Chapter 2

In my parents' eyes, it didn't matter if I was happy or not. As long as I was breathing, that was all they cared about.

"I really don't get what our Alpha is thinking. He took Aylin's liver and kidney for Iris. After the surgery, he should have at least cared about her condition. But he didn't even bother to have anyone look after her."

"Exactly! There's not even a caregiver. I heard the Alpha booked a private room for Iris so she could have a good rest, while Aylin got dumped in this noisy eight-person ward. Talk about playing favorites."

"Wait, didn't we hear they were taking great care of Aylin?" someone questioned.

"Don't you get it by now?" another nurse said, pointing at my stomach and giving the questioner a scornful look.

They thought I was asleep, so they didn't bother lowering their voices. I heard every word.

I gave a bitter smile. If they were right in front of me, I'd just tell them, "As long as Iris is healthy and safe, that's enough for me.

"I didn't let the whole Pack down, and all the effort my parents put into raising me for sixteen years wouldn't have been for nothing."

As far back as I could remember, I knew I had a younger sister who was the reincarnation of the Moon Goddess.

She'd been frail since the day she was born, and everyone in the Pack said it was because her mortal body couldn't handle the divine power within her.

But Mom always told me it was because I'd taken Iris's life force while we were still in her womb. She said I should feel guilty and make it my duty to protect Iris.

Back then, I was just a kid and didn't really understand, but since Mom kept saying it, I believed it was true.

I really did feel guilty about Iris, and whenever my parents told me to watch my diet, control my emotions, stay healthy, or protect Iris, I never questioned them. I just did whatever they asked.

I barely ever saw Iris. My parents wouldn't let me visit her. When I was a kid, I once snuck over to her residence, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but the guards kicked me out right away.

Dad always said that the Moon Goddess's reincarnation was something the whole Pack had prayed for, for a whole year before she was born.

So it was only natural for me to sacrifice myself for the Moon Goddess's reincarnation.

But why did I feel so uneasy, as if threads of pain were spreading through my entire body?

I woke up at some point and opened my eyes to see my father standing by the bedside.

I forced a weak smile. "Is Iris awake yet?"

His lips curled into a faint smile. "Iris is fine. Mom's with her right now."

I nodded, then closed my eyes, my brows knitting together.

After the anesthesia faded, the pain seeped into every part of my body, leaving me so weak.

It was only when I closed my eyes that the pain eased slightly.

Dad had no clue about any of this.

When he saw me close my eyes and say nothing, Dad looked a bit annoyed. "Aylin, you need to understand. Iris is the Moon Goddess's reincarnation in our clan. It's a privilege for you to make sacrifices for her. Be sensible."

I laughed bitterly to myself. Hadn't I been sensible enough for them?

I grew up exactly how they wanted—kept in perfect health all the time, so I could eventually donate the fully functioning, perfect-match liver and kidney to Iris.

Even when I turned sixteen, at the crucial moment when the Moon Goddess was about to bless Iris with her wolf spirit, they drugged me and hauled me onto that freezing operating table.

All of it was to make sure Iris was healthy enough to receive the Moon Goddess's blessing on her sixteenth birthday.

Me? I was never even close to being as important as Iris.

All those years of so-called love and care were nothing but a cruel joke.

They never told me when I'd be expected to hand over my liver and kidney to Iris. All they ever said was that staying healthy was my duty, that it was how I was meant to protect her.

I was just too blind to see the truth.

I used to believe my parents cared so much about my health because they loved both Iris and me.

Now, looking back, how ridiculous it all seems.