The Last Gift

My heart sank, and for a second, I thought I had misheard."You agreed to it?"Leo looked uncomfortable at my response. "Viola, Jane may not be your real sister, but she's been part of this family since your parents adopted her. You want her to get better, don't you?"He paused, like he was choosing his words carefully. "We're just going through the Marking Ceremony. The witch says it'll help Jane recover faster, as it'll lift her mood. It won't change anything between us. I'm still your mate and Mark's dad."Before I could respond, Mark spoke up. "Mommy, Aunt Jane's really upset. The doctor said it's bad for her health. So please agree with Dad, okay?"I stared at them both.One was the man I had loved for years, the other my son.I had given everything to both of them. Every piece of me. As a mate, as a mother. I had sacrificed it all.Why were they treating me like this?Why would they betray my love, just for Jane?I stood there silently for a long time.What did it matter now? I w

I pressed my hand to my mouth, trying not to cry out loud, and quietly stepped out of the hospital room. I didn't know where to go.I had one day left to live.I thought about going for a walk by the beach, but it was so far away, and I didn't have the strength. Was I dying already? But it wasn't time yet. What should I do?In a daze, I dialed a number.The next thing I knew, I woke up to the sound of a familiar voice—Selena Hunt, my best friend. She had rushed all the way from Horizon Pack's territory to see me.We met in college. Back then, she never liked Leo. She always thought he wasn't good enough for me, and that he didn't deserve my love. We fought about it back then, and I didn't listen to her.She didn't come to my Marking Ceremony.I knew I shouldn't have called her. But she was the only one I could trust now."What have you done to yourself? You're almost dead! Where is your mate?! You always told me how happy your family was. But now look at you!"Selena cried as she sp

Jane's POVI went back to the hospital, and soon my parents and Leo arrived.I pretended to ask, "Mom, Dad, you're here! Have you seen Viola? I called her to ask about the company, but she didn't answer."Dad shook his head, looking upset. "That girl… After handing over the company, she still throws tantrums? Just wait till I teach her a lesson! Doesn't she realize how much work goes into a transfer? And now she won't even pick up her phone?"As Dad spoke, he called Viola. At first, the call went through. But by the third try, it went straight to voicemail.Dad frowned. "Now she's turned her phone off! Pulling a disappearing act, huh?""She must be throwing another tantrum, no doubt. Who even knows what set her off this time? Years of this drama, and she still hasn't outgrown it!"Mom also snatched up her phone, fingers jabbing at the screen as she fired off a terse message. [Viola, get back here. Now.]It was clear to me that my parents were growing increasingly frustrated wit

Leo's POVWendy had passed out, so I told Charlie to take her to the hospital. Clutching the few belongings the police had returned to me—Viola’s phone and a handful of signed transfer agreements—I rushed after them.At the hospital, Charlie stared at the documents."Viola... is this all she left behind?" Charlie was crying, tears streaming down his face as he looked at the documents—company shares transfer agreements and the bank trust fund transfer."Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, look at this!"Mark was holding up a phone. "Someone's sending nasty texts to Mommy! This is so wrong!"The screen showed a text message: [Viola, your parents, mate, and son all belong to me now. You can't compete with me. I'll take everything you own!][Viola, don't think ignoring me will make this go away! Didn't you say you'd give me the company? Why does the ownership still belong to you?][Viola, you lied to me! I'm going to tell Mom and Dad you've been picking on me!][Viola, are you dead out there?