Elsa clutched Kane's claw and said pitifully, "It's my fault, Kane. Don't blame Aria anymore. She didn't know I was allergic to nuts. I promise… she didn't mean to hurt me."

Kane's expression hardened, his voice cold and emotionless. "That arrogant she-wolf only cares about herself—all because we spoiled her like a pup."

Kelvin added sharply, "If Aria hadn't been so narrow-minded, Elsa's wolf wouldn't have suffered like this."

Hearing this, Elsa deliberately rolled up a patch of her fur, revealing the red, swollen lumps from her allergic reaction. They hadn't faded. She made sure my brothers saw every mark.

Karl reached out to touch the bumps, his voice laced with concern. "Are you feeling better now?"

Elsa shook her head slightly, her voice trembling, "Not really… but don't worry, it doesn't hurt that much."

She extended her claws just enough to seem weak and pitiful, her eyes glistening with tears that threatened to fall.

Kelvin growled, rage boiling in his chest. "If we'd reached the infirmary a minute later, Elsa's wolf might have been permanently damaged! And Aria—she hasn't shown the slightest regret or care. No mind-link. No apology. Nothing."

Kane snarled, his claws unsheathing. "Bring that she-wolf here. Now! I refuse to believe she's still too stubborn to apologize!"

"The reason she's like this is because we loved her too blindly!" Kelvin and Karl snapped in unison. "This time, she won't escape the punishment she deserves!"

They turned sharply to a nearby guard. "Why are you just standing there?" Kane barked. "Bring Aria to us. And don't forget the silver whip!"

Kane's fury exploded. He howled, "Elsa wouldn't have ended up in the infirmary for three days if Aria hadn't given her that damn almond cake! It's time we teach that ungrateful wolf how to behave in this den!"

The guard nodded quickly and ran off toward the cellar.

Meanwhile, I stood there—unseen, unheard—watching everything as a ghost.

My smile was bitter. My heart was shattered beyond repair.

They trusted Elsa so blindly that they never even bothered to investigate.

Three days ago, she asked me to buy her almond cake. She never told me she was allergic.

I bought it only because I wanted to bond with her—build a friendship.

Her allergy was a complete shock to me. But she twisted it into a weapon, and they… they believed her instantly.

Kane—the smartest and most capable Alpha of our pack—was completely blind to her games.

How could he be so quick to condemn me? Couldn't he see she was manipulating them, drawing all their attention like a black hole?

I realized, with aching clarity: In their eyes, I was never as important as Elsa.

Not even close.

But it didn't matter anymore. I had already died in that cellar. They could pour all their love into Elsa now. Let her have everything.

A guard returned, pale and trembling. "Alpha Kane… there's no response from the cellar. We knocked several times. Not a sound. Not even a growl from her wolf."

Kane's claws extended again, grinding against the stone floor. "What kind of game is she playing now? Still refusing to apologize after nearly killing Elsa? What—does she think silence will save her pride?"

Elsa stepped forward slowly, lowering her eyes. Her voice was soft, fragile.

"Please… don't blame Aria anymore. I'm just a rogue-blood she-wolf. My blood isn't as noble as hers. She's the daughter of the late Alpha, and your beloved sister. How could I expect her to kneel and apologize to someone as low as me?"

Kane's wolf snarled furiously, baring his fangs. "She thinks she can hide in silence and escape punishment? She wants attention? Fine. Let's see how she handles banishment."

Kelvin shouted, "Drive her out! If she dares to act like a victim, let's see how long she lasts without our protection!"

Karl growled, "She won't leave until she kneels and begs Elsa for forgiveness. That's the least she should do!"

As they barked orders and howled out their fury, none of them noticed the truth standing right next to them.

The truth that their beloved sister—the one who had loved them more than her own life—was already gone.

And they had no one to blame but themselves.

I followed silently behind my three alpha brothers, my soul weighed down with sorrow.

The three wolves raced toward the cellar's exit, their furious howls echoing through the night.

"Aria! Do you think you can pretend nothing happened just by staying silent?" Kane growled, his voice sharp with anger.

But there was no reply.

"Aria, stop playing games!" Kelvin snapped. "Open the door, kneel before Elsa, and apologize for what you did! Making her nearly lose her life because of that almond cake—you think silence will erase that? Cutting the mind-link won't save you from punishment."

Karl's chest rumbled with a deep growl as he bared his fangs, rage flashing in his eyes. "You think we can't see through you? You're jealous because we were nice to Elsa. Is that why you're hiding in there?"

"Do you really think ignoring us will make us give up on holding you accountable?"

Still, not a single sound came from within the cellar.

Seeing the guards trembling by the door, Kane snarled: "What are you all so scared of? Did Aria force you to let her out? Are you hiding something from us?"

Karl scoffed, "She probably ordered the guards to release her the moment we left. She's always been too pampered to endure the consequences."

Kelvin's voice dropped with bitter disappointment. "Is this who you are now, Aria?

The she-wolf I once protected with everything I had—hiding now like a coward, refusing to admit what she did? Do you think you're the only sister we have?"

One of the guards finally stammered, "A-Alpha Kane… none of us would dare release her without your command. Aria's been locked down here for three days…"

Kelvin stepped forward uneasily, eyes narrowing. He yanked at the broken chains. Though the silver bindings had melted through, the door remained stuck.

"Aria! Enough of this nonsense! I already broke the lock—what now, are you clinging to the door like a pup refusing to come out?"

Frustration laced his voice. Without realizing it, sharp claws unsheathed from his fingertips. He raked them across the door, leaving deep, angry gashes.

I smiled bitterly from behind them, my soul hovering near. The warped door still bore the marks—claw marks—deep and ragged. My wolf had thrown herself against it again and again that suffocating night, lungs burning, paws shredded to the bone. But no matter how we begged or howled, the silver-laced door never budged. Not even a sliver of light broke through.

Brothers… when you find my corpse, will you feel anything? Even a shred of guilt? Will you at least bury me beside our parents?

Kane's fury surged. With a snarl, he slammed his foot into the door.

A loud crack echoed through the air as the door split slightly. A wave of putrid rot and silver dust spilled out, gagging the wolves and guards alike. Several of the guards staggered back, hands over mouths.

"T-That... that smells like… a corpse…" one of them choked out.

Kelvin and Karl approached, their faces twisted in disbelief.

"A corpse? Don't be ridiculous. She probably ran off and left a dead rat in there just to spite us."

"Aria! You think we're fools?!" Karl snarled.

Driven by frustration and denial, the three brothers moved as one—three enraged wolves, blind to the truth they were about to face.

They lifted their feet and kicked.

With a thunderous crash, the cellar door shattered open.

And there it was.

The stench of death hit them like a blow to the chest. Silver dust swirled in the stale air. The dark, suffocating cellar was now wide open—and what lay inside would silence every denial they had clung to.