After Seraphina spoke, she turned to leave.

But Lyra called out to her. "Sister, I want to try on my ceremonial gown for tomorrow. Can you help me?"

Seraphina stopped and, without refusing, followed her.

Inside the room, it was just the two of them. Lyra's snow-white gown was embroidered with a lifelike silver wolf made of moon-thread, representing her noble Frostheart bloodline.

As Seraphina adjusted the collar, Lyra suddenly grabbed her hand. "I'm so grateful to you. You've been willing to give me so much ever since we were children."

"Now, you're even willing to give me your life. I promise, after you're dead, I'll take good care of Damian."

Her face was sweet, but her words were like poisoned daggers.

Seraphina smiled. "Aren't you afraid Damian or our parents will hear you?"

Lyra smiled back. "Afraid? Seraphina, who's going to believe you anymore?"

"Seraphina, no one loves you, and no one believes you. You are the most useless, unwanted thing in this world!"

Useless?

Seraphina's lips curved into a slight smirk. She said nothing more, finished helping Lyra, and then turned to open the door.

Damian and Leo were waiting outside. The moment they saw Lyra, Damian praised her, "Lyra, you are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

A brilliant smile lit up Lyra's face. She linked her arm with Damian's and said shyly, "Oh, don't say that. Sister is still here."

Damian paused. "Phina, that's not what I meant…"

"It's fine," Seraphina said calmly. "You two should spend more time with Lyra. I'm a bit tired. I'm going back."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and left.

Damian watched her go, an impulse to follow her rising within him.

But Lyra's arm was linked tightly through his, holding him in place.

For some reason, Damian felt that if Seraphina walked away now, she would never come back.

*No, that's impossible. This is her home. Where else would she go?*

Damian pushed down the unease in his heart and smiled at Lyra.

Meanwhile, Seraphina walked out of Lyra's Moonstone Cottage. The entire pack territory was filled with a festive air.

The lavish silver ribbons and pure white moonpetal flowers were all in preparation for a grand Mating Ceremony.

Seraphina's gaze fell on an invitation being handed out by a pack member.

Almost every well-known supernatural clan had been invited.

This was far more than the simple ceremony Damian had described just to fulfill Lyra's wish.

He clearly wanted the entire supernatural world to know that he and Lyra were mates.

A sharp pain pierced Seraphina's heart, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

Only one thought remained in her mind—it was time to leave.

Back in the Hall of Fading Light, Seraphina looked at the stone house where she had lived for nearly a hundred years, yet most of her memories were already gone.

She only remembered that she used to live in the Moonstone Cottage, as she was the Alpha and Luna's first child. Later, she was forced to give it to Lyra.

Since then, she had been giving things up, until finally, she had even given her mate and son to Lyra.

Seraphina waved her hand, and all her belongings floated into the air.

With another wave, a ball of soulfire instantly incinerated everything, leaving not even a speck of ash behind.

Now, there was not a single trace of her left in this place.

Seraphina turned and walked away without a second glance.

After leaving the pack's territory, she went to Whisper Ridge.

That night, Seraphina let the Mark of the Moon on her forehead burn again and again.

As dawn broke, the day of the Mating Ceremony arrived.

Seraphina held out her hand to Blaze. "Let's go, Blaze."

Blaze immediately leaped to her side. The two of them headed north, and as the sun rose, they finally reached the border between the supernatural world and the abyss—

Wolfhowl Peak.

In the distance, she could see the majestic statue of the Moon Goddess radiating a soft light.

Seraphina set down her silver spear and knelt on one knee. "Great Goddess."

The Moon Goddess's commanding voice echoed in her mind. "Seraphina, the time has come. Are you prepared to forget everything, to sever all emotional ties, and to suppress the wild spirits of Wolfhowl Peak to protect the balance of the world?"

Seraphina looked up. Though her eyes were already devoid of emotion, she still made a request. "Great Goddess, before that, I have one favor to ask… The spirit wolf Blaze has decided to guard Wolfhowl Peak with me. Is it possible for me to not forget him?"

The Moon Goddess asked, "Is there anyone or anything else you need to remember?"

Seraphina's gaze was firm. "No one."

"Very well. I will grant your wish."

With that, the statue of the Moon Goddess shone with a brilliant light. Seraphina slowly rose into the air, suspended in mid-flight.

The Mark of the Moon on her forehead suddenly erupted with an intense silver glow.

Then, the Moon Goddess extended a hand made of light and pulled a nearly transparent, rainbow-colored ribbon from within the glow.

"I have removed your 'Core of Emotion.' From now on, you will be free of desire. You will feel no love, no hate."

Seraphina could feel the memories of her parents, of Damian, of Leo, rewinding rapidly in her mind.

"Phina is our first child. We must give her the best of everything in the world."

"Seraphina, my soul howls for you. I want to forge an eternal bond with you."

"Mother, Leo loves Mother the most!"

…

The next moment, all these images faded, leaving behind only a blank void.

When she opened her eyes again, Seraphina was standing on the summit of Wolfhowl Peak.

She was clad in silver armor, holding a long spear, and her eyes were empty of all emotion.