Chapter 1

From the moment she was born, Maryjane was destined to live a loveless life.

Her father, the Alpha of the pack, said, "Maryjane, this is what you owe Lyla. Give her the ‘Moon Shadow Blade,’ blessed by the Moon Goddess."

Her mother, the Luna of the pack, said, "Maryjane, are you really going to watch your sister Lyla die? All we’re asking is for you to share a bit of your life essence with her every day. It won’t harm you."

Later, Maryjane met Damien. He once told her that in every lifetime, whether in wolf form or human form, she would be his only love.

But then Damien said, "Maryjane, Lyla ends up like this because of you. Staying with her is my way of helping you atone."

Even her child once said, "I don’t want you. I want Lyla to be my mother!"

In the end, they all demanded that she give her life for Lyla.

All because she possessed the legendary ability of "rebirth."

Maryjane did as they wished. She ignited her life, but not to save Lyla. She did it to forget them all completely.

...

By the 99th time her Alpha father, Luna mother, and mate Damien abandoned her for Lyla, Maryjane was exhausted.

She knelt before the statue of the Moon Goddess. "I am willing to forget all my memories, sever all emotional ties, and journey to the Howling Summit to become an eternal guardian, suppressing the evils of the abyss and protecting the balance of the supernatural world."

The majestic voice of the Moon Goddess echoed in her mind. "At the Howling Summit, you will never be able to leave. You can never return to your pack."

"And you must go alone, with no companions. Are you certain of this?"

Maryjane did not hesitate. "I am."

"Then, as you wish." The statue of the Moon Goddess emitted a silver light that entered Maryjane’s forehead. "In seven days, this ‘Moon Mark’ will sever your bonds, erase your memories, and transport you to the Howling Summit."

Maryjane bowed deeply. "Thank you for your mercy, great Goddess."

On the way back to the Sunblaze Pack territory, a heavy snow began to fall.

Maryjane caught a snowflake in her hand, her lips curving into a bitter smile.

Today was her hundredth birthday, a significant milestone in a werewolf’s life.

But early that morning, Lyla had suddenly collapsed, unconscious.

Her mate, Damien, had immediately rushed to her side, his face full of worry. "Lyla!"

Her mother let out a wail and almost fainted.

Her father quickly supported his wife and, just as anxiously, followed Damien.

Even her child, Leo, cried out, "What’s wrong with Lyla? I don’t want anything bad to happen to her!"

Everyone hurriedly carried Lyla away. Not a single one of them looked back at Maryjane, nor did they remember what day it was.

Half an hour later, they returned, only to tell her, "Maryjane, Lyla really can’t hold on this time. Back then, because of you, she fell into the Thorn Jungle and damaged her wolf heart. Now, you must use your life to save hers."

"After all, you can perform the rebirth ritual."

Rebirth amidst ashes... As a member of the Sunblaze bloodline, her parents knew better than anyone how excruciating that ritual was.

She would first have her heart torn out while still alive, then endure seven days and nights of burning in the soul flames before her body could be reconstructed and her wolf soul reformed.

Maryjane’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "What I owed Lyla—I’ve long repaid by giving up everything since childhood."

"My den, my hunting rights, sacred artifacts from ceremonies, even parental attention, a mate’s affection, and a child’s closeness—I’ve given it all up. Isn’t that enough? Now you want my life， too?"

Her mother, enraged, slapped her across the face. "You were the one who caused Lyla’s wolf heart to be damaged in the first place!"

Once again, they turned their backs on her. Even Damien didn’t pause for a moment.

It was in that moment that Maryjane grew tired.

She would rather forget it all than ever give her life for them again.

Returning to her stone house, known as "Sunset Haven," in the Sunblaze Pack territory, Maryjane found no warmth. Unfavored by the Alpha and Luna, even other members of the pack looked down on her.

On her hundredth birthday, there wasn’t even a feast of roasted meat, let alone a clean glass of spring water.

Maryjane was long used to such days. She went to the communal kitchen alone and baked herself a small cake.

One bite, she wished for peace in the future.

A second bite, she wished for no more pain.

The next moment, tears fell into the frosting.

Maryjane wiped away the tears in her eyes, comforting herself silently. It didn’t matter. In seven days, she would never shed tears or feel sorrow for anyone again.

The next day, Damien returned with Leo.

When he saw her, he handed her a wooden box, his expression a little uneasy. "A birthday gift from yesterday."

Maryjane glanced at it briefly before looking away calmly. "Thank you. Just leave it there."

It was the first time Damien had seen her so indifferent. He frowned in surprise. "Are you upset? Angry that we didn’t celebrate your birthday yesterday?"

Before Maryjane could answer, he pinched the bridge of his nose with a hint of helplessness.

"Maryjane, you saw what happened yesterday. Lyla’s life was at stake. Were we supposed to happily celebrate your birthday? That would have been too cold-hearted."

"Besides, as Lyla’s sister, you didn’t even go to check on her. She was really hurt by that."

Listening to the veiled blame in his words, Maryjane wanted to ask them—after all these years of Lyla’s antics, did they still not see through her?

Lyla was a rare werewolf with a "Frost Heart". How could she have damaged her wolf heart just by entering the Thorn Jungle?

And why was she perfectly fine every other day but suddenly collapsed on Maryjane’s birthday?

Did they really not find that suspicious?

But Maryjane said nothing. She didn’t want to say anything. She sat down and poured herself a glass of water.

Damien's frown deepened, and he seemed about to say more when Leo tugged at his sleeve and, tilting his head, spoke in an ancient language—a language spoken only by the noblest of the Silver Bliss Pack.

"Father, Mother is so annoying. Lyla would never act like this. She’s the sweetest!"

Damien looked down and carelessly replied in the same language, "It’s fine. Don’t pay her any attention. In the end, she’ll come around and make up with us."

Maryjane sat quietly, her hands resting on her lap, slowly clenching into fists.

She couldn’t remember when it started, but this father and son had taken to conversing in the ancient tongue from time to time.

Damien came from the powerful Silver Bliss Pack. Speaking this language was natural for him.

Once, in an effort to fit in, she had secretly studied the ancient tongue, planning to surprise them one day by suddenly speaking it.

But the more she understood, the colder her heart grew.

Now, as she looked at the father and son before her, their eyes faintly glowing with pride, she suddenly spoke in fluent ancient language—

"Never."

She would never, ever reconcile with them again.