Early the next morning, Ethan appeared at the entrance of the healing sanctuary with freshly hunted venison.
His hair was disheveled, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. It was as though he hadn't slept all night.
"Selena, Chloe recorded that video without anyone knowing. She claimed she only wanted to document it. I've already made her delete it," he said as he held out the venison.

He added, "She was badly shaken yesterday. She's not in a stable state of mind."
"So, you stayed with her all night to comfort her?" I countered.
Ethan froze for a beat. Just as he was about to explain, I cut in, "Ethan, now that the bonding ceremony has been called off, the elders and the pack members will be expecting an explanation."
He fell silent. A moment later, he said firmly, "Once things settle down, I'll hold an even grander ceremony for you."
"Again?"
I looked at him and almost laughed. "Another performance, then? Running from the ceremony so you can play the hero and save the she-wolf?"

"Selena, I know this has been hard on you. But Chloe has no one to rely on. Can't we be a little more understanding?"
It was always about understanding.
I didn't take the venison. Instead, I walked past Ethan and into the main hall. "I know. You should go."
At that, he let out a sigh of relief. Assuming I had given in, he added, "I knew you had a weak spot. Don't worry. Once she's stabilized, I'll make it up to you."

With that, he walked away.
I stared at the slab of venison lying in the dirt. It was something Ethan used to do when courting me. But now, it only made my stomach turn.
…
I walked into the healing sanctuary. Just as I reached my office, my mentor, Silas Vance, came over to meet me.
"Selena, you need to check on Chloe," he said. "She was stabbed with a cursed weapon, and the wound refuses to heal. Our preliminary assessment suggests severe damage to her wolf. Healing it will require lunar energy mending."
I frowned. "Mr. Vance, I'm a spiritual healer. My role isn't to mend anything. I use lunar energy to restore those who have been consumed by madness."
"I know. But among all the healers, your talent for controlling lunar energy is unmatched. Her condition is unique, so only you can perform this mending ritual."
Silas hesitated before adding, "Besides, she's Layla's sister. Alpha Ethan is watching this closely."
I couldn't bring myself to refuse him. In the end, I went to the critical ward.
There, Chloe lay on the stone bed, her face deathly pale from blood loss.
Ethan was keeping watch at the bedside. The moment he saw me, he jumped to his feet and pleaded, "Selena, please save Chloe. She's the only family Layla left behind in this world."
I lifted the crystal used to assess one's wolf and held it above Chloe's forehead. It instantly flared dark red, signalling critical danger.
"Her wolf is naturally weak, and this targeted attack made it worse. To heal her will require a forbidden technique involving soul-level intervention to mend her wolf," I explained.
Ethan furrowed his brow. "What are the odds?"
"50%." I put the crystal away and looked at him coldly. "If it fails, both the healer and the patient could suffer backlash. At best, they would lose their wolves. Worst case, death."
In an instant, Ethan's face drained of color.
Chloe, on the other hand, twitched on the bed and let out a pained whimper. "It hurts… Save me, Ethan…"
Ethan clasped her hand, then turned to me.
"Selena, you'll perform this mending ritual. And it must succeed!" he demanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
I met his gaze. "Ethan, I'm a spiritual healer and not a god. I can explain the risks and the odds, but I can't guarantee the outcome."
"I don't care!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the hall as his Alpha presence surged. "Layla died saving me. Her sister must live, no matter the cost!"
The surrounding werewolves turned toward us and began murmuring among themselves.
"Isn't that the she-wolf who was abandoned during the bonding ceremony?" one whispered.
Another muttered, "This is bad. What if she's just using this as an excuse for revenge?"
Suddenly, Chloe reached out. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the hem of my robe. "Selena, I'm begging you… I know you blame me for ruining your bonding ceremony.
"But please, don't hate me. Don't abandon me. I don't want to die."
She sobbed helplessly, every word a guilt trip that burned me from the inside.
Ethan's face turned ashen as he fixed his gaze on me.
"Selena, if you dare risk her life, I'll never forgive you!" he said slowly and deliberately.
A chill ran through me. I looked at Chloe. Her face was deathly pale, yet triumph glinted in her eyes.
Eventually, I nodded slightly. "Fine. I'll perform the mending ritual. But you will sign a liability waiver."
Ethan froze. "What do you mean?"
"It means the entire pack will know exactly how dangerous this ritual is, and that it was you, Alpha Ethan, who demanded I perform it. If she dies during the process, the responsibility will not be mine. It will be yours," I replied, enunciating each word clearly.
Ethan clenched his fists, disappointment and fury burning in his eyes. "Selena, I never thought you'd be this ruthless and calculating!"
My lips curled into a smile, but deep down, something inside me died.
I slapped the parchment against his chest and said, "Once you've decided, sign it."