The Last Memory of You

Rose Murdock's POVTwo weeks ago, I had a huge fight with my brother, Raymond.As I slammed the door on my way out, I shouted, "Even if I die out there and get torn apart by wild beasts, I don't need you! Don't you dare touch my bones!"His face turned pale, but he yelled back instantly, "Then you'd better keep your word!"I was an omega with barely any wolf in me. When I was attacked by a rogue, I truly thought I was going to die.When I opened my eyes again, my vision was still blurry. Not far away, a healer was speaking softly to Raymond."We tried everything we could, but the poison has been in her system for some time. No one knows what the side effects will be."I've always hated places that reek of disinfectant. I pushed myself up on the edge of the bed, wanting to walk out and tell them I was ready to leave.Just as I reached the doorway, I heard Raymond's voice. He sounded relieved."She woke up once last night. She didn't even recognize me."Last night, when I first

Rose Murdock's POVBy the time I came back to my senses and quickly hung up the phone, I had already heard more than enough.There was a sheet of paper lying on the carpet. I picked it up—it was a medical report. The diagnosis read end-stage heart failure. In the patient column, the name written there was Adrian Sanders, the same one I had just heard on the phone.That was when I remembered the recent news regarding the leader of the pack's most powerful mercenary corps, Orion. He had suddenly announced that he would hand over his authority to his deputy.So this was the reason—his body was already failing him.I put the report back in the drawer together with the bottles of pills.Time passed slowly. Outside, heavy rain began pouring down, and still, he hadn't returned. Had he really gone off to die?I threw on a coat and ran out into the storm. His car was still parked in the front yard, so he couldn't have gone far. I headed directly to the mall nearby.The weather was freez

Rose Murdock's POVNo one ever mentioned again the surprise coming-of-age ceremony I had planned for Raymond. As for the truth behind our parents' deaths, my grief and guilt were more than enough. He didn't need to know.That day, he had said to me, "Rose, you really make me hate you. I hate you more than anything!"From then on, he never once looked me in the eye.I was trapped inside those memories. Suddenly, I felt someone patting my arm and calling me softly. I jerked awake, gasping for air.The car had already stopped in the villa district. Adrian sat beside me, watching with worried eyes.I turned to him and whispered, "Actually, I've always regretted it."Adrian stayed silent for a few seconds before nodding. His voice was gentle. "I know."I forced a smile. He was nothing but a stranger. What could he possibly know?And yet, that single reply made me break down. My tears fell harder because his voice sounded so much like Raymond's voice from the past—the brother wh

Rose Murdock's POVDaniel started walking into the house. "Let's take this inside."My heart clenched, and I tried to shove Raymond off me so I could follow.However, he only gripped me harder."Are you out of your damn mind? He's a stranger! The roads are blocked, the weather is lethal, and you nearly froze yourself to death—all just to find a healer for that man?"I yanked against his hold, but Daniel had already stepped inside and disappeared, with Jenna following close behind.Tears filled my eyes, and my voice cracked from anger. "He's my brother, my family! You're the one I don't even know!"Raymond looked like he was about to blow up. "He's not your brother—I am! Rose, how can you not see it?"His grip was crushing, no matter how I fought. At last, exhausted, I gave up, meeting his gaze with a bitter smile."Weren't you the one who told me he was my brother?"Raymond froze, lips trembling. "No… The things I said before, they weren't—"I was about to reply when a figur

Rose Murdock's POVRaymond let out a displeased snort."Isn't that how you like it?" He took my plate and muttered, "With the cold outside and the roads blocked, you're lucky to have food at all, and you're still being picky."He went back to the kitchen. I heard the sound of the spatula clanging against the pan. A moment later, he came out with another plate of scrambled eggs. He dropped it on the table with a thud."This is the last time. Next time, cook for yourself if you don't like it."That stung.Raymond's voice carried a simmering resentment."The weather's cleared today. We can leave this afternoon. Finish eating, pack your things, and come back with me."He suddenly looked up the stairs."That man's got money. Don't you dare get involved with him anymore. Let him find someone else to fetch him and deal with his own treatment. Stop worrying about people who only mean trouble."So that was it. Calling me to breakfast wasn't just about eating. It was to pressure me int