Page 2 of Everyone wants me to swap lives with her

That night, Damian left again using the excuse that "Lila can't be left alone."

Even though Lila's Moonstone Cottage was right next to Serafina's Dusk Cottage, with pack members guarding both inside and out, Damian insisted on staying by Lila's bedside to feel at ease.

Leo hadn't returned eitherhe was probably staying at Lila's place too.

"That's fine," Serafina said, holding Blaze tighter.

The next morning, as dawn broke, the Moon Goddess Mark on Serafina's forehead grew hot again.

This time, the memories fading from her mind were childhood recollections of Benjamin and Valentina.

Back then, Lila hadn't been born yet. Benjamin and Valentina both cherished Serafina deeply, treating her as the pride and future of their pack.

They gave her the finest furs, the best prey, the most sacred rituals, and the finest weapons.

Later, after Lila was born, Benjamin and Valentina initially treated them equally. Whatever Serafina had, Lila had too.

So even now, Serafina couldn't understand why Lila had deliberately thrown herself into Frostspike Jungle that Christmas, then falsely accused her of pushing her.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Only five days remained before Serafina would completely forget them all.

At noon, a pack member came to call Serafina to the communal longhouse for lunch.

When Serafina arrived, everyone was already there, dining with Lila.

Valentina was carefully cooling a spoon before feeding Lila. Benjamin was cutting the tenderest pieces of roasted meat for her.

Damian held a soft cloth, ready to wipe Lila's mouth. Leo stood nearby, reminding Lila to "be careful, it's hot."

When Serafina entered, only Damian's movements paused briefly.

But Lila smiled and raised her hand in greeting. "Serafina, you're here. Come sit down, let's eat together."

Serafina's gaze fell on Lila's chest.

There, a wolf fang-shaped crystal glowed softly, protecting Lila's heart.

She could never mistake it. That was the Umbral Wolfheart Damian had given her when they became engaged.

Serafina still remembered Damian's vow from that day. "Serafina, for this lifetime and beyond, my Wolf Soul will howl only for you."

Members of the powerful Umbral Pack, once they recognized their mate, would condense part of their Wolf Soul into an Umbral Wolfheart and give it to their beloved.

As for Serafina's Umbral Wolfheart, after Leo was born, she had temporarily given it to him to protect him until he developed his Guardian Aura.

Now, that Umbral Wolfheart was on Lila's chest.

She wondered, "Was it Damian's decision? Leo's decision? Or did they decide together?"

Noticing Serafina's gaze, Damian opened his mouth to explain. "Serafina."

But Serafina calmly walked over and sat down, calling out, "Father, Mother."

Then she picked up her plate, took a sip of soup, showing no intention of questioning anything.

Seeing that Serafina ignored him, Lila's face paled slightly. She said pitifully, "Serafina, I'm sorry. It's all my fault that your birthday was ruined."

Before she could finish, she suddenly began coughing violently. Benjamin and Valentina rushed forwardone rubbing her chest, the other patting her back, their faces full of concern.

Watching this scene, Damian felt a sudden stab in his heart.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take Serafina's hand.

But Serafina gently pulled away.

As Damian froze, Serafina said, "It's fine. I don't mind."

This response was meant for both Lila and Damian.

Only then did Benjamin and Valentina realize they had overlooked Serafina again.

But they never felt they owed Serafina anything. Valentina said indifferently, "It's just a birthday. After Lila and Damian's Bonding Rite in five days, we'll throw you a makeup birthday party."

Serafina was stunned.

What perfect timing. In five days, Lila and Damian would hold their Bonding Rite.

And she would forget everything, sever all ties, and remain forever on Howling Wolf Peak.

Benjamin nodded in agreement. "Your sister's health is most important. Serafina, you're the older sisteryou need to be understanding."

That phrase again. "You're the older sister. You owe Lila. You need to make it up to her. You need to be understanding."

Throughout her life, Serafina had heard these words far too many times.

Leo said, "Once Aunt Lila and Father's Bonding Rite is over, can we have Mother perform the life exchange for Aunt Lila?"

At these words, Serafina's movements stopped.

She looked up to find everyone staring at her, waiting for her answer.

The food in Serafina's mouth suddenly lost all taste, even seeming to stick in her throat, making it hard to swallow.

Clenching her fists, Serafina forced down the bitterness in her heart and asked, "I am the heir of the Sunfire Bloodline, so I can indeed perform Ember Renewal. But what if my Life Essence isn't enough and I fail to be reborn?"

As soon as she finished speaking, they all rushed to answer.

Benjamin said, "You're the heir of the Sunfire Bloodlinehow could your Life Essence not be enough?"

Valentina said, "We'll be there with you. You'll be fine."

Leo said, "Mother, don't make excuses to avoid saving Aunt Lila."

Serafina turned to look at Damian. After a moment of silence, Damian sighed and said, "Serafina, I've already prepared many rare Moonlit Herbs for you. After your rebirth, these herbal medicines will surely help your Wolf Soul break through its constraints."

Then Serafina laughed. As she laughed, her eyes reddened.

She said, "Alright. I'm willing to exchange my life for Lila's."

Serafina truly was willing. But after five days, once she went to Howling Wolf Peak, she would never be able to leave.

Whether they could find her would be up to them.

Hearing that Serafina was willing, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They instinctively wanted to treat Serafina better, but having only been kind to Lila for so long, they hadn't shown Serafina any kindness in ages. Now, their concern for Serafina felt particularly awkward.

Valentina cut a piece of roast for Serafina and laughed a couple of times, saying, "Serafina, eat more. You've gotten thinner lately."

Benjamin, nudged by Valentina's elbow, picked up a plate and served Serafina some stew. "Yeah, you should eat more. I remember you like this, right? Eat it while it's hot."

Ever since Lila had falsely accused Serafina of pushing her into Frostspike Jungle, Serafina had never received any care from Benjamin and Valentina again. She didn't expose their superficial gestures, but among all the dishes on the table, there wasn't a single one she actually liked. Serafina took the plate of stew and ate it bite by bite. The stew was no longer hot, just like her heart, which had long grown too cold to be warmed again.

At that moment, Lila's eyes filled with tears as she said with deep emotion, "Serafina, thank you so much. I don't even know how to repay this kindness."

The soft cloth Damian had been clutching finally found its purpose. He wiped away Lila's tears and said gently, "Repay? This is what Serafina owes you. After the life exchange..."

Serafina didn't let him finish. She set her plate down on the table, stood up, and said, "I'm full. Take your time."

With that, she turned to leave. Before she'd taken two steps, Serafina heard Leo say in Primeval Tongue, "Father, Mother is so rude and ill-mannered."

This time, Damian responded seriously, "She's your mother. How can you speak of her like that?"

What Serafina didn't expect was that the next second, Lila also spoke gently in Primeval Tongue, "Leo, your mother just loves freedom. Don't talk about her that way."

When had Lila learned Primeval Tongue? Serafina smiled, unable to tell whether her heart held more bitterness or mockery.

Shortly after returning to the stone cottage, Damian walked in as well. Seeing Serafina's poor expression, he approached and embraced her, saying in a gentle tone, "Serafina, I know asking you to exchange your life for Lila's is unfair to you. Lila's body is weak, so it's understandable that your parents dote on her more. But you still have Leo and me. You must remember that no matter what happens, we're by your side."

Serafina looked at him calmly. The life exchange meant using her life to save Lila's, and she would have to endure painful rebirth in the Soul Blaze's flamesand this was merely "unfair"? Serafina pushed Damian away and asked, "If there were a chance for you to exchange your life for Lila's, would you be willing?"

Damian didn't hesitate for a moment. "Of course I would."

Serafina asked again, "Would you do it willingly?"

"Yes, I would do it willingly," Damian said. Suddenly, the room fell completely silent. After staring into Serafina's calm eyes for a while, Damian finally realized what he'd said. He hurried to explain, "Serafina, I'd be willing to exchange my life for Lila's not because of her, but because of you. If I could take this suffering in your place, I'd be happy to do so."

Serafina asked flatly, "If you feel so sorry for me, why can't you just not make me suffer this?"

Damian was stunned for a moment and said, "But isn't this what you owe Lila?"

Serafina remained silent for a long time. After a moment of quiet, she nodded. "Yes, it's what I owe her."

That Christmas, after seeing Lila barely clinging to life, Benjamin and Valentina firmly believed Serafina had pushed Lila simply because Lila pointed at Serafina. Later, they brought up this incident time and again, and Damian had come to believe it completely as well.

Serafina took a deep breath, stood up, and headed outside. Damian was stunned for a moment before catching up and asking, "Serafina, where are you going?"

"I want to see the human world." Serafina didn't slow her pace. After all, in five days, she would never be able to leave Howling Wolf Peak again.

Damian grabbed her hand. "I'll come with you."

Serafina froze. Many Christmases ago, after she and Damian had formed their marriage bond, they had visited the human world together. They had lived in a small town as an ordinary married couple for dozens of Christmases. She thought, "That's fine. We'll return to that old place, and I'll let him accompany me as I completely forget those memories."

However, just as they were about to leave the clan territory's barrier, Lila called out to them, "Serafina, Damian, where are you going?"

Lila had always maintained an intimate relationship with Damian. Serafina had corrected her a few times at first. Later, Benjamin and Valentina said unhappily, "She can interact with Damian however she wants. It's not like she's going to steal your mate, is she?"

Now, Lila truly was trying to steal Serafina's mate, yet no one scolded her, and no one thought she was wrong.

Damian answered, "We're going to the human world."

Lila immediately stepped forward and said, "I want to go too. I'm so bored staying here all the time. I've never been to the human world. Take me with you, please?"

Damian looked troubled. "Your health isn't good."

Lila's eyes immediately reddened, tears threatening to fall. Damian sighed and looked at Serafina. "Serafina, why don't we take Lila with us?"

Serafina asked coolly, "If something happens to her, are you all going to blame me again?"

"How could that happen? As long as we take good care of Lila, how could anything go wrong?" Damian said.

Serafina didn't want to argue with him anymore. "Whatever you want."

With that, she used Teleportation Magic and left.

In the human world, there was a place called Twin Moons Town. At the center of the town stood an ancient stone bridge, and at the end of the bridge was an Oath Stone. Lovers used it to symbolize eternal vows.

When they had once disguised themselves as a human married couple, Serafina and Damian had stood here hand in hand, transforming into wolf form under the moonlight and howling together at the moon, declaring each other as lifelong mates.

"Damian's Wolf Soul will establish a Soul Bond with Serafina for all eternity."

The vow still echoed in Serafina's ears. But everything had changed from what it once was.

Serafina turned her head and saw Damian supporting Lila as they stood by the bridge not far away. Lila said in Primeval Tongue, "Damian, I want to make a wish to be with you forever."

Damian was stunned for only a second before smiling tenderly at Lila and saying, "Alright. Then I'll make a wish toothat you'll recover your health soon and never be tormented by illness again."

After speaking, the two of them carved their new vow into the Oath Stone together.

Watching this scene, Serafina clenched her fists. The next second, she found the vow she and Damian had carved together that Christmas without hesitation. Then she turned her palm, and a blazing flame ignited. At the same time, the Moon Goddess Mark on Serafina's forehead began to glow.

As the traces of the vow carved in stone burned to ash in the flames, the beautiful memories she and Damian had shared in this town completely disappeared from her mind.