Chapter 5 Jealousy Impossible.

"I am willing to sacrifice."

The words left my lips with difficulty. "But all of this... is a lie."

I looked at the High Elder, my gaze pleading for guidance. But he only looked at me with quiet sympathy.

He placed a hand on my head, his voice solemn.

"The Moon Goddess watches over us. She grants us wisdom and courage..."

Wisdom and courage... is that what this is?

"Do you want to throw the pack into chaos?"

Aunt Clare's voice was cold, pressing. "Backtracking now is an act of provocation. The Alpha and Beta won't return for a week-are you prepared to let all of Duskwood Pack burn because of your hesitation?"

I parted my lips, but no words came out.

This wasn't a threat.

It was a sentence.

Her tone was eerily calm, as if every path had already been sealed, as if I had never even had the right to argue.

Something inside me tore, the pain so deep it numbed.

"Mom..." I called out silently in my heart. "If it were you, would you want me to do this?"

The long night was ending, dawn creeping over the horizon.

Yet I felt as if my long night had only just begun.

The High Elder took the vial, his expression heavy.

"Child, Silverpine Pack's Alpha is a treacherous man. And his heir... Dominic Ashford, the one set to inherit his position, is even stronger-and more ominous."

Carefully, the High Elder handed the vial to me. His gaze carried the weight of expectation.

"We need you, Aurora. And we need a bit of strategy. This is your opportunity."

I clenched my teeth, resentment burning in my chest.

Within just a few words, they had packaged this as a favor to me.

Vivian was worth protecting. But me? I could be discarded without hesitation.

I wasn't afraid of sacrifice.

But the feeling of being abandoned like this-it was unbearable.

---

"Wait!"

Vivian pushed open the door, striding past her mother toward the High Elder.

"Aurora? She's not fit for this! I am the better choice!"

She straightened her back, deliberately steadying her voice.

"The honor of our family should be upheld by the strongest. Silverpine Pack needs to see our sincerity-If I were the one chosen, they wouldn't dare refuse!"

She was back to her usual arrogance, as if she had completely forgotten her humiliating display on the battlefield moments ago.

Aunt Clare stepped forward to intervene, but this time, the High Elder turned to her with an uncharacteristic coldness-

As if to remind her that when his mind was truly set, Clare's influence was nothing more than an illusion.

---

Vivian was acting too strange.

Not a single word she said was believable.

She would never sacrifice herself for the pack-let alone for me.

Vivian had always been proud of her talent and bloodline.

But like a peacock, she only wanted to flaunt it under the sun-to fight in the open, to display her strength before a crowd.

Yet now she was offering to be a hostage?

To be sent into enemy territory, where she would be watched, distrusted, silenced?

That was not something she could endure.

The High Elder nodded slightly as if he agreed with her words.

For the first time, Aunt Clare's confidence faltered-her fingers twitched, a vein pulsing at her temple.

And still, not a single person asked for my opinion.

I was only ever meant to be an obedient piece on their board.

If my so-called "sacrifice" was so easily decided for me-then what did it truly mean to them?

The thought sent a sharp ache through my chest.

Today, the ceremonial hall was far too lively.

The heavy doors swung open once more, and a figure was led inside by several warriors-or rather, closely monitored.

A half-shifted werewolf, unfamiliar yet radiating arrogance, strode into the center of the hall.

"Good morning, High Elder Magnus."

His voice was smooth, mocking.

"Our Alpha heir, Dominic Ashford, sends his regards. And this-" he extended an envelope, "-is his message to you."

A tense silence fell over the room.

Everyone's eyes locked onto the letter-Dominic had only just withdrawn from our borders.

Each person held their breath, quietly speculating about its contents.

The High Elder swiftly unfolded the letter.

His eyes scanned the words. His expression shifted.

His gaze flickered over the crowd, finally settling on me.

Then, he read the letter aloud for everyone to hear in the great hall.

"Aurora Ravencroft... an interesting choice."

"Since you've shown such sincerity, I suppose I can extend a little 'mercy.'"

"The additional compensation under the blood pact will be cut in half. Consider it a gesture of goodwill... for Evelyn's sake."

"As for her... I hope you won't disappoint me."

A wave of disbelief rippled through the hall.

The High Elder's eyes flashed with something akin to excitement.

"It seems Evelyn's reputation still holds weight."

He looked at the gathered pack members, his voice solemn.

"The Alpha had long stated that what happened in the past is behind us. This only confirms that Ashford is... quite satisfied with Aurora."

"Evelyn... she can't even shift anymore, and yet..." A younger werewolf muttered in confusion.

"You don't understand," an elder sighed. "Back then, she was..."

But before he could finish, Aunt Clare let out a sharp scoff, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yes, how enviable Evelyn's reputation must be."

Her tone was bitter, almost mocking.

"Dominic... chose her?"

Vivian's face froze. She pointed at me, her fingertips trembling slightly, as if she couldn't believe her own ears.

"This must be a joke. What could he possibly see in her?"

Her voice dropped to a low, seething growl.

"No. This isn't possible. Why wouldn't he choose me?"

"Why are you so upset?"

I pried her fingers off me, mocking amusement curling in my voice.

"Did I hear that right? You're jealous of me?"

How ironic.

For the first time, I could hear undeniable jealousy laced in her voice.