I managed to catch Lupin on time, thankfully. He jumped into my arms, his body shivered. The hands that I used to catch him were instantly bruised, and I winced, hiding my pain.

“Violet!” I growled at her.

“I-I didn’t mean it, Scarlett. I saw that Lupin was playing by himself, so I came over to greet him. I didn’t expect him to jump like that.” Violet looked like she was about to break down into tears. “Thankfully, he is fine now.”

“That’s too early to say.” I rolled my eyes. Then, I looked worriedly at Lupin. He seemed to be in a slight shock and everything else was fine, but I still couldn’t rest assured.

I hugged Lupin’s gigantic body and brought him outside, heading toward the pack’s infirmary. The doctor should check all Lupin’s condition thoroughly, just to make sure that he wasn’t sick again.

Lupin looked a bit listless after the shock he went through, and I could also feel his restlessness. He licked my finger that was tracing his snout and then became quiet.

“Why are you following me?” My body spun to face Violet.

She gave me a harmless but fake smile and then pointed to Lupin. “I feel bad because Lupin almost got hurt because of me, so please let me follow you. I also want to make sure that he is alright.”

“You don’t need to do that,” I muttered coldly.

“But I want to, please let me.”

I narrowed my eyes and turned around again, ignoring her. There was a small wish that she would just stop and not bother me anymore, but until we arrived at the infirmary, she still followed me.

Jack greeted me as soon as I stepped into the infirmary. “Luna Scarlett.”

He was the pack doctor that joined after Ryan took over the pack. The man was quite obsessed about improving the pack’s strength, so he always provided excellent health service.

I nodded at him, and as soon as he saw Lupin; he looked worried. “Lupin is sick again?”

I set Lupin down. My finger rubbed Lupin’s silky fur, and he rubbed his head against mine. I gave a quick glance at Violet before I answered his question. “He fell down earlier, so I am a bit worried if he got sick again.”

Jack had a look of understanding and he nodded. “I see. Let me check him.”

After a while, only then did he realize there was someone following his Luna from behind. He looked at her and gave me a questioning look. “Luna, this is…?”

Before I could respond, Violet had opened her mouth first. “I am going to join the pack soon. So, let me introduce myself. I am Violet Murphy, and I know a little about medicine.”

I frowned while Jack gave a surprised look. “Well, welcome to the pack, Violet. Maybe we can learn medicine together in the future.”

Jack was being polite, but Violet seemed enthusiastic. Indeed, she didn’t have the look of someone who would understand medicine, and Jack wasn’t someone who was easily impressed or convinced by just anyone, especially in the field that he was proud of.

“Lupin is fine.” Jack said after half an hour of an examination, “But you need to pay more attention to his diet. I can also prescribe some medicine to help him…”

The anxieties in my heart were eased a little after I heard that. Jack scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

I thanked him, and I was intending to leave before Violet spoke again. “Are you very proficient in medicine, Dr. Jack? I heard that there are some pills that can enhance werewolves’ strength.”

Unexpectedly, Jack’s interest was piqued. I narrowed my eyes at Violet and then looked away, deep in thought. This woman seemed to have something up her sleeve, and even she ‘accidentally’ managed to grasp the topic that would interest Jack the most.

Honestly, I still despise her for breaking my bracelet. I wanted to know what trick she would do, so I went to Lupin’s side and sat down on a chair.

“Yeah, I managed to make some of such pills…” Violet stopped and she carefully studied Jack’s expression before she continued, “I can show you the pills if you want, Dr. Jack.”

“Well, show me. I am interested.” He looked at her expectantly.

Violet took a small bottle from her pocket and handed it to Jack. There were some beautiful green colored pills there and when Jack opened the lid, a refreshing smell wafted in.

I scrunch my face, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable. The smell made me somewhat breathless.

“I have heard of such pills before…” Jack murmured. “This looks exactly how it is described. Refreshing smell, enchanting green color.”

He seemed to have a renewed impression of Violet when he turned to her again. I did notice that Violet was sending me a discreet look; her face smug.

“Have you tried it on werewolves?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Of course.” Violet said. She looked proud as she said, “My brother has tried it. His strength is better than ordinary werewolves now.”

“Why? Luna Scarlett wants to try it?” She glanced at me.

I shook my head. “No need.”

Her motive for coming here was revealed now. She wanted to gain a foothold here by assuming the identity of an apothecary. Was Ryan attracted to her because of this, too? I had once also studied medicine and had a small knowledge of it.

Ryan had a bit of an obsession about healthcare, after all. After he took over as an Alpha of this pack, he made sure that everyone would receive the healthcare they deserved.

“We can try that on Lupin.” Violet suddenly said.

My eyes widened, and she appeared beside me after she said that.

“No need.” I told her, clutching her hand.

However, as if she had anticipated that, she used her other hand to shove the pill into Lupin’s mouth. I was enraged that she dared to use Lupin as an experiment.

“How dare–” my voice was cut off when suddenly Lupin’s body convulsed. His eyes were wide, like he was in extreme pain.

I smacked her hand and pushed her away, panicking. “What the hell did you do to Lupin, Violet? Are you trying to kill him?!”

Violet was taken aback at Lupin’s reaction. She bit her nails and said, “I didn’t expect that his reaction would be like that… this pill is supposed to be a tonic for werewolves and wolves alike.”

She got up from the floor with a look of anxiety, but her face was void of remorse. There was even a look of anticipation that frustrated me more.

Jack came to us and immediately pinched some places in Lupin’s body. I watched with trepidation, shooting daggers at Violet. What made her so confident? Ryan’s backing? If anything were to happen to Lupin, I would never let her go.

After a few minutes passed. Jack heaved a sigh of relief and reassured me. “Lupin is going to be fine. You just need to look after his diet more. He is not allowed to eat things that are hard to digest.”

His convulsion had subsided, and his eyes seemed to be calmer. I also heaved a sigh of relief and patted him softly. I thanked Jack, bringing Lupin to my arms, and then exited the door without looking back.

“Look, Lupin is fine, Scarlett.” A voice came from behind and I ignored her.

***

The process of getting Violet as a member of our pack was quick. The next day, Ryan held a small party to welcome her.

He was quite impatient, wasn’t he? Usually it took more than half a month to administer a new member in our pack. Now, for Violet’s sake, he was very quick.

A lot of pack members came to the party, especially after news spread that Violet was proficient in medicine. Jack wasn’t always available because he sometimes went on a trip. So, more often, the werewolves in the pack had to go to a big city. There was a hospital jointly built by werewolves from various packs there.

Violet’s appearance, who also knew about medicine, definitely was a good sign. People didn’t suspect at all the reason Ryan pushed them to get the administration done quickly. They thought that it was because of her ability, and not that he fell in love with her.

I lowered my eyes. So, that was how they were going to play?

Ryan stood beside Violet, who looked nervous as she fiddled with her hands, but she acted like she was forcing herself to come out of her shy self and introduce herself to the crowd.

“Luna Scarlett?” Someone looked at me with confusion.

I just nodded at the person and didn’t say anything further.

Just like the crease on my skin that gradually made them turn a few shades darker, I slowly faded into obscurity in my pack.

“You don’t look well, Luna. Are you sick?” A child who looked to be seven years old came to me and I couldn’t help but crouch down. I touched his silky black hair, a touch of affection appeared in my heart.

I wonder if I had more time to live. Probably I would have a son or daughter as smart as this little one, right?

However, when I looked at the two people at the center of the crowd, Ryan and Violet, I shook my head. That was a stupid thought. Would Ryan even care about the child that he had with me once he made Violet his new mate?

I rubbed my belly slowly and closed my eyes. Yes, it was better for this child not to suffer like that, anyway. The child would go with me.

“I am fine, child. Where are your friends?” I asked him.

“They are watching the new member of the pack healing people…” he scratched his head and then peeked at me sheepishly.

I was a bit stunned, then I snapped my head in Violet’s direction. She was indeed in the process of healing someone who had gotten a bruise. She smeared something on the person’s bruise.

That smell again. It was quite suffocating. However, I could see that the person’s bruise gradually healed faster.

Even Ryan looked astonished. The way he looked at Violet, it was as if there were sparks in his eyes. Violet also seemed to realize that, and she embarrassedly looked away.

Everyone was too busy to be amazed to notice that their Alpha, who already has a mate, was flirting with another female right under their noses.

“I will be going.” I told Ms Brown, who would relay my words to Ryan. Seeing my pale face, she looked worried, but didn’t ask anything.

I went back to the house. The air felt more refreshed here compared to the party. I could breathe normally again, and since there was nothing I could do, I decided to go to the study room.

“Give me all the urgent documents I need to check.”

The staff looked stunned, and she avoided my eyes for a moment. She went to fetch some documents and came back not long after. There was a hesitant look on her face.

I took the documents she handed over. A familiar smell of vanilla wafted over my nose.

Violet.

How come these documents smell of her?

“Has anyone touched these documents before?” I asked her and she nodded after a while.

“Miss Violet…”

“Did she have Ryan’s permission?” I frowned.

“She was helping Alpha Ryan to check the documents, Luna…” she trailed off and then lowered her eyes.

My heart felt a stab right through it, but I forced a nonchalant expression. “Then, give me the other documents. I will finish the rest.”

The image of Violet and Ryan sitting next to each other, doing the documents together like a couple, appeared in my mind. Before this, it was me and Ryan who always did that, and now there was a replacement.

I shook the thoughts off my mind and focused on the other documents. Probably it was also my fault that I left my post as Luna irresponsibly. So, I was determined to finish them until the morning came.

There were still a lot of documents left, even after I spent a lot of time. I decided to take a rest, as the sun had risen.

Suddenly, I also wanted to check how Lupin was doing. I hoped that the staff taking care of him didn’t forget what I had told them about his diet.

With a renewed energy that I would meet my companion, I jogged to his room. However, I was met by a sight that nearly made my heart jump.

It was Violet again, and she was hurling Lupin toward the ceiling.

I took a dash. As fast as I could, that blurry eyesight was all I could see. My ears were ringing and there was a temporary stillness. It took me a few seconds to regain my senses, and I was suddenly afraid of the outcome.

When I opened my eyes, I heaved a sigh of relief when I sensed the familiar silky fur of Lupin. He was in my arms, safe and sound.

Heartbeats still drummed wildly in my chest, and I collapsed to the ground. Pain coursed through my body as the aftermath of using the power of my wolf's spirit forcefully.

“Scarlett?”

I heard Lupin’s growl and snapped my head toward the approaching Violet. I narrowed my eyes and glared at her.

Lupin was quite restless in my arms. He tried to get out of my embrace, but I held him tighter. I was afraid if he got close to Violet and she hurt him again.

“Violet, what’s the meaning of this?!” I raised my voice at her.

She tried to touch Lupin, and I would never forgive her for this. Lupin wasn’t just an ordinary wolf to me, but also a family. Probably the last family member that I have left in this world.

He was already old, but I have been taking care of him and making sure that he was healthy. After he lived with us werewolves for a long time, I think our werewolves counterpart had affected him somehow. Besides his intelligence, he was also stronger than normal wolves.

It was just that his condition worried me a bit lately. He had gotten sick a few times. Luckily, before I left the house because I was angry at Ryan, he had already recovered from his recent sickness.

Ryan also treasured Lupin greatly. That was why I was relieved to leave him at the house with him.

“It attacked me, Scarlett…” she trailed off, and bit her lips. “I think he has rabies because he suddenly became aggressive with me.”

“Watch your mouth, Violet.” I berated her angrily.

However, she suddenly came close to both of us. “Be careful, Scarlett!”

Her scream seemed to have triggered something in Lupin. He jumped out of my embrace and swiped his paw at Violet aggressively.

I was stunned. Lupin slipped out of me easily because I had lost any strength to hold him back.

“Lupin, calm down. Good boy, calm down. I am here!” I also yelled at Lupin to stop. Violet had evaded his sudden attack, and now he was growling at her. From his stance, he was ready to lunge at her again any moment.

I noticed that there was something wrong with Lupin. His eyes were red and the fur in his body stood up. He acted as if he didn’t hear me at all. The Lupin I knew would instantly come to me if I ever called him. Even if he was unwilling, he would still come.

My pupils constricted. He acted as if he didn’t know me at all, and all of this happened in just a few hours after he had just previously comforted me.

“Get out of here, Violet!” I was frustrated that Violet looked like she didn’t want to leave.

This time, she couldn’t evade fully as Lupin lunged toward her. His paw scratched her left arm.

A look of annoyance crossed her face, and she immediately shifted. I was in trepidation as the two wolves fought. Or it was more like Violet in her wolf form playing and teasing Lupin instead, which angered him further.

The fight got worse as Lupin became more aggressive, and I watched in horror as Violet slammed Lupin against the wall.

I instantly stood up. An awful premonition loomed over as Violet lunged toward the fallen body of Lupin.

“No, no, no!” I forced my body to move despite the excruciating pain, but as soon as I arrived, it was too late.

Violet had delivered a fatal blow to Lupin’s stomach and head. Blood was pouring out like waterfalls. I couldn’t process what was happening for a while until I panicked and crouched down to cradle Lupin’s body.

His eyes were a bit unfocused, like he was sick. However, as I watched life gradually slipping away from him, his eyes cleared up a bit. He licked my hand as if to comfort me, and I sobbed.

Violet was really ruthless with her blow; she was clearly delivering a death blow, intending to kill. Tears poured from my eyes and I couldn’t breathe.

After a while, Lupin’s body turned cold. He died, leaving me alone.

“I am sorry… I didn’t mean it. I-I was just…”

That was when I also snapped. As if I just received a burst of energy, I shifted to my wolf form and lunged toward her.

The force threw her body far to the other side of the room. I trotted toward her in a menacing stance, and she finally screamed loudly, “Ryan, help me! Scarlet is going to kill me!”

She was screaming at her phone. Ryan arrived in just seconds, in his wolf form. He didn’t confirm what was happening at first, but he instantly smashed his bigger body against me. I didn’t expect his action, and my body fell near Lupin’s.

“Scarlett…” He shifted and was about to come to me. Guilt swirled in his eyes. However, Violet hurriedly snaked her arms around his, sobbing quietly.

I felt a bit numb as my body couldn’t sustain the wolf form anymore. Slowly, I crawled toward Lupin, a hollowness occupied my heart.

“What’s happening here?” Ryan finally demanded.

I turned toward him. Something sparked slightly inside of me. He would care about Lupin, right?

“She killed Lupin, Ryan, she killed Lupin!” I choked as I screamed and pointed toward Violet.