2

"I earned my position as Head Healer through skill!" My voice shook. “It has nothing to do with being Luna!”

"Rosa's recent actions have been questionable," Carlo said loudly, making sure everyone could hear. “Last week, Liam’s wound scarred after she treated it. Is that the work of a Head Healer?”

"Liam was scratched by a ghoul wolf!" I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Those kinds of wounds always scar, it’s written in any basic healing manual!”

"Excuses!" Carlo sneered. "I'll formally request a review of your qualifications at the elder's council." He turned to Olivia, his voice suddenly gentle. “Everyone knows Olivia’s talent with herbs. Perhaps it’s time for a new Head Healer.”

"I'll do my best," Olivia said sweetly, clinging to his arm.

"You can't even master basic healing spells, and you want to be Head Healer?" I scoffed. “Have you forgotten the time you mixed up the herb ratios and poisoned three pack members?”

Carlo's eyes turned icy. “Watch your tone, Rosa. I suggest you move out of the Healer’s den. It should belong to the Head Healer.”

"Carlo!" Arya cried out, shocked. “Rosa’s healing talent is a gift from the Moon Goddess, how can you—”

"Mother, please stay out of this," he cut her off coldly. “Since Rosa refused to bond with me, she’ll have to face the consequences.”

With that, Carlo, without any warning, led everyone into my healing cave.

Olivia’s eyes greedily scanned my collection. “So this is where the 'Ancestral Healing Knowledge' is kept?”

"Since you've given up your position as Luna, these traditions must be passed on to the new candidate," Carlo stated bluntly.

I brought out a few scrolls of parchment and some delicate instruments. “These are the records for basic healing and rituals. Enough for everyday needs.”

Olivia eagerly unrolled the scrolls, her brow furrowing. "But I heard there's deeper knowledge? Where are the 'Blood Moon Ward' and 'Spirit Fusion' rituals?"

"Ah, those," I said, feigning sudden realization. "Those rituals require special bloodline gifts; not everyone can master them. I've gathered them here."

I handed her a sealed wooden box. Inside was the information I’d carefully prepared – rituals that included crucial, yet deliberately missing, steps. If she actually tried them, they would definitely backfire.

"Is this all of it?" Olivia asked, a flash of dissatisfaction in her eyes.

"Yes, unless you're willing to learn the deeper rituals that demand great personal sacrifice," I said lightly, knowing she would never sacrifice herself for the pack.

Carlo had been standing silently to the side, his gaze complex as he looked at me and my collection.

"There's one more thing," I said, walking to a small wooden chest by my bed. I took out a delicate silver chain pendant – the Moonkiss Pendant. It was a pack heirloom, passed down to future Lunas.

Olivia's eyes lit up immediately. She quickly snatched the pendant.

"Be careful with it," I couldn't help but warn. "It's tied to the pack's spiritual heart, not just some trinket."

"I know how to handle it," she dismissed, immediately putting the pendant around her neck and admiring herself in a bronze mirror. The pendant looked out of place on her, almost like it was rejecting its new owner.

Olivia gathered all the items with satisfaction, then suddenly turned to Carlo, her tone sharp. "Darling, since Rosa has renounced her rights, according to the old ways, she no longer has a claim to the pack's resources and protection, does she?"

Carlo frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

"I think she should be 'stripped of the pack's blessing'," Olivia said, her eyes glinting with malice. "Since she chose not to be your Luna, she shouldn't continue to enjoy the pack's protection. It's tradition, isn't it?"