Chapter 1

After being accidentally poisoned by the wolfsbane, I immediately felt my wolf's power drain away at a rapid speed.

My body burned as black, venomous markings crept up my neck like twisted vines.

I trembled as I pulled out the only life-saving antidote from my pocket. Just as I was about to swallow it, Alpha Elio Palmer suddenly shoved me hard to the ground and snatched the bottle from my hand.

I fell heavily onto the thorny, muddy ground, and blood dripped from my torn palms.

But Elio didn't even spare me a glance. He was busy supporting his adopted sister, Kelly Giles, with one hand. She leaned pale-faced against a tree trunk while letting out weak cries of pain.

However, I could clearly see that the markings on her neck were incredibly faint, carrying only the faintest trace of wolfsbane. Her life wasn't in danger at all.

"Give me the antidote," Elio commanded coldly. "Kelly needs it."

My nails dug deep into my palms, and I tasted blood on my tongue.

"Why? That was mine. I've been poisoned with wolfbane! If I don't take it, I'll die…" I muttered.

Elio's voice was ice-cold, every word cutting deep. "Kelly grew up with me. Her parents died for the pack and entrusted her to me before they passed. She's the closest one I have. So, this antidote is rightfully hers.

"You're the Luna of the Shadowmoon pack. Can't you handle a little pain?"

Kelly weakly snuggled into his arms, but a defiant smile played on her lips.

I watched Elio pour every last drop of the antidote that could have saved my life into Kelly's mouth, who had barely been touched by the poison.

The tenderness and care in his eyes were a warmth I had never received since becoming his mate.

The black lines on Kelly's face vanished instantly, and her rosy complexion returned.

Meanwhile, the black lines had already covered my face.

"Elio… It hurts… It really hurts…" I mumbled in pain.

Elio frowned at me with an impatient gaze. "Sofia Conrad, you're a wolf with a strong body. Can you stop pretending to be so weak?"

His voice pierced the chill of the forest, making my heart ache. "Kelly just recovered. Her body can't handle the miasma here. I have to take her back to the pack immediately.

"You find a safe place and hide here. The guards will come for you soon."

We were deep inside the forbidden grounds, and the place was full of bloodthirsty Rogues! Leaving me here, with no wolf and poison in my body, was basically a death sentence.

"Let's go, Kelly."

Elio didn't look at me again. He put his arm around Kelly's shoulders, turned, and walked into the thick fog.

Their footsteps faded into the distance before they finally disappeared completely.

I lay sprawled on the icy, biting ground, as the wolfsbane scorched my organs from within.

In the dead silence of despair, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from deep within the fog. I opened my eyes and saw a tall figure rushing back at full speed.

It was Elio. He had come back.