Chapter 4

I didn’t sleep all night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Lena’s sweet smile and the way she comforted me at the end.

I curled up on her little bed, hugging her favorite plush wolf pup. The blankets still smelled like her—that sweet, milky scent unique to werewolf pups. But she was gone.

Her soft, baby voice echoed in my ears.

“Mommy, I love you. I love you the most.”

“I’m not afraid of the trial. This way, I can get my inner wolf faster.”

“When I grow up and have my inner wolf, I’ll make it protect you, Mommy.”

Tears soaked her pillow. It dried, then got wet again, over and over.

I wished the Moon Goddess had taken me instead of my Lena.

Dawn came.

Carlson never came home last night.

Lena’s funeral was set for 9 AM. I dragged myself out of bed, too drained to drive, and had the driver take me to the church.

On the way, Carlson called.

"Uh… Katherine, sorry, but can you handle Lena alone? Aileen is being discharged, and I need to help Rachel with the paperwork."

It wasn’t the first time.

Whenever Rachel or Aileen needed something, he was always there.

Sending the driver to pick up Rachel while I stood in the rain.

Buying Aileen a first-class ticket while Lena had to walk twenty miles to the amusement park—he called it the heir’s trial.

Before, I would have argued, fought back. But today, I didn’t have the strength.

My daughter had taken all my emotions with her.

"Alright. It’s fine. Rachel is more important."

Carlson hesitated, maybe sensing something off. He sighed and explained, "Katherine, you know? I stayed up all night by Aileen’s hospital bed."

"I thought a lot. The only way to make up for Lena’s mistake is to treat Rachel and Aileen even better. That’s why I’ll be a little late."

There it was again—his perfect excuse to stay close to Rachel and her child.

"Mm. Then do your best to make it up to them."

I made a stop at the witch’s place before heading to the funeral.

Outside the church entrance, Steve was already waiting. He wore a black coat, black gloves, and held a small wolf pup plushie, watching me from a distance.

Mourners whispered—Where was the father?

9 AM. The funeral was about to start.

But Lena’s father was nowhere to be seen.

Lena lay peacefully in her coffin. I took off the empty pendant she used to wear and placed it around my own neck.

I leaned over her coffin, too weak to stand. Mourners held white roses but didn’t know what to do.

Steve stepped forward, placed the plush wolf by Lena’s ear, then took charge, guiding the ceremony when I couldn’t.

By the time the coffin was sealed, I had cried until I had no more tears left.

Steve led the funeral.

Lena’s father never showed up.

But through our frayed mind-link, I felt it—He is happy now. He’d severed our bond to silence me before, but now, when I least wanted it, the connection flickered back.

Among today’s Mourners was the sheriff from the Werewolf Enforcement Bureau. As we walked out of the church, he solemnly told me, “Luna Katherine, after investigating the scene, we found evidence that Aileen lured Lena into the wolfsbane forest.”

“She gave Lena a large amount of wolfsbane juice.”

“Wolfsbane juice is bitter and smells awful. But Aileen mixed it with honey and mint leaves. That way, Lena drank it without suspicion.”

“Once she drank it, she became paralyzed. With the high toxin levels in the grass, the double effect killed her.”

“Also, according to their classmates, it was Aileen who told Lena about a ‘hidden treasure’ and led her there on purpose.”

“We believe Aileen also stole Lena’s Moonstone Crystal.”

“So Aileen is the one who killed Lena.”

I clutched the hollow pendant over my heart.

Before I could speak, Carlson stormed up, shouting.

"What nonsense are you saying?! Aileen is such a sweet girl! She would never try to kill Lena!"

I lowered my head to hide my cold, bitter smile.

Even now, he only cared about Aileen.

Carlson pointed at the church doors. “Let’s go inside right now! Let Lena tell us the truth herself!”

He kicked the doors open.

The church was empty.

He called out. “Lena, you little rascal! Are you playing hide and seek with Daddy?”

"It’s late! Daddy’s here to take you to Moonshadow Park!"

The church was silent.

Lena’s memorial was still there, untouched.

Carlson looked up and saw her black-and-white funeral portrait.

In the picture, Lena smiled so brightly.

It was a photo he had taken himself.

Carlson turned back to me, his face pale.

Shaking, he whispered, "My Lena… she… she's really gone?"