Chapter 4

The night before my brother was scheduled to leave the territory, I went to see him.

Knowing this might be the last time we ever saw each other, I brought his favorite whiskey and some food. We sat together on the carpeted floor.

I raised my glass. "Cheers, Michael."

I had always hated the burning taste of strong liquor, but tonight, as the alcohol burned down my throat, it felt incredibly numbing.

So, alcohol really was a good thing.

Looking at the raw scars on my brother's hands, my nose tingled. "I'm so useless. I couldn't protect any of you."

He finished his glass, shook his head, and sighed. "A grown man needing his little sister to protect him? That's embarrassing."

He fell silent for a long moment, then spoke softly. "Our father and I were blind. We brought a monster into our own home. How can I blame you? But leaving you here alone... it's going to be so hard on you."

I wiped my tears. "Just live a good life out there. Don't try to get revenge. The Daniel we knew is gone."

The game was over.

No one could fight him now.

He smiled at me. Though his hair was messy and he looked exhausted, he was still incredibly handsome. "My little Elena has finally grown up."

My brother left the next morning.

But Daniel's men kept a close eye on him. They stalked him everywhere, harassing him and making it impossible for him to settle down anywhere or even find a decent job.

My once-proud brother was struggling just to stay alive.

I begged Daniel to intervene, and he promised he would. But behind my back, he ordered his men to pressure Michael even harder, forcing him to flee to the most remote, hostile lands.

I was locked away in the estate, forbidden from seeing him off.

Staring out the window at the distant mountains, I kept repeating to myself: *Just run. Just get away.*

Get away from this toxic dump and find a place of your own.

I only hoped that my brother would have a better life than me.

***

A few weeks later, I was sitting at my desk, stitching an herbal sachet, when the guards announced that Lily had arrived.

Daniel had decreed that I didn't have to bow to anyone, so up until today, Lily and I had never met face-to-face.

She wore a pristine white dress. She looked clean, elegant, and strikingly beautiful.

"I've been wanting to visit you, but I've been so busy keeping Daniel company lately. I finally found some time today. I hope you don't mind," she said, sitting down casually. Her smile was sweet, perfectly polite.

I kept my eyes on my stitching. "You flatter me, Luna Lily. I should have been the one to pay my respects to you."

She rested her chin on her hand. "You've fought beside Daniel for so many years, and he lets you live here without bowing to anyone. That's such a massive sign of respect. Unlike me... I used to stay safe at home all the time. Daniel cherishes me too much; he says he could never bear to let me live a life of blood and violence..."

My hand trembled, and the needle pierced deep into my finger. Blood welled up. My stomach churned, but I kept my face completely expressionless.

"When did you and Daniel meet?" I asked quietly.

Lily giggled, looking like an innocent teenager in love. "Daniel and I? Oh, it was about three years ago. My father highly respected him. Daniel promised him that he would mate with me, so my father provided all the resources and warriors to help him secure the Alpha title..."

Three years ago. Three years ago...

He had betrayed me that early.

And all that time, we were still considered the most enviable couple in the pack.

I looked down at the half-finished sachet. I used to hate doing delicate needlework. But during winter patrols, Daniel always complained about the freezing wind on his neck, so I forced myself to learn how to knit. I remembered how he used to sit in his pajamas, leaning his head on his hand, watching me under the warm lamp light with a soft smile. *"Looking at a beautiful girl under the lamp... it really is a view."*

I had blushed and glared at him. *"We've been together for years, stop being so cheesy."*

***

My vision blurred. Tina saw that something was wrong and rushed over to support me.

I waved her off. "I'm not feeling well. You should go, Lily. Let's talk some other day."

Lily rolled her eyes, looking bored, and walked out.

I turned to Tina. "Throw all the needles and thread away."

Tina looked at the sachet with pity. "But you're almost finished. Why would you..."

"Just throw it away," I interrupted her. "I don't ever want to touch them again."

If something is already dirty, what's the point of keeping it?