Chapter 4

The front door of the villa was kicked open with brutal force.

A group of people rushed in, their flashlights beaming onto my face.

The pack healers had sensed something was wrong and rushed over.

The lead healer knelt down, checking my pupils, and shouted urgently. "She's in deep shock with a barely detectable pulse! Get the stretcher, now!"

Numb and lifeless, I was lifted onto the stretcher and rushed into the emergency room.

With the shock of the defibrillator, a flicker of consciousness returned to me.

The lead healer stood by my bed, his face grim.

"Luna Sarah, your heart has completely failed. We've done everything we can."

"The machines can only keep you alive for another two hours. Do you have any final words?"

The oxygen mask was fogged with my breath. I used the last of my strength to shake my head.

With teary eyes, the nurse dialed Alpha Daniel’s number and placed it on speaker next to my pillow.

It rang for a long time before he finally answered. In the background, there was loud, cheerful music and the booming sound of fireworks.

"Daniel, look at that firework! It's beautiful! Jack, come take a picture!"

Rachel’s giggles echoed through the room. The nurse raised her voice.

"Alpha Daniel, this is the Pack Clinic emergency room."

"Luna Sarah is in critical condition and could pass away at any moment. Please come immediately."

The other end went quiet for a second before Daniel’s impatient roar shattered the silence.

"Sarah, are you seriously doing this again?"

"Rachel finally got a chance to relax at the amusement park, and you just have to ruin it by faking your death?"

"Let me tell you, even if you die in that house today, I won't step a foot back!"

After some rustling, the phone seemed to be snatched away, and Jack's shrill voice came through.

"Yeah! Stop lying! You always use this trick."

"If you're really sick, kneel down and beg Aunt Rachel for forgiveness, or we're never coming back!"

The medical staff in the room exchanged shocked and sorrowful looks.

The ventilator hissed as I lifted my blood-stained hand with the last bit of my strength.

The nurse quickly held the phone closer to my ear. I swallowed the metallic taste of blood and parted my cracked lips.

"Don't... come back."

"Have... fun."

My voice was quiet, completely hollow. I used the last ounce of my life to press the end-call button.

The breath I had held for eight years finally left my body.

The lights above blurred, and the beeping of the monitors faded into the distance. I was finally free.

The monitor let out a long, flat tone. The screen showed a straight line.

Miles away at the amusement park, fireworks lit up the night sky.

Daniel shoved his phone back into his pocket, cursing under his breath.

Rachel held his arm, pointing at the sky with a laugh.

He tried to force a smile, but his phone buzzed violently again.

Annoyed, he pulled it out. It was the same clinic number. He answered, ready to unleash his fury.

But the voice on the other end was icy.

"Alpha Daniel, this is the Pack Clinic."

"Luna Sarah has been pronounced dead. Please come to handle her final arrangements."