The pack's healer diagnosed me with the Moonshadow Curse.

I had three days to live.

The only hope was a high-risk Blood Moon Ritual.

But my Alpha mate, Ethan, gave the one chance for a cure to my adopted sister, Seraphina.

He said she was more important to the pack.

To appease my entire pack, I gave up the chance.

I gave the runecraft workshop I had poured my heart and soul into, along with all its core design blueprints, to Seraphina.

I agreed to sever our mate bond so he could bond with Seraphina.

I even allowed my daughter, Chloe, to call Seraphina "mother."

My pack, my mate, my daughter—they were all satisfied with my compliance.

No one noticed the dark markings blooming on my skin, nor did they care about the blood I coughed up.

They only accused me of playing the victim for attention.

I just have one question.

When they find my body, will they still be able to smile?

————————

1

Under the healer's sympathetic gaze, I swallowed the herbs meant to numb the searing pain.

My life was down to its final three days.

Leaving the medical tent, I strode to Seraphina’s recovery room.

It was warm and peaceful inside. My mother, Eleonora, and my father, Marcus, were gathered around her bed.

Their faces were full of adoration.

"Seraphina, try some of the venison I hunted."

"Drink up. You need to get your strength back."

The moment I appeared, the atmosphere turned glacial.

"What are you doing here?"

"Are you here to upset Seraphina again?"

"Elara, we won't let you bully her anymore."

My mother stood in front of me, her tone laced with ice.

My father followed suit, shielding Seraphina behind him.

"We can't believe we raised someone as petty as you. If we'd known you'd turn out like this, we never would have brought Seraphina home."

A bitter smile touched my lips. I used to argue, to scream, to expose Seraphina's lies.

And the result? She received more affection, and I, more blame.

I was on the verge of death. What was the point of arguing anymore?

"Let me speak," I cut him off with a smile.

"The runecraft workshop, the core design blueprints... Seraphina has always wanted them, right? They're all hers now."

They froze, stunned into silence.

"You really agree?"

"You're not planning some other scheme, are you?"

I lowered my head, a soft laugh escaping me. "When I refused, you called me selfish. Now that I agree, you're still suspicious?"

For once, my mother seemed pleased. "Finally, you're showing the selflessness worthy of a future mate. Seraphina's devotion to this pack is far more valuable than your runes."

I nodded silently and handed over the transfer documents.

Seraphina's eyes lit up, a wide grin spreading across her face.

She signed them immediately, then shot me a triumphant look.

In this pack, no matter how hard I tried, I could never win.

"Come, Elara, have some venison too. Seraphina saved a small piece for you."

My throat tightened. I could only manage a weak nod.

Perhaps, if I gave them everything, they would finally speak to me with a smile.

I choked back my tears.

I wondered… when they found me dead, when they learned everything Seraphina had done, would they still be able to smile?

Would they feel even a shred of regret?

I returned home.

My mate, Ethan, and our daughter, Chloe, were preparing a celebration for Seraphina.

They were laughing happily, completely oblivious to my arrival.

The moment Ethan turned and saw me, his smile vanished. "You should have used the mind-link."

My gaze fell to the plaque on the table.

It was carved from moonwood.

Two neat lines of text were inscribed:

"To our bravest Seraphina."

"To our future Luna, may you forever protect the pack!"

The signature was my daughter's name.

Beside it, in Ethan's strong, forceful handwriting, was a note. "The celebration we're preparing for you is almost ready. No peeking!"

Only now, on the brink of death, did I realize Ethan was even capable of something so personal.

While I was alive, I had worked myself to the bone for this family, for the entire pack, providing equipment, maintaining order…

All I ever got in return was criticism and contempt.

Before, I might have broken down, demanded answers, or started a fight.

Now, I said nothing. I just went to the bedroom and began packing my things.

"Elara, there's something I need to discuss with you. It's... about Seraphina."

Ethan approached, his scent carrying an undeniable Alpha authority.

"Seraphina's body is still weak. The pack's shaman has prophesied that her bonding ceremony will bring new life to the pack. It will purify the bloodline and welcome new hope. And I am the most suitable candidate... So… I want to sever our mate bond."

...

"Sever our bond?" A sharp pain lanced through my heart. I couldn't believe what he was asking.

Ethan looked impatient. "Elara, as her sister, you should want what's best for the pack. The shaman said that once we are bonded, Seraphina's health will recover completely! This will solidify my position. It won't change our past. You'll still be Chloe's mother. I would never betray our memories."

Before I could say anything, my daughter grabbed my hand, her eyes pleading. "Mommy, Godmother Seraphina is so sad... She cries all the time when she's alone. Please let Daddy help her? For the pack?"

I froze.

Years ago, they'd insisted she be Chloe's godmother, ignoring my every protest.

Even my own daughter was closer to her than to me.

I looked at this so-called family, my eyes stinging with tears that I refused to let fall.

One was the Alpha whose wolf was bonded to mine. The other was the pup I had risked my life to birth.

In their world, Seraphina was family. I was just the "overly emotional" mother.

I looked at Ethan calmly. "Fine. As long as you're all happy."

Ethan's eyes lit up with surprise and joy. He immediately produced the Severance Pact he had obviously prepared long ago. "Sign your name here with your blood seal."

"Mom, here!" my daughter eagerly handed me a needle.

My heart sank. So, they had been waiting for this.

I quickly pricked my fingertip and pressed the bloody print onto the pact.

"Once Seraphina recovers, I'll give you the honor you deserve. Don't worry, you'll always have been my first mate. Chloe will always be your daughter," Ethan added hastily, pressing his own blood seal to the pact.

I felt a soul-rending agony, but I managed a faint smile. I wouldn't live to see that day.

"Elara, you're so much more sensible than before. I wasn't perfect in the past, either. I'll make it up to you."

"Mom, you're so good to my godmother. I'm so proud to have a mom like you!"

I felt only a bitter irony. I had clung to a sliver of hope, but in that moment, it dissolved into nothing.

I turned to leave. The moment I took a step, darkness washed over me. I couldn't breathe as the curse's power surged.

I was jolted awake by a splash of cold water.

The sharp pain forced my eyes open.

Ethan and my daughter stood over me. "Mom, why are you acting up again? You're not sick, you're just faking it to get our attention. We need to go give Godmother our blessings. Get up, don't waste our time!"

"Elara, I've told you repeatedly—this is for the future of the pack. I'm not abandoning you. You don't need to test me like this."

Their first reaction to seeing me collapse wasn't to call for the healer, but to accuse me of faking it.

On my skin, eerie dark markings were faintly visible.

"Mom, you look perfectly healthy. How could you be sick? You're supposed to be the adult, but I'm more mature than you."

Her words stung my heart.

It seemed the healer’s herbs were truly effective. I didn't look sick at all.

And yet, in three days, I would be dead.

"I'm fine now. I'll go with you. There are some things I need to clear up with the Council of Elders."

Ethan clearly didn't want me to go, but upon hearing there were still formalities to attend to, he nodded.

At the Council of Elders, everyone was present.

They looked at me with scrutinizing eyes.

"Elara, you're here!" Seraphina greeted me warmly. "Elara, thank you for believing in me. When I become Luna, I will work hard to lead our pack to a stronger future."

"Yes, Elara. Don't you always prefer peace and quiet? With Seraphina managing the pack, you can take that long trip you've wanted and still receive an elder's stipend. Isn't that wonderful?" my mother said, her face beaming with sincere joy.

I smiled too. "Yes, that sounds perfect. That's why I've decided to transfer all my personal territories and wealth to Seraphina as well. That way, I won't have to worry about a thing."

At these words, everyone froze.

...

"You're not joking, are you, Elara? Including the territories with the Moon Wells?" Seraphina asked again, her voice laced with disbelief.

I didn't understand. Seraphina had always coveted everything I owned.

Whenever I refused her, she would call me selfish, accuse me of holding her back, and claim I wasn't acting like a proper sister.

Now that I was finally giving her everything without a fight, they still couldn't believe it?

"Elara, you've finally grown up. You're finally showing the grace befitting a future Luna's mother!" My father was the first to react, praising me. "You two sisters, united and selfless—this is what we've always wanted. Now we can finally rest easy."

How ridiculous.

Did Seraphina go through all that trouble to take everything from me just to lighten my burden so I could enjoy my life?

She had deceived them all with her pitiful act and false kindness.

Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through my chest, and I began to cough violently. Blood spilled from my lips. "Is your inner wolf injured?"

My mother noticed and came over to pat my back.

I wiped my mouth and asked softly, "Mom, Dad… if I died, would you be sad?"

The room fell silent. "Who talks like that? You were just starting to be reasonable, and now you're spouting nonsense again?"

My mother gave me a light tap.

"You look so healthy. It's probably just a minor instability with your wolf. Take some calming herbs and don't be so dramatic," my father added impatiently.

"Yeah, Mom, look at Godmother's face. She's the one who really needs to rest. Stop being so neurotic," my daughter said, her tone scolding me as if she were the adult.

"That's right, Elara. Stop faking illness for sympathy. I've told you so many times. Set a good example for your child. You can't keep this up," Ethan chimed in.

My eyes burned, but I managed a smile. "You really like Seraphina, don't you, Chloe? From now on, you can be her daughter. Let your godmother be your new mother, the future Luna."

Chloe's eyes lit up. "Then Seraphina-mom can take me to the Moonlit Forest and teach me to hunt!"

She jumped into Seraphina's arms, kissed her on the cheek, and started calling her "Mom."

Chloe hadn't looked that happy in a long time.

Everything was different today because I had let Seraphina become her mother.

She skipped around, repeatedly calling Seraphina "Mom," while Ethan gently stroked her hair.

My parents sat together, watching them with satisfaction.

They looked like a perfect, happy Alpha family.

And me? I was just an afterthought.

I turned away, wiped my tears, and quietly left the pack lands.

I had one day left in this world.

I didn't know where to go.

I unlocked my communication crystal. The background hadn't changed. It was a picture of the three of us on a city overlook.

The sun was bright that day. I stood in the middle, holding my daughter's and Ethan's hands. We were all smiling, as if we had once been truly happy.

I drove to that overlook, the one from the picture.

The viewing platform was still there, overlooking the city lights, as if nothing had changed.

I stood alone, gazing into the distance.

The wind blew against my face. I closed my eyes.

For a moment, I could almost hear my daughter's laughter… and Ethan's voice warning me, "Be careful."

This time, no one was with me.

I was all alone. A wave of dizziness washed over me.

I knew death was near.

I forced my eyes open, but the world was growing blurry.

With a trembling hand, I took out my encrypted communication crystal and, with the last of my strength, dialed a number I hadn't called in years.

The signal connected.

But I couldn't hold on any longer. The crystal slipped from my hand, and darkness consumed everything.