Chapter 4

By early evening, I caught a familiar scent and drifted back toward the living room.

It was Elder Evelyn, the only person in the pack who had ever loved me more than Julia.

I had always called her Grandma Evelyn.

She was carrying two gift boxes, but there was little happiness on her face.

I knew that although she favored me, she loved Julia too.

Everyone believed Julia would die that day, and under that shadow, no one could truly be happy.

"Is Julia here? I'd like to see her."

Mom wiped at the corner of her eye and answered hoarsely, "She's in her room. I'll go get her."

"There's no need." Evelyn stopped her. "Let her rest. I'll see her tonight."

Mom nodded.

Then Evelyn asked, "Where's Tessa? Let her come out and open her present first."

Mom avoided her gaze, hesitating so badly that she couldn't form a proper answer.

Evelyn immediately sensed that something was wrong, and her voice sharpened. "Where exactly is Tessa?"

"Tessa was throwing a tantrum, so I... locked her in the dungeon to reflect on her behavior."

"What did you say?" Evelyn turned toward the dungeon at once. "She's your daughter, not a prisoner. Why would you treat her like that?"

Mom's tears fell harder, but she refused to move aside.

"Elder, I just wanted Julia to have this last day entirely to herself."

"This is the last time I'll ever have with her. I don't want Tessa coming out and causing trouble. You know how hostile she always is toward Vincent and me."

"She's hostile because you and Vincent gave all your love to Julia and never paid any attention to Tessa!"

Grandma Evelyn stopped in anger, defending me without hesitation. "Everyone in this pack knows that."

"But what else was I supposed to do?" Mom covered her face as tears slipped through her fingers.

"Julia only has sixteen years. Once today is over, I'll lose her forever."

"Tessa still has her whole life ahead of her. Vincent and I will have time to make it up to her..."

Grandma Evelyn looked at her with unmistakable disappointment, clearly refusing to accept that excuse.

She was about to continue toward the dungeon and let me out when Dad suddenly appeared.

He stepped into her path and blocked her way.

"Elder, I'm not punishing my daughter as her father right now. I'm disciplining a member of this pack as its Alpha. Tessa refuses to follow orders, and there is nothing wrong with what I've done. If you insist on interfering, we can call a meeting of the Elder Council tomorrow and let them decide."

Evelyn stopped.

She knew that if she accepted Dad's decision, there was still a chance I would be released the next day.

If the matter went before the Elder Council, however, I could end up locked away for much longer.

"You'd better not regret this. You can't make up for everything."

Neither Mom nor Dad answered.

That evening, the birthday celebration was heavy with sorrow.

One by one, every member of the pack came forward to offer Julia their blessings while the moonlight rested softly over the gathering.

Everyone prayed for a miracle, hoping that kind, gentle Julia might somehow survive.

Time passed slowly.

The moon sank toward the horizon, and pale daylight gradually began to spread across the sky.

When the first ray of sunlight touched the Temple of the Moon Goddess, the long silence finally broke.

"Julia, you're alive!"

Julia stared in complete disbelief.

Mom and Dad pulled her into their arms and burst into tears of joy.

The prophecy had haunted everyone for far too long, and the unexpected ending sent the whole pack into celebration.

Then Grandma Evelyn rose to her feet, her trembling lips cutting through everyone's happiness.

"The Moon Goddess's prophecies are never wrong. If Julia is alive..."

Mom and Dad's faces changed instantly.

Dad was the first to rush out of the temple and run toward the dungeon.

The cold underground corridor was utterly lifeless, without even a trace of light.

He threw open the dungeon door, then froze as all the color drained from his face.

His vacant eyes fixed on my body lying facedown on the floor, and when he finally spoke, his voice was so soft that it sounded as though he were afraid of shattering an illusion.

"Tessa, Mom and Dad are here. You're only joking, aren't you?"