Chapter 4

My parents rushed to Rhys's territory overnight.

The moment Cora saw them, she burst into tears.

After a long, tearful family hug, my parents finally asked about me.

"Where is your sister? You're in the same hospital, and she didn't even come to see you?"

Cora hesitated. "My sister left."

My mother hugged Cora. She didn't sound worried at all. Just annoyed.

"Left? She has two hearts and crazy fast healing! It was just a minor surgery. Running off after a few days of rest... so irresponsible!"

My father chimed in.

"Enough. Aurora is born tough. Losing a heart is like losing a pound of flesh to her. The point is Cora survived. As long as her heart doesn't fail, our family bloodline is safe."

My mother nodded eagerly.

"Yes, yes. Cora is our family's true treasure."

"Don't worry, Cora. Mom and Dad will protect you."

Cora felt a warm glow in her chest.

The next day, Rhys walked in. He saw Cora surrounded by my loving parents.

It stung his eyes. He had never seen my parents treat me like that.

"Rhys, you're here. We owe Cora's new heart to you."

My parents only thanked Rhys. They didn't mention me at all.

Rhys asked if they had heard from me.

They instantly frowned.

"Why ruin the mood by bringing her up? If she could leave on her own, she's not dead. Let's focus on Cora."

"Cora is delicate. Aurora is practically a warrior."

My parents always wanted to match Cora with Rhys. But since the Moon Goddess gave Rhys and me the mate bond, they couldn't say it out loud.

Now it was perfect. Once Rhys and I broke the bond, he could be with Cora.

Before Rhys could speak, a pack elder walked in.

"The Alpha is so good to Cora. Staying by her side every day. Now that's a true match."

My parents thought it was a done deal. Cora blushed hard.

But Rhys's eyes instantly filled with violent rage. A dark growl rumbled in his throat.

"Shut your mouth! Who gave you the right to question the Luna? Aurora is my mate!"

The elder was crushed by the Alpha's aura. He dropped to his knees, sweating cold. He begged for mercy and crawled out of the room.

My parents grabbed Rhys.

"Rhys, Aurora isn't here anyway. The pack thinks Cora is your Luna and treats her well. Why not just go with the flow and spend time with Cora?"

Rhys saw Cora's eyes turn red. He shoved down his mate-loss rage and answered coldly.

"When Aurora gets back, I'll have her deal with these rumors herself."

He stormed back to his office. Before he could find the elder to interrogate him, someone announced that Rhys's mentor had arrived.

Rhys hurried to the guest room.

Seeing Elias, the former pack elder and head doctor, Rhys hugged him.

"Elder, it's been years. How is your health?"

Elias nodded and smiled at Rhys.

"I heard you led a heart transplant surgery. You've really made me proud."

Elias then brought up the past. He mentioned doing surgery on young Rhys. He never thought Rhys would witness the same thing as an adult.

Rhys froze. "Elder, what surgery?"

Elias was surprised by his reaction. "The heart transplant. The one you had as a kid."

The office fell dead silent. Suddenly, someone burst in.

"Alpha! Come quick! A fight broke out in Cora's room!"

Hearing Cora's room, Rhys thought of my parents. He dashed to the hospital.

He heard shouting the moment he arrived.

"Don't you dare deny it! It was for Rhys! Because of his genetic defect, you ripped a heart out of Aurora while she was still alive!"

Rhys rushed in and pulled the two apart.

One was his mother, the former Luna. She looked at Rhys with red, teary eyes.

The other was my best friend, Mia. Seeing Rhys, she ignored his terrifying Alpha aura. Her eyes were bloodshot.

"And you, Rhys! Drop the fake devoted mate act!" Mia screamed. Her eyes burned with pure hatred.

"Aurora didn't have a spare! She only had one heart left!"

She pointed a shaking finger at his chest.

"Because her other heart is beating right inside you!"