Chapter 4

Two hours until the trial.

I sat alone on the bench outside the treatment room.

Damian came out.

"Why are you sitting here? Go in and keep Chloe company."

The hospital bed was already covered in gifts.

My father had brought her favorite flowers. My mother was holding a thermal container.

Chloe pointed at the box. "Can't I eat now?"

"After the trial."

My mother touched her face.

"I'll make whatever you want. Even that one you loved when you were little."

Damian took a jewelry box from his pocket.

A moonstone necklace.

I'd looked at it once in a shop window and asked him if it was pretty.

He'd said the stone was too cold and uncomfortable to wear.

Now he put the necklace in Chloe's hand.

"When you're better, I'll put it on you myself."

My sister smiled. "Then you're not allowed to forget."

"I won't."

I looked down at my wrist.

The hospital bracelet was too loose and had slipped to the base of my palm.

The nurse tightened it and asked where my family was.

"All here."

She followed my gaze. Her lips moved, but she didn't ask again.

My father was discussing with Damian whether the family should stay by the sea for a while after Chloe recovered.

My mother said I should get out more too, instead of staying cooped up in the house all day.

They even started arguing about which hotel's food suited Chloe's taste better.

I waited until they finished before I spoke.

"If I die during the trial, would you be sad?"

The smile vanished from my mother's face.

"You know your sister's scared, and you still say things like that!"

My father moved the thermal container a little farther away.

"Your wolf has always been strong. What nonsense are you talking about?"

Damian walked over and squeezed my shoulder.

"We've hired the best healing witches. Nothing will happen."

His hand let go quickly.

"When you come out, buy whatever you like."

I looked at the jewelry box that had already been opened.

"Okay."

When the nurse called my name, Chloe grabbed my father's hand and cried that she was scared.

My father bent down and pressed his forehead to hers.

"Don't be afraid. We'll be right outside the door. We won't go anywhere."

My mother followed the gurney.

Damian passed me and handed the signing board to the nurse.

"Her trial paperwork is all done. Take her in first."

I lay down on another gurney.

No one asked if I was cold.

Before the door closed, I looked at them one last time.

My mother was taking off Chloe's earrings. My father was supporting her head. Damian was holding the moonstone necklace, carefully winding the chain around his fingers so it wouldn't tangle.

"Family, wait outside."

The healing witch urged.

I was wheeled into the inner trial room. Chloe stayed in the preparation room next door.

As I was pushed in, I heard my mother's voice.

"When you're better, we'll go to the beach."

I clutched the bedsheet and waited for the witch to push the medicine into the back of my hand.

She asked if I was nervous.

"A little."

"Think about when you wake up."

But I would never wake up again.

The moment the specially made injection entered my vein, I felt the last bit of warmth in my chest disappear.

I opened my mouth, wanting to call for my mother.

Outside the door, Chloe was calling too.

My mother answered her immediately.

My fingers released the bedsheet.

In the last moment before I died, Damian was still outside asking how to open the necklace clasp.

My mother said, "Don't break it. Chloe will wear it when she wakes up."

In the last moment before my heart stopped, only one blurry thought remained in my mind.

If they knew that five years ago, the one who sacrificed her wolf spirit for my father was actually me. If they knew I would die from the trial. Would they regret it?

Too bad I wouldn't be around to see it.

As the wolfbane completely invaded my body, my heart stopped beating.