Chapter 2

My eyes stung with unshed tears. I rubbed them forcefully, then turned to leave.

But Alpha Kael blocked my path at the doorway.

"During Chloe's treatment period in the healing chamber, she won't be able to complete her Moonstone Healing Potions research thesis for the Academy of Wolf Scholars. I heard you're writing about the same topic. Let her reference your work."

Reference? My heart filled with bitterness. Because Chloe had a weak constitution, I'd been doing all her Academy assignments for years. I even helped her cheat on exams.

She never allowed my grades to surpass hers, yet she became the Academy's star student by copying my work.

This time, Chloe hadn't written a single word of her thesis. She was just waiting to plagiarize mine!

When Mom saw my silence, she spoke softly,

"Chloe is brilliant, but her health has held her back from her studies. You're her older sister. You should help her more."

I'd heard variations of "let your sister have it" countless times over the past five years. I should be used to it by now. But every time, my chest still tightened with pain.

I forced a smile and nodded.

"Alright. I'll go home and get it now."

This would be the last time. I wondered—after I died, without anyone to plagiarize from, would Chloe even be able to graduate?

"I knew you'd agree, so when I left home, I brought it with me."

Alpha Kael eagerly pulled my thesis from his bag and placed it in Chloe's hands.

Chloe stuck her tongue out at me, a triumphant smile on her face.

Kael affectionately ruffled Chloe's hair, bending down to whisper something in her ear. Chloe's face flushed red as she playfully swatted at him.

I said nothing. I just watched them lean intimately close.

If my wolf hadn't been killed by the Wolfsbane, it would be howling and thrashing inside me right now.

I turned and left the healing chamber. Laughter echoed behind me. This time, no one tried to stop me. Perhaps they didn't even notice I'd left.

Back at the villa I shared with Kael, I looked around at the warm, cozy home I'd created. Suddenly, I made a decision.

I would erase every trace of myself. Since none of them had room for me in their hearts, I'd remove everything that belonged to me. No need to be an eyesore anymore.

My clothes, my personal items, every photo that included me, every gift I'd given to my family and to Kael—I packed it all up and threw it in the trash bins outside.

When I finished, I was gasping for breath, exhausted. The Wolfsbane poison had already seeped into my limbs. Every movement brought tearing pain.

I really was dying.

Finally recovering enough to move, I climbed into bed to sleep. That's when Alpha Kael suddenly came home.

Mom and Dad were supporting a sobbing Chloe between them, following behind him.

"Elena, you personally agreed to give Chloe your thesis. How could you conspire with outsiders to accuse your sister of plagiarism?"

Kael's eyes were full of disappointment as he immediately began accusing me.

Chloe wiped her tears and said,

"Sister, I understand you're upset that I borrowed your thesis, but how could you deliberately have your mentor condemn me on the pack forum? So many wolves are attacking me online now. You're so vicious!"

Mom looked at me disapprovingly.

"We're all family. How could you let things get this bad?"

Then she turned to pat Chloe's back, coaxing her gently,

"Don't cry, sweetheart. You'll damage your health. I'll make your sister apologize to you!"