Chapter 2

I followed Ronan as he rushed back into the autopsy room.

The healer, with trembling hands, used forceps to part the rotten flesh on my chest, revealing the stark white bone beneath.

"There's a mark on the skin over the chest!"

Next to the heart, on a small, inch-long patch of relatively intact skin, was a tiny, crescent-shaped birthmark.

In that instant, Ronan's blood ran cold. He recognized that mark.

It was the Moon Mark I was born with, once considered a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself.

In the entire pack, only he and our deceased parents knew its true meaning.

Not even Kian knew the real significance of this mark.

Ronan snatched the car keys from the table and bolted outside like a madman.

His fingers trembled so violently it took him three tries to finally start the engine of his SUV.

I sat in the passenger seat, my gaze sweeping over the crude, wooden wolf head hanging from the rearview mirror.

I had carved it myself, insisting he hang it there back when he first became an enforcer and bought his car.

Back then, I was the spoiled mate of the Alpha. Though I hadn't yet had my Luna ceremony, everyone in the pack knew that was my destiny.

I remember standing there with my hands on my hips, playing the part of the spoiled Alpha's mate. "Brother, I carved this wolf to look just like mine. That way, I'll always be watching you!"

"If you get hurt on another mission, you'll have me to answer to!"

Now, looking at my brother's haggard face, sleepless for what must have been days, a tearing pain shot through my soul. I wanted to cry, but a wisp of a soul has no tears.

The screech of tires shattered the tranquility of the sacred plaza, pulling me from my memories.

The mating ceremony was still in progress, the ground covered in flowers, the air filled with sacred hymns.

Kian was holding a wine glass, accepting toasts from the elders, while Sienna nestled in his arms, her smile blissful.

In front of everyone, Ronan landed a solid punch squarely on Kian's jaw.

"Kian! Do you dare swear to the Moon Goddess that my sister truly betrayed the pack and ran off with another?"

The surrounding guards swarmed forward but hesitated, held back by Ronan's status as Head Enforcer.

Kian's head snapped to the side from the force of the blow, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

He wiped his lip, his eyes dark and menacing, radiating the terrifying pressure of an offended Alpha.

"Ronan, are you insane? You saw the video. Would I joke about something that brings such shame to an Alpha?"

Ronan's fists were clenched so tight his veins bulged on his neck. "Then why does the corpse from the marsh, the one tortured beyond recognition by wolfsbane, have the same crescent birthmark on its chest as Wren!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the wine glass fell from Kian's hand, shattering on the ground and spilling its contents.

As he stood there, stunned, Sienna walked over gracefully.

She feigned surprise as she took Kian's arm, her eyes darting nervously. "Goodness, what's happened? On such a joyous day..."

Seeing Sienna, a sliver of hope rose in my desperate heart.

I remembered it clearly. The day I disappeared, I had just had a huge fight with Kian over some trivial matter and ran out of the house in tears.

Sienna was the first one to call and comfort me.

"Wren, Alphas can be so dense sometimes," she had said gently over the phone. "You're angry right now. Don't stay in the pack. Why don't I take you to the marsh at the border to clear your head?"

I hesitated, remembering how Kian had repeatedly warned me it wasn't safe there.

But Sienna had chuckled on the other end.

"Oh, my girl, this is the perfect way to test how much he really cares. Just close off your mental link for a bit so he can't sense you. The moment he panics, he'll come running to find you. Then you can just graciously forgive him. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

At the time, I actually believed her nonsense. Wanting to make Kian worry, I foolishly blocked my scent and did as she said.

So she had to know something!

If she just spoke up, my brother would know the body was mine, and he could take me home!

But her next words were a bucket of ice water, dousing the last of my hope.

"Ronan, don't let your imagination run wild. Wren sent me a postcard just the other day."

"She said she's having a great time in the south, traveling all over, and that the Rogue Alpha is treating her very well. How could she suddenly be dead?"

With that, she pulled a postcard from her handbag and shoved it in Ronan's face.

Ronan stared at the familiar handwriting, his once-firm gaze beginning to waver.

It was my handwriting. Even the habitual flourishes were perfectly imitated.

Kian's expression, however, grew even darker. He stared coldly at Sienna.

"You've been in contact with that traitor all this time? Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Sienna giggled, leaning her head on his shoulder in an exaggeratedly coy manner.

"Oh, Wren specifically asked me not to tell. She was afraid it would upset you."

"Don't be angry, my Alpha. Tonight belongs to us."

I floated in the air, watching this scene, my fingertips turning to ice.

The handwriting on that so-called postcard was a perfect forgery. I had no idea where Sienna had gotten it.

Looking at my best friend, smiling so triumphantly as she nestled against Kian, I suddenly understood.

In the past, whenever Kian and I argued about pack matters, Sienna was always the one to play peacemaker.

She would always tell me to be more understanding and considerate of an Alpha's pressures, then turn around and console Kian, telling him I was too willful and immature.

I had always thought she was my true friend, treating her like my own sister.

Only now, seeing the unconcealable greed and possessiveness in her eyes, did I finally realize.

From the very beginning, she had coveted my position.

She didn't just want Kian; she wanted my title as Luna.

And three months ago, it was this "best sister" who had sent me to hell with that same innocent expression.

All that talk of deep friendship was a lie!

From start to finish, I was the only fool being played.

Even more tragically, the Alpha I loved had completely fallen for her act.

Kian wrapped his arm around a trembling Sienna, his gaze toward Ronan filled with disgust.

"Had enough? Ronan, take your madness and get out of my ceremony! Don't force me, as your Alpha, to banish you!"

Even my only hope, Ronan, was starting to waver now.

An indescribable weakness washed over me. I looked down at my hands.

My form was beginning to turn transparent.

The altar bells began to toll, counting down the final hours.

Of the forty-eight hours the Moon Goddess had given me, only eight remained.

"Wren, betrayed by your kin, your obsession fades. Eight hours remain until your soul dissipates."

"Ronan! Brother! It's a lie! She's lying!"

I screamed desperately, trying to grab Ronan's sleeve, but could only watch as my hand passed right through his arm.

Just as I was on the verge of despair,

The enforcer communicator in Ronan's pocket let out a series of urgent beeps.