From the moment she was born, Seraphina was destined to be unloved.

Her father, the pack's Alpha, told her, "Seraphina, you owe Lyra this. Give her the Moonshadow Blade, the one blessed by the Moon Goddess."

Her mother, the pack's Luna, said, "Seraphina, are you just going to stand there and watch your sister die? I'm only asking you to share a little of your life essence each day. It won't kill you."

Then Seraphina met Damian. He swore that for all eternity, whether as a wolf's spirit or in human form, he would love only her.

But later, Damian said, "Seraphina, Lyra is like this because of you. By staying with her, I'm helping you atone for your sin."

Even her own son cried out, "I don't want you! I want Aunt Lyra to be my mommy!"

In the end, all of them demanded she give her life for Lyra.

All because she was of the legendary Sunfire Bloodline, possessing the power to be "Reborn from Embers."

Seraphina gave them what they wanted. She ignited her own life force.

But not to save Lyra.

It was to forget them all, forever.

…

The 99th time her Alpha father, Luna mother, and mate Damian abandoned her for Lyra, Seraphina finally broke.

She knelt before the statue of the Moon Goddess. "I am willing to erase my memories, to sever all emotional ties. I will go to Wolfhowl Peak and become its eternal guardian, to suppress the wild spirits of the abyss and protect the balance of our world."

The Moon Goddess's majestic voice echoed in her mind. "Once you go to Wolfhowl Peak, you can never leave. You will never return to your pack's lands."

"You will be utterly alone, with no companions. Have you truly decided?"

Seraphina didn't hesitate for a second. "I have."

"Then, as you wish." A silver light emanated from the statue, sinking into Seraphina's forehead. "In seven days, this Mark of the Moon will sever your bonds, erase your memories, and transport you to Wolfhowl Peak."

Seraphina bowed low. "Thank you for your mercy, Great Goddess."

On the way back to the Sunfire pack's territory, a heavy snow began to fall.

Seraphina caught a single snowflake, a bitter smile on her lips.

Today was her one-hundredth birthday, a significant milestone in a werewolf's life.

But early this morning, Lyra had suddenly collapsed, falling into a coma.

Her mate, Damian, had rushed to Lyra's side, his face etched with panic. "Lyra!"

Her Luna mother let out a cry of despair, nearly fainting.

Her Alpha father quickly supported his wife, his own face a mask of worry as he followed Damian.

And her son, Leo, had wailed, "What's wrong with Aunt Lyra? I don't want anything to happen to her!"

They all rushed away with Lyra, not a single one of them looking back at her. Not a single one remembered what day it was.

Half an hour later, they returned, but only to tell her, "Seraphina, Lyra isn't going to make it this time. It all started when you pushed her into the Frost-Thorn Jungle, damaging her Primal Wolfheart. Now, you will give your life for hers."

"Besides, you're of the Sunfire Bloodline. You can be Reborn from Embers."

Reborn from Embers… As members of the Sunfire Bloodline, her parents knew better than anyone how agonizing the ritual was.

First, her heart would be ripped from her chest while she was still alive. Then, her soul would be burned in spiritual fire for seven days and seven nights before her flesh and spirit could be reformed.

A sarcastic smirk twisted Seraphina's lips. "I've already paid my debt to Lyra with everything I've given up over the years."

"My den, my hunting rights, the sacred relics from ceremonies, even my parents' attention, my mate's love, and my son's affection. I gave it all up. Wasn't that enough? Now you want my life?"

Her mother, enraged, slapped her across the face. "You were the one who damaged her wolfheart in the first place!"

They turned and left again, and even Damian didn't spare her a second glance.

In that moment, Seraphina was done.

She would rather forget everything than sacrifice her life for them ever again.

She returned to her stone house in the Sunfire territory, a place called the "Hall of Fading Light."

Because she was out of favor with the Alpha and Luna, the other pack members treated her with contempt.

For her hundredth birthday, there was no feast of roasted meat, not even a cup of clean spring water.

Seraphina was used to it. She went to the communal kitchen alone and baked herself a small cake.

One bite, for peace in the future. A second bite, for an end to all pain.

A tear fell onto the frosting.

Seraphina wiped the blur from her eyes, comforting herself. *It's okay. In seven days, I'll never have to cry for any of them again.*

The next day, Damian finally returned with Leo.

He handed her a wooden box, a flicker of awkwardness in his eyes. "A gift for your birthday yesterday."

Seraphina glanced at it once before looking away calmly. "Thank you. Just leave it there."

Damian had never seen her so cold. He frowned, surprised. "Are you angry? Because we didn't celebrate with you?"

Before she could answer, he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Seraphina, you saw what happened. Lyra's life was on the line. How could we have thrown a party for you? That would have been heartless."

"Besides, as her sister, you didn't even go to see her once. She was very hurt by that."

Listening to the veiled accusation in his voice, Seraphina wanted to scream. Had Lyra been playing this game for so many years that they were still blind to it?

Lyra was a rare "Frostheart" werewolf. How could a walk in the Frost-Thorn Jungle possibly damage her heart?

And she was always perfectly fine, so why did she just happen to collapse on Seraphina's birthday? Did they really not find that suspicious?

But Seraphina said nothing. She didn't want to say anything. She simply sat down and poured herself a glass of water.

Damian's frown deepened, and he opened his mouth to say more.

Just then, Leo tugged on his sleeve and spoke in an ancient language—the "Primordial Tongue," spoken only by the noblest of the Shadow Wolf Clan.

[Father, Mother is so annoying. Aunt Lyra is never like this. She’s the sweetest!]

Damian looked down and replied casually in the same tongue: [It's fine. Ignore her. She'll come around eventually.]

Seraphina watched them, her hands clenching in her lap.

For some time now, the father and son had been communicating in the Primordial Tongue.

It wasn't surprising. Damian was from the powerful Shadow Wolf Clan; it was natural for him to know it.

She had secretly studied the ancient language, hoping to surprise them one day.

But the more she understood, the colder her heart grew.

Now, looking at the proud pair before her, she spoke fluently in the Primordial Tongue.

[No, I won't.]

She would never, ever come around again.