Chapter 1

Upon waking up in the Temple of Healing, I still thought all that came before was nothing more than a bad dream.

One by one, the silver bullets tore through my flesh and bone. I would’ve died if my sister, Lucia Wilkin, hadn’t come and pulled me away from their grasp.

She stuffed me into a car and slammed the accelerator in desperation to shake off the pursuing wolf pack.

While fleeing, she mindlinked her mate, Blake Hems, in a frenzy, only to receive an icy response.

“The sacred rite is underway. Stop bothering me.”

Meanwhile, the Cassa Pack, led by their Alpha, caught up to us.

In utter despair, Lucia shoved me out of the car and left me with one final message.

“Live on, Talia. As for Blake, I’m done with him!”

With sheer determination, Lucia drove the car right into the wolf pack.

The powerful blast shattered me from the inside out, and everything went black in my consciousness.

Stuck in that heart-wrenching moment, I grabbed the healer and asked, “What happened to Lucia? Where is she?”

The healer gave me a sympathetic look.

“You’re the only survivor of the blast.”

My arms went limp as I had trouble processing the terrible news.

As if things weren’t bad enough, the healer held the medical report and said solemnly, “Talia, the sheer amount of silver bullets you have taken corroded your organs.

“Your wolf and your pup didn’t make it. It’s only a matter of time before you die as well.”

My hands pressed against my swollen belly. I was seven months along, and just yesterday, I could still feel my unborn pup kicking.

Yet now, there was only a cold, lifeless weight inside me.

Maybe death wasn’t so bad. At least, I’d be with my sister again.

Calm and a sense of relief filled me.

“How long do I have?”

“The silver poison will take over your whole body within three days. We’d recommend surgery to remove the fetus. It should buy you a couple of days—”

“That won’t be necessary. We’ll leave it at that.”

Since I wasn’t going to be alive much longer, I wanted to spend my last moments with my pup.

After dismissing the healer’s suggestion, I walked out of the Temple of Healing.

My intention was to find Lucia. We were twins. From the day we were born, we were destined to never be apart, even in death.

Amid my journey, Kaden Hems called me on the phone for once.

Staring at the caller ID, I recalled that Kaden cut off our mind link.

“Can’t you give it a rest even for one day? Just because you’re my mate doesn’t give you the right to mindlink me all day.

“I was at the altar, praying for the Moon Goddess’ blessing on Samantha’s pup, but your constant mindlinks were a major distraction from the ritual. You’re so selfish, Talia.”

The tears I had held back came crashing down.

“Kaden, our pup… is dead.”

The line went quiet for two seconds before Kaden’s agitated voice came on.

“Stop threatening me with the pup again. Is this punishment for not responding to you quick enough?

“Like I told you, Samantha’s pup isn’t doing too well.

“So Blake and I put together this blessing ritual for her. Is that reason for you to be jealous?

“Enough with the talks about breaking the mate bond and aborting the pup. Is this fun for you?

“Your sister is another problem. She’s still not picking up Blake’s calls. I don’t know what drama she’s trying to play.

“The biggest mistake we ever made is claiming you and your sister. If you can’t stand Samantha, you can just get lost.”

Once the call was abruptly disconnected, I coughed out a mouthful of blood mixed with flesh bits.

Still, I simply wiped my mouth and put my phone away with great composure.

Kaden’s words of disdain no longer upset me. In fact, I had never been more serene.

I didn’t love him anymore.

The only thought on my mind was to retrieve Lucia and hold a blood-oath vigil in her honor.

Then, I would dig a grave for two in the Dark Forest so that we could rest in eternity together.

I could care less or give a hoot about the relationship between our mates and Samantha Roderick.

They could have Samantha since they were so into her. I would depart the world in silence, joining my sister.