Chapter 3: The Price of Her Sin

Before anyone else could speak, my parents rushed to shield Ivy behind them.

"Alpha Rowan, please forgive her!" my father pleaded. "She's young and doesn't understand the consequences of her actions."

The Silvermoon Alpha's expression remained cold.

"Your daughter insulted my bloodline and scarred my child."

"Someone will answer for that."

Ryker stepped forward calmly.

"Name your conditions."

Alpha Rowan's gaze swept across the room before settling on Ivy.

"She will come to Silvermoon herself and undergo the Blood Rite."

The entire banquet hall fell silent.

Everyone knew what the Blood Rite meant.

Those who survived were never the same again.

Ivy burst into tears.

"Ryker... Mom... Dad... please save me! I don't want to die!"

My mother immediately hugged her tightly.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll never let anything happen to you."

Back at the Alpha Manor, the atmosphere was unbearably tense.

I quietly walked upstairs, wanting nothing to do with their discussion.

Just as I reached my bedroom door, Ryker grabbed my wrist.

"Harper."

I slowly looked back.

"Go in Ivy's place," he said without hesitation.

"You're identical twins. No one outside our pack can tell the difference."

I stared at him.

"You want me to pretend to be Ivy?"

"It's only an apology," Ryker answered impatiently. "You'll survive."

"Besides, you're stronger than she is."

Before I could reply, my parents hurried over.

The moment they realized what Ryker had suggested, relief filled their faces.

"Yes! Harper should go!" my mother cried.

"You're the older sister," my father added firmly. "Protecting Ivy is your responsibility."

"She's too weak to survive that punishment."

I looked from one familiar face to another.

The people who should have protected me...

Were eagerly offering me as a sacrifice.

A strange calm settled over my heart.

"Alright," I answered quietly.

"I'll go."

All three of them smiled with visible relief.

No one noticed that my smile never reached my eyes.

That night, I packed away everything I owned.

There wasn't much.

A family portrait.

A framed picture from my bonding ceremony with Ryker.

A few letters I had treasured for years.

One by one, I threw them into the trash.

The memories no longer meant anything.

As I bent down to lift the last box, dizziness suddenly overwhelmed me.

Warm blood trickled from my nose onto the floor.

I quickly wiped it away before anyone could see.

The healer's words echoed inside my mind.

"Six days left."

I smiled bitterly.

Soon...

None of this would matter anymore.

The next morning, Silvermoon Pack's warriors arrived.

"It's time," one of them announced coldly.

Without another word, I climbed into their carriage.

Not one person asked if I was afraid.

Not one person told me to come home safely.

As the gates of Blackmoon Pack disappeared behind me, I quietly whispered to myself,

"Goodbye."