Chapter 2

My mother paused, biting back the words on the tip of her tongue. She then patted my shoulder gently.

"Don't say such things. Of course you'll need it. Ryker may be a wealthy Alpha, but you shouldn't look down on your own family's wealth!"

I stared blankly at my parents' anxious faces. They had never cared about me this much in my entire life.

Because I had always been slightly larger than Ivy in the womb, they stubbornly believed I had greedily starved her, causing her to be born frail, with an even weaker wolf.

And because of this, I was seen as the family's curse from a young age.

At every birthday party, they would dress Ivy up like an exquisite princess, the center of attention as everyone sang her praises.

Other twins wore matching outfits, but I was usually left in a corner, staring blankly at a velvet dress worthy of an Alpha's daughter.

I often felt like an outsider, watching the three of them as a perfect, happy family.

When I was little, I used to wish I had been the one born second.

Her wolf was a late bloomer and lacked any real strength, but in return, she had all the love in the world.

Even so, Ivy was never satisfied. She wanted everything I had.

My toys, my grades, and after I came of age, even my fated mate.

After I was bonded with Ryker, she became even more relentless.

I cried, I fought, I even tried to use my status as Luna to put her in her place.

All it earned me was my parents' disgust and Ryker's cold words, "You're suffocating me, Harper."

Now, I've finally learned to keep my mouth shut.

I'm dying anyway. I don't want this suffocating love anymore.

Seeing me remain silent, my parents wasted no more time on me, gathering around the dining table to dote on Ivy.

On the table, Ivy's plate was piled high with prime venison, a delicacy reserved for the pack's elite.

I quietly cut the few vegetables on my plate.

Ivy savored her perfectly cut venison while shooting me a triumphant smirk.

There wasn't a trace of weakness in her eyes, only the gloating of a victor.

For the next few days, to celebrate Ivy's "impending recovery," the family doted on her endlessly.

At the annual Pack Alliance Banquet, Ryker guided her to the center of the room.

In front of everyone, he even bent down and gently wiped a bit of cream from the corner of her mouth.

And I, the rightful Luna, could only stand alone in the shadows, holding a wine glass.

The members of the other packs glanced between them and me, their eyes filled with ridicule.

"Look, it's the Blackmoon Pack's unloved Luna."

"I heard she's about to lose her position. Even her own Alpha can't be bothered to look at her."

I swirled the red wine in my glass, enduring their mocking gazes without a word.

Suddenly, a shrill scream echoed from the center of the hall.

"You worthless half-breed! How dare you wear the same color dress as me!"

My head snapped up. I saw Ivy grab a tureen of scalding seafood chowder and dump it all over a young woman across from her.

That was Chloe, the beloved daughter of the Alpha from the Silvermoon Pack, the most powerful pack in the north.

The chowder streamed down Chloe's delicate face, scalding her tender skin and ruining her priceless couture gown.

But Ivy wasn't finished. She pointed at Chloe and shrieked, "What right does a half-breed like you have to even be near Ryker? Get out!"

My eyes widened in terror. Ivy had been so coddled and sheltered her whole life, she had no idea who she had just provoked.

Werewolves despise nothing more than insults to their bloodline.

I was about to step in and stop her, but I was too late.

In an instant, my sister was surrounded by guards.

The Silvermoon Alpha, seeing the burns on his daughter's face, was enraged.

He declared in front of all the assembled packs that any alliance with Blackmoon was now an act of enmity against Silvermoon.

Unless a price was paid in blood, there would be no peace tonight.

My parents begged and pleaded, but the Silvermoon Alpha's heart remained hard. He had us thrown out.

Ryker tried to use diplomatic pressure.

But the Silvermoon Alpha offered only one condition: the perpetrator had to come to their territory in person and accept a blood rite.

Back home, Ivy was curled up on the sofa, trembling and sobbing so hard she could barely draw a breath.

"Dad, Mom, save me... I don't want to die... The Silvermoon Pack will kill me!"

Their hearts ached for her as they all hugged and cried together, a truly touching scene.

I watched them coldly and turned to go upstairs.

Just as I was about to close my bedroom door, a large hand slammed against it, holding it open. It was Ryker.

He looked at me, his gaze shifty. "Harper, you go in Ivy's place."

"You're identical twins. As long as you don't speak, the Silvermoon Pack will never know."

"It's just an apology and a small punishment. You're the older sister, and you're strong. You won't refuse, will you?"

A small punishment? My heart ached with bitterness.

Everyone knew the Silvermoon Alpha was notoriously ruthless. Any werewolf who offended him was lucky to survive, and none escaped without being maimed.

As an Alpha, Ryker knew better than anyone what I would face.

But he didn't care. He would casually throw me to the wolves to protect the one he cherished, Ivy.

I lowered my head and said nothing.

Behind me, my parents heard Ryker's suggestion, and their eyes lit up as if they'd just grasped a lifeline.

"Yes! Harper, you go!" My mother rushed over and grabbed my hand. "Your sister is too weak, they'll kill her! "Your wolf is strong. You have to go for her!"

"But you still have to try and protect yourself. After all, you have the Spirit Regeneration Trial to undergo soon."

I looked wearily at the four of them, then finally forced a smile and nodded.

"Fine. I understand."

The moment I turned and closed the door, I saw the flash of triumph in Ivy's eyes, and a single thought struck me.

When I'm dead, with no one left to shield her from disaster or take the blame for her, I wonder how quickly this coddled, poisonous flower will wither.

The room was dark and oppressive. Listening to the sounds of laughter and celebration from downstairs, a single tear slid down my cheek.

I wiped it away hastily and decided to get rid of everything in the room.

I was dying anyway. Better to throw it all out than leave it behind as a painful reminder.

There wasn't much in the room. Besides my daily necessities, there were only a few picture frames: one of our family of four, and one from my bonding ceremony with Ryker.

I stared at them for a long time, then, without hesitation, tossed them into the trash can.

When I was finished, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I collapsed onto the bed, gasping for breath.

Suddenly, a warm liquid flowed from my nose.

I instinctively covered my nose, but blood still flowed freely between my fingers, dripping onto the white sheets.

Six days left. My body was already failing in every way.

Just then, the door was thrown open. I frantically grabbed a pillow to cover the bloodstains.

Ryker stood in the doorway, his face a mask of indifference. "The Silvermoon Pack's enforcers are here. Come out."