Chapter 4

Christine POV

Harlan looks at me, surprised that I said such to him. But I do not care no matter how scary his cold eyes seem. 

He never thought he’d hear such ruthless words from me, I’ve always done as he wished, even doing more for him as long as he asked. 

He knows how scared I get with needles piercing into my skin and how the injury hardly heals for some strange reasons and yet he never cared. All he cared was my continuous blood donation to her. 

I have donated so many times for him, for Rebecca. Prioritizing his happiness to mine. 

He hesitates, his piercing eyes meeting mine, those alpha eyes that make shiver run down my spine most times. 

Just then, Rebeca’s voice comes with tears. 

“Christine…” Rebecca cuts in, tears running down her innocent-looking eyes, “What… what do you mean? Are you cursing me to die? I know you’ve helped me a lot and if you do not want to help me anymore, just say it and I’ll accept my fate instead of wishing me death so soon.” She turns to Harlan and then continues. “Christine hates me so much and she’s seeing me as a home wrecker now.” She adds. Her consciousness lets her expose her intentions. Of course she is a home wrecker. 

I look at her coldly. Her acting is top-notch. She fools Harlan every time.

Maybe… he wants to be fooled. His wolf still pines for that old bond of them both, no matter how many times he claims it’s severed. The bond keeps going stronger between them. 

Then i respond. “Whoever wants to donate can donate. I won’t.”

Rebecca clings to Harlan’s arm, her voice full of grievance. “Harlan, did you hear? She’s cursing me to die. She wants me to be lifeless close to my mother, that would make her happy, right?”

Rebecca’s mother has been comatose for five years, ever since she shoved Harlan out of the path of a rampaging rogue wolf during pack war. The fight was brutal and her wolf never woke up.

Because of that, Harlan carries the guilt, treating Rebecca with special favor, acting so indebted to Rebecca for losing her mom while trying to save Harlan.

Rebecca exploits it every time she drags up her mother's condition, blackmailing him emotionally. And Harlan indulges her every time, being moved by her acting. 

But this time, something in his expression shifts. He frowns slightly, like a frustration when she mentions her mother, his jaw tightening, his jaw muscle twitching.

He’d never forget that day five years ago, when the rogue attacked him, Rebecca's mother shoved him aside and took the full attack as a silver bullet passed into her stomach instead of his, she fell to the ground in the pool of her own blood.

But his words snaps me out of my thoughts. “Christine, donate to Rebecca one more time. I promise this is the last time.” He looks up at me, those eyes reflecting my face, unreadable. One last time? Nah. That was what he said the other time but he still left me,  running back to her.

I really am stupid. To still have hope for him, after all these moons.

He always makes the same choice, she’s his choice. And I’m always the one he abandons. Harlan really treats her well…

I’d once thought he’d learned to love, that his wolf might recognize mine in the quiet moments we shared, maybe he would reconsider me after sacrificing a lot for him.

But now, with his usual cool indifference, he makes it clear, he would never like me, not as a mate, not even as a true lover or his Luna, one after his heart.

I look back to Harlan. “If you want her alive, then you can donate yours to her.”

I say and he sighs in frustration. “You know your blood is rare and you are the only one who can donate to her. My blood will kill her and weaken her wolf.” He says. 

“What do we do? If she doesn’t donate, I’ll die!” Rebecca panics, her voice rising, clutching at his arm harder and dramatically. “Harlan, you promised my mom you’d take care of me… you are the reason she’s in coma and can’t donate her blood to me..” she says. 

“You won’t die. I’ll find someone else right now,” Harlan says coolly, trying to assure her.

Rebecca gapes at him. “What if you can’t find anyone? Christine has donated so many times, she’s a perfect match for me. Her blood ties to the ancient lineages, her wolf’s essence meshes with mine. Why is she hating me and want me dead?”

He doesn’t respond, I see how helpless he looks as he pulls her into his arms. 

Tears pours immediately in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks in dramatic streaks. “Fine, fine, if you won’t care for me, I’ll go find someone to help. Maybe Elder Lila!” She says, wiping her tears. As he tries to stop her. “Listen, you don’t have to dress yourself over this. Christine will donate to you. She doesn’t have a choice. I’m sure she can’t bear the shame when I reject her in front of everyone if she fails to donate to you… I’ll have the doctors take it from her with no choice.” He says.