Chapter 1My Alpha mate wished I'd died in that rogue attack.
I saved him with my own claws. Now I'm just "dead weight."
My sister pressed against him and laughed—while I carried THEIR pup in MY belly.
She stole my wolf heart. She stole my son. She stole my whole damn life.
Mom, Dad, even my five-year-old—they all picked her. Over and over.
Now pack healer says I've got seven days. Seven days before my wolf heart gives out.
I should be on my knees crying, right? Begging for scraps.
HELL NO.
I stared at that diagnosis and smiled.
They want me to vanish? FINE.
They don't know what I've been planning while they schemed behind my back.
Seven days from now, they'll get their "good news." Just NOT the kind they're dreaming about.
Ready or not, Alpha? I'm coming for every single one of you.
--
"I'm so done with Calista. She's dead weight. "
"Honestly? I wish that rogue attack back when she was ten had just taken her out. Would've saved us all a lot of trouble."
"Can you believe she actually thought she could compete with you for the moon's heart? What a desperate little schemer!"
Orion Stonecrest didn't bother hiding the sneer. His eyes flickered gold for a second—his wolf agreeing.
My sister, Vexia Greymane, pressed against his chest and grinned.
"If Calista hears this, she'll throw another fit."
Orion laughed, low and rough.
"She wouldn't dare. We've kept her fed for years. A weak she-wolf like her ought to be grateful."
"If she had half a brain, she'd just vanish."
I stood frozen behind the column, my claws scraping stone.
The words hit like a tackle—sharp, brutal, stealing my breath.
If I hadn't wandered here, I'd have died never knowing. My lip trembled. I bit down until I tasted blood.
My wolf stirred inside me—weak, but still angry.
I wanted to charge out, scream at them. But my hand clutched the healer's verdict: my wolf heart had maybe seven moon-cycles left.
My wolf whimpered. And I smiled. A hollow, broken smile.
Ten years ago, I pulled Orion out of a rogue attack under a blood-red moon.
I didn't do it for a ring. But when he asked me to be his mate, I thought—stupidly—that the moon had chosen us.
If I'd known it was all a cover for him and Vexia, I'd never have carried that pup. I'd never have spent nights convincing myself he'd change.
None of that mattered now. My wolf was dying.
Vexia wobbled, clutching her chest, letting out a tiny whimper. Orion's face went pale. He scooped her up without a second thought and sprinted toward the pack hospital.
I followed.
My parents—Alaric and Morwenna—grabbed the pack healer.
"Healer! Check her!"
The healer scanned and nodded.
"She's fine. Just tired."
They exhaled like the world was saved. Then they noticed me in the corner, still holding that folded diagnosis.
Orion shot me a cold look, nostrils flaring.
"What'd the healer say?"
I forced a smile.
"Everything's fine."
For once, he offered an excuse.
"I had no choice. Vexia's condition was critical. I couldn't let her die."
My mother hesitated.
"Calista... you're not angry, are you?"
I didn't answer.
Her tone flipped.
"Calista, you're so heartless! She's your sister!"
My father growled, his wolf rumbling.
"Enough! Ever since you came back, there's been nothing but chaos. Just stop!"
Then my five-year-old—Kael—stomped over, baby fangs bared, and slammed his head into my stomach, pounding my legs.
"You're mean! I don't want you for a mom. I want Vexia! She smells better!"
Each word cut deeper than claws. My wolf tried to rise but couldn't.
I stumbled, dug my nails into my palms, and when they finally stopped, I shook my head.
"I'm not mad." My voice was raw.
"The healer said we'll get good news in seven days."
I paused, barely a whisper.
"Good news for all of us."
I turned and walked away, my wolf heart ticking like a countdown under the moon.
Chapter 2
Everyone exhaled. The tension in the room dropped like a stone.
Orion's brow smoothed out, and his wolf's low growl faded. He ran a hand through his hair.
"See? I told you. Your wolf heart's been weak for eighteen years, but it hasn't gotten worse."
"You'll be fine. Just hold on a little longer. We might even find a better match for a donor."
My father tucked a blanket around Vexia, his chest puffed with pride.
"Vexia's the pack's moon-blessed one. Without her, you'd never have made it these seven days until the donor arrives. You ought to thank her."
My mother handed Vexia a sliced apple and shot me a look like I was rotting meat.
"Unlike some shadow-cursed disaster who made a scene at the pack hospital over her weak heart. Embarrassed the Greymane name."
Orion glanced at me, head down, and for a second I caught something in his eyes. Sympathy, maybe.
"That's enough. Mom, Dad. Drop it."
I looked up, hope flickering in my chest like a dying ember.
But then he added, "Let's not let little things get in the way of Vexia's recovery."
I let out a bitter laugh.
Of course. How could I expect anything else? Every scrap of kindness he had always went to her.
I grabbed a handful of candies from the table and held them out to Kael. I smiled—soft, broken.
"Do you really want Vexia to be your mom that badly?"
He hesitated, then nodded. His little wolf ears drooped. I used to limit his sugar, but being strict only made him hate me more.
I patted his head one last time, letting my claws retract.
"Alright. From now on, Vexia's your mom."
Silence hit the room like a cold wind.
Then everyone started saying I'd finally come to my senses, that I'd grown up.
I didn't answer. I just walked out of the ward. Because I knew—no one wanted me there.
If I stayed half a minute longer, Vexia would fake another spell, and they'd blame me all over again.
I dragged myself pack house, my wolf barely breathing under my skin.
As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Orion was already there. He was telling Elara Voss—the pack servant—to clear my things out of the master den.
My clothes lay scattered on the floor, trampled like trash. Even my underthings had some strange stain on them.
Orion said, "Vexia just had that transplant. She needs someone close. If she's in the master den, I can keep an eye on her from the next room."
I forced a numb smile. His favoritism was written all over his scent.
Elara shot me a disgusted look but kept working.
"You can take the storage closet. Think some rogue-born she-wolf can just waltz in and act like pack royalty?"
"Get real. Pack your junk and stop mooching off everyone's goodwill—"
"Fine." I cut her off.
She paused, surprised.
Normally I'd argue for hours. But today? I just let it slide.
I was so weak it took me five hours to haul everything into that cramped, dusty, moldy closet.
Finally, I couldn't stand anymore. I collapsed onto that narrow cot, my wolf whimpering low, and fell into a dead sleep.
Not long after, someone kicked the door open.
Chapter 3
"Calista, my wolf wounds need healing. Get in that kitchen and make me some bone broth."
Vexia snapped her fingers at Elara, who yanked me off the cot.
I nodded. I remembered what happened last time I said no.
They forced me to my knees on broken glass and made me bow and beg until sunrise.
I scrambled up, my wolf whimpering, and headed straight for the pack house's kitchen.
First try. Vexia backhanded me across the face. My skin burned like silver fire.
"Are you trying to boil my tongue off?"
Second try. She slammed a ladle against my forehead. Blood dripped into my eye.
"You want me to choke on salt? Is that it?"
Third try. She dumped the whole bowl of broth over her own wrist and let out a shriek that cut through the den like a blade.
Orion burst in, didn't hesitate, pulled her into his arms like she was made of glass.
Vexia's eyes were red. Her lower lip trembled.
"Calista... do you hate me that much? I can leave if I'm such a burden."
"I know you're upset I got your wolf heart. It makes sense you'd hit me. Yell at me. Whatever helps you heal, I can take it—"
Orion's eyes went cold. They flickered gold. His wolf was at the surface, snarling beneath his skin.
"You waste pack food like that? Then you don't eat tonight."
That night, the kitchen was empty. My stomach was hollow, and my wolf was too weak to hunt for scraps.
I licked my dry lips, stuck my head under the sink, and gulped handfuls of water. Cold hit my throat.
Sharp pain shot through my wolf heart. I doubled over, coughing so hard my ribs ached. Blood spotted the floor.
I wiped it clean with my sleeve and dragged myself back to the storage closet.
When I woke, Orion was there.
His hand was on my forehead, wiping away cold sweat. His brow was furrowed.
"Why didn't you say you had a fever? What would Kael and I do if something happened to you?"
He pressed a bandage to the cut above my eye and blew softly.
His voice was soft now. Tender. Like the guy who starved me last night never existed.
Then Elara rushed in, face pale.
"Alpha Stonecrest, Vexia's wolf is restless. She's shaking. You need to come now."
Orion let go of my hand and ran.
I laughed to myself. Quiet. Bitter. What was I expecting?
Minutes later, the door slammed open. Orion grabbed my throat. His claws pressed just enough to hurt.
"Did you post that on pack comms? You're spreading rumors that Vexia seduced her own sister's mate? And you put photos up?"
"What the hell is wrong with you? Do you hate her that much?"
I didn't fight. I let my eyes close. Guilty or not, it didn't matter. I'd always be the one blamed.
But then his grip loosened. His voice cracked. Softened. Almost panicked.
"Vexia just had that transplant. She can't handle stress right now. Go apologize. Now. We'll put this behind us."
I opened my eyes.
"Okay."
He froze. Something flickered across his face. Confusion, maybe.
In the past, I'd have screamed back. I'd have fought and clawed and cried until my voice gave out.
But now? Even if I was innocent, I didn't have the strength to explain.
My wolf curled up and stopped moving.
