That night, Damian left again, using the excuse that Lyra couldn't be left alone.

Lyra's "Moonstone Cottage" was right next to Seraphina's "Hall of Fading Light," with pack members guarding both inside and out. Yet, Damian felt he had to personally watch over Lyra's bedside to be at ease.

Leo didn't come back either, likely staying with Lyra.

It was for the best. Seraphina held Blaze close.

As the sun rose the next morning, the Mark of the Moon on her forehead pulsed with heat again.

This time, what faded from her mind were the memories of her young Alpha father and Luna mother.

Back then, before Lyra, her parents had doted on Seraphina, viewing her as the future pride of the pack.

The best furs, the finest prey, the most sacred ceremonial weapons…

After Lyra was born, her parents treated them equally. Whatever she had, Lyra had too.

That's why Seraphina still couldn't understand why, all those years ago, Lyra had thrown herself into the Frost-Thorn Jungle and then blamed her for it.

But none of it mattered anymore.

Only five days remained until she forgot them completely.

At noon, a pack member summoned Seraphina to the longhouse for the communal meal.

When she arrived, everyone else was already there, attending to Lyra.

Her mother was carefully blowing on a spoonful of soup to feed Lyra, while her father sliced the tenderest pieces of roasted meat for her.

Damian was holding a soft cloth, ready to wipe Lyra's mouth, and Leo stood by, reminding Lyra to be careful of the heat.

Only Damian paused for a moment when he saw her arrive.

Lyra, on the other hand, smiled and waved. "Sister, you're here! Quick, come sit with us."

But Seraphina's gaze was fixed on Lyra's chest—

There, a fang-shaped crystal glowed with a faint light, protecting Lyra's heart.

She would never mistake it. It was the "Shadowheart" Damian had given her when they were mated!

Seraphina still remembered Damian's vow: "Seraphina, for all my life, my wolf's soul will howl only for you."

The powerful Shadow Wolf Clan, upon choosing a mate, would gift them a "Shadowheart," a crystal condensed from a part of their own soul's essence.

Seraphina's own Shadowheart had been temporarily given to Leo after his birth, to protect him until he could manifest his own spiritual aura.

And now, that same Shadowheart was on Lyra.

Was this Damian's decision, or Leo's, or… both of theirs?

Damian noticed her gaze and opened his mouth to explain. "Phina…"

But Seraphina walked calmly to her seat, greeted her parents, "Father, Mother," and then picked up her wooden bowl to drink some soup, showing no intention of questioning them.

Seeing Seraphina ignore her, Lyra's face paled, and she spoke pitifully, "Sister, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault your birthday was ruined… *cough cough cough!*"

Before she could finish, she burst into a violent coughing fit. Her parents immediately rushed to her side, patting her chest and back in concern.

Watching the scene, a sharp pang went through Damian's heart.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take Seraphina's hand.

But Seraphina gently evaded his touch, saying simply as he froze, "It's fine. I don't mind."

Her words were meant for Lyra, but also for Damian.

The Alpha and Luna finally realized they had been ignoring their eldest daughter again.

But they never felt any guilt towards her. The Luna said dismissively, "It's just one birthday. We can celebrate it again after Lyra and Damian's ceremony in five days."

Seraphina paused. Five days from now?

How convenient that all the good things were happening at once. In five days, Lyra and Damian would have their Mating Ceremony.

And she would forget everything, sever all ties, and be eternally bound to Wolfhowl Peak.

The Alpha nodded. "Your sister's health is what matters. Seraphina, you're the older sister. You need to be understanding."

There it was again. *You're the older sister. You owe Lyra. You must make it up to her. You must be understanding.*

Seraphina had heard it so many times she was sick of it.

Leo chimed in, "Once Aunt Lyra and Father have their ceremony, can Mother give her life to Aunt Lyra then?"

At his words, Seraphina froze.

She looked up. They were all looking at her, waiting for her answer.

The food in her mouth suddenly tasted like ash, lodging in her throat.

Seraphina clenched her fists, forcing herself to swallow the bitterness. "The Sunfire Bloodline can indeed be 'Reborn from Embers'… but what if I don't have enough life essence? What if I don't revive?"

Before she finished, they all started talking at once.

Her father said, "As the heir to the Sunfire Bloodline, how could your life essence be insufficient?"

Her mother said, "We will be by your side to protect you. You'll be fine."

Leo said, "Mother, don't use that as an excuse not to save Aunt Lyra."

Seraphina turned to Damian. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "Phina, I've already prepared many rare moon-herbs for you. After you're reborn, they will surely help your wolf's spirit break through its limits."

Seraphina laughed. She laughed until her eyes turned red.

"Fine. I'm willing to give my life for Lyra."

She was willing, but in five days, she would be at Wolfhowl Peak, a place she could never leave.

Whether they could find her then was their problem.