona, my voice steady. "Sign it, and everything I own is yours." The scratch of her pen was deafening. "Oh, Emma," Mother cooed, her voice dripping with false warmth. "You’re learning. This is what ‘family’ does." Kane squeezed my hand, his eyes gentle. "I’m proud of you. It’s good to see you’re not so selfish anymore." I couldn’t help muttering to my wolf, “How ridiculous is it that my parents only showed me kindness after realizing I’d sacrificed everything for Fiona?” Kane refused to speak to me civilly until he discovered I could hand over my companies to her. But I wonder—will they regret it when they finally learn how long Fiona has betrayed them? Will they weep when they find I’m already dead? That evening, I returned to my den. Luke and Jim were laughing together, busy making ice cream—Fiona’s favorite, mango ice cream. They didn’t notice me enter the dining hall, too absorbed in their joy. But the moment Luke turned and saw me, his smile shattered. "Emma… When did you get back? Weren’t you staying in the infirmary?" I said nothing, my gaze locked on the ice cream in his hands. Mango. The fruit I was deathly allergic to. The fruit Fiona adored. Six years of mating. Six years—and he never once remembered. He’d never made ice cream for me. Yet here he was, learning a new skill—for her. A memory flashed—last month, Jim had begged for mango cake. I’d endured the itching, the burning rash, and the swollen throat, just to make it for him. And what did he say? "Can’t you pretend not to be so sensitive? Why can’t you be honest like Fiona?" My chest ached, but no tears came. The mate I’d bound myself to for six years. Even my own son, neither cared for me. Not even enough to remember I could die from a single bite. Once, I would have screamed. Throwing things and demanding answers. But now? I just walked past them. But then—Luke followed me. For a fleeting second, I let myself hope. "Emma… I need to ask you something." My heart stuttered. He’d never begged me for anything before. "It’s about Fiona." And just like that—hope died. "She’s… not well," he continued, voice strained. "The rogue wolves left her traumatized. She cries every night. The healer says… the only way to heal her wolf is for her to find a mate." There was a beat of silence. Then— "Your parents asked me to sever our bond. So I can claim her." The clothes slipped from my fingers, tumbling to the floor. I stood frozen, hollow.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

When I finally found my voice, it was brittle—a shattered thing. "So you’ve already decided to sever our bond?" Luke’s patience snapped. "Emma, it’s just to heal her wolf! Fiona’s practically family—why can’t you care for her for once? You’ll still be my true mate, not her." I opened my mouth, but Jim cut me off. "mom, Fiona’s kind. We all love her. Why can’t you just try? She’s suffering in the infirmary!" The words died in my throat. Six years of love. Six years of sacrifice. And in the end? I was discardable. Not just to my parents. Not just to Kane, but to my own mate and my own pup. I met Luke’s gaze, my voice dead calm. "Alright. I’ll sever it." His breath hitched. "You—you mean it?" Then—he scrambled for the papers. "Here. Sign it. No take-backs." I could feel my wolf’s heart bleed. Tears blurred the page as I signed. Six years erased in a stroke. I turned to leave— Luke grabbed my wrist. "Emma… you did the right thing.""Once Fiona’s better, I’ll reclaim you. I promise." Jim hugged me, beaming. "mom! I’m so proud of you! You’re finally being selfless!" Their happy faces and joyful laughter tore the last flickering flame of hope within me to shreds. I had once feared this world enough to stay—for them—trapped in this infirmary prison. But now? Now I prayed for death to claim me swiftly. I wanted nothing. No one. I quietly stood up and shuffled toward the kitchen for water, my throat parched, when a black void swallowed my vision. The floor rushed up to meet me. "Emma?!" Luke's voice echoed. When I forced my eyes open, their twin gazes of disgust pinned me to the ground. "See, Dad?" Jim spat. "mom's at it again—another pathetic act. She faked collapsing to guilt-trip us." Luke sneered. "We had a deal, Emma. The bond stays severed until Fiona recovers. Did you really think this cheap theatrics would change anything? That I'd stay if you played sick? You always resort to these tricks." Clawing at a chair, I dragged myself up. The mirror showed a lie—herbs masked my decay, but my wolf's dying whimper echoed in my bones. Three days. That's all my organs had left. "If you're done wasting our time," Jim snapped, "we're visiting Fiona.""I'll join you." My voice was ice. "There are documents for her to sign." Luke didn't even flinch. My parents must have broken the news already. Fiona lounged in her infirmary bed, peeling grapes like a queen holding court. "Emma! How... thoughtful since you came to visit me." Her sugary tone couldn't hide the triumph flashing in her eyes—the look of a thief admiring her stolen crown. "Oh Emma!" Mom gushed, clapping like a trained seal. "Aren't you lucky? Fiona's taking all those tedious companies off your hands! Now you can... oh, I don't know, pick up " I slowly placed the insurance documents on the bedside table. ”Here is my insurance money as well. I think it’s better to transfer it to Fiona.” However, there was no response—just a long, heavy silence.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

"Emma…" Luke's voice was uncharacteristically hesitant. "You’re really giving everything to Fiona? Your companies… even your insurance?" His confusion caught me off guard. This was my mate who had always insisted Fiona deserved more—who had never once questioned her lies. Now, of all times, he hesitates? Then Father shattered the silence, his voice dripping with approval. "Emma, finally, you’re being the sister you should have been all along! If only you’d shown this kindness sooner. It’s a relief to see you’re no longer so… selfish." Kane’s lips curled into a smile—one he hadn’t wasted on me in years. "Yes, Emma. Family should take care of each other. I’m glad you’ve finally learned that." Their joy should have gutted me. But all I felt was a hollow ache. Not for the wealth I’d lost—but for the answer to a question I already knew. Would they even care when the truth came out? Then the blood came. A slow, warm trickle from my nose stained my clothes crimson. "Emma?!" Mother’s voice was shrill with panic. I wiped the blood away, my voice eerily calm. "Tell me, Mom… would you miss me if I died from this sickness?" She recoiled as if I’d cursed her. "Don’t be absurd! Your wolf is the strongest among us. The Moon Goddess would never let illness take you!" Dad nodded, already turning back to Fiona. "Your mom’s right. Fiona’s the one we should worry about—her wolf is still weak from the attack." Jim, ever the devoted pup, rushed to Fiona’s side. "Exactly. Mom—I mean, you always recover soon. But Fiona needs us." Something inside me snapped. Not anger. Not grief. Just… finality. I turned to Jim, my voice a whisper. "You’ve always wanted Fiona to be your mother, haven’t you?" A beat of silence. "Congratulations. From now on, she is. I won’t stand in your way anymore."“Really? So wonderful, Mom. I never thought you’d agree this time.” I gently smiled. "Yes, Jim." My voice was hollow, the last thread of hope snapping. "From now on, you can call Fiona 'Mom.' She’ll be with you forever." Jim’s face lit up with triumph. "You’re the best, Mom! I love you!" He pressed an eager kiss to Fiona’s cheek, his laughter ringing through the room like a victory bell. My parents exchanged smug, satisfied glances, as if they’d finally won some long-awaited battle. Kane ruffled Jim’s hair approvingly, while Luke fussed over Fiona like she was made of glass, murmuring for her to rest. I stood there, invisible. They were the perfect family—warm, whole, united. And I? I was the spare part, the forgotten shadow. Not a single glance. Not a word. So I left. I walked toward Moon Lake, the place I’d begged them to take me for years. "Next summer," they’d always said, "when things are less busy." Lies. Empty promises. Now, I’d go alone. But my body betrayed me. Halfway there, my wolf gave out—her strength spent, her spirit broken. My legs buckled, and the world was spinning. I had one last lifeline. With trembling fingers, I dialed the number I hadn’t dared call in years—the one who might still care for me. Then—the darkness filled in my eyes.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

My eyes fluttered open to the sterile white of the infirmary. The clock on the wall ticked mercilessly. Five hours. That’s all I had left. And there, beside me—Alice. My once-best friend, now clutching my hand like it was the only thing tethering me to this world. Her sobs came in jagged gasps, tears streaking her face. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Years ago, she’d begged me not to mate with Luke. "He’ll destroy you," she’d warned. But I’d been blind, cutting her off for daring to question my choice. And now? Now, as death crept in, she was the only one left at my side. "Emma…" Alice’s voice broke. "What did they do to you?" Her fingers trembled against my wrist. "Your wolf—they say her organs are failing. How could Luke let this happen?" I tried to speak, but my breath came in shallow rasps. "Alice…" I managed, "When I’m gone… just… make sure I have a quiet place to rest." My strength failed. I collapsed back, my chest heaving. Wordlessly, Alice reached for my bag, pulling out the documents. She didn’t need to ask—she already knew. One hour. The world blurred at the edges. Then, my phone lit up in Alice’s hand. Three messages from Fiona: 【Congratulations, Emma—you’ve officially lost everything to me. Was it worth it?】 【Did you really think they’d choose you? You were never family. Just a placeholder.】 【Disappear already. The world won’t miss a loser like you.】 Alice’s grip on my hand tightened. For the first time in years, I didn’t feel alone. I closed my eyes, Fiona’s face flashing in my mind—my greatest mistake. The memory burned like poison: That rainy night years ago, when I found her—a starving orphan, shivering by the trash bins. My foolish kindness made me bring her home. I begged my parents to feed her. I made Kane buy her new clothes. And what did it earn me? Within weeks, she had stolen my room, my family, my life. My parents doted on her while criticizing me. Kane remembered her birthday but forgot mine—even though they were just one day apart. My belongings became hers. My love, her trophy. Fiona’s whisper still haunted me: "Why should you have everything when I had nothing?""I’ll take it all—your family, your wealth, your future. I’ll never go back to being that starving rogue again." I had believed, naively, that one day my family would see through her lies. That they’d realize I was the one who truly loved them. But I was wrong. Every time I spoke the truth, they accused me of jealousy, pettiness, cruelty. Luke and Jim—my own mate and son—chose her too. So I accepted it. I was the one who didn’t belong. Ten minutes left. My vision darkened. My breath grew shallow. Then—the phone rang. Alice answered, but my mother’s voice cut through before I could speak: "Emma, buy a mango cake on your way home. Fiona’s discharging from the infirmary tomorrow." Kane’s voice, cold and dismissive, followed: "I’ve cleared out your room. You agreed to give it to Fiona. Don’t forget to take your things." Click. Even now—at my deathbed—they only cared about her. Alice wept beside me, her words lost in the void. Then, my wolf smiled—her voice soft, comforting. "We’re going home now… where there’s no more pain." And at 8:00 PM, Emma took her last breath. Age 27.