Chapter 1

My whole body was corrupted by silver poisoning. It took three days in the hospital wing to bring me back from the brink of death.

My mate, Kane, looked at me wrapped in layers of herb-soaked healing bandages. A flash of fear crossed his eyes.

He turned to Isla and spoke slowly.

"What exactly happened between you and Aurora on the balcony that day? She used to cherish her power so much. Why would she jump into molten silver over a simple threat?"

Isla averted her gaze and looked pathetic.

"I don't know. Aurora suddenly lost control. She called me a filthy Omega who stole her place and said she was going to tear me to pieces..."

My brother, Jasper, pulled her behind him. He released his Beta aura, glaring at me.

"Kane, Isla worships the ground you walk on. How can you doubt her?"

He shifted his gaze to me, his eyes full of disgust.

"Aurora, when are you going to stop this act? Isla respects you so much, and you try to frame her like this!"

"If you really wanted to die, why didn't you jump off the building? Wolves heal fast. You just wanted to make a scene for pity!"

Remembering the System's words, I nodded immediately.

The floor-to-ceiling window was made of reinforced wolf-glass designed to withstand a shifted wolf. I couldn't jump out of it.

But if I smashed into it hard enough, maybe I could finally be free.

I threw off the covers and forced myself to sit up. Fresh blood soaked through my bandages, but I felt no pain.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered whatever wolf strength I had left and charged at the glass.

Bang!

A dull thud echoed through the room.

My forehead caved in from the brutal impact. Blood streamed down my face, blinding me.

I collapsed to the floor, touching my shattered skull, feeling nothing but regret.

Too bad. I wasn't dead yet.

As I braced myself to ram the glass again, Kane grabbed me tight and yanked me back.

His voice trembled with a panic and desperation I hadn't heard in years.

"Aurora, what are you doing?!"

I opened my mouth, only to cough up a mouthful of black, silver-tainted blood.

The next second, my parents rushed over and pulled me into their arms.

"Aurora... what is wrong with you? Are you trying to break your mother's heart?!"

I forced my heavy eyelids open and managed a smile that looked worse than crying.

"Mom, I'm fine."

Jasper snapped out of his shock and sneered.

"How long are you going to keep faking? Your little pity party might fool Mom and Dad, but it won't fool me! You definitely hurt Isla, got scared the Alpha would punish you, so you—"

"Enough, Jasper!" My father's angry roar cut him off.

"Is this how a future Beta acts? Your sister is covered in wounds. Her skull is shattered! And you say she's faking it?!"

For the first time in years, my father yelled at Jasper for my sake.

Jasper's chest heaved. He stared at our father in disbelief.

Then, my father's gaze fell on Isla.

"Isla, tell me the truth. What really happened that day?"

Isla looked scared and answered guiltily.

"It's just like I said before. Alpha, do you not believe me either?"

Her eyes grew red. She purposely flashed the scratch on her arm and wiped a fake tear.

Suddenly, she dropped to her knees and wailed.

"Alpha, please don't yell at the Beta. It's all my fault... I triggered Aurora... I was jealous of her bloodline. I framed her! It's all my fault, and I'll accept any punishment..."

She cried her lungs out, acting like the biggest victim in the world.

But to them, she just looked like a helpless Omega forced into a corner by a stronger bloodline.

My family's faces darkened as their eyes darted back and forth between Isla and me.

Kane's grip on me loosened. His eyes showed his inner struggle.

Finally, he pulled his hands away.

"Aurora, it doesn't matter who is right or wrong anymore. You started this. Just apologize to Isla, and we'll drop it..."

My parents looked at me eagerly.

They had given me an out, and everyone was waiting for me to take it.

I remembered what Kane told me the day I returned.

"If you ever lay a claw on Isla again, I will—"

He never finished, but I understood. He wanted me to ruin my hands.

Since everyone was convinced I bullied Isla, I had to show my sincerity.

I dragged myself toward the medical tray and grabbed a pure silver scalpel used for excising dead flesh.

Before they could react, I plunged the silver blade straight into my wrist.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

I twisted the blade into my flesh with everything I had left.

I could feel it—my wolf and the healing factor in this hand were permanently destroyed.

Agony washed over me like a tidal wave. Trembling violently, I collapsed.

Black blood splattered all over Jasper's pants. He screamed and fell back.

Isla hid behind our mother, shivering.

My parents finally snapped out of it. One fainted from the shock, and the other frantically yelled for the medics.

Crying mixed with the frantic beeping of monitors. The room was pure chaos.

That was when I realized Kane had disappeared.