My sister passed that very night.

I carefully gathered her belongings, placing the necklace I never had the chance to give her into a small box.

During the last pack run, she had lingered over that necklace in the market, admiring it several times.

But it was too expensive. It took me a year to save up enough to buy it.

I had planned to surprise her with it.

I couldn’t bring myself to let our mother provide her burial shroud. The bitterness in my heart toward her was too deep.

Mother’s face was heavy with sorrow. “Alayah was my flesh and blood. How could I not ache for her?

“If I don’t appease the Moon Goddess, I fear I’ll lose another daughter.”

The pack moved on as if nothing had happened. Life continued as usual.

It wasn’t until later, when I overheard the Omegas whispering, that I learned the truth.

The Alpha had been drunk. He forced himself on my sister during her night watch.

The Luna, unwilling to confront him directly, decided to use my sister as a pawn.

She ordered her to be punished with thirty lashes, a warning to the Alpha disguised as discipline.

I could barely comprehend it. My sister’s life... was taken over their petty power struggle?

Their mate bond disputes, their silent battles—why did they have to use my sister’s life as their pawn?

In that moment, I realized something.

Not only could a mate betray and destroy me, but even those in power could end a life without a second thought.

I clutched the necklace tightly, the cold metal digging into my palm.

My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of anger and grief echoing in my mind.

She didn’t deserve this. None of us did.

The pack moved on, indifferent. But I couldn’t.

I would never forget this. Not the Alpha’s cruelty, nor the Luna’s callousness.

My sister’s death would not be in vain.

I swore it, not just to myself, but to the Moon Goddess herself.

She would have justice.

Even if it cost me everything.

I continued to serve dutifully in the Alpha’s household, keeping to my responsibilities.

Until one night, during my shift, the Alpha called for the young Omega who was on duty with me to enter his room.

Not long after, her cries for help echoed through the hall.

“Alpha, the Luna has already arranged for me to be mated. Please, I beg you, let me go.”

“What mate could be better than the Alpha himself? Tomorrow, I’ll claim you as my chosen mate. You’ll live in luxury, my little beauty. Now, let me have a taste.”

“Alpha, the Luna will kill me! The last one, she… she was beaten to death. Please, have mercy!”

“Stupid bitch! Shut up! You’re ruining the mood!”

*Thwack—thwack!*

The sound of two sharp slaps rang out.

The young Omega let out a piercing scream before falling silent.

I stood outside the door, frozen, my blood turning to ice.

I couldn’t help but think of my sister, Alayah. Had she pleaded like this too? Begged for mercy?

Had her cries been met with the same violence?

A cold wind swept through the corridor, biting at my neck, jolting me awake.

My mind had never been clearer.

Slowly, I pushed open the Alpha’s door, my hand gripping the silver knife I always kept strapped to my thigh.

It was meant to protect myself, to use if I ever found myself in danger.

But who said a silver knife could only be used on myself for protection?

I stepped behind the Alpha, my eyes burning with fury.

I’d imagined this moment countless times—dreamed of saving my sister, the one who’d been my only solace.

I slashed at him with my claws, tearing into his flesh again and again, over a dozen times, until his screams faded into silence.

The young Omega was already unconscious, so I turned and made my way to the Luna’s chambers.

I knew I wouldn’t survive the night. But if I was going to die, I’d make sure Alayah’s death was avenged.

Perhaps it was the guilt weighing on her conscience that made Wrenlee Cooper, the Luna of the pack, such a light sleeper. Normally, only my mother, Reyna Gordon, would stay by her side during the night.

When I appeared before my mother, covered in blood, she was stunned.

"Arjun Willis is dead," I said urgently, my voice barely above a whisper. "There’s been an attack. We need to inform the Luna immediately."

She didn’t expect it to be this serious and hurried into the room to wake Wrenlee. I followed closely behind, and before the Luna could fully comprehend what was happening, I slashed her chest with my claws.

My mother froze, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at me, unable to speak.

"They killed Alayah," I said, my voice trembling with rage and grief. "They deserved this."

Tears streamed down my face as I thought of my sister’s lifeless body, the image seared into my mind.

"You knew it wasn’t Alayah’s fault," I accused, my voice breaking. "Yet you still sided with her. You were complicit in her death!"

My mother opened her mouth, but no words came out. I clenched my bloody claws tightly.

"You can call the pack warriors now," I said coldly. "Let them execute me on the spot. I won’t resist."

She hesitated, her face a mixture of fear and anguish, before finally whispering, "Go."

Her urgency surprised me. "Did anyone see you on your way here?" she asked quickly. "Let me help you clean up. Tonight, nothing happened. I saw nothing."

As she led me away, her hands trembling, I could hear the distant shouts of the pack warriors. I knew there was no escape.

I pushed my mother away, her expression one of shock, and before she could stop me, I slashed my own chest with my claws.

With the last of my strength, I shouted, "There’s been an attack! Protect the Luna!"

Then, everything went dark.

My spirit hovered above, watching as the warriors comforted my mother, who cradled my lifeless body and wept uncontrollably.

I was satisfied with this life, at least it ended more heroically than the last. I hadn’t failed my mother’s teachings, and I hadn’t forgotten my sister’s vengeance.