Chapter 1: The Kidney They Wanted

When I found out I was going to die, I accepted it with ease.

My mate, Simon Knightley, came to me with a sullen expression and said, "Zora, Laila has been in poor health since birth. She's an Omega with the weakest healing ability."

"One of her kidneys is failing, and she needs a transplant to survive."

He pulled out a Mate Bond Breaking Agreement to dissolve our mate bond. After hesitating for a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your kidney is the best match for Laila. But if you refuse to donate your kidney, you'll have to sign this agreement to break our mate bond."

"Laila doesn't have much time left… And she wants to experience the marking ceremony before she dies. After talking to your parents, they agreed that I should be the one to do it."

"I love you, Zora. We're only doing this to make sure Laila doesn't die with regrets."

"Once she's gone, we'll get back together. Okay?"

I stared at the agreement in Simon's hands. Ever since Laila Thorne's kidney failure, everyone in my family had been expecting me to donate my kidney to her.

But what they didn't know was—I only had one kidney left.

When they found out I refused to donate, they were utterly disappointed. They kept saying how ungrateful I was.

"Zora, your sister's dying. All she needs is your kidney to survive. How can you just stand by and watch her die?"

My parents wouldn't listen to my explanation. Instead, they kicked me out.

"An ingrate like you doesn't deserve to be part of this family. If you won't save Laila, then get out!"

And now, even my mate was forcing me to either donate the kidney or he'd mark Laila instead.

But I was dying anyway. At this point, what difference would it make?

"I agree," I said airily.

Stunned, Simon jerked his head up. "Really? That's amazing! Laila has a chance now!"

He tore the agreement and hurried me to the healing hut.

Mom and Dad also received the news. They arrived soon after, and Mom threw her arms around Laila and wept. "Laila, you have a chance now! You'll be able to stay with me forever…"

Afraid that I'd change my mind, Dad quickly had the healer bring over the surgical consent form.

Once I signed it, my parents finally relaxed.

"Zora, you've finally matured," Dad said. "You're starting to care for your sister. Don't blame us for being biased, okay? Laila's been through so much—she needs our love."

"But we won't mistreat you either. You'll still get your part of the inheritance."

I shook my head, swallowing the bitterness in my chest. "Just give it all to Laila. I won't need it anyway."

Momentarily stunned, Mom patted me and chided, "What nonsense are you talking about? Of course, you'll need it!"

"Even if your mate is the top warrior in the Lunaris pack and can give you a comfortable life, you can't just disregard your family inheritance."

Slowly, I slipped into a daze.

Ever since I failed to show up for Dad's kidney transplant surgery five years ago and Laila donated hers instead, my family hadn't been this kind to me.

And it was precisely because she had saved Dad that my parents insisted I owed her and that I had to treat her even better.

From then on, Laila got the best of everything.

She also started targeting me by falsely accusing me, making Mom and Dad resent me even more. Eventually, no matter what I did, it was always wrong.

I used to defend myself. Now, I just stayed quiet.

Then Mom rushed to Laila's side, and Dad and Simon followed close behind.

They all surrounded her, and it was the perfect picture of a loving family.

Only I stood alone in the corner, like an outsider who didn't belong.