Her Ninety-Ninth and Final Heartbreak

My mother, Livia, pulled her into a hug, her voice filled with sympathy. "You're always so kind, Elara. This has nothing to do with you. Seraphina is just being immature."

Immature?

A bitter laugh escaped my spectral form, though no one could hear it.

In their eyes, it was always about Elara. Why would they remember that today I was supposed to be appointed the pack’s official "Emblem Designer"—a supreme honor?

Knowing they would all be celebrating Elara's promotion, I had told them not to come to my appointment ceremony.

I never wanted to compete with Elara for their affection.

But just as I was preparing to leave for the ceremony, three rogue wolves broke into the manor and dragged me into the clock tower.

I struggled, my voice trembling with terror. "How did you get keys to our home?"

One of the men dangled a set of keys in front of me.

They were Elara's.

"Don't even bother screaming," he sneered. "You're not leaving this tower today."

"I won't tell anyone, I promise. Please, don't hurt me… I'm begging you…"

In the end, my pleas were useless. They pinned me down, ready to assault me, whispering filthy taunts in my ear as one of them readied a camera.

I fought back with everything I had. In the struggle, the back of my head slammed against the corner of the tower's silver altar. Blood gushed out instantly.

They panicked and fled.

I gathered my last ounce of strength, dragged myself to my phone, and licked the blood from the screen to dial for help.

Amidst the noise of the party, they had severed all external mind-links, ignoring my pleas.

"Pretending to be dying again? Stop the act! Your father and I don't have time for your drama! We've already severed the mind-link!"

Only my fated mate, Ryder, answered my call.

"Save me… Ryder, I'm dying…"

His reply was cold and sharp. "Seraphina, enough. Today is Elara's big day, and there's a limit to your attention-seeking! I already told you I'd get you a gift to celebrate your appointment!"

But… Ryder, I was already dying.

A bitter smile touched my lips. Too bad. You'll never get the chance to make it up to me.

Within 24 hours, the clock tower, which no one ever entered, would begin to reek of decay.

Elara always said she wished I would die so no one would compete with her for the pack's glory and our family's love.

Now, her wish had come true.