Page 3 of Everyone wants me to swap lives with her

As Damian approached, he witnessed a surge of non-human energy appearing on the Oath Stone.

He paused, and seeing no one around, stepped forward to grasp Serafina's hand. "Serafina, how can you use such power in the human world?"

The disappearance of those memories left Serafina feeling completely calm as she looked at Damian.

Even the slight sting from earlier had vanished.

Serafina withdrew her hand indifferently. "It's fine. No one saw."

Her expression was no different from when she'd stood by the bridge earlier. Yet somehow, watching her in this moment, Damian felt she had changed.

But he couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed about her.

Damian uneasily reached for Serafina's hand again. Before he could speak, Lila came up from behind and linked her arm through his. "Damian, let's go explore somewhere else," she said.

With that, she pulled Damian away.

Damian was forced to release Serafina's hand. Looking back, he saw Serafina still standing in the same spot.

In that instant, he suddenly felt like he could never hold onto her again.

After touring the human world, they returned to their clan territory while only a short time had actually passed.

Yet Lila still appeared drained and weak. Leaning against Damian, she said, "Damian, the human world is so much fun. When I get better, let's go there often, okay?"

Damian glanced at Serafina but hadn't answered yet.

Suddenly, everyone sensed a wave of killing intent.

Serafina's head snapped up, just in time to see a white shadow lunging toward them.

She was about to dodge when a large hand from behind shoved her forcefully into the path of the white shadow.

Massive claws raked three deep wounds across Serafina's chest. She collapsed in agony, her white dress instantly soaked with blood.

Looking up, Serafina froze. "Blaze?"

The one who had attacked her was actually Blaze.

Serafina turned her head to see Damian shielding Lila with his body. The person who had pushed her was Damian himself.

To protect Lila, he had pushed her out, making her take the blow meant for Lila.

Serafina clutched her chest and coughed up blood. Damian's face went pale as he rushed toward her in panic.

He shouted, "Serafina!"

Serafina felt only desolation. She wanted to ask him why he bothered looking so worried now when he had just pushed her into harm's way.

But the pain was so intense she couldn't utter a word, only letting Damian lift her into his arms.

They hurried back to the center of their territory, where they encountered Alpha Benjamin, Luna Valentina, and Leo.

Seeing Serafina covered in blood, Benjamin and Valentina's expressions changed dramatically. They immediately ordered their clan members, "Quick! Bring all the precious Moonlit Herbs we have."

Hearing this, the semi-conscious Serafina's eyelashes trembled slightly.

But the next second, she heard Benjamin say, "Serafina cannot die. Otherwise, she won't be able to exchange her life for Lila's."

Those words pierced Serafina's heart like an icy blade.

So their real concern was still for Lila. She was allowed to live only to extend Lila's life.

Serafina felt as if she'd fallen into an ice cellar. She felt tears sliding from the corners of her eyes. Then, unable to hold on any longer, she lost consciousness completely.

When she woke again, three days had passed.

Damian sat by her bedside, looking like he hadn't slept in three days.

Seeing Serafina awake, he immediately stood up. "Serafina, you're awake? How do you feel? Are you still in pain?"

Serafina looked at him calmly.

During those three days, though she had been unconscious, she could clearly feel the Moon Goddess Mark on her forehead burning hot.

Each time the Moon Goddess Mark heated up, the memories in her mind faded a little more.

While unconscious, the Moon Goddess Mark had burned hot three times total, so she knew she'd been unconscious for three days.

Now, very few memories of Damian remained in her mind. Recalling what had happened before she lost consciousness, she no longer felt any sadness.

Serafina parted her pale lips and suddenly asked, "Do you still care whether I'm in pain?"

Damian's face went pale, guilt written across his features. "Serafina, the situation was too urgent that day. I really didn't mean to. That Spirit Wolf was clearly coming for Lila. I just wanted to protect Lila."

Serafina's lips curved slightly. The movement made the wounds on her chest ache.

She said, "Lila has your Umbral Wolfheart. No one can hurt her at all."

Damian trembled, as if just remembering this fact. This made his explanation even more hollow.

Serafina didn't want to discuss it further and simply asked, "Where's Blaze?"

Damian's eyes immediately turned fierce. "After it hurt you, it ran away. I'm going to find it and tear it apart."

"No. It was being controlled by someone," Serafina stopped him.

Though the situation had been chaotic that day, she had still noticed the abnormal purple light in Blaze's eyes.

Someone had cast a mind control spell on Blaze.

Damian fell silent for a moment. Serafina thought he was considering who might have done this.

But after a while, Damian looked at her with suspicious eyes. He asked, "Serafina, Blaze was going after Lila that day. You brought it back, and it's not close to anyone else. Did you order it to do this? Did you want to kill Lila?"

The room fell into dead silence, not even the slightest sound could be heard. Serafina stared at Damian in disbelief, her hands clenched into fists beneath the fur blanket, her body trembling uncontrollably. She spoke: "Say that again."

Damian's gaze flickered away, unable to repeat those words. He could only defend himself: "I was just asking casually. Since you didn't do it, don't take it to heart."

However, Serafina had formed a Soul Covenant with him for nearly a hundred Christmasesthey were each other's mate. How could she not know his true thoughts? Serafina said: "You weren't just asking casually. You've already decided that I want to kill Lila. Not just youmy father, mother, and Leo all think the same way, don't they?"

Damian was momentarily speechless. After a while, he finally spoke: "It's not like that, Serafina. We're just concerned about you."

Serafina's eyes reddened, almost ready to laugh with mockery. Before losing consciousness, she had heard Benjamin's words. After waking up, she had to face Damian's suspicions. In their eyes, if she had no value in exchanging her life for Lila's, they probably wouldn't have saved her that daythey would have let her die. That way, everyone in the Sunfire Pack could get what they wanted, and everyone would be happy. Serafina turned her head away: "Get out. I don't want to see you."

Damian was stunned and tried to persuade her: "Serafina..."

"Get out." Serafina's tone became more resolute. Damian frowned, clearly displeased, but eventually left. As soon as the stone door closed, tears burst from Serafina's eyes. Even though she had lost most of her memories, those remaining fragments still made it impossible to suppress the pain, grievance, and helpless anger in her heart. She wiped away her tears forcefully. This would be the last time she shed tears for them. Only two days remained before she would completely forget them.

At that moment, the Moon Goddess Mark on Serafina's forehead began burning again. She thought to herself: "Father, mother, Damian, Leosoon I will disappear completely, just as you all wish."

The next day, the Sunfire Pack decorated their territory inside and out even more festively. Although Serafina no longer cared, the surrounding silver ribbons and white moonlight flowers still stung her eyes painfully. Her wounds had mostly healed. Worried about Blaze, she left the pack and headed to Whispering Ridge.

Blaze was indeed hiding there. Upon seeing Serafina, Blaze whimpered and retreated backward. The bloodstains on its body had long dried but remained uncleaned. Serafina sighed: "Blaze, I know you didn't mean to hurt me. Come hereI can read your mental memories."

Only then did Blaze lie down and slowly crawl over. Serafina gently placed her palm on Blaze's head. Everything that happened yesterday appeared clearly before her eyes: Blaze had originally been resting in her room when it suddenly heard footsteps. Opening its eyes, it saw Lila walking in. Lila smiled slightly and cast Mental Weaving on Blaze. Yesterday's controlled Blaze appeared to be attacking Lila, but in reality, its true target was to harm Serafina.

"So it was her after all." Serafina said coldly. She withdrew her hand, unsurprised by this result. Lila's reason for doing this was simpleshe didn't need the life exchange at all, so she had to find a way to stop the life exchange ceremony.

Serafina smiled, then raised her hand to use her own power to clean the blood from Blaze's body. She said: "I'm going to Howling Wolf Peak tomorrow. You're now bearing the blame for hurting someone, and I really can't feel at ease about it. Why don't you come with me?"

Blaze gently wrapped its tail around Serafina's arm, agreeing to her proposal.

Serafina had never imagined that a Spirit Wolf she'd encountered by chance would be the one to stay by her side in the end. After spending half a day at Whispering Ridge, Serafina didn't return to the pack territory when she leftinstead, she went straight to the Shrine of Fate.

The Soul Tapestry at the Shrine of Fate was densely covered with silver threads, each one representing the Soul Bond between a pair of mates. Serafina found the thread belonging to her and Damian with precision, holding it in her hand as she gazed at it quietly.

The guardian of the Shrine of Fate approached to greet her: "Serafina, what brings you to visit this old man today? Wait, what are you doing?"

Serafina conjured a blade of light in her hand and severed her and Damian's Soul Thread without hesitation. The moment the Soul Thread was cut, their names carved on the Covenant Stone instantly crumbled like weathered stone, dissolving into specks of light that drifted away.

The Soul Thread connected both mates, and once severed, both could immediately sense it. So it wasn't long before Damian appeared at the Shrine of Fate. By then, the two severed pieces of Soul Thread in Serafina's hand had already begun to turn gray and dim.

Damian's heart filled with intense panic, his voice trembling: "Serafina, what have you done?"

Damian rushed over, picking up the two pieces of Soul Thread and trying to tie them back together: "How could you sever our Soul Bond?"

Serafina asked calmly in return: "Didn't we agree last time? If you and Lila hold the Bonding Rite, we'd dissolve our Soul Bond first."

Damian's eyes reddened: "That was all fake, just an act! We didn't need to do this!"

However, no matter how hard Damian tried, the Soul Thread would always come apartthe knot could never hold. The guardian nearby sighed: "Stop wasting your effort. The threads on the Soul Tapestry can't just be tied back together."

Damian's movements froze, his eyes growing even redder: "Then what am I supposed to do?"

The guardian stroked his long beard: "Only the Moon Goddess can weave it anew."

Damian immediately grabbed Serafina's hand: "Serafina, let's rebond! We'll go petition the Moon Goddess right now!"

Serafina looked at him calmly, not understanding why he cared so much about this thread. Seeing Serafina's silence, Damian grew even more anxious. He brought Serafina back to the pack territory, only to find Leo in the courtyard, trying to cheer up Lila.

Damian frowned and called Leo over: "Leo, your mother was injured. Haven't you shown any concern for her?"

Leo froze for a moment, not even daring to look at Serafina. He turned his head and said quietly: "Mother is too strict. Aunt Lila is very gentle. I like being with Aunt Lila."

Damian's frown deepened: "You!"

At that moment, Lila said gently: "Damian, Leo is still youngit's my fault. I know my body is weak and I probably can't have children anymore, so I've been treating Serafina's child as my own and gotten close to him. Blame me instead."

Seeing Lila's fragile appearance, Damian opened his mouth but said nothing in the end.

Serafina chuckled softly: "Since he likes Lila, just let him spend more time with her."

After all, by tomorrow, Leo would truly be able to call Lila his mother. As for that life-swapping ritual of Ember Renewal, they were destined never to fulfill that beautiful dream.

After saying this, Serafina turned to leave. But Lila called out to her: "Serafina, I want to try on the dress for tomorrow's Bonding Rite. Can you help me put it on?"

Serafina stopped in her tracks and didn't refuse. Only the two of them were in the room. Lila's snow-white dress was embroidered with Moonlight Threads depicting a lifelike silver wolf, representing her possession of the Frost Heart and her noble status.

As Serafina helped Lila adjust the front of her dress, Lila suddenly grabbed her hand and said, "I'm truly grateful to you. Since we were children, you've been willing to give me so many things. Now, you're even willing to give me your life. I promise that after you die, I'll take good care of Damian."

Lila's face looked sweet, but her words cut like a poisoned blade.

Serafina smiled and asked, "Aren't you afraid of Damian hearing these words, or our parents finding out?"

Lila also smiled and said, "Afraid? Serafina, who would believe your words anymore? No one loves you, and no one trusts you. You're the most unnecessary existence in this world."

Serafina smiled, thinking to herself: "Unnecessary?" In the end, she said nothing. After helping Lila into her dress, she turned and pushed open the door.

Damian and Leo, who were waiting outside, both looked over. Damian immediately praised, "Lila, you're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen."

Lila smiled brilliantly, linking her arm with Damian's and saying with feigned shyness, "Serafina is still here."

Damian paused, quickly explaining, "Serafina, I didn't mean it that way."

"It's fine," Serafina said calmly. "You should spend more time with Lila. I'm a bit tired, so I'll head back first."

Without waiting for them to stop her, Serafina turned and left. Watching Serafina's retreating figure, Damian instinctively wanted to follow, but Lila held his arm firmly, preventing him from moving. Somehow, Damian felt as if Serafina would never come back. He thought: "No, that can't be. This is her home. Where else could she go?"

Damian forcibly suppressed the unease in his heart and smiled at Lila.

Meanwhile, Serafina walked out of Lila's Moonstone Cottage. Throughout the vast pack territory, everything was filled with the atmosphere of celebration. Gorgeous silver ribbons and pristine moonlight flowers were everywhere, clearly preparing for a grand Bonding Rite.

Serafina's gaze fell on the invitations being distributed by pack members. Almost every notable Supernatural Pack had been invited. Such careful preparation was nothing like what Damian had claimed"just a simple ceremony to fulfill Lila's wish." He clearly wanted the entire Supernatural World to know that he and Lila had become mates.

Serafina felt a stab of pain in her heart, but it lasted only an instant before disappearing. Only one thought remained in her mindit was time for her to leave.

Returning to Dusk Cottage, Serafina looked at this stone cottage where she had lived for nearly a hundred Christmases. She had forgotten most of her memories, only remembering that she had originally lived in Moonstone Cottage because she was the Alpha and Luna's first child. Later, she was forced to give that room to Lila. From then on, she kept giving way, until finally, she even gave up her mate and son to Lila.

Serafina waved her hand, summoning all her belongings to float in mid-air. With another wave, a Soul Blaze instantly burned everything to nothing, leaving not even ashes behind. From now on, there would be no trace of her existence here.

Without hesitation, Serafina turned and left without even a final glance.

After leaving the pack territory, Serafina went to Whispering Ridge. That night, she let the Moon Goddess Mark on her forehead burn hot again and again.

Dawn arrived, and the day for the clan's Bonding Rite had finally come. Serafina extended her hand toward Blaze: "Let's go, Blaze."

Blaze immediately leaped to her side. Together, the woman and wolf headed north, finally reaching the boundary between the Supernatural World and the abyss at daybreakHowling Wolf Peak. In the distance, the Moon Goddess's majestic statue emanated a gentle glow. Serafina set down her spear and knelt on one knee: "Great Moon Goddess."

The Moon Goddess's commanding voice resonated in Serafina's mind: "Serafina, the time has come. Are you prepared to forget everything, sever all emotions, and use your body to suppress the Wild Spirit of Howling Wolf Peak, protecting the world's balance?"

Serafina raised her head, her eyes already devoid of any emotion, yet she still pleaded: "Great Moon Goddess, before this happens, I have one request. Spirit Wolf Blaze has decided to guard Howling Wolf Peak alongside me. Could you allow me not to forget him?"

The Moon Goddess asked: "Besides this, is there anyone or anything else you need to remember?"

Serafina's gaze was resolute: "No, there isn't."

The Moon Goddess said: "Very well, I shall grant your wish."

Immediately, the Moon Goddess's statue burst forth with brilliant light. Serafina slowly rose into the air, suspended in mid-flight. The Moon Goddess Mark on her forehead suddenly blazed with blinding silver light. At that moment, the Moon Goddess extended a hand formed of pure light, drawing from the radiance an almost transparent ribbon that shimmered with rainbow colors. The Moon Goddess declared: "I have extracted your Core of Emotions. From now on, you shall have no desires, no love, no hatred."

Serafina clearly felt her past with Benjamin, Valentina, Damian, and Leo rapidly rewinding in her mind. Benjamin and Valentina said: "Serafina is our first child. We want to give her all the best things in the world."

Damian said: "Serafina, my soul howls for you. I want to forge an eternal covenant with you."

Leo said: "Mother, I love you most of all."

In the next moment, all these images faded, ultimately becoming a blank void. When she opened her eyes again, Serafina stood atop Howling Wolf Peak. She wore silver armor and gripped her spear, her eyes no longer holding any trace of love.