" There were no beautiful memories , " I interrupted firmly . " Kael , my feelings for Liam died the moment he chose to deceive me . He is nothing but my enemy now . I hate him . I wish he were dead . " Kael's expression softened slightly . His gaze remained somber . " Then why did you choose me ? Why did you answer my call at Jacob's memorial ? " I held his eyes steadily and countered , " I want to ask you the same . Why did you choose me to be your mate back then ? " Kael took a deep breath and began recounting a memory . " Five years ago , during that conflict with another pack ... " His voice softened , " I was just a patrol member then , gravely wounded in battle . " He stroked the scar on his chest . " All the healers said I wouldn't survive ... but you ... you refused to give up . " My heart raced as the memory , nearly forgotten , resurfaced . " You used your pack's healing magic to save me , " Kael continued , tears forming in his eyes . " Three days and nights , you went without rest . When I awoke , the first face I saw was yours - tired but tender , smiling at me . " You said , ' Welcome back , warrior . ' " From that moment , I knew ... I knew you were mine . " His voice choked with emotion . " But you were already recognized as Liam's mate . I buried my feelings deep and silently protected you . 1/2 Chapter 8 +25 BONUS " Every time I saw you with Liam , it hurt . But I told myself ... as long as you were happy , that was enough . " I was moved by his sincerity . " So that's why ... I remember now ... the patrolman who was nearly killed ... " " Exactly . So when you proposed seeking a new mate at the funeral , I didn't hesitate . Not out of pity ... but because this was the opportunity I'd been waiting five years for . " Kael held my hand . " Silly , " I whispered , standing on tiptoe to brush a kiss against his lips . " Now we're together , aren't we ? " We entwined , lost in each other , unaware of how many days passed ... until the doorbell rang sharply . The butler rushed in , panic on his face . " Ms. Elena ... Ms. Isabella is at the door . She ... she's dying ! " Kael and I rushed to the entrance . What we saw froze me in shock . Isabella knelt on the stone steps , her clothes tattered , blood covering her body , cheeks hollowed . Her hands trembled , her eyes filled with despair . " Elena ... " she whispered , " please ... save me ... " 11 Despite the lingering hatred in my heart , I asked , " What happened ? " " Liam ... he imprisoned me ... " Isabella struggled with every word , blood dripping from her lips . " He said it's all my fault ... he's gone mad ... completely mad ... " Her body swayed as I knelt to examine her . The silver powder in her system had reached a lethal level . The slowest , cruelest death awaited her silver poisoning would corrode her organs , leaving life more torturous than death . " Elena ... " she grasped my hand with her last strength , eyes filled with remorse . " I'm sorry ... I truly am ... If I could do it over , I would never betray you ... And with that , her hand fell lifelessly . She was gone . I stared at Isabella's body , my emotions a turbulent mix of grief and vindication . Once sisters , now ended like this . Suddenly , the shrill alarm blared across the estate . " The Bloodfang Pack is invading ! " a guard reported breathlessly . " They've broken the northern defenses and are advancing into the city ! " Kael's eyes ignited with the fire of battle . " You must go immediately , " I said , clutching his hand . " The Black Moon Pack cannot fight without you . " With a final , determined glance , Kael led the elite warriors into the night , disappearing into the darkness .