Chapter 9: The Moon Goddess Chose Me

Ivy's face turned deathly pale.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered.

The elderly healer looked at her coldly.

"You burned Harper's medical records when you were twelve."

"I witnessed it with my own eyes."

"You begged me not to tell your parents because you were afraid they would stop favoring you."

My mother stumbled backward in horror.

"Ivy... tell me that's not true..."

Tears streamed down Ivy's face.

But this time, no one rushed to comfort her.

"I was scared!" she cried.

"If they knew Harper was the one who was sick, they would love her instead of me!"

"I couldn't lose everything!"

The confession echoed throughout the cellar.

My father sank to his knees.

His entire body trembled violently.

"All these years..."

"We blamed the wrong child..."

"We destroyed Harper... with our own hands."

My mother broke down completely.

She crawled to my lifeless body, hugging it tightly despite its icy coldness.

"Harper... Mom is sorry..."

"Please wake up... I'll never choose anyone over you again..."

"Please... give me one more chance..."

But no matter how desperately she cried...

I never answered.

Ryker slowly removed the moonstone ring from his finger.

It had been forged on the day of our mating ceremony.

With shaking hands, he placed it beside my body.

"I promised to protect you," he whispered.

"Instead... I became the one who hurt you the most."

"If I had listened... if I had believed you..."

His voice broke into uncontrollable sobs.

Suddenly, soft silver light filled the cellar.

Everyone looked up.

My transparent soul slowly appeared beneath the blessing of the Moon Goddess.

For the first time, they could all see me.

My parents reached toward me desperately.

"Harper!"

"Please don't leave us!"

Ryker stepped forward, tears covering his face.

"Come home with me... I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

I looked at each of them quietly.

The pain that had haunted me for ten years was gone.

"I'm not angry anymore," I said softly.

"Because none of it matters now."

"I already found the peace I spent my whole life searching for."

The Moon Goddess smiled gently behind me.

Countless silver butterflies surrounded my soul.

"Goodbye," I whispered.

"I hope one day... you learn what love truly means."

My body dissolved into countless silver lights that drifted into the night sky.

The mate bond disappeared forever.

The blessing of the Moon Goddess left Blackmoon Pack forever as well.

Without its blessing, Ryker lost his claim to become the strongest Alpha.

The Blackmoon Pack gradually declined, while the truth of Harper's sacrifice spread across every werewolf territory.

Her story became a warning to every pack.

Never sacrifice the one who loves you most.

Because regret always arrives too late.

**THE END**