Chapter 1

Avril's POV

"I've made up my mind, Marcus."

I stood by the lake, looking at my own reflection in the water, my gaze dim.

As it turned out, making the most important decision in my life didn't require that much hesitation after all.

"Avril… are you really willing to be my mate? Are you going to accept my proposal?"

Marcus Howler's voice was deep and firm on the other end of the call.

I felt a sudden ache in my heart. As my tears began trickling down, I nodded lightly and said, "Yes, I am."

"Avril, you're the most perfect mate the Moon Goddess has bestowed upon me. I fell in love with you the first time I laid eyes on you, and I vowed that you'd be the only one who'd ever be my Luna."

My heart skipped a beat, and a bright smile spread on my lips.

"Give me two weeks, Marcus. I'll sort out everything here and then come over to you."

"Alright. I'll be waiting."

After I hung up, my Alpha dad, Jason Talbot, suddenly appeared behind me.

"Avril."

He cleared his throat a little awkwardly and said, "Layla has a weak body. Your room gets a lot of sunlight. How about you two switch rooms for a few days?"

I didn't answer him. Instead, my gaze fell on my stepmother, Velma Fenwick, and my stepsister, Layla Talbot, behind him.

Velma said, "It's fine, Jason. We don't have to trouble Avril about it."

Layla also lowered her gaze and spoke in a weak voice. "I'll be fine, Dad. There's no need to upset Avril just for my sake."

"You're both my daughters. There's nothing to be upset about with each other."

After he was done speaking, Dad then looked at me sternly and said, "You're the elder sibling, Avril. You should be more considerate and understanding."

I stared blankly at Dad. He was someone who used to transform into his giant silver wolf form, carry me on his back, and take me to the grasslands to watch the sunset in the evenings.

Dad felt a little uncomfortable as I kept staring at him.

"Fine. If you're not willing to switch, then I'll just let Layla take the room next to yours."

Dad had changed ever since he found his new Luna. He no longer doted on me or put me first in everything. Instead, he began doting on Layla, who didn't even share a single drop of blood with him.

He never used to be able to say a harsh word to me, but now, he frequently scolded me for being inconsiderate and not being loving enough toward Layla.

I thought that I would suffer because of heartbreak. I thought that I would break down.

However, I didn't. I never even shed a single tear.

I simply nodded calmly and said, "I'll do it, Dad. I'll swap rooms with her."

There were only two weeks left before I'd finally leave Northpine Woods forever anyway. It didn't matter which room I used anymore.