Chapter 4

That night, Damien left again under the pretense that Lyla shouldn’t be left alone.

Even though Lyla’s Moonstone Cottage stood right next to Maryjane’s Sunset Haven, and both were guarded by members of the pack, Damien insisted on staying by Lyla’s bedside to feel at ease.

Leo didn’t return either. He was likely staying at Lyla’s place.

That was fine. Maryjane pulled Flames closer to her.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the Moon Mark on her forehead burned once more.

This time, what faintly surfaced in her mind were memories of her father and mother from her childhood.

Back then, Lyla didn’t exist yet. Her parents adored Maryjane, treating her as the pride and future of the pack.

They gave her the finest furs, the best prey, and the most ceremonial weapons…

When Lyla came along, her parents didn’t treat her any differently. Whatever Maryjane had, Lyla had, too.

To this day, Maryjane still couldn’t understand why Lyla had thrown herself into the Thorn Jungle that year and then accused her of being responsible.

But none of that mattered now.

In five days, she would forget them completely.

By noon, a pack member came to summon Maryjane to the communal house for a meal.

When Maryjane arrived, everyone gathered around Lyla, sharing a meal.

Her mother was gently cooling a spoonful of soup before feeding it to Lyla. Her father was busy slicing the tenderest pieces of roasted meat for her.

Damien held a handkerchief, ready to wipe Lyla’s mouth, while Leo stood nearby, cautioning her to be careful of the heat.

When they noticed Maryjane, only Damien’s hand paused for a moment.

Lyla greeted her with a bright smile, raising her hand. “Sister, you’re here! Come, sit down and eat with us.”

Maryjane’s gaze, however, fell on Lyla’s chest.

There, a wolf fang-shaped crystal glowed faintly, protecting Lyla.

She would never mistake it — that was the "Silver Heart" Damien had given her when they pledged their bond.

Maryjane still remembered Damien’s vow. “Maryjane, for this lifetime and the next, my wolf soul will howl only for you.”

For members of the mighty Silver Bliss Pack, once they chose a mate, they would condense a piece of their wolf soul into a "Silver Heart" and gift it to their partner.

After Maryjane gave birth to Leo, she had temporarily entrusted the Silver Heart to him to protect him until his own guardian light emerged.

But now, that same Silver Heart was on Lyla.

Was it Damien’s decision? Leo’s? Or both of theirs?

Damien noticed Maryjane’s gaze and opened his mouth, as if to explain. “Maryjane—”

But Maryjane calmly walked over and took a seat, greeting, “Father, Mother.”

She picked up a wooden bowl and sipped the soup, showing no intention of questioning further.

Seeing Maryjane ignore him made Lyla’s face turn a little pale. She spoke in a pitiful tone, “Sister, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault that your birthday was ruined… Kaff kaff kaff...”

Before she could finish, Lyla was seized by a violent coughing fit. Our parents rushed forward, patting her back.

Watching this scene, Damien felt a sudden pang in his chest.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out, trying to hold Maryjane’s hand.

But Maryjane subtly avoided his touch. In his moment of stunned silence, she said softly, “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

The words weren’t just for Lyla—they were for Damien as well.

Only then did the Alpha and Luna realize they had once again overlooked their eldest daughter.

But they never felt they owed her anything. Her mother said lightly, “It’s just a birthday. Once Lyla and Damien’s bonding ceremony is over in five days, we can throw you another one.”

Maryjane paused.

Five days?

It seemed everything was converging at once.

In five days, Lyla and Damien would hold their bonding ceremony.

And in five days, Maryjane would sever all ties, forget everything, and reside permanently at Howling Summit.

The Alpha nodded. “Your sister’s health is more important, Maryjane. As her elder sister, you should understand.”

There it was again—

“You’re her sister. You owe Lyla. You must make it up to her. You must understand her.”

Maryjane had heard it so many times growing up that her heart had gone numb.

Leo added, “Once Lyla and Father’s ceremony is over, can Mother finally transfer her life essence to Lyla?”

Hearing this, Maryjane froze mid-movement.

She looked up. Everyone was staring at her, waiting for her response.

The food in her mouth suddenly tasted like ash, heavy and hard to swallow.

Clenching her fists, she forced herself to swallow the bitterness. “The Sunblaze bloodline does allow for ‘rebirth’… but what if my life essence isn’t enough? What if I can’t be reborn?”

Before she could finish, they all began talking over her.

Her father said, “As the heiress to the Sunblaze bloodline, how could your life essence ever be insufficient?”

Her mother said, “We’ll stand guard over you. Nothing will happen to you.”

Leo said, “Mother, stop making excuses not to save Lyla.”

Maryjane turned her gaze to Damien. After a moment of silence, Damien sighed. “Maryjane, I’ve already gathered rare moonlight herbs for you. Once you’re reborn, they’ll help you make a breakthrough.”

Maryjane laughed until her eyes turned red.

“Alright. I’ll give my life for Lyla.”

She agreed to the life exchange, but once she ascended to Howling Summit in five days, she would never be able to leave.

Whether they could find her afterward was their concern, not hers.