Chapter 2

As the words fell, the father and son before her visibly froze, their expressions betraying their shock.

Damien looked at Maryjane in disbelief. “Maryjane, what… what did you just say?”

Maryjane, calm and composed, repeated herself without hesitation.

Before their faces could darken further, she feigned ignorance and asked, “I overheard you mentioning this phrase before. What does it mean?”

“Oh, you were asking about the meaning of that phrase…” Damien exhaled in relief.

He stepped forward, gently taking her hand with a soft smile. “It means, ‘My soul has chosen you.’”

“Maryjane, if you’re interested in learning my pack’s ancient language, I could teach you a little every day.”

Maryjane slowly withdrew her hand. “No need. That ancient language is far too complicated for me to grasp.”

And even if she did learn it, it wouldn’t matter. In six days, she would forget everything.

Damien didn’t press further. After kissing her forehead, he asked, “If I recall, the Queen of the Flower Fairies gifted you a ‘Moon Snow Lotus,’ correct? Your Sunblaze lineage doesn’t need that stuff. Why not give it to Lyla to extend her life?”

So that was why he came back.

She had been wondering how he could bear to leave Lyla’s side.

Maryjane nodded lightly. “Alright, take it.”

Her tone was even, yet Damien seemed unsettled. He spoke again, “Maryjane, why don’t you come with us? After all, Lyla is your sister.”

Maryjane shook her head. “No, I have other matters to attend to.”

Damien frowned, dissatisfaction creeping into his voice. “What could possibly be more important than your sister’s life?”

Maryjane felt a bitter sense of irony. In the eyes of her mate and parents, nothing ever surpassed Lyla’s importance.

But she didn’t intend to explain. She walked past the father and son without a word.

Leaving the stone house, Maryjane headed toward Whisper Hills.

Years ago, during a battle to hunt down evil spirits, she had been gravely injured and collapsed by the Eternity River. Neither her Alpha father, her Luna mother, her mate, nor her son came to her rescue. They had all been with Lyla.

On the brink of death, it was a spirit wolf that carried her to Whisper Hills and nursed her back to health.

After recovering, Maryjane had wanted to bring the wolf back to the Sunblaze Pack, but it refused to go with her.

So she made a habit of visiting it every month.

Now, as she decided to leave everything behind and head to Howling Summit to subdue the malevolent spirits, the one she couldn’t bear to part with was this spirit wolf she had named “Flames”.

The moment she arrived at Whisper Hills, Flames bounded toward her, wagging its tail like a large, affectionate dog.

Maryjane stroked its head, her heart heavy with reluctance. “Flames, six days from now, I’ll be leaving this continent and won’t be able to visit you anymore. I know you don’t want to leave Whisper Hills, but please, promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

Flames seemed to understand her words. It sat down dejectedly, its tail drooping as it let out a soft whimper.

Maryjane sighed with a faint smile. “What should I do then? Would you come with me to Howling Summit?”

“But the evil aura at Howling Summit is far too intense. A pure spirit beast like you would feel uncomfortable there. You’d better stay here and live a peaceful life.”

After spending some time playing with Flames, Maryjane prepared to leave.

This time, however, Flames followed her persistently, even crossing the boundary of Whisper Hills.

“Do you want to come with me?”

Flames bit the hem of her garment, nodding its head.

Maryjane thought of the vast Sunblaze Pack territory. Surely, there was room for a spirit wolf. So she decided to take it along.

Unexpectedly, when she returned to the stone house, she encountered Damien and Leo accompanying Lyla on a leisurely walk.

Flames, catching the scent of Maryjane on Leo, instinctively approached him, tail wagging happily, eager to play.

Unaware, Leo raised his hand and conjured a ball of shadow fire, striking Flames with it.

Caught off guard, Flames was thrown through the air, landing heavily with a pained whimper.

“Flames!” Maryjane’s heart clenched as she rushed to check on the wolf’s condition. She then glared at Leo with fury. “Leo, what are you doing?!”

Startled, Leo quickly regained his composure, placing his hands on his hips in defiance. “It nearly ran into Lyla! Mother, are you trying to harm her on purpose?!”

Damien immediately stepped forward, shielding Leo as he frowned at Maryjane.

“Maryjane, how could you speak to Leo like that over a beast? If you continue like this, don’t blame Leo for preferring Lyla!”

Maryjane’s expression grew cold, and her heart sank to a chilling void.

So her son’s preference for Lyla was her fault?

And Damien? Did he think the same?

For a moment, the two sides faced off in silence, neither willing to speak.

Lyla, her eyes full of guilt, broke the tension. “Sister, Leo was just trying to protect me… Blame me, but please don’t be upset with Leo. He’s still a child.”

Before she could finish, Leo immediately retorted, “Lyla, this isn’t your fault!”

A flicker of scorn passed through Maryjane’s eyes. Who was truly his mother?

Before she could respond, she noticed a line of pack members approaching, carrying white wreaths, silver silk, and ornaments engraved with lunar symbols.

She paused, frowning. “Is there some celebration happening in the pack?”

Damien and Leo’s previously indignant expressions turned sheepish.

After a long moment, Damien finally spoke. “It’s for Lyla’s bonding ceremony.”

Maryjane’s eyes widened in shock. “Bonding ceremony? With whom?”

Leo eagerly answered, “It’s for Lyla and Father!”