Chapter 6

At that moment, Healer Mara emerged from the operating room. The three of them rushed forward eagerly, demanding to know about the surgery.

I pulled myself from my memories, watching this scene unfold. My dead heart couldn't help but tighten with anticipation—I desperately wanted to know how they would react when they learned of my death.

Healer Mara removed her bloodstained gloves, exhaustion etched across her face as she spoke,

"The transplant was successful. The kidney has been integrated into the patient's system. However, the donor wolf..."

Before she could finish, her assistant wheeled Chloe out of the operating room on a gurney. The three of them immediately swarmed around her, no longer interested in what Healer Mara had to say.

My corpse was carelessly dumped in the cold morgue, left to rot alone.

A wave of profound sadness washed over my spirit. In life, no one cared about me. In death, no one even bothered to claim my body. Was I truly so despicable?

I had yielded at every turn, walked on eggshells trying to please them, asked for nothing. All I'd ever wanted was for Mom, Dad, and Alpha Kael to love me—even just a little.

But even in death, I received nothing.

Mom, Dad, and Kael now hovered anxiously around Chloe's bedside. When her eyes finally fluttered open, Mom burst into tears of joy,

"My precious daughter! You're awake! I was so terrified for you..."

Dad beamed with pride as he encouraged her,

"That's my girl—brave and selfless. Your father is so proud of you."

Kael carefully lifted the priceless Moonstone necklace and fastened it around Chloe's neck with tender hands,

"Your favorite Moonstone. It protected you through the surgery. May this blessing stay with you forever."

A delicate blush colored Chloe's pale cheeks. She glanced shyly at Kael through her lashes, her voice barely a whisper,

"Alpha Kael... I hope you'll stay by my side forever too..."

Shock flashed through Kael's eyes, as if he hadn't expected such a bold declaration,

"Chloe, I've always thought of you as a sister. When Elena agreed to donate her kidney to you, I promised her—she would always be my Luna. That will never change."

Tears welled in Chloe's eyes as she gazed at him with pitiful longing,

"Kael, I love you. I know you love me too—why else would you treat me so well? I don't want to be your sister. I want to be your Luna!"

Mom's eyes darted between Chloe and Kael, shock written across her features. She turned to Chloe,

"What are you saying? He's your sister's fated mate! How can you harbor such thoughts?"

But Dad waved dismissively,

"Young wolves and their feelings—we can't control them. If Kael and Chloe truly care for each other, what's the harm? We'll just give Elena a larger inheritance to compensate her. She'll be comfortable for the rest of her life."

Mom's face twisted with conflict. Her mouth opened and closed several times before she finally released a heavy sigh,

"Fine. Your relationship is your business. I can't control it anymore."

I floated above them, listening to their conversation, and bitter laughter escaped my spirit—laughter mixed with phantom tears.

Of course. Chloe had always been obsessed with taking everything I cherished.

She had systematically erased my place in Kael's heart, all building toward this moment when she could replace me entirely.

Now that I was gone, her plan would soon succeed, wouldn't it?

But they still didn't know I was dead. They thought I was recovering in another room.

How would they react when Healer Mara finally told them the truth?

Would they feel even a shred of guilt? Or would they simply feel relieved that the inconvenient obstacle—me—was finally out of their way?

I would stay and watch. I wanted to witness their faces when they learned what they'd done.