Chapter 1

After her parents found her at fifteen, Evelyn spent nine hard years trying to belong at Hart Manor.

While searching for their older daughter, her parents had neglected Serena. Their guilt toward their younger daughter never went away.

So whenever the sisters clashed, her parents said the same thing: Evelyn was the understanding one, so she should give in. Terrified of being abandoned again, Evelyn learned to hide her pain, solve every problem herself, and earn her place by taking care of everyone.

But the pack doctor's diagnosis shattered all of that. She would lose everything that made her a werewolf, piece by piece.

She asked no one in the family for help. She had decided to die with dignity before she became a burden.

Outside the clinic window, the first cold rain of winter fell on Black Pine. Clouds hung low over the woods, and the night patrol's long howls drifted across the timberland. Once, the sound would have woken Lyra, the wolf inside her. Today, Lyra barely stirred deep in her mind, like an animal too exhausted to open its eyes.

"The silver has reached your marrow." Ellis pushed the scans toward her. "Until two months ago, we could still keep the silver left from five years ago under control. But then you spent two nights in the suppression cell. The wolfsbane and suppression mist weakened your wolf, and the silver started poisoning your body again. We can't reverse it now.

"First your legs, then your hands. Your wolf will keep growing weaker. Eventually, you'll even lose the sense of smell you rely on for your work."

Ellis paused. "You could still live. Gray Harbor has a long-term care center that can manage the pain. But someone else would have to help you eat, drink, and wash. At the worst stage, you'd even need help using the toilet."

Evelyn gripped the hem of her skirt.

Five years ago, when her father had been wounded and poisoned, she tested the antidote on her own wolf without a second thought. It saved him, but damaged her body beyond repair.

If she couldn't even hold a cup one day, who would care for her, day after day?

Her parents might soften. They might tell her, with tears in their eyes, that family looks after family. But the moment Serena cried, they would turn to Evelyn and say apologetically, "Your sister has always been frail. We have to take care of her first."

Her fated mate, Adrian, might step in too. He might hire the best caregivers and cover every expense, but draw the same clear line: it was his duty as her fated mate. It had nothing to do with love.

That future frightened her more than the pain in her bones.

"Is there another choice?" Evelyn asked wearily.

Ellis said, "There is a drug called 'Moon Sleep' that sends the wolf into a deep sleep. At a high enough dose, the heart stops while the person sleeps. Under Gray Harbor's rules, you have to apply for it yourself. You can change your mind at any time during the next thirty days."

Evelyn chose to take Moon Sleep.

Ellis handed her an emergency contact form. Evelyn picked up the pen, made the first stroke of her father Marcus's surname, then slowly crossed it out. She thought of her mother, Helena, but couldn't bring herself to write her name either. Then she thought of Adrian. In nine years, he had never publicly acknowledged her as his Luna, and he had always refused to complete the mark.

In the end, she handed back the blank form.

At twenty-four, Evelyn still held on to one small hope. If someone noticed her stumble when she got home tonight, saw how pale she was, or asked why she'd gone to Graystone Clinic alone, she might put the diagnosis on the table and face it with her family.

Back at Hart Manor, Helena saw rain soaking Evelyn's shoulders and rose to wrap her shawl around her. "Why didn't you ask the driver to pick you up? Your hands are freezing."

Her mother's warm hand rested on her shoulder. Evelyn's eyes stung. Her fingers touched the corner of the diagnosis in her bag.

"Good, you're back." Helena sat down and pulled out a stack of lists. "Serena's birthday party has been moved to next week. We still need to settle the menu and take in her gown at the waist. The guests from the north get cold easily, so the guest rooms need extra blankets. And your father's pain has been flaring up at night. He's almost out of medicine."

Helena gave her an apologetic look. "It's a lot at once. This is your sister's first time hosting guests as the future Luna. Nothing can go wrong. We can relax if you're in charge."

Serena sat close to Adrian, playing with the ribbon on an invitation. She looked up with a small smile. "Evelyn won't mind. She loves me best."

Every eye at the table settled on Evelyn.

Her favorite mushroom soup had been made specially for her. But everyone at the table was used to hearing her say yes.

Slowly, Evelyn pulled her hand from her bag. "All right. I'll finish what I've already agreed to do."

"What do you mean, already agreed to do?" Serena set down the ribbon. "It sounds like you don't want anything to do with the family anymore. Evelyn, are you upset that Adrian is giving me the Luna badge at my party? Is that why you're sulking?

"I know Adrian is your fated mate, but there's nothing between you two..." Serena lowered her head, looking hurt.

Pain shot through Evelyn's right leg. The spoon slipped from her fingers, clattered against her plate, and splashed soup.

Adrian finally looked up. His dark gray eyes were calm and cold. He glanced at the fallen spoon without asking about her physical abnormality. "Serena has been preparing for this ceremony for a long time. Don't make a scene before it."

"I'm not making a scene."

"Good."

Evelyn bent to pick up the spoon. Even that small movement sent fire through her marrow. Under the table, she pressed hard on her knee and waited for the shaking to stop.

Near the end of dinner, the butler casually mentioned that it was also the ninth anniversary of Evelyn's return home.

Helena froze, guilt flashing across her face. "I ordered a cake. But Serena's new gown arrived, and she needs to try it on tonight. Could we have your anniversary dinner tomorrow instead?"

Serena cut in. "If Evelyn minds, I won't try it on. The ceremony with Adrian isn't that important. You two are fated mates, after all..."

She was near tears by the time she finished.

"Nobody's stopping you from trying on the gown," Evelyn said.

"See? Evelyn's angry again."

Helena looked helplessly at her older daughter. Evelyn knew that look. In a moment, her mother would take her hand, gently explain that Serena felt insecure, and ask her to be understanding.

"I don't mind. Go and try it on," Evelyn said first.

Every year, her anniversary gift arrived on time. And every year, Serena found a way to pull the family away from her anniversary dinner.

She was used to it.

The living room filled with noise again. Serena's bright laughter floated down from upstairs, where her parents and Adrian were admiring the gown. No one came back down.

Evelyn ran her hand over the gift and told herself they still cared.