Chapter 4

The call came from Jason. His voice sounded frantic. "The autopsy results are in. The victim was 24 years old. The estimated time of death is roughly four years ago.

"The case has been transferred to Lycan King's High Council. Their forensics division is already running DNA matches against missing she-wolves. Antoine, this is a horrific crime, and they're already narrowing down a list of prime suspects.

"The victim's age matches Kailyn's profile perfectly, and the crime scene isn't far from the Moonlight pack. You need to keep a close eye on Kailyn during this time and make sure she doesn't leave the territory."

Antoine's expression turned solemn as he repeatedly promised to keep Kailyn safe.

Floating in midair, my soul found the whole thing darkly comical.

One was my brother, and the other was my mate who once claimed to love me. Neither of them even considered that I might be the one who was murdered. Instead, they showered the she-wolf who killed me with concern, worrying over her safety.

Jason explicitly stated the victim was 24, yet his mind could only conjure up Kailyn. He completely forgot he had a biological sister—Irene Welch, who would also be 24 today, and who had vanished four years ago.

The overwhelming grief gave way to numbness. My heart could no longer feel the sting. I had run completely out of expectations for them.

I wanted nothing more than to leave this place of heartbreak, but my soul remained tethered to Antoine's side, out of my control.

I was forced to watch him hold Kailyn close.

I watched him meticulously plan every detail of their marking ceremony.

I watched him give her all the patience and favoritism that I had never been privileged to receive.

…

The day before their marking ceremony arrived, I finally saw my parents again after four years.

Time hadn't changed them much. But the moment they looked at Kailyn, a gentle warmth softened their faces—a look they had never given me.

My mother, Adelyn Baldwin, smiled warmly and pulled Kailyn into a tight embrace. "Kailyn, ever since we took you in as our foster daughter, you've felt just like my own flesh and blood."

Kailyn offered a shy smile, leaning into Mom's embrace affectionately. "Adelyn, you're like a real mother to me, too. Ever since my parents passed, I longed to feel that kind of parental love again. You and Henry gave me everything I ever wanted. I'm so happy. I'm really grateful to Irene, too. If she hadn't left—"

My father, Henry Welch, immediately frowned and cut her off. "Don't mention that name. A traitorous wolf like her is nothing but a stain on the Moonlight pack's honor. Besides, she chose to sever her mind-link with us. That alone proved she wanted nothing to do with this family."

Mom nodded in agreement.

The conversation quickly shifted back to helping Kailyn pick out her dress for the ceremony.

It was a picture-perfect family portrait.

At that moment, I finally realized something. My parents' strict, rigorous training during my puphood wasn't rooted in love. They simply wanted a flawless, powerful daughter. The second I was branded a traitor, I became an embarrassment to them.

Compared to Kailyn, the she-wolf who had saved Antoine during his darkest hour, they naturally preferred her. By taking Kailyn in, they had simply transferred all their expectations for a daughter onto her.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

I silently watched my biological family fussing over Kailyn, making sure she was comfortable.

Moments later, a knock sounded at the door. Antoine turned to answer it, but Jason stopped him.

"Your only job today is helping Kailyn pick out her dress," he teased. "Let me handle the door."

But the second the door swung open, the smile froze on his face.

Standing on the threshold were nearly a dozen investigators from the High Council.

Ryland Pierce, the lead investigator, stepped forward holding an autopsy report and an official warrant stamped by the high council. "According to our investigation, the headless corpse belongs to Irene Welch, who went missing four years ago.

"Kailyn Greene, you need to come with us for questioning. The main accomplice, who has been at large, was apprehended earlier today. According to his confession, four years ago—"

Kailyn's face turned deathly pale. Panicking, she shrank behind Antoine. "No! My marking ceremony is tomorrow! I'm not going anywhere with you!"

Ryland stood his ground, his eyes locked onto her. "Kailyn, do you know whose fangs were used to make that necklace around your neck?"

Kailyn's expression froze for a moment at those words before she quickly recovered. "Antoine bought it for me at an auction for 30 million dollars. Are you saying you're taking me away over this necklace? If it's just about it, you can have it."

"It is about the necklace, but you're still coming with us!" Ryland's tone was unyielding.

Jason and Antoine both frowned in unison and stepped in front of Kailyn.

Jason spoke first. "I'm Kailyn's brother. I'm familiar with this case, and it has absolutely nothing to do with her. If you're going to take her in, you need to provide a legitimate reason!

"And if the necklace is the issue, take it and leave. Why do you need to take Kailyn with you? As for your warrant, I think we need to verify its authenticity first."

Hearing that, Antoine pulled out his phone, ready to make a call to the High Council.

My parents rushed over to comfort Kailyn.

Everyone was protecting her.

As I watched this play out, a bitter ache bloomed in my chest. I had never received that kind of favor.

When we were pups, Jason would sneak food to me and sit outside the door when our parents locked me in solitary confinement for failing a drill. But he had never once stood up to them like this for my sake.

When I grew up, I met Antoine. He was kind to me, always encouraging and guiding me. He would fight alongside me whenever I was bullied.

But he always stood beside me, telling me to face the threat bravely. He had never once stood in front of me the way he was doing for Kailyn right now.

It turned out that the ones I believed loved me most had never truly loved me at all.

Seeing the absolute devotion they showered upon Kailyn, I finally realized how pathetic and insignificant my own version of their love had been.

It had all been a delusion. My brief existence and fleeting happiness all felt pathetic.

Under normal circumstances, with Jason and Antoine backing her, no one would dare touch Kailyn. But this time was different. These were detectives sent directly by the High Council.

Ryland didn't budge an inch. He systematically flashed his badge and the warrant, fixing Antoine and Jason with a grim look.

"Antoine, Jason, I am honestly shocked. The victim was your former mate and your biological sister! Instead of demanding justice, you're blindly coddling Kailyn."

Ryland's voice rang out clearly and firmly, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

Only at that moment did Jason finally realize what was going on. His eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "What did you just say? Who is the victim?"

"The victim is Irene Welch. Your sister!"