Chapter 4

In that moment, the way my parents, Elara, and Rachel looked at me changed.

It was no longer concern, but a look filled with despair and pity.

It was the way one looks at a sacrifice about to be offered to the God of Death.

Just then, there was a noise at the door. Kael was back.

He was holding a freshly baked berry pie, my favorite, from the shop at the far end of the market.

Seeing my parents, Elara, and Rachel there, Kael froze. His smile stiffened.

"Why is everyone here? Is this a family meeting?"

Then, as if realizing something, he answered his own question, his tone laced with appropriately faked grief.

"Is it because of the child?"

"Mom, Dad, I know you can't bear to part with the child. I can't bear it either."

"But the pup is corrupted by silver toxicity. It's an abomination. Even if we use expensive potions to keep it until birth, it won't survive."

"I really can't bear to let Seraphina suffer through ten months of pregnancy only to watch the child die in her arms. That would be too cruel to both the child and Seraphina."

"Seraphina and I have agreed. We will send the child away tomorrow at the Moon Goddess Altar."

"I will personally conduct the ritual to ensure everything goes perfectly. She won't feel any pain."

Everyone knew Kael was lying. Everyone in the room knew the truth.

But strangely, no one exposed him.

Instead, they maintained a tacit silence. The air was so oppressive it was suffocating.

After a moment, Elara spoke as if she couldn't take it anymore, her voice pleading.

"Kael, can we cancel the ritual tomorrow?"

Kael frowned slightly, confused. "Why cancel it?"

"Mom, Seraphina finally made up her mind. If we don't do it tomorrow, her emotions might waver, and it will be harder later. It's better to get it over with."

Rachel looked like she was about to cry, tugging at Kael's sleeve.

"Brother, if you don't cancel the ritual, you will regret it! You will regret it for the rest of your life!"

Kael looked unconvinced, finding it almost funny.

"How could I regret it? This is for Seraphina's own good. For her health. I have no reason to regret it."

He looked at me, sitting silently, and asked gently.

"Seraphina, why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell? Should I call the Healer?"

Looking at his worried face, into those eyes that I used to drown in, I felt a tightness in my chest.

"It's nothing. I'm just a little scared."

That was the truth. But what scared me wasn't the ritual tomorrow, or losing the child.

It was the mystery hidden behind all this.

Kael gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his embrace.

His voice was gentle to the extreme, yet it made my skin crawl.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

"Tomorrow, once we enter the secret chamber of the altar, you'll drink the medicine and sleep. It will all be over."

No. He didn't understand.

He didn't understand what tomorrow's ritual actually meant.

Elara and Rachel wanted to say something, seemingly wanting to rush over and stop him.

But my parents held them back. They exchanged looks of utter despair and hurriedly dragged them away.

Before leaving, my mother looked back at me deeply.

Her eyes were complicated—full of reluctance, apology, and a deep sense of powerlessness.

Kael didn't notice these undercurrents.

He was completely immersed in the relief of solving his problem tomorrow.

He was in a great mood.

He cooked a table full of my favorite dishes and even opened a bottle of vintage wine.

That night, Kael held me tightly as he slept. In his sleep, he called my name, sounding so deeply in love, as if I were his only one.

Early the next morning, just as the sky was turning gray, Kael and I arrived at the Moon Goddess Altar.

Usually solemn and majestic, the place now seemed exceptionally cold and gloomy.

Soon, I was led into the secret chamber beneath the altar and laid on a cold stone bed.

Kael brought a bowl of black potion that smelled bitter.

It was a sedative to knock a wolf out.

The liquid slid down my throat. My consciousness blurred rapidly, and my limbs became heavy.

Through my heavy eyelids, I saw Kael change into a white ceremonial robe.

He leaned over and whispered in my ear.

"Seraphina, don't be afraid. I'm here."

"Didn't you always want to see the aurora borealis? Once you recover, I'll put aside pack business and take you there."

"By the way, that sapphire necklace you've wanted for a long time... I ordered it for you. You'll receive it after the ritual."

"If I could, I would only want to grow old with you, protecting you forever..."

Listening to his plans for the future, tears streamed down my face.

We wouldn't make it to that future.

Kael. You couldn't escape this ending. And neither could I.

Just as Kael stood there, watching intently as the surgeon prepared to slice into my abdomen, the heavy door of the secret chamber was smashed open with a deafening boom.

Then came a frantic voice, choking with tears.

"Kael, stop! Something terrible has happened!"