Chapter 3
"Lilian has only just completed her heart transplant. To ensure the risk of rejection is kept to an absolute minimum, she must stay in the master suite bathed in pure moonlight..."
"But don’t you worry. Your father has already arranged for the Betas to lay down thick, new furs and install a heater in the guest room by the cellar. You won’t feel the cold ever again..."
Clang.
The Binding Stone I had been gripping—the very stone my mother claimed she had ruined her knees begging for—smashed against the icy floor.
This stone, which once guilt-tripped me into believing it anchored my soul, crumbled into irreparable dust right before my eyes—taking with it the last shred of sympathy I held for the scars on Mother’s knees.
"Teresa, you’re the older sister. Since you have the strongest wolf blood, you need to learn to yield to your sister..."
"Mom, I never intended to fight Teresa for it. Let her stay there. I’ll just live in the cellar."
After dinner, I washed down the bitter healing potion and drifted into a heavy, groggy sleep.
At midnight, a searing, phantom pain from the rotting heart inside my chest jerked me awake from a nightmare.
I opened my eyes. The narrow air vent cast a beam of eerie, crimson light into the room. It was the "Blood Moon"—the time when wolf instincts are most volatile and reason hangs by a thread.
The air had turned thick. Even through two layers of floorboards, that intense pheromone scent specific to the Heat assaulted my senses, mingled with sounds drifting down from the master suite upstairs—Lilian’s voice, laced with tears yet brimming with seductive panting.
"I don't want you to go back... It's the Blood Moon, and your scent is driving me crazy. If you go to the basement, that woman will definitely try to seduce you!"
"How could that happen? The mere stench of those rotting herbs on her makes me want to retch." Herbert’s voice was a low growl, barely contained. "My wolf... only responds to you."
Lilian let out a satisfied moan, like a kitten in heat. "Then... are you still going back?"
"No. Tonight, you are the only one I need."
Herbert gasped for air, kissing her with impatient urgency.
"But... Luna Eleanor said your body still needs nourishment from that trash's spare blood..."
"I hate drinking from her... it tastes metallic and rancid," Lilian complained with a whine.
"Be a good girl and endure it. I have to sweet-talk her. That's the only way she'll willingly continue to bleed for you if anything happens..."
"Then, will you still love that living blood bag?"
"How is that possible? Every second I spend with that empty shell, I’m thinking of you..."
"Herbert..."
Lilian’s hands caressed Herbert’s cheeks as she stood on tiptoe, offering her lips to his.
The air became suffocating, saturated with the sickly sweet mix of their scents. And I sat rigid in that cramped, moldy room for the entire night.
Upstairs, the madness of the betrayers didn't cease all night, either.
As dawn broke, Herbert pushed the door open. His shirt was buttoned wrong, and the air around him still reeked of Lilian’s sugary musk.
Seeing me sitting on the floor, pale as a ghost, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. He smoothed his collar.
"Teresa, when did you wake up?"
"Just now," I lied. My stomach churned.
"Is your wound bothering you?" He reached out, but I dodged.
His hand froze. "You look terrible. I’ll get Luna Eleanor."
"No need," I interrupted. "The surgery drained me; I don't have the strength to move. Tell Father I won't be attending."
Herbert visibly relaxed, skipping the pretense.
"That might be for the best. Today is the 'Rebirth Banquet' Alpha Richard organized for Lilian. The strongest Alphas from every Pack will be there. Since you’ve lost your Wolf Spirit, I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to withstand the crushing weight of their dominance... stay here, for your own safety."
Listen to that. Perfect excuse. He thinks I’m an embarrassment, but frames it as protection.
"We’re taking Lilian to the lawn now. I’ll bring you a gift later."
"Go ahead, Herbert." I watched him, a faint smile touching my lips. "I’ve also prepared a 'grand gift' for you. Make sure to check it when you get back."
He nodded perfunctorily and left, treating the room like a plague zone.
"If anything happens, call me."
"Okay."
I stood by the window as the engine roared. The car that was once my war chariot drove my family away to a celebration without me.
My phone buzzed. Encrypted message.
[Miss Teresa, the Dark Moon Alliance extraction team has arrived at the Misty Forest. We look forward to you joining us. From this moment on, you will no longer be bound by Pack Laws.]
"Received." I snapped the phone shut.
Three bird calls echoed outside—the signal.
I looked at the room one last time, ripped off the engagement ring, and tossed it onto the dusty desk.
Pulling my cloak tight, I vanished into the morning mist.
The manicured grounds of the estate were ablaze with lights.
Mom, Dad, and Herbert orbited Lilian like planets around a sun. My hunting grounds and gems—all signed over to her.
"Richard, our daughter is finally living like a true wolf," Mom wept, holding Dad’s arm. "Seeing that heart beat so strong... I can die happy."
"Nonsense! We need to see Lilian and Herbert breed the ultimate heirs!"
Herbert only had eyes for Lilian. If he felt guilt, her smile erased it. They feasted on stolen happiness, forgetting the bleeding provider left in the dark.
At the climax, a float carrying "Moonlight Wine," drawn by two massive bulls, rolled onto the lawn.
Lilian, entranced by the "Glory of the Future Luna," ran toward the float, ignoring the camera flashes that were driving the beasts mad.
In a blink, the bulls snapped.
With a violent roar, the heavy float swerved, slamming into Lilian.
She flew like a ragdoll, smashing onto the grass. Ashen-faced, she clutched her chest, a death rattle escaping her throat.
The stolen heart, shocked by the impact, went into total failure. It pounded violently against her ribs, trying to escape—acute rejection.
Panic erupted.
Richard, eyes bloodshot, pinned down Lilian’s convulsing body and screamed at Herbert:
"Call Teresa! Tell her Lilian is dying! Tell her to get her ass over here! We need her blood! NOW!**"
