I've been married to my mate, William Parker, for three years. Yet, he has never claimed me.

He always says that once his territory expands, he will hold a grand marking ceremony for me. I believed him and willingly waited for three years.

But today, I witnessed with my own eyes William claiming my younger sister, Naomi Jenkins, at the altar. In fact, she has been missing for three years.

At the marking ceremony, my three older brothers stand firmly by Naomi's side, supporting her.

"Naomi was too young back then and was deceived by the Beta of the Northern pack into fleeing. Now she's been poisoned by silver nitrate and doesn't have long to live. Her only wish is to become your mate," they say.

William nods and replies calmly, "For three years, I didn't hold a marking ceremony for Patricia. I was waiting for Naomi to return and explain things to me.

"I will claim Naomi as my own to fulfill her final wish. But Patricia must never know. If she finds out, she'll leave me."

My brothers, however, are certain. "It's fine. She loves you that much. Even if she knew, she wouldn't leave. Right now, nothing matters more than Naomi."

I flee in despair, realizing that those three years of waiting were nothing but a cruel joke. The marking ceremony was always meant for Naomi.

After she left, my brothers showered me with affection. I foolishly thought I was finally loved.

But the truth hurts. Whenever Naomi returns, all their love goes back to her.

The moment I learn the truth, my heart shatters, and I leave. Yet why, after I'm gone, do they all regret it?

After the marking ceremony, my eldest brother, Anthony Jenkins, turned to the crowd and announced, "I booked the upscale restaurant in our territory. Naomi used to love going there."

At that, Naomi Jenkins threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "I thought you'd never accept me again."

My three brothers exchanged glances, each of them wearing the same conflicted look.

My second brother, Bradley Jenkins, ruffled her hair. "You silly girl. Growing up, every time you got into trouble, we were the ones covering for you."

Then, the three of them ushered Naomi toward William Parker's car.

I couldn't watch anymore. My face turned pale, and I bolted.

In truth, Naomi and I were twins. Yet, all my life, she had been the center of attention, while I remained invisible in the background.

Everyone in the family only had eyes for her. They bought her the finest, most extravagant things, and I got whatever she didn't want.

Even the man I secretly loved—William, Alpha of the Bloodstone pack—was Naomi's fiance.

I thought I would go my whole life without anyone ever loving me. But three years ago, Naomi ran off with the Beta of the Northern pack.

In their fury, my brothers publicly disowned her.

And William, who had spent three months drowning in grief, proposed to me with moonlight roses. He looked at me with that dazed gaze, as if he were seeing Naomi through my face.

"You and her… You look so alike," he had said. "Since she ran off, will you marry me instead? I'll treat you well, I promise."

I knew I shouldn't have said yes, but I was too in love with him.

For the past three years, William had spoiled me so thoroughly that I became the most envied she-wolf in the entire pack.

My brothers changed, too. All the love they had once reserved for Naomi fell on me.

Anthony bought me lavish moonstone jewelry at auctions. Bradley knew I had a sweet tooth and would drive three hours to a neighboring territory just to bring back a strawberry cake for me. My third brother, Caleb Jenkins, never forgot my seafood allergy and would carefully go through every dish before I ate.

But all of it was a lie. The moment Naomi came back, everything vanished like bubbles.

…

I didn't even know how long I had been wandering outside before I finally drifted home in a daze.

The moment I opened the door, the sight in the living room struck me like a punch to the gut. Anthony was shelling shrimp for Naomi, while Bradley held the antidote and gently coaxed her, "Naomi, it's time to take this."

She tugged at his sleeve, pouting. "It's too bitter! I don't want it!"

Without missing a beat, Caleb handed her a piece of candy. "You used to love these. I've kept them on hand for you."

William spotted me first. Flustered, he quickly rose from Naomi's side.

"Where have you been, Patricia?" he asked. "You weren't home all day."

He gazed at me with tenderness in his eyes. It was as if the wolf who had claimed Naomi at the altar earlier wasn't him.

I didn't respond. Instead, I stared blankly at Naomi.

Guilt flickered across William's face as he stepped away from her.

"Naomi accidentally ingested silver nitrate. The poison has ravaged her body. Her final wish is for us to stay with her until the very end," he explained.

He shifted his gaze away from me, clearly uncomfortable. After a pause, he added, "When she ran off, your brothers and I said we would never forgive her. But she's your sister. Out of respect for you, I couldn't let her leave with regrets."

Just then, Anthony strode over, anxious as he spoke up for Naomi. "What we said back then doesn't count. She was still young and didn't mean any of it."

Out of habit, he reached out to ruffle my hair. But his hand froze halfway, and he drew it back.

Anthony went on, "Naomi doesn't have much time left. Whatever happened back then, let's move past it."

"Yeah." Bradley nodded in agreement. "She was mischievous as a child, but life out there hasn't been easy. She has learned her lesson."

Even Caleb came over quietly, his voice gentle as he said, "At the end of the day, we're still family. You've always been the most sensible one, Patricia, haven't you?"

Their words in her defense stabbed at my chest. Still, I nodded.

I looked at each of them in turn and replied softly, "Alright."

The moment I agreed, I had already decided to leave forever. The love of my family and my mate no longer belonged to me. Since that was the case, I would let Naomi have it all.

I made up my mind to pack my things and go.

Meanwhile, the four men exhaled in relief at my words, their expressions softening with satisfaction.

"Stay with Naomi for now. We'll get her room ready," William said gently before hurrying upstairs with my three brothers.

I wanted to refuse, but the words caught in my throat.

Only after their footsteps faded upstairs did Naomi saunter over. A triumphant smile played on her lips as she mocked, "Well? Even after three years away and all the mistakes I've made, they still love me the same."

She leaned closer, a cruel smile twisting her lips.

"But you'll always be the pathetic one nobody wants, Pat."

I stepped back and said calmly, "I never wanted to fight you for anything. If it's their love you want, it's yours."

Naomi snickered. "They've always loved me. You were nothing but a stand-in!"

Then, she pulled out a crystal vial and swooped in front of me. "Tell me—when they see this, will they believe me or you?"

Before I could respond, Naomi pinned me down on the couch. Her strength was far beyond what a patient should have.

She poured the entire vial of silver nitrate into my mouth without hesitation. As I struggled, a few drops landed on the back of her hand.

In a flash, she flung the vial aside and collapsed to the floor, letting out a piercing scream. "It hurts!"

A gust of wind swept past me as the men teleported into the living room. When they saw Naomi's hand burned by the silver nitrate, their expressions darkened instantly.

William was the first to reach her, and a blast of air from his motion sent me crashing to the floor. Yet, he didn't spare me a single glance. All his focus was on her hand.

The silver nitrate burned through my insides, and I curled into a ball on the floor. I couldn't even speak.

Anthony shot me a cold look. "Naomi just came back today. She never intended to compete with you for anything. Why can't you just accept her?"

I gritted my teeth against the torment wracking my body and forced myself to say, "It was Naomi! She forced the silver nitrate into me…"

Suddenly, Naomi burst into loud sobs. "Why can't you accept me, Pat? I'm already poisoned with silver nitrate. I don't have much time left. Why would you hurt me?"

Caleb held her close, but when he looked at me, there was no warmth in his gaze.

"That's enough, Patricia! Look at her. Do you really think she has the strength to get silver nitrate and use it against you?"

A wave of hopelessness crashed over me. All my life, Naomi had found every chance to frame me. She always played the innocent victim in front of our brothers, making everyone believe I was the cruel one.

No matter how I explained myself before, no one ever believed me. But this time, I wanted to try to defend myself.

The affection they had given me over the past three years gave me a flicker of hope. Maybe Anthony, Bradley, Caleb, and William would believe me this once.

So, I forced myself to reach for the crystal vial. "I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, see for yourselves—"

But before I could touch it, Bradley gripped my wrist tightly.

"Enough!" he snapped. "Patricia Jenkins, how could you be so cruel? Naomi is your sister, and she's poisoned. Why would you harm her with silver nitrate?"

By then, Caleb had scooped Naomi into his arms. "Let's take her to the healing sanctuary. She needs the antidote!"

Just like that, the four men rushed out with Naomi. Not one of them turned back to look at me.

"It's true… I've been poisoned with silver nitrate," I whispered.

I collapsed to the floor as the silver nitrate spread through me, my vision growing hazy.

Just then, my maid, Daisy York, rushed over. Panic was written all over her face, and her terrified screams rang in my ears. But my consciousness was already fading.

When I finally came to, I was lying on a bed in the healing sanctuary.

The witch tending to me said anxiously, "I'm sorry, but all the healers were sent to the VIP ward. The Luna of the Bloodstone pack took a sudden turn for the worse, and the Alpha ordered every healer to tend to her, so there's no one left to treat you."

"I've been poisoned with silver nitrate." I forced myself upright and begged, "Please, just give me one dose of the antidote. If I take it in time, I can still survive."

At that, the witch hurried away. But before long, she returned with a troubled expression. "The Bloodstone pack's Luna has silver nitrate poisoning as well. All the antidotes went to her. There's none left."

Daisy, who had brought me here, grabbed the witch's arm. Her voice choked with sobs as she pleaded, "Please, Mrs. Parker can't hold on any longer. You have to save her!"

I lay on the bed, fighting to stay conscious. Excruciating pain surged through me, leaving me drenched in sweat.

I fumbled for my phone and mustered all my strength to call William.

"William," I croaked. "I've been poisoned with silver nitrate. Could you spare me a healer?"

But Naomi's pitiful cries came through the line. "William, go be with her. She called you. You're her mate. I shouldn't trouble you while I'm sick…"

William refused without a second thought. "No. You're my fated mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess. I'll stay with you. I won't leave you."

My chest tightened as if seized by an unrelenting force that tore it apart from within. I didn't even notice when the call ended.

I clutched my phone as tears streamed silently down my face.

I curled into a ball, and my wolf roared in agony inside me. The silver nitrate gnawed at its life. Before long, my consciousness grew hazy.

"Mrs. Parker! Mrs. Parker!" Daisy's cries echoed from afar. "Don't fall asleep! Please… save her! She's dying!"

But I couldn't hold on any longer. The pain was unbearable, and I was exhausted. Slowly, I let my eyes close.

…

Meanwhile, my three brothers paced anxiously outside the VIP ward. William stayed inside with Naomi as the healers surrounded her, treating her.

"How is Naomi now?"

After the treatment, William asked the healers to examine her. But the moment they approached, she clutched her chest and let out a sharp scream. "My chest… it hurts so much!"

Without missing a beat, Anthony, Bradley, and Caleb rushed into the ward. They shoved the healers aside and crowded around Naomi, their faces etched with worry.

"I don't want to stay here anymore! I want to go home!" Naomi wailed.

Anthony frowned and tried to reason with her. "You're too weak. You should stay and let them treat you properly."

"My illness can't be cured…" Naomi lowered her head, sobbing. "Why should I suffer through treatment? I just want to spend my last days at home with all of you."

The four men relented instantly and took her home.

…

It took Anthony, Bradley, Caleb, and William two days at home with Naomi before they noticed I was missing.

"Where's Patricia? She hasn't come back in two days! Does she have no respect for rules?"

Anthony slammed his hand on the table, his face dark with anger.

William, too, furrowed his brow.

"Find out where Patricia is," he ordered Nathan Cooper, his Beta.

William knew I wouldn't go this long without reaching out to him. Suddenly, a twinge of unease stirred in him.

Bradley glared at him. "I bet she's in hiding because we caught her hurting Naomi. Find her, and make her apologize!"

As they accused me, Naomi smirked inwardly. Even after three long years and all my efforts, I still couldn't take her place in their hearts.

At that moment, Nathan burst in, panic written across his face.

"Alpha William, two days ago, Mrs. Parker was taken to the healing sanctuary after being poisoned. But you sent all the healers and antidotes to the VIP ward. By the time Daisy tried to bring her out… she was already dead."