Chapter 1

Amber’s POV

The sterile smell of antiseptic slammed into me the minute we stepped into the hospital. 

“Walk faster!” Mother snapped, her heels clicking loudly on the cold tiles.

I burrowed my hands into my jacket, fighting to keep my breath even.

“You’re ten minutes late!” Mother’s sharp voice snapped me out of my daze. 

I flinched, wiping my shaky hands on my jeans. “I’m sorry, Mother,”

“You should be,” she hissed coldly. “You kept Maggie waiting,”

“For just ten minutes. She’ll survive,” my wolf, Vera, drawled sarcastically. 

“Sensitivity, Amber. Something you clearly lack where Maggie is concerned.” Mother’s clipped words trailed off as her eyes flitted down to my stomach and she paused in horror.

My gut knotted and my trembling hands touched my stomach self-consciously. What was it this time?

“Why is your stomach so big?” She hissed, her sea-blue eyes hardening like ice glaciers. “Did you eat something?!”

“Just salad… then a pineapple juice.”

“Juice?” Her voice rose, laced with disbelief, as if I'd committed a crime.

“I’m sorry, okay?” I muttered, running a shaky hand through my hair. “I was hungry and the pineapple was fresh—”

“Doesn’t matter!” She threw her hands up hysterically. “Every time you eat something not on your diet, you put your sister at risk! Your blood must be—”

“Pure,” I snapped back, finishing the sentence I’d heard several times. “Pure for Maggie. I know, Mother, I know!”

Her face crumpled, and her eyes began to shine.

“Here we go,” Vera muttered in disgust.

Once again, I was the monster who wanted to kill her sick sister. 

“Look,” I raised my palm, taking a deep breath as I tried to pacify her. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again; I won’t have any other food that’s not on the approved diet.”

“Good.” Mother straightened her shoulder. “Stick to the list or you’ll be punished. Now come. Maggie’s waiting.” 

With that, she turned around. The clicking sound of her heels resounding the hall once more.

The minute she was gone, my wolf scoffed in irritation. “The Maggie in question spends her time eating burgers, pizza, and every unhealthy thing she can think of. Somehow, I don’t think your pineapple juice is the main problem here.”

“Quiet, Vera,” I scolded her, then sighed. “It’s not a big deal; I’ll stick to the diet,”

“More like a prison menu,” she muttered back.

My diet plan had only greens and iron-rich foods to ensure the blood I donated to my twin sister was fresh, good-quality blood.

I hugged myself, quickening my pace.

The bustling hospital gave way to silence as I turned into the Alpha’s wing.

Father’s private wing, though meant for family, was practically Maggie’s.

She was born a sick child, while I was the opposite. Healthy.

She had a serious illness, and from birth, my body has been a source of blood for her.

It wasn’t that I resented it, but I had never been asked or given a chance to refuse. As sure as I was alive, I would keep my blood clean and give it to my sister.

Maggie and I were twins. Yet the first thing anyone noticed about us was how little we looked alike. 

Father’s unruly dark curls, a common trait in the Midnight pack, was our only shared feature. Aside from the hair, we were as different as night and day.

Maggie was the pack sweetheart. 

The sickly twin with gorgeous blue eyes. She was Mother’s replica, while I looked nothing like either of my parents.

My eyes were green like the forest. Only Lucas, my first love and mate, said they twinkled like emeralds. 

Just the thought of him steadied me. My shaky breath evened out, and I approached the hospital room calmly.

From the glass window, I could see Maggie on the bed. Her back was propped with white pillows, her laughter charming Father, Mother, and the doctor. Even frail, she commanded the room.

“Another month, same ritual,” Vera muttered bitterly as I smiled brightly and entered the room.

“Maggie! You’re feeling better!” I moved to hug her, but Mother stepped in front of me with a disapproving frown. 

“You just came from outside. Don’t infect her.”

My feet halted, heat spreading across my cheeks immediately. I shoved my hands back into my pockets awkwardly. “I’m sorry Mother, I didn’t think,”

Maggie blinked at me with wide, apologetic eyes. “Sorry, Amber. Mother is just worried you might be dirty.”

Forget it. We’re late. Sit,” Father said, his warm cinnamon scent briefly comforting me before a familiar dread coiled in my gut.

“Come,” He steered me to the chair beside Maggie.

The rest was standard procedure. 

Maggie on the bed because, in Mother’s words, ‘She was the real patient.’ While me on a chair beside her.

Doctor Helen approached, her gaze a familiar blend of pity and something unreadable.

My heart pounded crazily as her cold gloves held my arms and pushed up my sleeves. 

I took in a sharp breath, turning my head away. But not before I saw the scars that riddled my arm. Needle marks.

After years of mutilation, they peppered both my arms. Some of them, old. 

Others’ raw and pinkish, healing slowly from the poison.

Before Vera, the blood draws were somewhat bearable. But my wolf’s healing made even needle pricks vanish instantly. So Mother had come up with an idea. 

Wolfsbane.

The poison, reserved for killing wolves. 

It weakened my wolf so my skin was unable to knit itself back.

I hated it so much.

My entire body trembled with terror each time I saw the poisoned needle. Today was no different.

The earthy smell of the wolfsbane did nothing to ease my shaking as a trickle of fear rushed down my spine. 

“You ready?” Doctor Helen tapped the syringe.

No, I wasn’t ready. Not in the slightest. My entire frame shook as I bit down on my tongue. The pain was a welcome distraction as a pool of coppery, metallic-tasting blood filled my mouth.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Father and Mother by Maggie, squeezing her hands in support. 

I gritted my teeth as the needle pierced an already raw spot.

It felt like fire. Hot liquid fire racing up my veins. I bit down harder, fighting the scream building in my throat as cold sweat slicked my skin.

Twenty minutes later, I sat on the chair watching weakly as my parents buzzed around Maggie. I felt empty.

The pain from the poison had faded but my heart still ached. 

Mother held Maggie’s hand, whispering sweet words as Doctor Helen connected the blood bag, while Father fussed over Maggie’s legs with a blanket.

It wasn’t that I wanted a blanket; I wasn’t cold. But just once, I wanted to feel like I belonged. To smell Mother’s citrus undertones as she kissed my hair. 

But I was the healthy sister; it was selfish to wish for their love.

Without Vera, I felt empty. I needed my mate. My insides were cold; I just needed Lucas. Needed to feel something. Anything other than this emptiness or it would grow into resentment for my sister.

I sat up slowly and shakily and pulled down my shirt sleeve. “I’m leaving,”

“Hmm,” Mother murmured, her attention fixed on Maggie. 

It stung but once again I ignored it.

The sun warmed my face as I stepped out of the hospital, I did this every month yet the blood drawing had never gotten easier.

“Amber?!” A panting voice called from behind me. “Wait up!”

I turned to see Mina rushing down the hospital stairs. “Where have you been?!” She doubled over, panting. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you,”

Mina was always overdramatic. “What is it? Did something happen?”

“Yess,” Mina stood to her feet as her excitement kicked back in.

“It’s Lucas!” She squealed, “He went to submit a marriage application form!” 

My breath hitched, the sunlight suddenly too bright. My hand flew to my throat, in shock. “He did what?! A…Are you sure?”

“Yes, I saw him! He went into the Alpha’s office with the form, and it was filled out,”

Goddess help me, I pressed a cool palm to my cheek. 

The official Midnight Pack website clearly states that any couple who wants to have a marking ceremony must fill out the marriage application form and submit to the Alpha.

A laugh spilled from my throat immediately. The hollowness of the blood draw momentarily forgotten. 

Did this mean that… Was Lucas going to propose?!