Chapter 2

Elena's POV

My mother hesitated, swallowing the words she'd been about to say before gently patting my shoulder.

"Don't say things like that. Of course you'll need it. Adrian may come from a wealthy Alpha family, but that doesn't mean you should underestimate what belongs to you."

I stared blankly at my parents' worried faces. In all my years, I'd never seen them look so concerned about me.

Ever since we were born, they'd blamed me for Vivian's frailty. They insisted I'd selfishly taken more than my share of our mother's nourishment, leaving Vivian weak.

That was why I'd been treated as the family's curse from the moment I could remember.

At every birthday celebration, Vivian was dressed like a little princess, basking in everyone's praise and attention.

Other twins wore matching outfits. I was usually left forgotten in a corner.

I often felt like an outsider, watching the three of them play the part of a perfect, happy family.

When I was little, I used to wish I'd been the second to be born.

Vivian's Wolf Spirit had awakened late, and its power was weak. Yet somehow, she had been given all the love in the world.

Even that wasn't enough for her. She wanted everything I had.

My toys. My grades. And when we came of age, even my Fated Mate.

After Adrian and I formed our bond, her behavior only grew worse.

I'd cried. I'd fought back. I'd even tried using my authority as Luna to put her in her place.

All I got in return was my parents' disgust and Adrian's cold rebuke.

"Elena, you're suffocating me."

Now, at last, I'd learned to keep my mouth shut.

I was going to die soon anyway.

When I remained silent, my parents stopped wasting their attention on me and gathered around the dining table to fuss over Vivian.

Her plate was piled high with prime venison, a delicacy reserved for the upper ranks of the pack.

I quietly cut the few vegetables on my own plate.

Vivian savored each perfectly cooked slice of venison, shooting me a smug little smile over the rim of her plate.

There wasn't a trace of weakness in her eyes. Only the satisfaction of someone who had won.

Over the next few days, the family indulged her in every possible way to celebrate her supposed imminent recovery.

At the annual Pack Alliance Banquet, Adrian led her to the center of the hall.

Right in front of everyone, he even bent down to wipe a spot of cream from the corner of her mouth.

Meanwhile, I, the rightful Luna, stood alone in the shadows.

Guests from other packs glanced between the two of them and me, their eyes full of mockery.

"Look. That's the Luna of the Nightfall Pack. The one her own mate doesn't even bother to love."

"I heard she's about to lose her position. Her mate can't even spare her a glance."

I said nothing, enduring their ridicule.

Then a piercing scream cut through the hall.

"You filthy half-blood! Who gave you permission to wear a dress in the same color as mine?"

I looked up just in time to see Vivian lift an entire bowl of scalding seafood chowder and throw it over the young woman standing across from her.

It was Madeline Frost, the beloved daughter of the Frostfang Pack's Alpha. Frostfang was the most powerful pack in the north.

The boiling soup ran down Madeline's delicate face, burning her skin and ruining her expensive custom-made gown.

But Vivian wasn't finished. She pointed at Madeline and shouted, "A half-blood like you has no business getting close to Adrian. Get out!"

My heart lurched.

Vivian had been spoiled and protected her entire life. She had no idea who she'd just offended.

Among werewolves, few insults were more unforgivable than an attack on someone's bloodline.

I rushed forward to stop her, but I was too late.

In an instant, the guards surrounded Vivian.

The Frostfang Alpha stared at the burns on his daughter's face, his fury barely contained.

Before every pack representative in attendance, he declared that the alliance between Frostfang and Nightfall was over. Any pack that continued to stand with Nightfall would be treated as an enemy of Frostfang.

Only blood could settle the offense.

My parents pleaded desperately, but the Alpha refused to listen. He ordered all of us out of the banquet hall.

Adrian tried to use his political influence to pressure him.

The Frostfang Alpha gave him only one condition: the culprit had to come to Frostfang territory in person and submit to a blood punishment.

Back home, Vivian curled up on the sofa, trembling and sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

"Dad! Mom! Please save me! I don't want to die! Frostfang will kill me!"

My parents rushed to comfort her. The three of them clung to one another, crying as if they were the ones who'd been wronged.

I watched coldly and turned toward the stairs.

Just as I was about to close my bedroom door, a large hand slammed against it, stopping it from shutting.

Adrian stood there.

He avoided my eyes. "Elena, you're going in Vivian's place."

I stared at him.

"You're identical twins. As long as you don't speak, the Frostfang wolves won't be able to tell you apart."

"It's just an apology and a little punishment. You're the older sister, and you're stronger than she is. You won't refuse me, will you?"

A little punishment?

Everyone knew the Frostfang Alpha was ruthless. Any werewolf who offended him was lucky to leave his territory alive. Those who did rarely escaped without severe injuries.

Adrian was an Alpha himself. He knew better than anyone what awaited me.

Yet he didn't care.

I lowered my head and said nothing.

Behind him, my parents had overheard his suggestion, then their eyes lit up.

"That's right! Elena, you go!" My mother hurried over and grabbed my hand. "Vivian is too weak. They'll kill her! You have to take her place!"

"Just try not to get hurt too badly," she added. "You'll still need to take part in the restoration experiment soon."

I looked at the four people standing before me. Exhaustion settled deep in my bones.

At last, I managed a faint smile and nodded.

"All right. I understand."

As I turned to close the door, I caught a flash of triumph in Vivian's eyes.

A thought crossed my mind.

Once I was dead, there would be no one left to shield her from danger or take the blame for her mistakes. I wondered how long that pampered, poisonous little flower would last without someone to protect her.

My room was dim and oppressive. Laughter drifted up from downstairs, and a tear slipped down my cheek.

I quickly wiped it away and decided to clear out everything I owned.

I didn't have much time left. There was no point keeping things that only brought back painful memories.

Apart from my everyday belongings, there were only a few framed photographs in the room. One showed our family of four. Another captured the day Adrian and I had completed our Mate Bond ceremony.

I stared at them for a long moment.

Then, without hesitation, I threw them both into the trash.

As soon as I finished, dizziness swept over me. I collapsed onto the bed, gasping for breath.

A moment later, warm liquid began to run from my nose.

I clapped a hand over it, but blood kept seeping between my fingers and dripping onto the white sheets.

Six days left.

My body was already beginning to fail, piece by piece.

Just then, the bedroom door burst open.

I hurriedly grabbed a pillow and covered the bloodstains.

Adrian stood in the doorway, his expression indifferent.

"The Frostfang enforcers are here. Get out."