I stood there, in that dimly - lit, ancient - looking chamber, the wizard's voice echoing around me like a death knell. "Alpha, are you really set on donating Ava's heart to Stella?"

I looked at Alpha Hector, my heart pounding with a mix of dread and despair.

He hesitated for a moment, and then, those crushing words escaped his lips. "Yes."

The wizard stepped forward, his long robes swishing softly against the cold stone floor.

"Listen closely, Alpha Hector. Ava's heart must be in perfect health for this to work. it has to be a precise match for Stella's. Ava's heart is compatible."

My legs felt like they were made of lead.

"As for Ava, she will not truly perish. Once her heart is transplanted into Stella, her essence will find a new vessel. She will be reborn in another form, another identity. However, the transition will not be easy. During the heart - transplant, she will experience an overwhelming sense of near - death, a trial she must endure to ensure Stella's survival."

I closed my eyes tightly, the pain in my chest almost unbearable. In Alpha Hector's eyes, I was nothing but a disposable thing. He thought I could just die and come back, as if my feelings didn't matter. I had always been so stupid, agreeing to his every demand without question, just to win a bit of his affection. Before, it was always about giving in to Stella's needs, and now, he was asking me to give up my life.

I had always known that Alpha Hector was in love with my twin sister, Stella. The only reason I'd been able to stay by his side for those long seven years was my face, the face that looked so much like hers.

Everything changed when Stella, sick with severe heart failure, returned to our pack.

Alpha Hector had made his cruel request: he wanted my heart.

Every time I refused, he grew colder, his eyes like chips of ice. Finally, he'd lashed out. "Why do you have to be so difficult? You're just a pathetic little thing chasing after me. If you'd just agree, I might even feel sorry for you. Why can't you be more reasonable?"

Reasonable?

Alpha Hector was smart, his shrewdness allowing him to become the alpha of the powerful Rivermoon Pack at such a young age. But his heart was as cold as the deepest winter in the wolf - covered forests.

Finally, I gave in. "I promise you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, my throat tight with unshed tears.

The wizard told me that once I donated my heart, my current body would die completely.

In that moment, I decided I never wanted to see Alpha Hector again.

When we got home, I was in a daze.

I never expected what happened next. Alpha Hector, the cold - hearted alpha, put on an apron and disappeared into the kitchen.

A little while later, he came out carrying a bowl of French onion soup, the rich smell of caramelized onions and melted cheese wafting towards me.

"Have some soup to warm yourself up. Don't you love French onion soup the most?" he asked, his voice almost gentle.

I looked at the soup, the golden - brown crust of cheese on top, and my heart ached. "It's Stella who loves French onion soup,"

His hand froze in mid - air, and for a second, I thought I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. But then, he said nonchalantly, "You two are sisters. Your tastes should be similar."

I laughed bitterly. Our tastes were as different as night and day. But he only remembered Stella's likes and dislikes.

"I hate French onion soup," I said, my voice rising. "I can't stand the smell of onions. It's disgusting, revolting. Eating it is like swallowing something rotten."

"Eating this is good for your heart. You'll need all the strength you can get for the transplant."

My hand tightened around the spoon. So that's all he cared about, my heart, not me., I forced myself to finish the soup, every mouthful like sand in my mouth, and then fled to my room.

We'd always slept in separate rooms. He said he was a light sleeper, but I knew the truth.

He just didn't want to be near me. For seven long years, I'd slept in that guest room, hoping for a shred of his love.

The next day, I was about to go out, to escape this suffocating house for a little while. Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows.

It was my father, looking haggard and worn, his werewolf aura still strong but tinged with worry. He was a respected elder in the pack, but to me, he was just the man who had cast me out.

He strode towards me, his steps heavy. "Come with me to the hospital,".

I didn't move.

This was the man who had disowned me, who had believed Stella's lies over my truth. In their eyes, Stella was the perfect werewolf daughter, obedient and kind - hearted, while I was the troublemaker.

When Stella had accused me of stealing a precious artifact from the pack's sacred den, my pleas of innocence fell on deaf ears. And when she'd set me up to be caught in a compromising position with a rival pack member, ruining my reputation, my parents had never once doubted her.

My father had declared, "I have only one daughter, and that's Stella." The whole pack had laughed at me.

Now, here he was again. "Stella's condition has worsened. You're going to donate blood to her," he said, as if I owed her something.

I looked at him, my eyes filled with anger and hurt. "Why should I?" I said, my voice shaking. "She's ruined my life. You all chose her over me. Why should I save her now?"

My father, his werewolf aura flaring in his fury, his face contorted into a mask of rage, roared at me.

"She's your own sister!"

I let out a laugh that was more a sob. "Father, have you conveniently erased it from your memory? Seven years ago, you banished me from the house! I've been cast out like a mangy, unwanted pup. I have no family, no pack - bonds left, and certainly no sister."

His face, which had been flushed with anger, suddenly froze.

"Stella's heart function is deteriorating by the hour, and she's severely anemic," he pleaded, his voice a hoarse whisper now. "In our werewolf ways, we protect our own, and right now, she's on the verge of crossing the veil. Only blood transfusions can keep her tethered to this life. We've scoured the packs far and wide, but no one's a match. You're her last hope, Ava. You must come back with me to donate blood."

I'd never seen him so broken, so desperate.

Stella truly was the most precious thing in his world, the golden - haired werewolf princess he'd always cherished.

"Fine, I agree, but I have a condition,"

"I want to be reinstated into the Smith pack, with all the rights and privileges I was stripped of. And I want all the properties in Stella's hands. Those lands and homes were rightfully mine, part of my birth - right as a Smith werewolf."

"Ava, don't you dare push your luck!" he snarled, his werewolf fangs bared in a flash of aggression. But I could see the fear in his eyes, the fear of losing Stella.

"This is my condition. Take it or leave it,"

After a long, John Smith finally caved in.

I was roughly dragged to the car.

I felt dizzy, and when I got in the car, I hit the seat hard.

John Smith, in his haste, paid no attention and sped like a madman towards the werewolf - friendly hospital.

At the hospital, the nurse, a young werewolf with kind eyes, took one look at my pale face and asked, "Are you hypoglycemic? You look dreadful.Do you need to rest and have something to eat? "

But John Smith snapped, " Get on with the blood - drawing!" As the major investor in this hospital, his word was law, and the nurse, a low - ranking werewolf in the pack hierarchy, was terrified. She quickly prepared the blood - drawing tools, her hands shaking.

When the needle pierced my skin, a wave of dizziness hit me, stronger than before. With a severe cold and hypoglycemia from not eating all day, my werewolf constitution was struggling to keep up.

Halfway through the blood - drawing, I felt my breathing turn ragged, my werewolf senses dulling.

My head lolled to the side uncontrollably, and I could feel myself slipping away.

The nurse cried out, "We can't draw any more blood! Her werewolf body is on the verge of collapse. Something terrible will happen if we continue."

John Smith's face turned an ugly shade of purple. He was afraid, but not for me.

He was terrified that without me, Stella wouldn't have the precious blood she needed to survive.

"Fine, use what we have for now," he growled.

I was helped into the rest room, and I lost consciousness completely.

I didn't know how much time had passed when suddenly, a woman rushed in.

She slapped me hard across the face.

"It's all your fault!" she wailed hysterically. "What are you playing at, acting so weak? That little bit of blood is nothing! You're not even a proper werewolf, not like Stella!"

I was jolted awake by the pain and saw my mother's swollen face from crying.

She grabbed my clothes, her werewolf claws pricking my skin, and pounded me with her fists.

"Why did I give birth to you two? You're a curse, a blight on our werewolf bloodline! Even in the womb, you stole Stella's nutrients, and she was born with a heart disease. Now, when we need a little of your blood, you're putting on this pathetic show. Do you really want your sister to die, you un - pack - worthy wretch?"

I had heard these words countless times since I was a child. Just because Stella and I were twins, and just because Stella's heart wasn't fully developed, I was the one to blame.

Everyone in the family hated me, and even my own mate - to - be, Alpha Hector.

I was too weak to resist my mother's beating, my werewolf strength sapped. But then, a pair of strong arms lifted me up.

I could smell the distinct scent of Alpha Hector.

John Smith was also very surprised to see him. "Why are you here?"

Alpha Hector simply said, "I heard that Stella's condition is dire, so I came to check. As the alpha of this pack, it's my duty. Don't worry too much. I've consulted the pack's ancient wizard. She's found a heart source for Stella, and she'll recover soon."

Laura, who had been crying just now, immediately stopped.

"Really? Where did you find the heart source? Is Stella really going to be saved? By the moon goddess, please let it be true."

Alpha Hector affirmed again, "I know a powerful wizard. She has agreed to the heart - transplant. I'll offer my own alpha blood as a sacrifice to the moon goddess to ensure its success."

I let out a sad laugh. After Laura left, Alpha Hector, feeling the burning heat of my body in his arms, carried me to the ward.

His touch, which should have been comforting, felt like a brand.

Then he carefully prepared a blanket and hot water.

Lying on the hospital bed, Alpha Hector took my temperature. When he saw the 41 - degree reading, his brows furrowed deeply. "Why didn't you call me when you had a fever? "

He didn't care about me. All he cared about, from beginning to end, was the heart in my body, the heart that could save his precious Stella.

He sat down by the bed, took my hot hand. "I'm sorry. I promise you, after this, I'll live with you properly. You'll be my true mate. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. By the moon goddess, I swear it."

But I didn't look at him. I silently withdrew my hand. The next day, I started to feel a little better, my werewolf body slowly healing. This was the first time I had ever felt Alpha Hector's care, but it was all for the sake of my heart, the heart that would soon be beating in Stella's chest.

To make me recover faster, Alpha Hector even gave me some wolfsbane.

I looked at the wolfsbane, a powerful and dangerous herb that could cause the body to fester if misused. I laughed self - deprecatingly. "It doesn't matter. Anyway, I'm going to lose my heart soon. What's the use of keeping this body?"

I said it so casually.

Alpha Hector looked at me with a complex expression.

For some reason, Alpha Hector seemed to be in pain. He snatched the wolfsbane back. "I'll make sure you have a healthy body. You'll live, Ava, I promise."

A healthy body to die in?

Outside the ward, John Smith came in with a property transfer agreement. He threw the file, still in its cover, hard at my face.

"As you wish. All the properties in Stella's hands are yours now. But mark my words, if this doesn't save Stella, you'll pay the price."

I was satisfied and signed the document.

Alpha Hector personally took me for an examination. I knew this examination was to check the condition of my heart, to make sure it was still suitable for the transplant.

When I came out of the examination room, I happened to run into Stella.

She was sitting in a wheelchair, her slender figure looking even more delicate in the thin hospital gown.

Her long hair fell in waves, and she had a sickly, pale beauty that made anyone who saw her feel pity.

"Sister, I heard from my brother - in - law that they found a heart source for me," Stella suddenly said. "You're happy for me, right? As a good werewolf sister, you should be overjoyed."

I looked into her black eyes, so bright and seemingly innocent.

"Happy," I smiled, a bit sincerely. "I'm very happy. After all, what kind of werewolf sister would I be if I wasn't?"

Not getting the reaction she expected, Stella seemed a bit disappointed. She casually raised her hand to brush her hair, and the women's wedding - style ring on her ring finger was very conspicuous. It was a pair with the one on Alpha Hector's hand.

My eyes fixed on it, my werewolf gaze intense.

Seeing this, Stella quickly took it off. "I'm sorry. This is a gift from my brother - in - law. It doesn't mean anything. Please don't be angry, sister. You know I would never betray you, right?"

As I stood there, Stella suddenly burst into tears. Just then, Alpha Hector witnessed this scene.

He rushed over quickly and shielded Stella behind him, then roared at me, "What have you done to Stella? She's a patient! Why are you tormenting her?"

Just because of Stella's few tears, without even asking for the whole story, he instinctively placed me in the role of the perpetrator.

Stella continued to sob, "Brother - in - law, don't be angry. Sister didn't do anything. She just said a few words when she saw the ring on my hand. Please don't blame her."

Alpha Hector's face darkened even more.

"The date of the heart - transplant has been set. All these petty tricks you play behind the scenes are useless. I won't let anything affect Stella's heart - transplant." He thought I didn't want to donate my heart, so I was deliberately provoking Stella to worsen her condition.

But I didn't explain anything.

I just silently turned around and went back to my room, closing the door behind me.

I was a bit sleepy and soon fell into a deep slumber.

When I woke up again, I heard rustling sounds. Then I saw a little girl scribbling all over my design sketches with a pencil. The well - drawn design sketches were now completely ruined.

I immediately sat up, grabbed the little girl's hand, and scolded, "What are you doing!"

The little girl was startled and looked up. It was a face that resembled Stella's by seven - tenths. It was Stella's daughter, Alice.

"You bad woman! You made my mom cry. I'm going to punish you for my mom, bad woman!" Alice cried out, her shrill voice like nails scratching on glass.

Alice cried even louder,"Help! The bad woman is going to hit me! Help, help! Grandpa, help!"

In no time, John Smith and Alpha Hector rushed in together and pushed me aside forcefully. Their strength was so great that I was slammed hard against the headboard. A sharp pain shot through my head, and my vision went black.

"Alice was so scared. Alice almost got beaten to death," Alice wailed.

Hearing this, John Smith flew into a rage. "Ava, have you lost all sense of propriety? How could you lay a hand on a child?"

I remained silent. I lowered my head and touched the part of my hair, feeling the sticky blood.

John Smith didn't notice at all.

In his fury, he grabbed my hair. "Is this what I taught you? Why did you hit a child!"

The pain made my face turn pale. I was forced to tilt my head up. "Dad, if I say I didn't do it, would you believe me? Would either of you believe me?"

Alpha Hector's voice was icy cold. "Ava, stop lying all the time. We all saw what happened."

I let out a low laugh.

I looked at the child who was crying while secretly peeking at us. "Fine, then I hit her." After all, no one would believe me anyway.

John Smith was so angry that he suddenly raised his hand.

Alpha Hector quickly stopped him. I knew he was just worried about my heart being damaged.

I suddenly found it ridiculous.

As I laughed, tears streamed down my face.

I covered my chest, feeling the real, throbbing pain.

Seeing this, Alpha Hector's face changed slightly. He quickly supported me. "What's wrong with you? Don't get excited. Take a deep breath. It's just a trivial matter. Is it really worth getting so worked up over? We won't mention it anymore."

"Take a deep breath. I told you to take a deep breath!"

I pushed him away forcefully and shouted, "Get out!" I threw everything within my reach at him. "Get out of here, all of you!"

Alpha Hector didn't dare to agitate me further and left. But his face was extremely ugly.

That night, when my emotions had calmed down a bit, Alpha Hector came with the news. "The heart - transplant is scheduled for ten days later."

I didn't react much.

Alpha Hector continued, "I originally wanted to wait until you recovered from your illness, but you're being so uncooperative. If this goes on, things will only get more and more unstable. Ten days later is the best time."

I just nodded calmly, as if I had accepted everything.

After a moment of silence, he said, "I'll be personally involved in this heart - transplant. I bought wolfsbane with a very strong effect. The effect will be quick. You'll die soon, and you won't feel any pain."

I could hear the rare consideration in his tone. I looked up, revealing my pale and weak face. "Should I be grateful to you?"

Alpha Hector was speechless.

I was extremely thin now, with sunken cheeks and pale lips.

"Alpha Hector, have you ever thought that what if the wizard's method fails and I really die?"

Alpha Hector was shocked.

He froze in place, feeling panic for the first time. But soon, he calmed down and said rationally, "The wizard is very reliable. You won't really die. So don't say such things to deceive me."

Alpha Hector, there's no fool in this world who, knowing their sincere heart is being trampled on, still foolishly offers it up.

After this, I, Ava, will completely disappear from your life.