The Luna's Last Sacrifice Chapter 4

I retrieved the memory crystal from the hidden compartment—all the evidence was stored inside.

"Give this to Sebastian at sunrise tomorrow." I placed the crystal in Dianna's palm.

Dianna's eyes reddened. "Stella, we still have a chance. I can go to the stone circle right now and interrupt the ceremony."

"No." I pressed her hand closed. "Let them complete their vows. Let all the pack members witness Sebastian mating with another woman on the night his wife lay dying."

Cheers echoed from outside the window.

I took out three letters from the drawer.

The first was for my parents. When I pressed my blood claw print on the envelope, my right claw trembled so badly I could barely hold the pen. Never mind—they probably wouldn't read it carefully anyway.

The second was for Lewis, sealed in moon language, only to be opened when he turned eighteen. I drew a small wolf in the corner of the envelope—how he looked during his first transformation.

The third was for the Council of Elders. Just one line: "I voluntarily relinquish everything, but the truth must be remembered."

"And this." I slipped off the ring from my left ring finger. The moonheart stone gleamed with milky white light in the dim room.

"Give this to Lewis. When he comes of age, let him decide whether to wear it."

Dianna's tears finally fell. "He'll regret it. They all will—"

"That's exactly what I want." I interrupted, my voice terrifyingly calm. "I want them to be burned by moonlight every night for the rest of their lives. I want them to think of me every time they look at Lewis, remembering that when I died, he was calling someone else mom."

Another cheer erupted outside. Sebastian's voice carried through the amplification spell: "Thank you all for witnessing! Tonight, under the blood moon's blessing..."

I closed the window.

The moment the sound was cut off, the world became so quiet I could hear the soft crackling of my bones breaking.

The final stage of Lunar Blight had begun—my organs were melting, collapsing from within like wax.

"Lie down," Dianna helped me toward the bed.

I shook my head and walked back to the window, pushing it open again. Cold air rushed in, dispelling the scent of death in the room.

The ceremony continued. I knew Sebastian had spent three whole months preparing for this wedding. Our mating ceremony years ago had only simple bonfires and vows.

He had said: "Those things aren't important, Stella. We have plenty of time."

Turns out all that time was saved for someone else.

"Dianna."

"I'm here."

"After I die, take my body to that tree on the border of Shadowfang territory. My parents will object, but do as I say."

"Why there?"

"Because twenty years ago, I saved Layla under that tree." I smiled, the taste of blood rising in my throat. "Where it began, it will end. Very complete, don't you think?"

Dianna sobbed uncontrollably.

I lay back on the bed, letting the agony wash over me like a tide. The Dark Moon Grass extract was wearing off, real pain tearing through every nerve. But I made no sound.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "Good night."

My breathing became lighter. Like a feather falling from great heights—slow, irreversible.

I saw Sebastian from seven years ago, reaching out his hand to me in the moonlight, his eyes bright as a lake filled with stars.

He said, "Marry me, Stella. I'll be good to you for life."

I said, "Yes."

Turns out a lifetime was so short.

Six in the morning, at moonfall.

I exhaled my last breath, my body temperature fading away with the moonlight.

Dianna stood by the bed, her trembling hands closing my eyes.

Then she took out the communication stone and infused it with magic.

After the crystal glowed for three seconds, Sebastian's impatient voice emerged: "Dianna? I'm very busy right now."

"Stella is dead."

Dead silence from the other end.

A full ten seconds passed before he managed a few words, "...What?"

"This morning at six o'clock," Dianna's voice was like a frozen lake, "she transformed into her silver wolf form and passed peacefully."

"That's impossible." Sebastian's breathing suddenly intensified. "She was at the ceremony last night! She had wine, she even—"

"She blessed your happiness." Dianna finished his sentence. "Yes. Then she returned to her room and died alone. Late-stage Lunar Blight—you should know what that means."

The sound of something shattering came through the communication stone.

"Where are you?" Sebastian's voice was hoarse and distorted. "I'm coming right now! Call the healers! No, call the high priest! There might be a way—"

"There is no way, Alpha." Dianna said softly. "She couldn't wait for the Blood Moon Ritual. You gave that chance to someone else, remember?"

Silence spread like a swamp.

Then Sebastian said, "I'll be there in ten minutes."

Dianna wiped away her tears and put away the memory crystal and three letters. "Stella, I'll get justice for you."