1

The night of my first shift at eighteen, my two older brothers brought home a twelve-year-old orphaned Omega.

My Alpha brother seized the rare healing herb I'd spent all my savings on and gave them to her instead. My Beta brother snarled with fury, "Get out! Don't come back!"

They even took the orphan girl on an international vacation to the Caribbean islands I'd always dreamed of visiting.

Many days later, when they returned to the pack, they were shocked to discover I'd accepted a position required fifteen years of isolated herbal research.

I could never return home.

That night, they went crazy.

…

The day I accepted the Head Healer's offer happened to be the Full Moon Festival—the most sacred day for werewolf families to reunite and celebrate together.

My mentor walked me to the door of the healing chambers, her voice gentle as she offered her final advice:

"In five days, you'll begin your fifteen years of isolation, Ember. Remember to say proper goodbyes to your family."

The Northern Territory was always cold. I stood on the street corner for what felt like hours, finally gathering enough courage to attempt mind-linking with my brothers.

Unsurprisingly, they had blocked my mental connection long ago.

With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and called my Alpha brother, Ryker. Twenty years as siblings should count for something.

No matter how ugly things had become between us, we deserved one final meal together.

He disconnected my calls repeatedly before finally shutting his phone off completely.

Swallowing my pride, I dialed my Beta brother, Axel.

This time, after an eternity of ringing, he deigned to answer, like he was granting me some grand favor.

Afraid he'd hang up, I rushed my words:

"It's Full Moon Festival today. Could we... could we celebrate together at home?"

Silence stretched across the line. I carefully added:

"I bought gifts for everyone... I even found a Moon Goddess dress for Willow—her favorite style."

Willow was the Omega orphan my brothers had adopted.

Axel's voice came back cold and impatient: "Thanks to you, Willow hasn't even been released from the hospital yet. We're all here taking care of her. How dare you even mention celebrating Full Moon Festival?"

I pretended not to hear the disgust in his voice: "Then I could bring the gifts to the hospital? We could celebrate there while looking after her. Would that work?"

I'd never begged like this before.

Since Willow arrived, Ryker, Axel, and I had argued constantly for years.

Even during our worst fights, I'd never lowered my head like this.

But this time was different...

A separation like this—who knew when or if we'd ever see each other again?

Axel remained silent.

After an uncomfortable pause, Willow's sweet, childish voice broke the tension:

"I want the Moon Goddess dress."

I immediately replied: "I'll bring it right over."

Afraid they might refuse again, I quickly ended the call.

After ending the call, I detoured to the mall to pick up the gifts I'd pre-ordered. Over the years, I'd worked hard and saved $150,000—every penny now spent on these presents.

For Ryker, my Alpha brother, I bought a precious healing crystal. As the pack's warrior, he was prone to injuries. For Axel, my Beta brother, I found an ancient spell book he'd been coveting for his magic studies.

And then... the Moon Goddess dress for Willow. I'd always wanted one like it for myself, but could never justify the expense.

Today, I'd gift it to Willow. This was my last festival with my brothers, and I wanted them to be happy.

With all the presents collected, I hurried to the hospital.

The hospital room had only one small table, barely large enough for three people to sit around.

Axel glanced up at me when I entered.

Before he could say anything, I grabbed a small chair and positioned myself near the floor-to-ceiling window.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed him pause momentarily, seemingly surprised by my action.

But his bewilderment lasted only seconds.

He quickly returned to his task, helping Willow try on her new dress and adjusting the silver fabric around her shoulders.

The hospital chairs were hard. Ryker took a pillow and tucked it behind Willow's back for support.

Willow, young and excited, twirled in the dress, her face lighting up with delight.

"It's so beautiful!" she exclaimed, spinning too quickly.

I couldn't help but glance their way.

That's when Willow tripped over the long hem of the dress, stumbling forward with a small cry.

In an instant, Ryker rushed to catch her before she fell.

Axel jumped up, his hands steadying her shoulders.

"Be careful," they said together, their voices laced with concern.

A familiar scene unfolded before me.

Except once, long ago, I had been in Willow's place.

Lost in memory, I forgot to look away.

Until Axel, after making sure Willow was stable, sensed my gaze and looked up.

His eyes, warm with worry for her just seconds before, turned ice-cold when they met mine.

Truthfully, it hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I hurriedly dropped my gaze, standing up to offer help.

"Let me fix the hem—it's too long," I said, stepping forward.

But in my haste, I caught my foot against the chair leg and fell hard to the ground, scraping my palm against the rough hospital floor.

"What are you doing?" Ryker growled. "Did you deliberately buy her a dress this long? You know how clumsy she is."

My words caught in my throat. "No, I—"

"The dress is perfect," Willow interrupted. "I just need to be more careful."

I pushed myself up, wincing at the sting from my scraped skin.

Axel looked down at me coldly. "Are you trying to seem pitiful now? Are you really so jealous that you can't even see us helping Willow without making a scene?"

The accusation hit harder than the fall.

I said nothing, rising silently from the floor on my own.

Blood beaded along my palm, but I hid it behind my back.