When My Heart Died, There Was No Way Back

When I woke up in the pack clinic, the healer was standing beside my bed with the results of my examination in her hands, her expression grave.

"Elara, your Wolf Soul Decay Syndrome has reached its final stage. At this point, only Silver Spring water can save you."

The Silver Spring produced only one vial of healing water each year, and that vial was reserved for the pack's Saintess.

The Moon Goddess had chosen me for seven years in a row, yet once again, Kael had handed both my title and this year's vial to Rosalie.

As I pushed myself upright, a hollow ache opened beneath my ribs.

My wolf, Astra, stirred faintly in the back of my mind, but she was too weak to form a single word.

The healer lowered her voice. "Would you like me to notify Alpha Kael or your family?"

I shook my head. "No. I'll speak to Kael myself."

If Kael saw the results, perhaps he would return the vial that should have been mine.

I left the clinic alone and made my way to the Moonlight Bakery.

The laughter inside faltered the moment I stepped through the glass door.

My father, my mother, my elder brother Aiden, and Kael were gathered around the display counter.

Rosalie stood at the center of them in a moonstone gown that had not yet been fully fitted.

Tiny silver crystals covered the skirt, catching the light whenever she moved.

Kael stood beside her with one arm around her shoulders as he tucked a loose curl behind her ear.

The moment he saw me, his hand paused.

Then he let it fall as though there had been nothing intimate about the gesture.

"Elara?" A flicker of discomfort crossed his face. "What are you doing here?"

Aiden frowned before I could answer. "Why else would she come? She found out Rosalie was trying on her gown tonight and decided to ruin it."

I pulled the folded examination results from inside my coat. "Kael, I came because the healer—"

Rosalie cut me off before I could finish.

"Elara, don't you like the cake? I can ask them to change it."

She pushed the design book toward me.

The largest page showed a three-tiered cake covered in white frosting and silver moonflower honey.

Across the top, written in blue-silver icing, were the words:

[Congratulations to Rosalie, Saintess of the Silver Moon Pack.]

Only her name appeared on the cake.

My mother immediately took her hand. "Don't be silly, sweetheart. This is your ceremony. The cake should be exactly what you want."

Then she turned to me.

The tenderness had not entirely left her face, but it had already shifted into the careful patience she always used when she expected me to be difficult.

"Since you're here, you can help your sister choose the flavor. Your sense of taste has always been sharper than hers. Tell us if the moonflower honey is too sweet."

She lifted a silver tasting spoon to my lips.

A small swirl of white cream shimmered beneath the light, and nausea rolled through me before it even touched my tongue.

I had been allergic to silver-moon pollen since childhood.

The healer had warned me that Wolf Soul Decay Syndrome would make every reaction drain my wolf even further.

At best, silver markings would spread across my skin. At worst, my airway would close.

I stepped back. "I don't want any."

My father's expression hardened immediately. He looked at me as if my refusal had only confirmed what he already believed.

"Elara, your sister asks you to taste one spoonful of frosting, and even that is too much?"

Aiden gave a humorless laugh. "She can't stand seeing Rosalie happy. Rosalie is an Omega who finally has a chance to earn a place in this pack, and Elara still wants to take it away from her."

Kael finally spoke, his disapproval plain.

"Elara, I already promised the title would be yours next year. This year's title and the Silver Spring water belong to Rosalie. Why are you still trying to take them from her?"

I held the medical report out to him.

"My Wolf Soul Decay Syndrome has reached its final stage. The healer said only Silver Spring water can save me. I don't have much time left."

Kael did not take the papers.

"You joined the pack hunt last month. Astra could not have deteriorated this badly overnight. Don't curse your own wolf just to win the title."

My father frowned.

"Kael already promised you next year's title. Why do you have to fight Rosalie for hers today?"

I looked toward my mother.

The spoon remained suspended between us, and disappointment had already settled into her eyes.

"Please, Elara," she said. "Don't embarrass everyone."

Kael said nothing. He only watched me with his brows drawn together, as though he, too, thought I was being unreasonable.

No one asked what I had been trying to tell Kael.

Their eyes remained fixed on the spoon, as if swallowing one bite of frosting were the price of proving I was not jealous of Rosalie.

I needed to end the argument and get home to my tonic before the reaction became dangerous.

I took the spoon from my mother and put the frosting into my mouth.

The sweetness had barely touched my tongue when my throat began to tighten.

Silver markings surfaced around my wrist and crept slowly toward my elbow.

In the past, Astra had always kept the worst of my allergic reactions under control.

This time, she managed only one broken whimper before her presence dimmed again.

The allergic reaction was consuming what little strength she had left, and my heartbeat began to slow with hers.

My mother finally noticed. "Elara..."

I placed the spoon back on the counter with a steady hand.

"Rosalie is the one who likes moonflower honey. It triggers a dangerous reaction in me."

Silence fell over the bakery.

Embarrassment flashed across my father's face, and Aiden looked away.

My mother caught my wrist, turning it toward the light as the silver lines spread beneath my skin.

"Why didn't you say something before you ate it?" she demanded, panic sharpening her voice. "Why do you always have to be so stubborn?"

"I said I didn't want it."

I stared at her hand around my wrist.

Now I only felt cold.

Rosalie spoke from behind her, her voice trembling.

"Mom, don't blame Elara. This is my fault. If I hadn't asked for the moonflower cake, she wouldn't be suffering."

Tears slipped down her cheeks, and Kael immediately turned away from me to steady her.

"Don't cry. None of this is your fault."

My father frowned at me again. "Your sister already feels guilty. Do you really have to punish her on the most important night of her life?"

As they gathered around Rosalie once more, the ache in my chest faded into something strangely distant.

I lowered my eyes. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. It won't happen again."

Everyone in the bakery turned to stare at me in shock.