Chapter 6

• That was enough to get her on her feet and run. It couldn't be Hayley, could it? But she was the only sister she had!
• It was definitely her! But the infirmary? What was happening? Had she had an accident and needed blood or something? That could be the only reason she would be summoned so urgently.
• She prayed frantically to the goddess to please save her sister, if it truly was what she was thinking.
• Hayley had been cruel to her, yes, but it didn't change the fact that she was her twin sister, and her heart ached for her. To be honest, she hadn't always been so cruel. She had only changed after the death of their father.
• Before the tragic incident, Hayley had always been kind to Winona. She would share her toys and food with her, always treating Winona as if she were her younger sister. However, all of that changed when their father passed away. Winona could still vividly recall their mother telling Hayley that she was a murderer, that Winona was the one who had killed their father.
• She pushed those haunting thoughts away, running as fast as her legs could carry her. The infirmary was a short distance away from the maids' quarters, but due to her swift running, she arrived a few minutes earlier than expected.
• Upon her arrival at the palace infirmary, she was drenched in sweat. Standing by the emergency ward, she saw some familiar faces that she usually tried to avoid.
• At the sound of her entrance, all their gazes turned towards her. She was met with a small crowd of people, consisting of her mother, the Alpha, the doctor, and Brent. They all wore expressions of anxiety and fear.
• When she shifted her gaze, she saw Hayley lying unconscious on the hospital bed. Her once radiant face was now extremely pale, and Winona could see cracks on her thin lips. How long had she been ill?
• A cold wave of fear washed over Winona as she looked at her mother. Her mother was filled with fear and sorrow, her tears falling freely as she struggled to compose herself.
• "Hayley, what...?" Winona managed to ask.
• "She had a heart attack, heart failure. She needs a heart donor, Winona..." Her mother's words were cut off by a loud wail.
• "Poor child! She had been keeping it to herself for so long!"
• Winona frowned. Why would Hayley keep such a serious ailment to herself? She could have been receiving treatment.
• The Alpha king looked at her with pity, while Brent was visibly distraught. His handsome face was contorted with various expressions of anger and depression. He looked shaken. He must have loved her sister, right?
• Even though Winona had trained her heart to be immune to such feelings, she still felt a pang of pain when she saw her mate looking so distressed over someone else. Even if that someone else was her twin sister!
• Winona turned her gaze back to her sister, struggling to process what her mother had just revealed about Hayley's condition. Heart failure? The words seemed to make no sense to her.
• "We need your assistance, Winona. You must help her," her mother implored, further adding to her confusion.
• Hayley needed a heart transplant, but what could Winona possibly do to assist? She was no medical professional.
• "You need to donate your heart to Hayley, Winona. It's necessary. We can't afford to wait for the hospital to find a donor because that could take years, and she's your sister, Winona."
• Winona recoiled in disbelief. Her mouth hung open in shock and horror! She couldn't fathom what her mother was asking of her.
• Did her mother even comprehend the gravity of what she was asking? "Mother, are...are you asking me to...?"
• To give her heart to Hayley, to DIE so that Hayley could live?
• She was essentially being asked to sacrifice her life so that her sister could continue living. Her mother didn't seem to hesitate or show any remorse. It was as if she was issuing an order. It was a must for Winona to do it.
• She scanned the faces of everyone present, from the doctor to her mother, then to Brent and his father. She could see a silent consensus on their faces. A bitter resentment welled up within her.
• They had all made up their minds; they wanted her to give up her life for Hayley. Was she really that disposable? How could they wish for her death without a second thought?
• "Winona, why can't you do this small act for your sister? She is your only sister!" her mother exclaimed.
• "And what about me, mother? Should I just discard my life because I have to save my sister?"
• "What kind of life do you have that you are so proud of? Your sister has a promising future ahead of her. She is destined to be the future Luna! Can't you do this for the sake of the pack?" her mother retorted angrily.
• "Listen, Winona, you can't let your sister die! Do you think your father would forgive you if you fail to protect your own sister?"
• "So, you're essentially asking me to sacrifice my life, mother?"
• "And what of it? Are you so proud of your pitiful and disgraceful life? You are a blight and a curse! This is the only way you can redeem yourself!
• "By dying?" Winona asked, her voice barely above a whisper.