Chapter 1

My sister's Wolf-Spirit Decay had worsened. The whole family was waiting for me to test the new medicine and save her.

But they didn't know. I'd lost my wolf spirit five years ago. My body couldn't survive a drug trial anymore.

My Alpha husband pushed the Mate Dissolution Agreement in front of me.

"If you're still this selfish, you don't deserve to be my Luna."

Damian set the pen beside the signature line.

"Chloe can't wait any longer. If you refuse, I'll dissolve the bond and give her a marking ceremony."

I looked at the name on the agreement.

In the past, hearing those words, I would have demanded to know: I'm your wife. How could you mark my sister?

Today, I picked up the pen.

Damian pressed his hand on the corner of the paper.

"Think carefully. Once you sign, there's no taking it back."

I signed my name and handed the pen back to him.

"Bring me the consent form for the drug trial too."

His hand stopped.

"You agree?"

"Yes."

Damian looked at me for a moment, then finally seemed satisfied.

"You should have done this from the start. Why did you have to make everyone unhappy?"

I didn't argue.

A month ago, I'd been infected with wolfbane.

The witch who diagnosed me said that without my wolf spirit, I couldn't heal. I had three days at most.

And today was the last one.

"Let's go. Don't keep Chloe waiting."

Damian had already pushed open the door.

Three days ago, he'd stood in this same spot and watched my mother throw my luggage down the steps.

My mother said if I wouldn't save my sister, there was no place for me in this house.

Now I could finally go back.

In the treatment room, Chloe leaned against our mother, crying until the tip of her nose was red.

"Sis, you really want to save me?"

I nodded.

My mother hurried to wipe her tears. My father was already at the door, urging the witch.

"Where's the consent form? Hurry up. Don't delay the child's treatment."

There was only one pen on the table. My father tried it twice and complained it wasn't writing, so he took out his favorite fountain pen from his jacket pocket.

When I turned eighteen, I'd asked him for it once.

He said I was clumsy and would break it.

This time, he uncapped it for me and pointed out exactly where to sign.

"Sign here."

The moment I finished the last stroke, he pulled the paper away.

My mother finally looked at me.

"You've finally come to your senses. You're sisters. How could you just stand by and watch her die?"

My father nodded.

"From now on, whatever Chloe has in this house, you'll have a share too."

"No need."

I handed the pen back.

"Leave it all to her. I won't need it."

My mother reached out and ruffled my hair the way she used to when I was little.

"I just praised you, and you're already talking nonsense."

My nose stung. I felt a little dazed.

She hadn't touched me like that in a long time.

Five years ago, my father was cursed and needed a blood relative to sacrifice their wolf spirit to keep him alive.

I disappeared. My sister went up to the altar instead.

After that, no matter how Chloe framed or slandered me, everyone chose her side and called me an ungrateful wolf.

They piled everything good in front of Chloe and gave her all their love.

I'd almost forgotten that I was their daughter too.

I instinctively leaned half a step toward my mother. But she turned and tucked the blanket around Chloe.

The witch came in with another form.

"The test subject needs to fast tonight. She'll need to stay for observation before the trial."

"She's healthy. She can go home and sleep."

My father answered for me.

"We don't have enough beds here. Don't disturb Chloe's rest."

Damian pulled a chair to the bedside. Chloe reached out, and he took her hand.

My mother leaned down and asked if she wanted water or soup.

My father bent over to adjust her pillow.

I stood in the corner for a while, then tried to put the chair I'd borrowed back where it belonged.

The chair leg bumped the edge of the bed.

All four of them looked at me at once.