The bonfire at the birthday party burned dazzlingly bright.

I leaned against a stone pillar in the corner while listening to the pack members whisper among themselves.

"Alpha Erwin really does dote on Alyssa. It's only a birthday party, but he's spending a fortune."

"Of course. I heard Alyssa once saved his life."

"Compared to Lara, this must feel like true love."

Their gossip reached my ears clearly.

Expressionless, I took a sip of water and forced myself to endure the pain brought on by the curse.

When the party reached the gift-giving part, Alyssa stood in the center. She was surrounded like the moon among stars.

The gifts Erwin presented were each more extravagant than the last. There were limited-edition fur garments, custom-made jewelry, and territory deeds.

"Thank you all for the gifts." Alyssa smiled sweetly. Her gaze suddenly landed on me in the corner. "But it seems someone still hasn't given me a present."

Every eye turned toward me. I tightened my grip on the glass in my hand until my knuckles turned white.

"Forget it, I won't make things hard for you." Alyssa waved her hand as if being generous, but her gaze fixed on my neck. "That emerald necklace you're wearing is quite pretty. Why don't you give it to me as a birthday gift?"

I subconsciously reached for the necklace.

Years ago, Erwin had given it to me. He said it was a family heirloom that was meant only for the future Luna.

That day, he had knelt on one knee and promised to love me for the rest of his life.

Now that I thought about it, it was nothing but a carefully planned lie.

"Alright." Calmly, I unclasped the necklace and handed it to Alyssa.

Erwin's expression instantly darkened.

"So whatever Alyssa wants, you'll give it to her?" His voice was as cold as ice.

I looked at the necklace in my hand and suddenly laughed.

Right. I was about to die anyway. What was there I couldn't give?

"Yes." I lifted my head and looked straight into Erwin's eyes. "Whatever Alyssa wants, she can have it."

A strange flash of anger flickered in Erwin's eyes.

"Good," he sneered. "Just in time. Alyssa healed my wolf spirit using her life. Why don't you give Alyssa some of your life force to extend hers?"

I froze.

"N-No!" Alyssa suddenly grabbed Erwin's arm in a panic. "I don't want her giving me her life force! I just want to spend the rest of my days happily with you.

"Besides, you still hold a grudge against Lara. She's filthy. I don't want to touch anything that carries a dirty smell."

Only then did Erwin's expression soften. He gently ran his fingers through Alyssa's hair. "You're right. She's too filthy. She's not worthy of giving her life force to you."

When it came time to cut the meat for the celebration, Alyssa closed her eyes to make a wish while the crowd started cheering.

"Kiss! Kiss!"

Amid the cheers, Erwin lowered his head and kissed Alyssa.

The kiss was deep and lingering. Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck. She was practically hanging off him.

I turned around to leave, but my body was too weak. I staggered.

Leaning against the wall, I slowly walked toward the exit. The crowd's teasing chants still echoed in my ears.

After leaving the party venue, I felt the cold night breeze against my skin. Without realizing it, I walked to the edge of a cliff.

Under the moonlight, the cliff was wrapped in drifting mist. It was beautiful.

As I stood at the edge, I suddenly felt a force pushing me from behind.

Splash!

I didn't fall off a cliff. I plunged into the icy lake below.

One of Alyssa's maids had followed me out without me noticing and shoved me into the deep pool beneath the cliff.

The freezing water instantly swallowed me.

I didn't struggle. I let myself slowly sink.

Water filled my nostrils and mouth. The suffocating sensation spread through me. Strangely, it brought relief.

Erwin and Alyssa were still locked in a passionate kiss until a scream suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Someone drowned! Someone jumped into the lake!"

Erwin suddenly pushed Alyssa out of his arms. His eyes searched wildly through the crowd for a familiar figure.

She wasn't there. He couldn't see her anywhere.

His heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. His breathing stalled for a moment.

"Where's Lara?" He grabbed a maid by the collar. His voice was terrifyingly hoarse.

The maid trembled and pointed toward the lake. "I-I think I saw her heading that way."

Erwin ran toward the lake like a mad wolf. He didn't even take off his fur coat before jumping straight into the icy water.

The light underwater was dim. He forced his eyes open and searched desperately. Finally, he saw a familiar figure at the bottom of the lake.

I saw him.

Through the water, our eyes met briefly.

There was no fear in my eyes. There wasn't hatred either. There was only a calmness that felt almost like relief.

Erwin's heart suddenly sank.

He understood I didn't want to live anymore.

Just as he was about to reach me, Alyssa's heart-wrenching cry suddenly came from above.

"Erwin! Save me! I can't swim!"

Erwin froze.

He looked back at Alyssa, who had somehow fallen into the water, and at me again. My eyes were already closed.

After hesitating for a second, he turned around and swam toward Alyssa.

My consciousness slowly faded.

I didn't feel pain. I only felt cold.

'This is fine too,' I thought.

There were only four days left anyway. Dying sooner or later made no difference.

But fate seemed determined to oppose me.

When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was Erwin's dark expression.

He raised a hand and grabbed me by my throat. His voice was cold. "Lara! You tried to end your life during the party! Were you trying to ruin Alyssa's birthday party on purpose to get my attention, or did you really want to die?"

I forced a smile. "I wish for death every moment. Don't you already know that?"

Erwin's grip tightened, and his jaws were clenched tightly. "Don't even think about it! With so many guards and healers watching you in this pack, even if you reach the gates of hell, I'll drag you back!"

There was a nearly obsessive madness in his voice. "Without my permission, you'll never die! Remember this, Lara. You will stay by my side forever and suffer!"

The lack of air blurred my vision. Only when I was about to suffocate did Erwin finally release his grip.

"You ruined Alyssa's birthday party, so you'll compensate her with a marking ceremony tomorrow. You should prepare it personally. If you disappoint me again, you know the consequences!" he uttered.

I coughed so violently it felt like my lungs would burst, yet I still answered, "Alright."

Erwin seemed even angrier and slammed the door as he left.

The next day, their marking ceremony took place.

Alyssa wore the Luna's gown I had always dreamed of. She was smiling brightly.

"Alyssa," Erwin said as he knelt on one knee at the center of the altar. He retrieved a dazzling ring from a wooden box. "Will you become my mate? I will love you and treat you well for the rest of our time together."

His voice was unbelievably gentle, and his gaze was fixed on Alyssa.

The pack members immediately started cheering.

"Say yes! Say yes!"

I stood at the very back of the crowd while clapping mechanically along with everyone else.

"Say yes."

Alyssa's face was filled with happiness. She was about to answer, but for some unknown reason, Erwin suddenly withdrew the ring.

From the corner of his eye, he subconsciously glanced in my direction. When he saw my expressionless face, his expression darkened further.

Under everyone's confused gazes, he looked away and turned back to Alyssa with a gentle smile.

"Alyssa, since you hesitated and haven't made up your mind yet, we'll talk about it next time.

"Next time, I'll personally prepare an even grander marking ceremony."

Alyssa's expression immediately turned sour, but she couldn't lash out in front of everyone. She forced a smile.

"O-Oh, sure."

I hadn't expected the marking ceremony I prepared so diligently to end like this.

But my work was finished. I could leave now.

I had just stepped out the door when Alyssa ran over and blocked my path.

"Lara, you're feeling pretty pleased with yourself, aren't you?" Alyssa grabbed my wrist tightly. Her nails nearly dug into my flesh. "Do you think Erwin suddenly gave up the marking because of you? Dream on! The only thing he feels toward you is hatred!"

I looked at her calmly. "I never thought that. He said he would mark you, and I've already wished you both well. What else do you want?"

"I want you dead!" Alyssa suddenly lowered her voice. Her eyes gleamed with malice. "Tell me, if Erwin sees you trying to kill me, do you think he'll finally kill you?"

Before I could react, Alyssa suddenly let go and fell backward.

"Ahh!"

Alyssa tumbled down the tall stone steps and hit the ground hard. Blood quickly pooled beneath her.

In the healer's den, the operating room light was on.

Erwin grabbed me by my throat and slammed me hard against the wall.

"Who said you could hurt Alyssa?" He uttered through clenched jaws.

"Your dad caused my dad's death. Are you trying to follow his example and murder someone too? Did you forget the lesson I taught you?"

I could barely breathe, and I didn't even have the strength to struggle anymore.

Right then, the operating room door opened. The healer said urgently, "The patient has lost too much blood. She needs a transfusion right away!"

Erwin immediately released me and shoved me forward.

"Use hers. They have the same blood type. As long as she doesn't die, take as much as you need!"

Just like that, I was dragged into the operating room.

A thick needle pierced my vein. Bright red blood flowed out through the tube.

My vision slowly blurred. At the final moment, it seemed like Erwin stepped forward quickly, but then he abruptly stopped himself and turned to ask about Alyssa's condition instead.

When I woke up again, the ward was empty.

I struggled to sit up. Just as I was about to get out of bed, Erwin pushed the door open.

He strode over and grabbed my wrist. He gripped so hard it felt like he would crush my bones.

"Since you're awake, come with me!"

I stumbled as he dragged me forward. The needle was yanked out from the back of my hand, leaving a trail of blood.

Instinctively, I struggled. "Let go!"

Erwin ignored me completely and dragged me through the long hallway.

Barefoot, I stepped on the cold floor tiles. My hospital gown became all scrunched up from being pulled.

The pack members we passed all lowered their heads and avoided looking at us. No one dared glance twice.

"What are you doing? Erwin!" I used all my strength to try to shake off his hand. My nails left scratches across the back of his hand.

Erwin suddenly turned around and slammed me against the wall.

"Alyssa almost died because of you. I want you to apologize to her right now."

My whole body trembled as tears spilled uncontrollably. "I didn't push her."

"The guards saw everything!" Erwin suddenly raised his voice. He then immediately lowered it again. "You were standing at the top of the stairs. When she fell, you were the only one there!"

Suddenly, I laughed. Tears streamed down my face. "Then kill me."

My voice was hoarse. "Let me die before you just like your dad died before mine. Kill me!"

Erwin's pupils contracted. His grip tightened even more.

Pain made my vision go dark, but I stubbornly lifted my chin and stared back at him.

At that moment, a weak cough came from inside a nearby ward.

Erwin's expression froze. He dragged me straight into the ward.

"Apologize," he said coldly.

I bit my lip hard and said nothing.

Suddenly, Erwin grabbed the back of my neck and forced me to look at Alyssa on the bed.

Alyssa lay there with bandages wrapped around her forehead. When she saw me, she shrank back and hid behind Erwin.

"Don't be afraid, Alyssa." Erwin gently touched her face. He then turned to me and barked, "Apologize!"

My vision blurred.

Seeing the way Erwin protected Alyssa, I suddenly recalled that ten years ago, when my wolf spirit had been badly hurt, he stayed by my bedside the same way. He'd stayed up all night to take care of me.

"I–" I opened my mouth, but something felt stuck in my throat.

Erwin impatiently tightened his grip again.

The pain finally crushed the last bit of stubbornness in me.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto my knees.

"I'm sorry." My tears dropped onto the floor. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have pushed you."

Alyssa smiled smugly and leaned further into Erwin's arms.

After saying that, I braced myself against the bed and slowly stood up. I staggered toward the door.

The hospital gown hung loosely on my body, revealing the ugly scar across my collarbone.

Erwin stared at my back as I left and suddenly felt a strange heaviness in his chest.

'When did she become this thin?' he wondered.

"Erwin." Alyssa weakly tugged at his sleeve. "My head hurts."

Erwin immediately looked away and bent forward to check on her wounds.

By the time he looked up again, I had already disappeared from the doorway.