The Alpha's Cruel Game

The shewolves in Shadow Pack all said I was lucky. Alpha Erwin Keller had doted on me alone for eight years. However, the same werewolf who swore he would only ever want to be with me gave me two 'gifts' the day I brought him home to meet my mom, Katie Spencer, to discuss our marking ceremony. The first gift was tying Katie to a chair and having his Beta rip her clothes apart right in front of me. The second gift was deliberately opening the door and letting my dad, Felix Spencer, who had already lost his wolf spirit, run outside. There was pouring rain outside. Felix ran to the edge of a cliff and fell over. Katie was still tied to the chair. She watched Felix die right in front of her. She snapped the ropes like a mad wolf and jumped off the cliff to die with Felix. In a single night, I lost both my parents. I kneeled in a pool of blood and asked Erwin why he did all this. He pinched my chin and sneered. "Lara, did you really think I loved you? I came for revenge!" It turned out that during the territorial war ten years ago, his dad died saving mine, and his mom took her own life afterward. Erwin spent eight years carefully weaving a lie of love. It was all so I could experience what it felt like to lose my entire family. Later, Erwin kept me trapped by his side and tortured me. I tried to kill myself 99 times. He saved me all 99 times. He said we would torture each other until we grew old. What he didn't know was that ten years ago, when his wolf spirit was completely destroyed and he was barely alive, I was the one who begged an Alpha from another pack to place a curse on me so that he could live. In return, I only had eight years left to live. Now, I was seven days away from my own impending doom! Chapter 1 Erwin Keller sat on a fur couch. Three young shewolves sat around him. They were my cousin, Madison Browne, my colleague, Cynthia Tyrell, and my best friend, Mikaela Gaston. They all had on revealing fur dresses, and they were all smiling as if eager to please him. "Back already?" Erwin glanced up. "Perfect timing. The game just started." I dug my fingernails into my palms. Over the past few months, Erwin had slept with every shewolf close to me just to watch me fall apart. Now every single one of them was hopelessly in love with him. "In one minute." Erwin set down his wineglass. His voice was cold. "Whoever makes her cry first becomes my permanent bedmate." The shewolves' eyes lit up. They ran toward me. Madison was the first. She lunged forward and slashed my face with a silver blade. The searing pain spread across my skin, and suddenly I recalled her birthday last year. Madison had held up a bottle of Moon Goddess spring water with shimmering eyes. "Lara, may the Moon Goddess bless you with everlasting happiness." The second slash came down. Blood dripped onto the bracelet I'd given her. I had searched three days in the forbidden lands to find that wolf fang. "Doesn't the silver's corrosion hurt? Why aren't you crying?" Madison turned around and asked in a huff. Erwin narrowed his eyes like he was enjoying a show. "Next." The moment he spoke, Cynthia grabbed me by my hair and dragged me into the kitchen. My scalp ached from the force, but at that moment, I recalled the days we worked together. When other shewolves bullied Cynthia, I stayed up all night helping her fight for justice. Now the friend I once protected was shoving my head into a pot of boiling oil. "Ahh!" The scorching liquid burned my scalp. My whole body convulsed in pain. I clutched the edge of the table so hard that my nails split apart. Blood seeped out. "Boring." Erwin glanced at the clock. "Next." Mikaela ran over with a wooden box. My heart nearly stopped. That box had been hidden under my bed. It contained the keepsakes my parents left behind. "No!" I finally screamed. But it was too late. She laughed and smashed the photo frame onto the ground. Glass shards scattered everywhere. Felix's cane was crushed under her heel, and Katie's comb snapped clean in half. My tears finally hit the ground. "I win!" Mikaela ran excitedly to Erwin. "Erwin, from now on you can only have me." Erwin laughed. He then pinched her chin hard. "How naive. Anyone connected to Lara disgusts me. Why would I want any of you?" He pressed a button. "Throw them all out." The guards dragged the screaming shewolves away. I kneeled in the wreckage and trembled as I picked up the shattered remains of my parents' keepsakes. "Erwin." I clutched the fragments and sobbed so hard I could barely breathe. "Someone like you who can't love should never be with anyone!" "Who says I can't love?" Erwin sneered. That was when the door opened. A she-wolf in a white dress walked in with a suitcase. "Erwin, I brought my luggage. Which room should I stay in?" Erwin's expression softened instantly. He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "Of course you'll stay in my room." When he looked at me again, his gaze turned cold. "Let me introduce you. This is my future mate I truly want to mark, Alyssa Arden. "Remember that territorial war ten years ago? When I was dying, Alyssa begged another pack's Alpha to trade an eight-year life contract for my life. That saved me and restored my wolf spirit so I could live long enough to take revenge on your family. "You said I don't know how to love, didn't you?" Erwin pulled Alyssa closer. His gaze was locked on me. "Now, Alyssa only has seven days left to live. I'll show you exactly how I show love to someone." My entire body trembled. Such cruel irony. I gave my life to save him, yet he mistook someone else for his savior and cherished her like a treasure. But I wouldn't explain. What would I explain? That I was the one who saved his life? That I only had seven days left because of him? I'd lost my parents. He'd lost his parents too. The vengeance between us had gotten so deep that there was no possibility of us ever being together. Chapter 2 At night, Erwin knocked on my door. "Alyssa wants stew. Go make some." I looked down and silently walked to the kitchen. In the kitchen, I prepared the ingredients mechanically. Cold water ran over my hands. My fingertips felt numb from the chill. Suddenly, I recalled how Erwin used to love the stew I made. Back then, he liked to wrap his arms around my waist from behind and say, "My future mate is such a good cook." The steam blurred my vision. I raised a hand and wiped the liquid from the corner of my eyes. I didn't know if it was from the steam or my own tears. Three hours later, I stood outside their door with the finished stew. "Come in." Erwin's voice came from inside. When I pushed the door open, I saw Alyssa leaning against the headboard while Erwin sat beside the bed. He was peeling fruit for her. He had a very particular way of peeling fruit. The peel came off in one long unbroken strip. It was something he had once learned specially for me. "The stew is ready." I set the bowl on the nightstand. Alyssa lazily picked up a spoon and took a sip. She immediately frowned. "It's too salty! What on earth were you thinking?" I pursed my lips. "I'll make it again." When the second bowl was brought over, Alyssa only tasted a mouthful before pushing it away. "It's as bland as water. Make it again!" When the third bowl arrived, Alyssa had barely touched the rim before she shrieked. "How am I supposed to drink something this hot?" She suddenly raised her hand. The entire bowl of boiling stew splashed all over me. "Ahh!" I cried out. My chest turned red instantly. "Erwin!" Alyssa held up her slightly reddened fingers. "It hurts!" She cried out tearfully. Erwin's expression darkened. He kicked me aside. "Do you have a death wish?" The kick sent me stumbling backward. My back slammed into the wall and my vision went black with pain. "It wasn't me. She knocked it over–" "Shut up!" Erwin snapped with a cold gaze. "How dare you talk back to me?" He pressed the call bell. Two guards immediately appeared at the door. "Lock her in the dungeon for a day," Erwin ordered coldly. "Watch her closely. Don't give her a chance to kill herself." As I was dragged away, the last thing I saw was Erwin carefully holding Alyssa's hand while gently blowing on it. The moment the dungeon door slammed shut, the biting wolfsbane seeped into my bones. I curled up in the corner and trembled uncontrollably. The wolfsbane slowly spread through my limbs, and I began to lose consciousness. "Lara! Lara!" In a haze, I thought I heard Erwin's voice. It was filled with a panic I had never heard before. It had to be a hallucination. The werewolf he was now would never be that worried about me. When I woke up again, the strong smell of herbs told me I was in the healer's den. I heard the healer's stern voice nearby. "Alpha, Lara is in an extremely bad condition. She only has a few days left–" "Healer." I suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice. "I know my own body very well." The room instantly fell silent. Erwin stood by the window. With the light behind him, I couldn't see his expression clearly. "As long as she doesn't die, that's enough," he said coldly. "You don't need to tell me anything else. I don't care." The moment he finished speaking, his phone rang. I saw his expression soften instantly. "Alyssa, be good. I'll come and keep you company right away." After ending the call, Erwin left without looking back. With difficulty, I picked up my phone and opened the pack's message feed. Alyssa had just posted an update. The picture showed Erwin sitting beside her bed. "It's just a tiny burn, but someone got so nervous he stayed by my side all night without sleeping. If it weren't for paying medical fees for that burdensome shewolf, he wouldn't even have left!" Looking at the gentle expression in Erwin's eyes in the photo, I understood everything. The reason I was sent to the healer's den was purely incidental. I pressed a hand to my chest. My wolf spirit let out a mournful cry. There were only six more days until the life-exchange curse placed inside me eight years ago activated. Chapter 3 On the fifth day of the countdown to the end of my life, I was discharged. Dragging my weak body out of the healer's den, I ran straight into the wolves I least wanted to see. Erwin stood beside that familiar off-road vehicle with his arm around Alyssa. His eyes were cold as if he were looking at a stranger. "Get in," he said coldly. "You're visiting my parents' graves." I gripped the hem of my clothes so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I knew all too well what was waiting for me. The vehicle drove toward the cemetery on the outskirts. Along the way, Alyssa leaned against Erwin's chest. She occasionally laughed softly as she fed him pieces of fruit. I sat in the front seat. Watching their intimate acts through the rearview mirror, my chest ached repeatedly. When we reached the cemetery entrance, Erwin got out first. I was about to follow when the sight before me froze me in place. From the entrance all the way into the cemetery, a three-mile path was completely covered in burning charcoal that glowed with a terrifying red under the sunlight. Erwin held Alyssa in his arms. His voice was cold as ice. "Lara, your entire family are sinners. Your parents are dead, so you'll atone for them." He pointed at the blazing path. "Kneel on it. Crawl all the way to my parents' grave and repent." My legs trembled. I knew the consequences of refusing would be worse. The moment my knees touched the charcoal, the smell of burning flesh filled the air. The pain made my vision go black for a moment, but I could only clench my jaw and continue moving forward. Behind me, I heard the off-road vehicle rolling slowly over the ground. Erwin's car followed right behind me at the slowest speed with its windows lowered. I could clearly see his fingers intertwined with Alyssa's. I could see him kissing her fingertips. My knees had already become a bloody mess, and my palms were burned black. Sweat mixed with blood dripped onto the charcoal and made hissing sounds. By the time I finally crawled to the gravestones, I was almost unconscious. Through my blurred vision, I saw Erwin holding Alyssa as they stood before the grave. "Dad, Mom, I've found the love of my life," he said with an unbelievably gentle voice. "I brought her here specially to meet you. I've already taken revenge on the enemies who caused your deaths." Alyssa obediently offered flowers. "Mr. Keller, Mrs. Keller, don't worry. I'll take good care of Erwin." "Bow," Erwin suddenly said as he turned toward me. His gaze was cold again. I bent down with difficulty and slammed my forehead heavily onto the ground in front of the gravestone. After my atonement, Erwin said I was soiled and left me in the cemetery. He wrapped an arm around Alyssa and walked away. On the way back, it suddenly started raining heavily. I dragged my broken body forward step by step. Every step sent rainwater washing over the wounds on my knees. It stung like crazy. By the time I finally crawled back home, night had already fallen. Erwin sat in the living room reading documents. When he heard the noise, he looked up. Seeing my miserable state, a strange flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, but it quickly returned to indifference. "Tomorrow is Alyssa's birthday," he said calmly as he closed the file. "I'm throwing her a grand party. You'll organize it." I froze where I stood. "Do it the way you used to describe your dream marking ceremony," he added with a cruel smile. My heart clenched in pain. I had described my dream marking ceremony to him countless times. There would be a bonfire dance. Moonlight flowers would cover the entire pack territory. The pack members would play the oldest songs of blessing. Yet now, the ceremony I once dreamed of was nothing more than an ordinary birthday party for Alyssa. "Stop wasting time." Erwin frowned and tossed me a tube of ointment. "Nothing can go wrong tomorrow." After saying that, he turned around and left. The ointment fell to the floor. I picked it up and threw it into the trash. Dragging my battered body around the venue, I began preparing for the party. I didn't sleep the entire night. Chapter 4 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!" Chapter 5 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." Chapter 6 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. Chapter 7 After I returned home, I was so weak I could barely stay on my feet. I leaned against the doorframe to catch my breath for a long time before I finally made it into the bedroom. Those few short steps made my vision go black several times. I nearly collapsed on the floor. The entire day, I stayed in the room sorting through everything related to Erwin. There were photos, gifts, and journals. Every single thing that carried our memories ended up in the yard. When it came time to light the fire, my hands trembled so badly that I dropped the match three times before the flame finally caught. Through the fire, I saw a photo we had taken at Moonlight Lake. In the picture, Erwin stood behind me with his arms wrapped around me. His chin rested on my shoulder. His smile was so gentle and endearing. "When we're old, we'll show these photos to our pups." I suddenly laughed. As I laughed, my tears fell into the fire. On the final day of my life's countdown, I forced myself to go to the cemetery. It was only a mile away, yet it took me three full hours to get there. "Dad, Mom." I gasped for breath as I gripped on gravestones and slowly climbed up. "Wait for me a little longer. I'll be there soon. I'll come and keep you company." By the time I finally reached halfway up the hill, my legs gave out and I dropped to my knees. I saw something I couldn't believe. Alyssa stood there with several workers. They were digging up my parents' graves. The gravestones had been pushed over. The burial mounds were already dug open. Alyssa was even holding my parents' urns. "What are you doing?" I lunged forward and tried to grab them. Alyssa stepped aside easily. She smirked as she shook the urns in her hands. "I wasn't satisfied with your apology yesterday. Since Erwin can't bear to punish you, your parents can take the punishment instead." I dropped to my knees with a thud. My forehead slammed against the gravel. "I'll apologize again. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. "Please give the urns back to me." Blood streamed down past my brows into my eyes, but I kept slamming my head against the ground. "Please. I'm begging you." "Fine," Alyssa suddenly said with a smile. "I'll give them back." She smiled cruelly. Under my horrified gaze, she slowly tilted the urns. "No!" I screamed and lunged forward, but I caught nothing. I watched helplessly as my parents' ashes spilled into a feeding bowl. The wolfhound wagged its tail excitedly and began licking its mouth. At that instant, it felt like the world was falling apart. I used every ounce of strength I had left to slap Alyssa's face. She stumbled and fell to the ground, but there was a satisfied smile on her face. Sure enough, the next second, Erwin ran over and shoved me away violently. "Lara!" His furious roar echoed through the cemetery. "You've got a death wish!" The back of my head slammed against a cracked gravestone. Blood immediately gushed out. Ignoring the pain, I clutched the small handful of ashes left in my hand and screamed hysterically. "I do have a death wish! I wish I could kill her! "Do you know what Alyssa did? She dug up my parents' graves and fed their ashes to a wolfhound!" Erwin bent down and lifted Alyssa into his arms. His gaze was cold. "Well done." He wiped the blood from the corner of Alyssa's mouth and added coldly, "Even if Alyssa hadn't done it, I would've come to dig them up myself. When your dad caused my dad's death, you should've expected this day to come." I collapsed into the mud and watched helplessly as Erwin carried Alyssa away. His fur coat shielded her from the rain. It was just like the way he used to hold an umbrella over me years ago. The cold rain struck my face and mixed with my warm tears. I lowered my head and looked at the tiny bit of ashes left in my palm. Suddenly, I laughed until a mouthful of blood gushed from my lips. It kept going on until my blood splattered across the gravestones. My vision began to blur, yet I stubbornly traced my parents' names on the gravestones with trembling fingers. "Dad, Mom." My voice was barely louder than a whisper. "Wait for me. I'll be with you soon." Chapter 8 When I opened my eyes, I realized I was lying in Erwin's guest room. The wound on my forehead had already been bandaged, and my soaked clothes had been replaced with a clean fur robe. I lifted a hand and touched my chest. I could barely feel the heartbeat of my wolf spirit. Suddenly, the door swung open. A guard stood in the doorway and said coldly, "You're awake? Alpha Erwin said he and Alyssa are going to visit her parents today. You're to stay here and behave." I didn't answer. I simply stared quietly out the window. Today was the final day before my wolf spirit shattered completely. It was also the last day of my life. With that thought in mind, I smiled. Slowly, I sat up. My wolf spirit gave off a faint buzzing sound. It was like the final countdown. "I want to go out," I said softly. The guard frowned. "No. Alpha Erwin said–" "I'm just going to buy a few things." I cut him off calmly. "You can come with me." The guard hesitated for a moment before agreeing. After all, Erwin had only told them to prevent me from killing myself. He never said I couldn't leave the house. The sunlight felt great on my skin today. First, I went to a human portrait studio. "A memorial portrait?" The artist looked at the young, beautiful shewolf in surprise. "Miss, are you sure?" "Yes." I nodded and even smiled. "I'll need it today." After the portrait was finished, I went to the cemetery and chose the simplest coffin and a burial plot. The plot was right beside my parents' graves. I lifted my hand and brushed my fingers across the two cold gravestones in front of me. "Dad, Mom. I'll be there soon to keep you company." Finally, I walked to the third empty grave. A coffin had already been placed inside it. With a smile, I calmly lay down inside. Sunlight fell across my pale face as I closed my eyes. I felt my wolf spirit growing weaker and weaker as the life-exchange curse took hold. "Alpha," one of the guards said with a trembling voice as he called in. "Lara is lying in a coffin." Erwin's cold voice came through the phone. "Put her on the line." The guard held the phone to my ear. "Lara, what game are you playing this time?" Erwin's voice carried suppressed anger. "Do you think lying in a coffin means you can kill yourself? What are you planning? Smashing your head against it, or suffocating yourself in there? "I'll tell you this one last time. There are guards watching you. You'll never get to die." I could feel my wolf spirit fading further and further as the curse fully took effect. Even breathing was becoming difficult. I chuckled softly. "Erwin, you might be disappointed this time. "I'm going to die, and you won't be able to stop it." Erwin sneered. "Go ahead and try." I slowly closed my eyes and smiled. "Then I'll try. Just watch." Erwin's voice was still coming through the phone. He seemed to be mocking me about something, but I could no longer hear it. My wolf spirit's heart stopped beating. My consciousness faded away. The guards' pupils contracted in shock as they rushed forward in panic to check on me, only to realize that I was no longer breathing. The sunlight still shone warmly across my peaceful face, as if I were only asleep. This time, no one would be able to wake me again.