Chapter 5

At the last second before darkness swallowed Rosa, all she heard was the pack's cheers and Ivy asking, "Why is Luna Rosa unconscious?"

Right away, an urgent voice called out, "Rosa!"

How noisy. Rosa thought that maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she just died right then. However, with only four days left until their bond dissolved, dying now would be such a waste.

When Rosa came to again, she was lying in the healing hall.

Her throat burned like it was on fire. She tried to speak, but no sound came out. Outside the door, she could hear someone sobbing.

"I'm sorry… I really didn't know that there was silver in it."

Ivy's voice sounded broken and helpless. "If anything happens to Luna Rosa, I'm willing to give my life to make up for it…"

"What are you saying?"

Kyle's voice rang out, but he wasn't scolding Ivy. "Don't talk about giving up your life so casually. She has a strong body. She won't die."

Rosa stared blankly at the ceiling. Her eyes felt rather dry. Even though she had nearly died, in his eyes, she simply wouldn't die.

The portiere rustled, and Kyle stepped in.

There was hardly a flicker of relief or joy in his eyes when he saw that Rosa was awake. He merely remarked, "You're awake? Ivy spent half the night kneeling outside because of you. Since you're fine, let's call it even."

Rosa stared at him, questioning him with nothing but her gaze.

Kyle frowned. "What's with that look? It's not like Ivy did it on purpose."

Then, without giving Rosa another glance, he took Ivy, who was still wiping her tears, by the hand and strode away.

For the rest of the day, Rosa lay alone in the healing hall.

She could hear the cheers of the pack from the window.

Kyle had taken Ivy hunting in the forest. Rosa had begged him to take her there for three years, but he never did.

Rumor had it that Ivy caught a snowshoe hare, and Kyle was so pleased he rewarded the whole pack.

Rosa shut her eyes, burying the bitterness deep within her. On the day of her discharge, the sky was overcast. A storm was approaching.

Kyle's car was waiting in front of the healing hall, but he wasn't there for her. He was holding a bouquet of white irises. Seeing Rosa come out, he tossed them to her. "For your father's memorial."

Rosa caught the flowers, thinking maybe Kyle hadn't completely forgotten about her after all. However, as she opened the car door, she found Ivy already seated in her seat.

Instead of making a scene, Rosa silently got into the back seat. By the time they reached the cemetery, it was already pouring.

The guards watching over the cemetery rushed over. Worry was etched on their faces. "Alpha Kyle, the recent heavy rains have loosened the soil on the hill. The previous Alpha's tomb is at risk of collapse. We need to relocate the urn immediately."

Kyle nodded. "Alright. Get to it."

Rosa struggled up the slippery stone steps. Her body was still weak.

The guards quickly dug open the tomb and took out the urn.

"I'll take it," Rosa said, waving the guards aside before picking up the urn.

She pressed the icy urn to her chest, and it gave her a faint sense of long-lost comfort.

"Luna Rosa, the rain's coming down hard. Allow me to shield you with this."

Ivy came up beside her without warning. She was holding a black umbrella.

"There's no need!"

Just as Rosa tried to move aside, Ivy slipped and fell forward in a panic.

Rosa, who was already weak, lost her balance from the impact and fell backward.

Her back slammed hard against the edge of the stone steps. The sudden pain made her vision go dark, and her hands fell slack on reflex.

The obsidian urn slipped and flew from her grasp. With a crisp crack, it shattered into pieces.