Chapter 1

Right after I submitted my application to dissolve my mate bond with Tobias Grafton, the pack healer, William Beaumont, called me.

"Luna, your body has already been worn down by silver poisoning. If you don't start treatment immediately, your life will be in danger. Are you sure you're not coming to the infirmary?"

I was quiet for a moment before answering honestly, "I'm dissolving my mate bond with Alpha Tobias. I'll be leaving the Moonshadow pack soon, so I won't be staying for treatment."

William sighed and offered a few words of sympathy before continuing, "We obtained a stalk of aurelune grass a few days ago. The antidote will be ready in two days. I've already reserved a dose for you. Are you sure you don't want to stay and wait?"

A flicker of hope stirred in my chest.

Aurelune grass was exceedingly rare. If I left the Moonshadow pack, there was no way I'd ever get my hands on the antidote on my own. I'd already resigned myself to dying, but if there was even a small chance I could live, then of course I wanted to take it.

"Thank you. I'll stay and wait for the antidote in two days."

I decided I would leave the Moonshadow pack only after I was cured, disappearing completely from my son, Nicholas Grafton, and Tobias' lives.

With the reservation slip in hand, I returned to the mansion.

The moment I pushed the door open, Nicholas slammed into me like a cannonball. "Mommy! Where did you go? I missed you so much!"

He wrapped his arms tightly around me, his voice dripping with affection.

I looked up to see Tobias and my half-sister, Whitney Lockwood, walking over side by side.

Whitney even took the initiative to greet me. "Luna, what took you so long? We're planning a little celebration for Nicholas."

Nicholas cast an anxious look at me before instinctively stepping in front of Whitney. "Mommy, I asked Aunt Whitney to come. Please don't be mad at her."

He stood his ground like a little gentleman, brave and protective. Unfortunately, I wasn't the person he had chosen to protect.

A dull ache flared in my heart, draining the color from my face in an instant.

When I didn't respond, Tobias frowned slightly. "Cordelia, it's Nicholas' birthday. Let's just go with what he wants. Don't make a scene."

Whitney looked at me with that same pitiful expression, appearing fragile.

"Luna, I know you've never liked me… but no matter what you want to say or do, can it wait until after Nicholas' birthday? I just want him to be happy."

Nicholas stretched his arms wide, firmly shielding Whitney behind him.

"Mommy, you're being mean. You're always picking on Aunt Whitney… Daddy and I don't like it when you act like this."

His words cut deep into my chest like a blade.

Both of them knew perfectly well that Whitney and I could never coexist peacefully.

She was my half-sister. Her mother killed mine and then stepped up to become my father's mate. Ever since we were children, she'd been taking anything I wanted.

I thought I would spend my entire life living in her shadow until I came to the Moonshadow pack's werewolf academy and met Tobias.

Our wolves chose each other, binding us as mates, and in time, we welcomed our pup into the world.

I truly believed I had finally found my own happiness, but a year ago, Whitney showed up at the Moonshadow pack too.

She played the victim to win Tobias' sympathy and turned my own son against me.

I tried for an entire year, only to watch them grow closer and closer.

Two years ago, Nicholas wandered to the edge of the pack and got caught in a defense trap. When I went to save him, the silver spikes pierced deep into my body.

Since then, the pain in my abdomen had only gotten worse. Despite treatment, the silver was never fully removed.

It wasn't until I saw the report confirming it was terminal that I finally realized it was time to let go.

"Then let's celebrate together. I don't mind," I said, my voice calm as I interrupted Nicholas' protests.

He froze for a moment, then his face lit up with disbelief and joy. "Mommy, you mean it? That's awesome!"

He turned and gave Whitney a tight hug, like he was afraid she might disappear.

Tobias shot me a suspicious look, but when he realized I wasn't going to make a scene or resort to any of my usual hysterics, a look of relief washed over his face.

"That's more like it," he said, sounding pleased. "Whitney is your sister. Wouldn't it be better if you two just got along? The past is in the past."

I forced a small smile, trying not to seem hurt.

In two days, I would be gone forever, and none of this would matter to me anymore.