LOGINIvy was sentenced to exile.For a werewolf who had been coddled her entire life, being stripped of her pack and cast out to become a packless Rogue was a fate worse than death.But my parents no longer had the will to save her.The news that the pack's Luna had been murdered by her twin sister shocked the entire Werewolf Alliance.When the Silvermoon Pack heard that my face was covered in brands and learned my name, they instantly realized they had been tricked by a Beta family.They seized the opportunity to attack, uniting with other packs to impose economic sanctions on Blackmoon.Overnight, my family went bankrupt.Angry creditors and deceived pack members shattered their windows, throwing rotten eggs and stones into the living room.My once-respectable parents were stripped of their Beta status and demoted to the lowest rank of Omega.One cold, rainy night, he suffered a fatal heart attack.But my mother was too afraid to open the door to call a healer.And so, my father died in s
(Ryker's POV)That day, Ryker had indeed noticed that something was off with Ivy.As an Alpha, his perception of emotions was naturally sharp. When Ivy was in the corner, frantically using the mind link, he had subconsciously used his Alpha authority to listen in on the channel.And he had heard the horrifying truth.Ryker didn't know how he left the cellar, only that the moon was blood-red that night.By the time he got home, he was drenched in a cold sweat, but he felt nothing.His heart was already dead. He collapsed onto the sofa like an empty shell, clutching the memory crystal that held the truth.He downed bottle after bottle of alcohol, but nothing could extinguish the searing pain in his chest.He looked up, his gaze falling on the huge bonding ceremony portrait on the wall.In the photo, Harper wasn't looking at the camera. She was looking at him, her head tilted, her expression full of gentle adoration.It was a precious love he had once taken for granted."Harper..."Ryker
"Enforcer, is the case record complete?"The enforcer, though confused by Ryker's question, nodded.Ryker grunted and took a gleaming blue memory crystal from his pocket."Then it is my turn."He tossed the crystal onto the table, where it landed with a sharp clink."I am reporting Ivy on suspicion of using forbidden black magic and the premeditated murder of the Blackmoon Pack's Luna."What?!My parents, who were leading Ivy out, stopped dead in their tracks and stared back in disbelief.But Ryker offered no explanation. He simply activated the memory crystal.Ivy's sharp, cruel voice instantly echoed through the silent cellar."You bitch! I told you to torture her, not kill her!""I'll wire you a fortune. You take the fall for everything and go to prison!""I didn't care if you had to trap her soul and keep her from ever finding peace, as long as she was out of my way!"The recording continued. The next part of the conversation completely shattered my parents' hearts.It was a conver
Ryker knelt there like a wounded beast, unable to take another step, unable to reach out and touch the body.The pack enforcer, drawn by the commotion, approached. He grimaced, covering his nose and mouth as he strode forward and ripped the dirty cloth from my face.The truth was laid bare.The face Ryker had fallen in love with at first sight was now crawling with white maggots.But more jarring than the maggots was the silver brand of shame burned into my skin by the Silvermoon Pack.Ryker recoiled as if he'd been shot with a silver bullet. His Alpha presence shattered, and he collapsed, all strength leaving his body.A few seconds later, he scrambled toward the stone slab. Ignoring the nauseating stench and the putrid fluids of decay, he gripped my hand, now just bone and rotting flesh, and wailed."Harper, you're joking with me, right?""Don't scare me. Please, don't scare me...""It was just a trial. How could you be dead? I don't believe it! You're my Luna, how could you leave m
Footsteps echoed outside the door.I floated in mid-air, watching as my parents walked in, arm in arm with Ivy.This past week had clearly been good to them. Their faces were glowing with health, their eyes bright with happiness.Ivy was wearing my favorite silk gown, the one I had saved for my anniversary with Ryker.When she raised a hand to brush back her hair, a massive moonstone ring on her ring finger flashed, its brilliance was momentarily blinding.But she didn't look happy. A deep-seated hatred simmered in her eyes.Ryker walked beside her, his brow furrowed. He gently patted Ivy's shoulder. "Ivy, calm down. I'm only letting you wear this ring for appearances, to celebrate your supposed recovery."He paused, his voice rising a fraction, as if trying to convince himself."Harper is my Luna, my only mate. That is the Moon Goddess's will, and no one can change it."At his words, Ivy violently shook off Ryker's hand and shrieked, her face twisting in rage."You see me as a sister
Hearing my question, my parents finally tore their gazes away from Ivy, a flicker of embarrassment on their faces.My mother frowned, waving a dismissive hand. "Harper, don't be so morbid. You're just testing the safety of a regeneration ritual. This isn't some tragic farewell!"My father snorted. "Are you trying to back out now? The agreement is signed. You'd better get in there. We'll come get you once the ritual is proven successful."But Ryker's tone suddenly softened. He stepped forward and took my hand. "Stop making a scene, Harper.""When the experiment is over, I'll take you to pick out the newest jewelry. You've always wanted that blue diamond necklace, haven't you?"I looked at him, then at my parents' expectant faces.Finally, I sighed and slowly pulled my hand from his."I don't want the necklace anymore," I said softly. "I don't want anything."With that, I turned and walked into the dark, damp cellar, and I didn't look back.The so-called "Wolf Spirit Regeneration Ritual"







