A year had passed, and under the Moon Goddess' constant guidance, our pack and family flourished in happiness and peace.

Motherhood with Timothy has been an adventure—challenging yet deeply fulfilling. I've never felt more complete, especially having Elija by my side.

Each month, we've cherished every moment as our pup grows; the first time he sat up, his first laugh, and his first steps.

We were also there when Timothy's first word, "Mom," filled the room—the sweetest sound I had ever heard. Elija, of course, beams with pride, seeing how Timothy starts to resemble him more with each passing day.

Life has been incredibly kind to us lately, and if it were up to me, I would want nothing to change…

A week had passed since we celebrated Timothy's first birthday, and already, I was planning to return to my weekend tutorial sessions with the Omega kids, even with the new magic university now open.

While Timothy plays quietly in his crib, I picked up another book of magic, trying to find new magic lessons for the kids. I chose the thickest book on the shelf and started flipping through its pages, until a particular topic caught my attention…

The dark witches.

I read a few more lines about these creatures, feeling equally amazed and terrified. Sure, there's a lot about their heritage that an average wolf has yet to discover.

Still lost in the pages, my thoughts drifted to my half-sister who carries the blood of a powerful dark witch. She got it from her mother.

Just then, one of our trusted maids came to take Timothy for his feeding, leaving me alone with my thoughts…

Helen Brook—my half-sister and I, grew up side by side.

Despite sharing the same luxuries, she often couldn't escape the judgmental eyes of our pack as her lineage of dark witches was a thing everyone knew.

It followed and haunt her like a ghost.

I saw how much Helen suffered from bullying, how other students avoided her throughout high school.

As her sister, I felt it was my responsibility to protect and defend her. I told everyone that despite her witch blood, Helen is a kind-hearted wolf who, like anyone else, just wants friends.

But my efforts didn't change much.

At first, Helen wasn't deeply affected by her bullies. She used to say that as long as she had me, everything would be okay. So, I made sure to stay by her side, never wanting her to feel alone.

But things started to change between us when we reached our senior year…

Helen started developing feelings for Harry, one of the most popular wolves in our university. She asked me to help her catch his attention, hoping he'd invite her to the university prom. Though I was hesitant, I did everything I could to make him notice her. But our plans didn't quite work out.

"So, Harry, this is my sister, Helen," I started, trying to ease into it. "You should get to know her. She's beautiful, inside and out. She's—"

Before I could finish, Harry stepped forward and wrapped me in a firm embrace—yes, right in front of Helen.

"Alara, stop trying to make me like your sister," He said, his voice low but steady. "She might be pretty, she might be kind, but you knew from the beginning that it's you I care about. Why not give me a chance to show you how real my feelings are? Besides, how could I like someone with a… dark witch blood?" His voice became weaker.

That day, I saw the tears welling in Helen's eyes before she turned and ran away. Since then, I've distanced myself from Harry, hoping it might mend things between Helen and me. But no matter how hard I try, the rift between us only deepens.

Jealousy and resentment have crept into the spaces where our friendship and bond once prospered.

"Helen… Please, talk to me. I'm not used to us being this way. Can't you see that I'm completely ignoring Harry now? Hurting you was never my intention!" I pleaded, my voice cracking.

Helen met my eyes, her gaze filled with pain. Then, she slapped me across the face.

"Don't you understand, Alara? This isn't just about Harry," She spat. "How does it feel, growing up surrounded by love and admiration? I wouldn't know, because my whole life, you were the only one who cared for me. All I ever got from everyone else was neglect and judgment. I'm tired of being feared while I watch everyone shower you with affection."

Tears spilled from my eyes as I whispered, "But you told me that as long as we had each other… everything would be alright…"

Helen wiped her tears roughly. "That was when we were kids, Alara! Back then, I thought having you was enough. But now, as teenagers, I realize there's more to life than just our friendship. Damn it, I'm jealous! I'm jealous of the friends you have, of how the boys at school fall over themselves just to be near you. I'm jealous that you're the favorite, that you get to live freely, without hesitation or fear of judgment!"

"I'm sorry, Helen—"

Her face twisted with pain and anger. "I hate you, Alara! I hate you as much as I hate this cursed dark witch blood!" She yelled before slapping me again.

That moment was just the beginning of her hatred and jealousy. Despite all my efforts to rekindle our friendship, our bond, our sisterhood, Helen's resentment only deepened with time, until nothing remained between us but negativity.

Lost in thought, I was pulled back by a knock on the bedroom door.

"Come in, it's open!" I called, quickly adjusting my hair and sitting up straight.

The door opened, and a maid stepped in, bowing respectfully. "Luna Alara, the pack's messenger is here. He's waiting for you in the receiving area."

Curious about the news he might bring, I made my way to meet him. As I entered the room, the messenger greeted me with a polite bow.

"Luna Alara," He greeted, and I motioned for him to sit.

"Messenger Pascual, what brings you here?" I asked softly.

"I'm here to bring news and a message from your sister, Helen," He began.

I shifted in my seat, my attention fully captured. "What is it about her?"

He cleared his throat. "Luna Alara, your sister completed her five-year sentence in Lair Lock Prison just recently. When I saw her yesterday, she mentioned she'd tried to mind-link you, but it didn't go through, so she asked me to deliver her message instead."

"What… what message?" My voice wavered as a surge of nerves prickled through me.

Messenger Pascual met my gaze. "She wants to know if you'd consider meeting her for dinner, to talk and try to make amends."

I hadn't realized how much time had passed, nor had it dawned on me that Helen's release from prison was imminent. Hearing the news, and her invitation, stirred hesitation, fear, and, strangely, a glimmer of joy and excitement.

Unsure of how to react, I shared the news with Elija. As I expected, his immediate reaction was to forbid me from meeting her.

"My love, I know you still care for her, but given everything she's put you through, I can't risk your safety by letting you see her. It's too dangerous, I'm sorry." His voice was thick with concern.

"I'm scared too," I admitted, "but isn't there some way for me to meet her? Elija, I need to talk to my sister…"

In the end, Elija agreed to let me meet Helen, but with five pack warriors as escorts, and only for an hour. He made it clear he didn't want me with her at night.

When the day of the dinner arrived, I entered Penophy Restaurant with the warriors in tow. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on her.

My heart skipped a beat.

This was the first time I'd seen Helen in five years as her imprisonment had barred her from any visitors.

I turned to the warriors, asking them to take a table behind Helen's and order whatever food they liked. Then, slowly, I made my way over to her. A few moments passed before our eyes met, and my breath caught as I fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

Helen had always been beautiful, but now she looked so different—pale, thin, and weary. It was clear prison had been harsh, lonely, and unkind to her.

Yet, as I gazed deeper into her eyes, the anger and resentment were gone. She looked like the same sister I had once bravely protected from anyone who tried to hurt her.

"Hi…" She murmured, her voice soft. Despite the sadness in her gaze and the awkwardness between us, she managed a small, hesitant smile.

I returned her smile and gently reached for her hands. "Hi."

She took a deep breath, her fingers closing around mine. "I don't think just holding hands is enough. Alara, can I… can I hug you?"

I nodded, then pulled her into a tight embrace. In that moment, all other emotions faded, leaving only the warmth of Helen's presence and the love that had survived the years apart.

After a while, we settled into our seats, ordered our meal, and began talking—about life, the changes we'd been through, and everything else that had mattered in between.

"I've only been out of prison for a few weeks, but I've already noticed how much the Ravenwood Pack has grown. It's thriving in every way possible," She said, looking at me with admiration. "Alpha Elija's leadership must be incredible, but he couldn't have done it without a supportive, loving, and intelligent Luna by his side—and that's you."

"You think so?" I asked.

"Absolutely, Luna Alara! Honestly, after seeing how the pack has flourished under your leadership, I can't help but laugh at myself from five years ago for ever competing with you to be Elija's fated mate and Luna. You truly deserve this role more than anyone else—even me," Helen admitted.

Her words dragged me back to the shadows of our troubled past…

We were both eighteen that time—the age when every she-wolf meets their fated mate. By then, our relationship was already strained. Helen resented me, and I had grown accustomed to it.

Just when I thought our bond couldn't be damaged further, fate twisted harder…

We were both Elija's fated mates.

Such occurrences were remarkably rare and cruel, forcing the wolf to choose between two fated she-wolves—leaving the unchosen one mateless.

Back then, Elija was just the future Alpha of the pack, so whoever he chose between Helen and me would also be the future Luna…

The day before we were to meet him at the Ravenwood Kingdom, Helen confronted me.

"You once said you cared about me, didn't you? Then prove it now," She said, her eyes glinting with desperation and bitterness. "Don't show up at the meeting with Elija tomorrow. Tell him you don't want him to be your mate. Make that sacrifice for me, Alara."

"No—"

"I've lived my entire life in loneliness, Alara. Being mated to Elija, being this pack's Luna, is my only chance to change that. And it still all depends on you," She pressed.

"The choice is Elija's, not mine. And I'm sorry, Helen, but I won't give up my fated mate just to spare you from loneliness—especially when all you've ever shown me is resentment." I looked her in the eye. "Whoever he chooses tomorrow, I'll accept it, and I hope you can do the same." With that, I turned and walked past her.

That day, I could feel her hate towards me deepen.

The next day arrived, and when I reached the Ravenwood Kingdom, Helen was already there. She had clearly prepared for this moment, dressed in a bold, red gown that clung to her body shape, dark red lipstick accentuating her smile, and her hair styled elegantly in a high bun.

While we waited for Elija, Helen did nothing but shoot me deadly glances, her hostility palpable.

After a few more minutes, Elija arrived. To my surprise, the first thing he did was lift my hand and kiss it, while he merely shook Helen's. He greeted us both, and soon, the three of us were engaged in a brief but intense conversation.

"I've made my decision," Elija announced, his gaze steady on mine.

I held my breath, waiting for his next words.

"Helen…" He said, and in that instant, Helen's gaze burned into me as she rose from her seat and wrapped her arms around Elija's shoulders from behind.

"I knew it," She said with a triumphant smile. "I knew you'd choose me, Elija."

"What are you doing? I was about to apologize for not choosing you," Elija countered, rising from his seat and moving to stand beside me. "I'm sorry, Helen, but I choose your sister, Alara, to be my mate."

Helen's eyes darkened as she raised her hand to slap me, but Elija caught her wrist mid-swing.

"I hate you, Alara!" She screamed, her voice filled with years of resentment. "Ever since we were children, you've taken everything from me—from my teenage crush to my fated mate! You've ruined my life! But hey, I won't let this go. You're going to pay for this!"

With that, she stormed out, her words still echoing in the room.

Consumed by desperation, jealousy, and devastation, Helen did the unthinkable…

One night, as I slept, she crept into my room, a knife glinting in her hand, a grin on her face. Before I could react, she was already on top of me, shouting that she would end my life.

She made her attempt with a ferocity I had never expected, truly meaning to kill me.

Helen had slashed my throat that night, leaving me clinging to life as I was rushed to the hospital. Even as I lay in the infirmary, half-alive and vulnerable, she managed to sneak in, her eyes gleaming with that same dark intent.

Her second attempt to kill me nearly succeeded, and the memory of her hands reaching for me haunts me still.

That was why she was sentenced—jailed for attempted murder, spending five years behind bars. It was also why Elija had been so fearful of me meeting her again.

"Alara, are you okay? Did I say something wrong?" Her voice broke through the shadows of my thoughts.

I blinked, pulling myself back to the present. Slowly, I raised the glass of water to my lips, savoring the coldness as it grounded me. Glancing across the room, I sought out the pack warriors at the other table—a small reassurance that I was safe, even with her sitting right here.

"I'm fine… I just can't believe that you're here, and that we're having this conversation," I said softly.

"Alara… I regret everything I did in the past. If only I could turn back time, then I'd be a better sister to you. Now that I have another chance at freedom, I hope you can give me a chance to prove I've changed too. Please, forgive me for all the wrongs I've done." She said, her voice filled with sincerity and regret.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Let's leave the past behind and start fresh, okay? You're forgiven."

Just as I thought this conversation was coming to an end, her expression shifted, softening in a way that's pleading, as if she wanted me to feel sorry for her.

"I have nothing left, Alara—no money, no home, no clothes, nothing. Since you're the pack's Luna, living at the Ravenwood Kingdom… could you let me stay there too?" She asked, holding onto that same vulnerable look.

My jaw dropped, but before I could respond, she started speaking again. "I mean, give me a maid's job, or work on a farm, and the littlest, dirtiest, room in the servants' chamber. Please, Alara, I just need a chance to start over."

I was ready to refuse, but somehow, mindlessly, I found myself agreeing to her request.

Allowing Helen to stay in Ravenwood Kingdom caused a fight between Elija and me. But, in the end, we compromised—she'd work at the kingdom's farthest farm, in the horse barn, where I'd rarely have to see her.

And so, Helen began her new life within the kingdom's walls. For now, things seem peaceful, but I can't shake the feeling that this might just be the beginning of something far more dangerous…