Chapter 4

Only four hours remained until my “death.”

The Blood Moon Pack’s welcome banquet had already begun.

The hall was brightly lit; people raised their glasses and chatted, celebrating Vivian’s return.

And I, the Luna about to be erased, still wore the evening gown Wilson had personally chosen and sat beside him.

“Lily, today is Vivian’s stage. Later you should go back and rest first.”

Wilson smoothed a strand of hair by my temple, his voice gentle.

“There are too many people today. I’m afraid you’ll feel unwell.”

Xavier pressed the fake-death potion into my palm and gave me a look.

Before I could speak, Vivian approached carrying a wine glass.

She wore a long silver-white dress, a moonstone brooch pinned to her chest.

It was the token only successive Lunas of the Blood Moon Pack were allowed to wear.

Three years ago Wilson had personally pinned it to my gown.

He had said that even if the Elders refused to acknowledge my bloodline, I was still his only Luna.

Now he had ordered it given to Vivian.

“Lily, you won’t mind, will you?” Vivian touched the brooch and smiled a little shyly. “The Elders said that for today’s banquet I must wear it. After all, I am the most suitable person for this position.”

I looked at Wilson.

He avoided my gaze.

“It’s only temporarily lent to her. After all, you’re about to…” He lowered his voice.

After all, I was about to “die.”

I nodded and did not argue.

After the banquet began, the Elders arranged a mate toasting ceremony.

According to custom, the current Luna should raise a glass with the Alpha and receive the blessings of all the pack members.

But as soon as the Elder announced the start of the ceremony, Vivian suddenly pressed a hand to her chest, her face pale.

“Wilson, I feel a little unwell…”

Wilson immediately set down his glass and supported her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just a little afraid,” Vivian bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. “What if I can’t give the pack an heir?”

The Elders immediately surrounded them.

“Miss Vivian must not come to any harm!”

“She is the future hope of the Blood Moon Pack!”

Wilson gripped her hand tightly and turned to me. “Lily, complete the toasting ceremony for me first. I’ll take her to rest.”

I looked at him.

“Today is the last time I will appear at a banquet as Luna.”

His movement paused for a moment.

But in the end he still supported Vivian and left.

I stood alone on the raised platform and raised my glass.

No one below offered me any blessing.

Every gaze followed the two departing figures.

I was pregnant and could not drink, so I set the glass down and walked toward the side door.

There was almost no time left before my departure.

I had to reach the private pier before the planned explosion.

But just as I reached the end of the corridor, a tremendous boom suddenly came from behind.

The glass of the banquet hall shattered instantly; flames swallowed half the wall.

People screamed and scattered in all directions.

Immediately afterward a second small bomb exploded in the center of the hall.

The heat wave slammed into me and knocked me to the ground.

“Vivian!”

Wilson’s voice rang through the entire hall.

He did not even have time to see what had happened before he shielded Vivian tightly in his arms, using his own body to block the flying debris.

Xavier and Victor also rushed over.

“Get Vivian out first!”

Wilson lifted her and ordered urgently.

Only then did someone remember that I was still in the hall.

A doctor responsible for medical support at the banquet rushed over, scanned the area, and suddenly changed expression.

“Where is Lily?”

No one answered.

The doctor seized Wilson’s arm.

“Alpha! Isn’t Lily pregnant? She’s still inside! Hurry and save her!”

Wilson’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.

“What did you say?”

“She came to see me a few days ago. Pregnancy has already been confirmed! She cannot stay in a fire scene!”

Wilson seemed nailed to the spot by those words.

The next second he handed Vivian to Xavier and turned to charge into the thick smoke.

“Lily!”

I braced myself against the wall and stood. Another explosion sounded behind me.

Flames raced along the decorative cloth; a burning beam crashed down, sealing the corridor exit.

Wilson finally saw me.

Through the rolling black smoke our eyes met.

His pupils contracted sharply. He charged toward me like a madman.

“Lily, don’t move!”

I did not answer.

Just as he was about to grasp my hand, the third explosion suddenly erupted.

The roar shook the entire building.

Flames swallowed the whole corridor; the heat wave flung me toward the broken railing.

Wilson’s outstretched hand caught only my fingertips.

The next second my hand slipped from his palm.

“Lily! No!!!!!!”