---- Chapter 1 "There's not much time left. You should spend it saying goodbye to your loved ones." The healer's voice was gentle, almost sympathetic- But to me, it landed like a stone crashing through glass. Ihad guessed this outcome. But hearing my death sentence spoken aloud... it shattered me all the same. I was only twenty-eight. Ihad clawed my way through life to survive. I had fought so hard. And just when hope finally arrived-just when I found the rare herb that could save me- ---- My mate, Gary, gave it away. To Jane. Who merely felt uncomfortable. My wolf was numb. Hollow. I wandered into Jane's infirmary room, where warmth and concern wrapped around her like a halo. My parents were there. Gary was by her side. My little pup, Jack, was laughing by her feet. When I walked in, Gary was helping Jane drink water. He looked up, saw me, and quickly set the cup down. "What did the healer say?" he asked, his voice flat. He didn't meet my eyes. His voice trembled with guilt, yet he dared to offer a weak excuse. "Tt was urgent. If Jane didn't get the herb, she ---- would've suffered a painful death." My mother chimed in immediately. "He's right, Nadia. Life and death was on the line. Don't be childish. You're not seriously angry about this, are you?" I swallowed down the blood rising in my throat. "T'm not mad," I said calmly. "The healer said... I'll get good news in a week." I looked at each of them. "Good news-for everyone." Gary adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his smile warm, eyes glowing. "you found another herb? I knew we made the right decision that day." My father let out a long sigh of relief. "Jane's really blessed. Without that herb, she wouldn't have made it this far." ---- My mother lovingly tucked Jane's hair behind her ear. "The Moon Goddess is watching over you, sweetheart, " she said. Then, colder: "Unlike someone, who threw a tantrum and embarrassed the entire Black clan." Even though my wolf had long stopped hoping, those words pierced through her like daggers. Iclung to the table's edge, fingers shaking. Gary turned to me with false tenderness. "You really shouldn't have done what you did that day," he said gently. "I think... you owe Jane an apology." I stared at him in disbelief. Jane had stolen my cure. And now I was the one who should apologize? My wolf surged forward, furious, ready to tear the