Chapter 3

Three hours later, we were all gathered in the Moon Goddess Temple again.

My parents, Edwin, a few elders, and a weak but determined-looking Meggie.

"A Blood Contract is irreversible," the High Elder told me gravely. "Once signed, it is bound by the Moon Goddess. No one can ever alter it."

"I understand."

"This includes your pack authority and the claim to the family's sacred relics."

"All of it."

Meggie looked shocked. "Hazel, you don't have to do this…"

"I do," I said, looking at her. "Because you're my sister."

A complex light flashed in her eyes.

The High Elder produced a scroll of parchment and a silver quill. "Then, please sign the contract."

I took the quill and wrote my name on the parchment in my own blood.

The crimson letters shimmered in the moonlight.

"Hazel…" My mother, Lyra, had tears in her eyes. "You've really grown up."

"Yes," I said, putting the quill down and looking at every single person in the room. "I finally understand what true sacrifice is."

The High Elder was about to declare the contract sealed when I spoke again.

"Wait."

Everyone looked at me.

I smiled.

And with the blood-red quill, I added a long list of assets to the contract—shares in pack-run corporations, three mansions, a private jewelry collection, and investment funds worth billions.

"Since we're doing this, I'll transfer all my personal assets to her as well."

The temple was dead silent.

Everyone stared at the Blood Contract in shock.

"Hazel," Jaden was the first to find his voice, which trembled. "You… you're really giving everything…"

"To Meggie," I nodded. "This way, she can focus on getting better without worrying about resources."

Lyra covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. "My daughter… You're so selfless."

Selfless.

There was that word again.

"Because I've learned the meaning of sacrifice," I said, looking at her. "Haven't I, Mother?"

As I left the temple, the world started to spin.

I felt something warm and wet in my nose.

I touched it.

My palm came away smeared with bright red blood.

"Hazel!" Edwin rushed over. "You're bleeding!"

"It's nothing, just…" Before I could finish, more blood gushed out. It was a sign of a fading wolf.

"Get her to the medical wing!" Jaden yelled.

"No," I pushed away the hands trying to help me. "I'm just a little tired."

"Mommy?" Leo ran over, but when he saw the blood on my face, he recoiled in fear. "Mommy, you look scary…"

Scary. Even my own son was scared of me.

"Leo, don't be afraid," Meggie immediately swept him into her arms, her voice gentle. "Mommy just isn't feeling well. Auntie Meggie will protect you."

Leo clung to her, burying his face in her shoulder.

At that moment, a question I had to ask surfaced in my mind. "If I died," I looked at every one of them, my voice a raw whisper, "would any of you even miss me?"

They all stared at me, horrified.

"Hazel!" Lyra shrieked. "What are you talking about!"

"Don't say such terrible things!" Jaden's face was grim. "You are the Luna! You cannot speak such curses!"

Curses.

They thought my words were a curse.

"That's enough!" Edwin cut me off. "Hazel, you're not yourself today. Go home and rest."

Not myself.

No, I suppose a dying person isn't quite herself.

As I turned to leave, I heard their hushed conversation.

"What's wrong with Hazel today?"

"It must be a side effect of severing the bond…"

"She's just being melodramatic…"

Melodramatic.

Even my last cry for help was just a pathetic ploy for sympathy.

Back at the house, Meggie had already taken Leo to the guest room.

I could hear their laughter drifting down.

"Mommy Meggie, will you tell me a story?"

"Of course, my little love. Once upon a time, there was a brave little wolf…"

Mommy Meggie.

I walked up the stairs and pushed open the door to the guest room.

Leo was sitting in Meggie's lap, his eyes shining.

When he saw me, his expression fell.

"Mommy…"

"Leo, come here." I held out my hand. "Mommy needs to talk to you."

He hesitated, glancing at Meggie.

She gave him a gentle nudge. "Go on. Your mother is calling you."

Leo slowly walked over to me.

I knelt down. "Leo, Mommy has to go on a long trip."

"Where are you going?"

"A very far away place," I stroked his cheek. "I might… be gone for a long time."

Leo's eyes lit up.

"Really?" he chirped. "So I can stay with Mommy Meggie forever?"

In that moment, my heart died completely.

"Yes," I said, standing up. "You can be with her forever."

"Yay!" Leo cheered and ran back into Meggie's arms. "Mommy Meggie, did you hear? Mommy said we can be together forever!"

Meggie hugged him, a victorious glint in her eyes. "Yes, my sweet boy. We'll be together forever."

I watched them.

A mother and child, full of love.

Only the mother wasn't me.

"I'll be going then," I said, turning to leave. No one tried to stop me. No one even said goodbye.

At midnight, I was back in the master bedroom.

Edwin still wasn't home.

I sat on the edge of the bed, took out my phone, and dialed an encrypted number.

"Hazel?" Isla's voice was filled with concern. "It's so late. What's wrong?"

"Isla," I closed my eyes. "I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."

"I need to make a will."

There was silence. "Hazel, you…"

"I've been cursed. I have less than a day." My voice was calm. "I need you, as my oath-keeper, to help me with my final arrangements."

"Gods… Hazel, are you sure?"

"Positive." A wave of dizziness washed over me. "Isla, listen carefully. I can only say this once…"

Darkness surged.

My body started to fall.

"Hazel? Hazel!"

As consciousness slipped away, the last thing I heard was the bedroom door creaking open.