He Chose His Adopted Sister

Alpha Carl's scalpel pierced my flesh, ready to begin the surgery.

His phone in his pocket vibrated wildly, and he couldn't resist answering it.

"Carl, before I die, I just want to see you one more time," Bianca, his adopted sister, said, her voice trembling.

She had attempted suicide.

I lay on the operating table, my abdomen already sliced open, when I heard the news.

Carl dropped the scalpel and turned to Alpha Arthur. "My Luna's surgery is in your hands now," he said.

With that, he turned and left.

As I watched Carl's retreating figure, my heart felt gripped by an invisible hand, the pain unbearable.

Tears slipped from my eyes before I could stop them.

In the next moment, a cold scalpel pierced my skin again.

Alpha Arthur spoke coldly. "Why are you crying? With me here, you won't die."

...

A sharp clatter echoed.

Carl tossed the scalpel aside without a word.

Suddenly, he yanked off his gloves and threw them into the trash. "I can't do this surgery. Get Arthur," he said.

It was the twentieth minute since Bianca's suicide attempt, and my usually calm and steady mate finally showed a crack in his composure.

"Carl, please don't leave me..." I called out weakly, my voice tinged with desperation.

Blood surged from my wound.

The searing pain paled in comparison to the agony in my heart, sorrow flooding my mind.

He abruptly halted my surgery, turning his back to everyone, pretending to calmly remove his gear.

But his trembling hands betrayed him.

He glanced at me briefly, his eyes complex.

It was as if his wolf urged him to stay.

But no wolf could wake someone determined to stay asleep.

I knew Carl had made up his mind to abandon me.

My mate, in my moment of greatest need, chose his adopted sister.

Bianca was in trouble, and he was frantic, desperate to rush to her side.

I was dying, yet he showed no concern.

"Alpha, your Luna's heart rate is spiking. She's very anxious," the nurse said. "Are you sure you want to leave now?"

The nurse couldn't stop Carl.

As I watched him walk away, a sharp ache spread through my chest.

My wolf whimpered incessantly.

Carl's departure was like an invisible blade, severing all the trust I had in him.

I spoke calmly to the nurse. "It's fine. Anyone can do the surgery."

I knew that even if the surgery succeeded, my relationship with Carl would never be the same.

My mate, my love, chose to leave when I needed him most.

The people in the operating room looked at me with pity.

I forced a weak smile.

I should have known Bianca's presence would eventually drive a wedge between Carl and me.

Asking Carl to stay and operate on me while Bianca lay dying was something he couldn't accept.

Also, I didn't want to entrust my life to someone like that.

The operating room door slid open silently.

A tall figure in a mask stepped inside.

He had deep green eyes and wore pristine surgical scrubs.

He took the scalpel, his gaze cold and resolute as he looked at me.

It was Arthur, the Alpha of the Silverlight Tribe.

Outside the operating room, Carl shouted. "My Luna's surgery is in your hands, Arthur. If I don't go to Bianca now, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Arthur's skills will ensure your surgery goes smoothly."

His words brought silent tears to my eyes.

I opened my eyes and looked at Arthur.

He gazed at me in silence, his eyes steady with determination.

My heart gradually calmed.

Perhaps this was the Moon Goddess's plan, showing me Carl's true nature.

I felt pathetic.

It was just being abandoned by my mate, so why was I crying?

A shadow fell over me.

A cold scalpel pressed against my skin.

Arthur, usually aloof and reserved, spoke softly. "Why are you crying? With me here, you won't die."

The surgery lasted ten hours.

When it was over, it was already the evening of the next day.

Rain began to fall outside the window.

Arthur stayed by my side, not leaving until he confirmed I was stable.

I slowly opened my eyes, surrounded by the sterile white of the hospital room.

I tried to sit up but felt a wave of dizziness.

Arthur quickly supported me, his voice cool. "You just had surgery. Stay down."

I nodded and lay back, my gaze hollow as I stared at the ceiling.

My mind replayed the scene on the operating table.

Carl left in a panic. Arthur calmly took over.

My heart felt torn in two.

One half burned with despair and anger toward Carl.

The other half held gratitude for Arthur.

I turned my head, unwilling to let Arthur see my emotions.

The rain outside grew louder, as if weeping for my pain.

Carl finally remembered to contact me.

A small comfort warmed my heart.

Arthur noticed the phone screen and quietly left the room.

When Carl's video call came through, the anesthesia had worn off, and pain throbbed in my wound.

I answered, and a lively, flirtatious voice burst through. "Ohhh... that feels so good... you're hitting me just right..."

What was that sound?

While I suffered through surgery, was Carl fucking another woman?

The rain pattered against the glass, but my fingertips felt colder than the drops.

My body felt pricked by thorns, a dull pain spreading to my heart.

My wolf, Talia, remained calm. "Darling, don't worry. It might be a misunderstanding."

Her words steadied my heart slightly.

I frowned, staring at the phone screen.

The video showed a noisy bar booth, dim lights, and raucous laughter.

The camera focused on the center of a couch, and my breath caught.

Sitting on Carl's lap was Bianca, the sister he rushed to save.

Bianca wore a tight dress, her hair spilling over Carl's shoulder.

Her arms looped around his neck, her body swaying slightly, her thigh brushing against his dick.

Even through clothes, the sight made my stomach churn.

Carl's hands rested on her waist, as if to push her away, but he didn't try hard.

The crowd around them cheered. "You chose dare, so grind ten more times!"

Bianca giggled, leaning closer to Carl, her voice carrying through the video. "Carl, don't be so shy."

My fingers clenched until they whitened, the dull ache sharpening into piercing pain.

The agony shot through my veins to my heart.

I stood abruptly.

A rustling came from the phone, as if Carl had grabbed it back.

His eyes looked dazed, reeking of alcohol and, faintly, Bianca's scent.

He shook his head, clearing his mind. "Elizabeth, are you feeling better?"

He sensed my unease. "It's not what you think. We're playing truth or dare. She picked a dare..."

"You didn't go to save her? Why are you in a bar?"

Bianca squeezed next to him, shouting in her usual affected tone. "Sorry, Elizabeth, I was drunk and talking nonsense. Carl came running to me like his life depended on it. I already scolded him. Is your surgery done? He only just remembered. But he only forgot about you because he was worried about me. You won't hold it against him, right?"

I couldn't listen anymore.

Carl pulled her away. "Don't listen to her, Elizabeth. I care about you too. How are you feeling?"

I stared at the lipstick mark on his face and spoke softly. "She was grinding on your dick just now?"

Carl's face stiffened, then irritation flashed across it. "Elizabeth, you know Bianca's just my sister. We grew up together. What's wrong with being close? It's just a game. Stop antagonizing her. I only love you."

Only love me?

Love me?

He left me during my surgery.

He only remembered to check on me after it was over.

And he was drinking and getting cozy with his so-called suicidal sister.

"What kind of family grinds on your dick like that? Carl, is your idea of 'close' something I don't understand, or are you fooling yourself?" My eyes and heart were equally cold. I couldn't hold back my questions.

Before Carl could respond, his friends chimed in. "Man, your Luna's trying to control you? We all know Bianca's just your sister. How can she accuse her like that? But honestly, Bianca's great. She's like another Luna to you."

Carl seemed emboldened, looking at me arrogantly. "Elizabeth, you shouldn't question me. Rest well. I'll visit when you're better."

His words made my already aching wound feel torn open again.

But his attitude hurt even more.

"He didn't cheat, Elizabeth," my wolf said, her voice tinged with sadness but trying to soothe me. "Carl and his sister have been close for years. It's normal for him to care about her."

I knew Carl hadn't cheated.

But I also knew that in his heart, I probably didn't even compare to a single strand of Bianca's hair.

It was a betrayal of the soul.

Pain made me tremble uncontrollably.

I realized Carl's love for me existed only in his words.

He didn't truly love me.

I clenched my fists tightly, letting my nails dig into my palms.

The pain kept me clear-headed.

After what felt like an eternity, I took a deep breath and relaxed my body.

I made a decision.

Since Carl cared more about someone else, I should step aside as Luna.

I looked at the phone, now disconnected by Carl, tossed it aside, and closed my eyes.

A moment later, a crisp, familiar scent drifted toward me.

The comforting smell instantly eased my nerves.

I turned and saw Arthur standing by the window, bathed in moonlight.

The hem of his white coat carried a faint trace of disinfectant, and his fingers held a bottle of pills.

"I brought you some painkillers. They'll take twenty minutes to kick in," he said, his voice softer than usual, his gaze fixed on my hand gripping the bedsheet. "You're sensitive to pain, so I got them for you."

As he spoke, his scent grew closer, almost tangible, wrapping around my wrist.

The lingering ache in my waist and abdomen seemed to dull.

I looked at Arthur, my feelings complicated. All these years, he hadn't changed a bit.

I instinctively pulled back, but he gently caught my wrist.

His fingertips were cool, his grip firm yet unyielding. "You know my pheromones can soothe pain faster than pills," he said, staring into my eyes, moonlight reflecting in his pupils.

"Want to try?" I shook my head immediately, my fingers tightening on the bedsheet.

"No, I'll wait for the pills."

His knuckles tightened briefly, a faint bitterness mixing with his cedar-like scent. "What are you afraid of?

Afraid Carl will find out if you accept my pheromones?"

I tried to pull my hand back, but he held on, drawing me half an inch closer.

Moonlight traced his sharp jawline, casting a shadow of obsession flickered in his eyes. "You're still thinking about him?" His breath brushed my ear, carrying the cedar scent of his pheromones. "You're in so much pain you're breaking out in a cold sweat. Does he know? It's just a little heartache for him.

Compared to your pain, his is nothing." "Arthur!" I struggled, my wrist aching under his grip. "Don't do this."

He suddenly smiled, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "You're so sure Carl's your destined mate?"

His thumb grazed the inside of my wrist.

There, a faint pink mark remained, branded by Carl under the Moon Goddess's witness, the mark of a Luna.

"Maybe I'm your true mate."

His words froze me, my breath catching for half a beat.

I met his gaze, seeing unwillingness, probing, and a sincerity that unnerved me.

Arthur was my mentor's son. We'd known each other for years.

He never hid his feelings for me.

That was why I distanced myself from him.

I took a deep breath and yanked my hand free.

I scooted back to the pillow, my voice firm despite its tremble. "Arthur, don't say that again. The Moon Goddess never makes mistakes. This is Carl's mark, undeniable."

He stood still, his cedar scent fading, leaving only moonlight stretching his shadow long across the floor.

After a few seconds, he gave a low, bitter laugh. "The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes..."

I didn't respond, just swallowed the painkillers quickly.

I lay down, turned away from him, and pulled the blanket over my head.

I didn't know why Arthur said those things.

He didn't leave. He stood by my side, watching me silently.

Strangely, his presence made my body feel unusually at ease.

My wolf grew remarkably quiet.

Before I drifted into sleep, I heard Arthur's sigh. "Why won't you look at me?"