Page 1 of Everyone wants me to swap lives with her

When her father, mother, and mate Damian abandoned her for the 99th time for Lila's sake, Serafina finally grew weary. Kneeling before the Moon Goddess's statue, she said: "I'm willing to forget all memories, sever all emotional bonds, and go to Howling Wolf Peak to become an eternal guardian, suppressing the Wild Spirits in the abyss and protecting the balance of the Supernatural World."

The Moon Goddess's majestic voice echoed in Serafina's mind: "Once you go to Howling Wolf Peak, you can never leave, never return to your pack's territory. Moreover, you'll be alone, without companions. Are you certain?"

Serafina didn't hesitate for a moment: "I'm certain."

"Then I shall grant your wish." The Moon Goddess's statue emanated a silver light that pierced into Serafina's forehead. "In seven days, this Moon Goddess Mark will sever all your emotional bonds, erase your memories, and transport you to Howling Wolf Peak."

Serafina bowed deeply: "Thank you for your mercy, great Moon Goddess."

On the way back to Sunfire Pack territory, heavy snow began to fall. Serafina caught a snowflake and smiled bitterly. Today was supposed to be her 100th birthday, an important milestone in a werewolf's life. But early that morning, Lila had suddenly collapsed and fallen unconscious.

Serafina's mate Damian immediately rushed over with panic written across his face, shouting: "Lila!"

Her Luna mother screamed and nearly fainted. Her father quickly supported his wife and rushed out anxiously alongside Damian. Even her child Leo cried out: "What's wrong with Aunt Lila? I don't want anything to happen to Aunt Lila."

Everyone hurriedly left with Lila, not one person looking back at Serafina, and no one remembering what day it was.

Half an hour later, they returned, only to tell Serafina: "Serafina, Lila really can't hold on this time. Back then, you pushed her into Frostspike Jungle and damaged her Primeval Wolfheart. Now, trade your life for hers. After all, you possess the Sunfire Bloodline and can restore your body using Ember Renewal."

As members of the Sunfire Bloodline themselves, Benjamin and Valentina knew exactly how agonizing the Ember Renewal ritual was. Serafina would first have her heart torn apart, then burn in Soul Blaze for seven days and seven nights before she could reshape her flesh and bone and reconstitute her Wolf Soul.

Then, Serafina laughed mockingly and said, "I've already repaid everything I owed Lila with all the things I've given up since childhood. My den, my hunting rights, the sacred artifacts from ceremonies, even my parents' attention, my mate's care, and my son's affectionI've given it all to her. Isn't that enough? Now you want my life too?"

Valentina was so furious she slapped Serafina directly: "You're the one who damaged Lila's wolf heart first."

They turned to leave again, and even Damian didn't linger for a moment. In that instant, Serafina was exhausted. She'd rather forget everything than sacrifice her life again.

Serafina returned to Sunfire Pack territory, back to her stone cottage called Dusk Cottage. Because she wasn't favored by the Alpha couple, the other pack members looked down on her too. On her 100th birthday, forget a feast of roasted meatshe didn't even have a cup of clean spring water.

Serafina had long grown accustomed to such days. She went to the communal kitchen alone and baked a small cake. She took a bite and silently wished for peace in her future. She took another bite and wished to be free from pain. The next second, her tears fell into the cream.

Serafina wiped away the blur before her eyes, thinking: "It doesn't matter. In seven days, I'll never shed tears or suffer for anyone again."

The next day, Damian finally returned with Leo. Upon seeing Serafina, Damian handed her a wooden box, his expression somewhat unnatural: "This is your birthday gift from yesterday."

Serafina glanced at the wooden box once, then calmly looked away. She said, "Thank you. Just put it over there."

This was the first time Damian had seen Serafina react so coldly. He frowned in surprise and asked, "Are you angry? Are you upset that we didn't celebrate your birthday with you yesterday?"

Without waiting for Serafina's answer, Damian pinched the bridge of his nose somewhat helplessly. He said, "Serafina, you saw what happened yesterday. Lila nearly died. How could we possibly celebrate your birthday happily? That would make us heartless and cruel. Besides, as Lila's sister, you didn't even visit her once throughout the whole ordeal. She's very hurt."

Hearing the subtle reproach in Damian's words, Serafina had many questions in her heart. After Lila had pulled this same trick for so many Christmases, could they really still not see through it? Lila was a rare werewolf with a frost heart. How could entering Frostspike Jungle damage her wolf heart? Moreover, Lila was usually finewhy did she collapse specifically on Serafina's birthday? Didn't they find any of this strange?

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

Damian frowned deeply, about to say more. Just then, Leo tugged at Damian's sleeve. He suddenly looked up and spoke a sentence in an ancient languagethe archaic tongue that only the most noble members of Umbral Pack could speak. He said, "Father, Mother is so annoying. Aunt Lila wouldn't be like this. She's the gentlest."

Damian looked down and replied casually in the ancient language: "It's fine. You don't need to pay attention to her. She'll make up with us eventually."

Serafina watched them quietly, gradually clenching her hands that rested on her legs. She didn't know when it had started, but Damian and Leo would occasionally communicate in the ancient language. Serafina wasn't surprised. After all, Damian came from the powerful Umbral Pack, so speaking this language was only natural. To fit in with them, Serafina had once secretly studied this ancient tongue, planning to surprise them someday by suddenly speaking it.

But as her understanding deepened, her heart grew colder and colder. At this moment, looking at Damian and Leo, who stood before the spaghetti with barely concealed pride in their eyes, Serafina suddenly spoke in fluent Primeval Tongue: "Never."

She would never reconcile with them again.

Immediately, both Damian and Leo froze in obvious shock. Damian stared at Serafina in bewilderment and asked, "Serafina, what did you just say?"

Serafina calmly repeated what she had said moments before. Then, before Damian and Leo's expressions could grow even more troubled, Serafina feigned ignorance and asked, "I've heard you say that phrase in Primeval Tongue before. What does it mean?"

"Oh, so you were asking about the meaning of those words." Damian visibly relaxed. He stepped forward, took Serafina's hand, and smiled gently. "It means 'my soul has claimed you.' Serafina, if you want to learn Primeval Tongue, I can teach you every day from now on."

Serafina slowly withdrew her hand and said, "No need. That ancient language is too complicatedI could never learn it."

Besides, there would be no point in learning it. In six days, she wouldn't remember any of it anyway.

Damian didn't insist. He kissed Serafina's forehead and asked, "I remember the Flower Fairy Queen gave you a Celestial Petal Ice Lily before, right? Since your bloodline is Sunfire, you have no use for such a thing. Why don't you give it to Lila first to extend her life?"

Only then did Serafina understand that Damian had returned for this flower. She had been wondering how he could bear to leave Lila's side. Nodding, Serafina said, "Fine, take it."

Serafina's calm attitude made Damian feel uneasy instead. He added, "Serafina, come with us to see Lila later. After all, she's your sister."

Upon hearing this, Serafina shook her head and said, "No, I have other matters to attend to."

Damian frowned, asking with some displeasure, "What could be more important than your sister's life?"

Serafina found it ironic. In the eyes of her mate and parents, nothing was more important than Lila. But she had no intention of explaining and simply walked past Damian and Leo.

Leaving her stone cottage, Serafina headed to Whispering Ridge. During Christmas, when the War of the Feral Hunt was raging, Serafina had been injured and collapsed by the River of Oblivion. Her father, Luna mother, mate, and sonnot one of them came looking for her because they were all attending to Lila. Just when Serafina was on the brink of death, a Sunblaze Spirit Wolf had carried her to Whispering Ridge and given her its Life Essence to help her recover.

After healing, Serafina had wanted to bring this Spirit Wolf back to Sunfire Pack territory. But the Spirit Wolf refused to leave. So Serafina visited it every month.

Now that Serafina had decided to forget everything and go to Howling Wolf Peak to suppress the Wild Spirit, what worried her most was this Spirit Wolf she had named Blaze.

As soon as Serafina arrived at Whispering Ridge, Blaze came running toward her with its tail wagging, nuzzling against her body like a large dog. Stroking Blaze's head, Serafina's heart was filled with reluctance to part.

"Blaze, in six days, I'll be leaving this continent. I won't be able to visit you regularly anymore. I know you don't want to leave Whispering Ridge. Promise me you'll take good care of yourself, okay?"

Blaze understood Serafina's words and sat down dejectedly, its tail drooping. It made pitiful whimpering sounds in its throat.

Serafina smiled helplessly and asked, "So what should we do? Do you want to come with me to Howling Wolf Peak? The abyssal aura at Howling Wolf Peak is too intense. A pure spirit animal like you would feel uncomfortable there. You should stay here and live peacefully."

After playing with Blaze for a while, Serafina prepared to leave. But this time, Blaze kept following behind her, even walking beyond Whispering Ridge's barrier.

Serafina asked, "Do you want to come back with me?"

Blaze tugged at the hem of Serafina's clothes and nodded. Serafina felt that the Sunfire Pack's territory was vast enough to accommodate a Spirit Wolf, so she brought Blaze back with her.

When they returned to the stone cottage, they ran into Damian accompanying Lila on a walk with Leo. Catching Serafina's scent on Leo, Blaze instinctively wanted to get closer to him and trotted over happily toward Leo.

Not knowing that Blaze meant no harm, Leo gathered his energy and shot Umbral Fire at Blaze. Completely defenseless, Blaze was sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground, whimpering in pain.

"Blaze!" Serafina panicked and rushed over to check on him. Then she glared at Leo angrily. "Leo, what are you doing?"

Leo looked a bit scared but quickly put his hands on his hips and complained, "It almost knocked into Aunt Lila! Mother, are you trying to hurt Aunt Lila on purpose?"

Damian also stepped protectively in front of Leo, frowning at Serafina. "Serafina, how can you speak to Leo in that tone over some wild beast? If you keep this up, don't blame Leo for preferring Lila."

Serafina's expression turned completely cold, her heart growing even icier. So it was her fault that Leo preferred Lila? And what about Damian? He probably thought the same way, didn't he?

For a moment, both sides faced off in silence. Only Lila spoke up guiltily, "Serafina, Leo only did this to protect me. Blame me instead. Please don't be angry with Leo. He's still just a child."

Leo immediately protested, "Aunt Lila, it's not your fault."

A flash of mockery crossed Serafina's eyes. Who exactly was his mother?

Just as Serafina was about to say something, she suddenly noticed a group of pack members approaching with white flower wreaths, silver ribbons, and ornaments carved with moon runes. She froze, frowning as she asked, "Is there some celebration happening in the pack?"

Damian and Leo's expressions instantly turned guilty. After a long pause, Damian finally said, "We're holding a Bonding Rite for Lila."

Serafina was stunned. "A Bonding Rite? With whom?"

Leo eagerly answered, "Aunt Lila and Father are having a Bonding Rite."

Just then, another group of clan members approached.

They carried moonlight flowers, intricately carved silver vases, and honey cakes made with morning dew and berries in their hands.

These were all things Lila loved.

Serafina stared at the scene in a daze, feeling as if an invisible hand was squeezing her heart tight.

The thought Damian had put into this for Lila far exceeded what he had done during their own Bonding Rite.

Serafina looked at Damian, her voice trembling slightly: "Damian, don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

Damian opened his mouth, but before he could speak.

Lila suddenly reached out toward Serafina, her voice choked with emotion and her eyes red-rimmed: "Serafina, this is all my fault. I feel like I don't have much time left, and I wanted to experience what it felt like to be a real mate, so I begged Damian to play along with this charade. I swear, I won't compete with you for him. Once the Bonding Rite is over, I'll give him back to you, okay?"

Seeing this scene, both Damian and Leo's expressions changed.

Damian said: "Lila, what are you doing? You're physically weak."

Leo also chimed in: "That's right, Aunt Lila. Nothing is more important than your health."

At that moment, Benjamin and Valentina happened to walk over.

Seeing Lila's red-rimmed eyes, Valentina hurried forward with concern: "Lila, my child, what's wrong?"

Benjamin, meanwhile, shot Serafina a cold, sideways glance.

He strode forward directly and slapped Serafina across the face with all his strength.

Then he roared: "Serafina, you're bullying your sister again. You know perfectly well that she's physically weak, yet you dare to pressure her."

The slap was delivered with tremendous force, causing Serafina to stagger and fall to the ground.

Only Blaze ran over anxiously, licking her burning, painful cheek and using its warm Life Essence to help ease her pain.

Everyone else, including Benjamin, Valentina, Damian, and Leo, all gathered around Lila.

Serafina's gaze swept over each of them, and finally she let out a self-mocking laugh.

It didn't matter. She would soon forget them all and never appear before them again to annoy them.

Serafina covered her face and slowly stood up, saying to Blaze: "Blaze, let's go."

Damian was stunned for a moment, suddenly feeling an inexplicable unease rising in his heart.

He released his hold on Lila and called out: "Serafina."

Immediately after, Lila collapsed into Damian's arms: "Damian, I'm in so much pain."

Damian became extremely nervous and without hesitation lifted Lila into his arms, rushing toward her room.

Leo, Benjamin, and Valentina all followed closely behind.

Serafina didn't turn back to see how panicked they were. She no longer cared.

After she left, let Damian truly become Lila's mate, and let Leo truly become Lila's son.

Back at the stone cottage, half of Serafina's face had already swollen up.

She channeled the power within her body to reduce the swelling, then gently touched Blaze beside her: "Does it still hurt where Leo hit you?"

Blaze shook its head, its crystal-clear eyes showing traces of sadness.

Serafina forced a smile and said: "Are you feeling sad for me? It's okay. I'm used to it."

She had lived this way for nearly a hundred Christmases.

Even the most painful wounds would eventually become numb.

After dark, Damian returned.

Seeing Serafina and Blaze cuddled together, he frowned, but still softened his tone: "Serafina, don't take today's events to heart. Lila is physically weak and emotionally unstable. She said that having a Bonding Rite is her only wish, even if it's fake, she wants to try it once. I have to help her fulfill it."

Serafina looked calmly at this man who had once sworn to protect her for life.

Suddenly, she felt her forehead growing hot, as if the Moon Goddess Mark was burning.

Then she discovered that she couldn't remember the scene of her first meeting with Damian.

The Moon Goddess's words from that day echoed in her mind: "After seven days, this Moon Goddess Mark will sever your romantic ties and erase your memories."

So forgetting was gradually fading her memories bit by bit.

That's why she had already begun to forget.

No wonder she felt nothing for him in her heart now.

"Mm, I don't mind," Serafina said.

Since she wasn't throwing a tantrum, Damian couldn't relax. He explained further: "The Bonding Rite is fake."

Serafina smiled and said: "Why don't you make it a complete performance then. Let's go to the Covenant Stone and dissolve our Soul Bond."

Damian was utterly stunned and asked: "You want to dissolve our Soul Bond?"

"After your Bonding Rite with Lila is over, after Lila's health improves, we can go back to the Covenant Stone and forge a new covenant," Serafina said indifferently. "This is all for Lila's sake. That way, she'll be happier too, won't she?"

Damian showed a hesitant expression.

Although he felt it wasn't necessary to go this far, thinking of Lila, he still took Serafina's hand: "Serafina, I knew you still care about Lila. Does it still hurt where your father hit you?"

"No," Serafina said flatly.

She would no longer feel pain from the hurt they inflicted on her.