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…

Two weeks had passed since Helen began working at one of the farms in Ravenwood Kingdom. Though I still felt a lingering unease with her so close, her presence hadn't really caused any trouble.

Perhaps five years in prison had truly changed her.

Today, I decided to bake some apple pies. Remembering how much Helen used to love them as a child, I thought I'd surprise her with one. After baking, I packed the warm pie into a basket and made my way to the farm.

When I arrived, I headed straight to the horse barn, where most of Helen's duties were assigned. Smiling with a touch of excitement, I opened the barn door, still clutching the basket. But the smile faded instantly as I took in the scene before me—something utterly disgusting.

Helen was there, and absurdly, with Elija. They were leaning against one of the horse stalls, and they weren't just talking. They were wrapped up in each other, kissing with a desperate hunger, tugging at each other's clothes. So engrossed in their actions, they didn't even notice me at first. I saw everything—Elija pulling off Helen's top, his hands moving over her exposed breasts.

I stood frozen, my fingers slipping from the basket as it dropped to the ground with a thud. Only then did they finally look my way. But instead of covering herself, Helen smirked, pulling Elija's hand back to her chest with a shameless moan, her gaze locking onto mine.

Maybe kindness and compassion aren't always the right choices…

Seeing a water hose beside me, I didn't hesitate. I turned on the faucet and aimed the stream directly at them, instantly drenching them with cold water. To my shock, Elija moved in front of Helen, shielding her from the spray as if protecting her was his only concern.

"Stop it, Alara! You're being so childish!" He shouted, glaring at me.

I let the hose fall to the ground, disbelief tightening in my chest as tears stung my eyes.

"What happened to you, Elija? How could you betray me like this?" I yelled, my voice breaking. Then I turned to Helen, my half-sister, fury coursing through me. "And you, Helen! I forgave you, accepted you, and gave you a fucking chance to start fresh! Where did you find the nerve to do this to me?"

Helen pulled her clothes back on, a smirk twisting her lips. "Where do I find the nerve? Why don't you ask your beloved Alpha that question instead?"

I looked at Elija, waiting for an answer. He hesitated, before saying, "I'm sorry, Alara, but… seeing Helen again made me realize she's the one I wanted all along." And with that, he turned back to her, pressing another kiss to her lips.

His words pierced through me, but I couldn't find sincerity in them.

His eyes seemed to hold something else as well; like he was being forced, like he had no choice but to say those words and do those things…

I didn't know how I'd return to my normal life after witnessing this. But just as I thought I had reached my limit, Elija and Helen showed me how much worse it could get.

When I decided to remove Helen from her job at Ravenwood Kingdom, Elija opposed me.

"Are you really that heartless, Alara? Where would Helen go if you threw her out? You already have the entire kingdom to yourself, and she's staying in a tiny maid's room on the farm! And you still want to kick her out? How greedy can you be?" He yelled.

I clenched my fists, anger boiling over. "I wouldn't be kicking her out if I hadn't caught you—"

He cut me off, pressing his hand over my mouth. "Enough! I'm still the Alpha, and the final decision is mine. Helen stays in Ravenwood Kingdom. In fact, I've decided on a new role for her."

I struggled free, managing to ask, "What role?"

"She'll be my personal maid," He said, a sense of pride in his voice.

I could only watch as Elija led Helen inside the Ravenwood Kingdom.

If it weren't for Timothy, I would have left this place rather than endure the shameless affair they flaunted as if I didn't exist.

Once, I even walked in on them in our bedroom. Elija was on top of her, moving with a furious intensity, and Helen's moans filled the room. She wore nothing but the diamond necklace Elija had given me after our mating ceremony.

The same necklace he had once promised would be a symbol of his loyalty.