When the Luna Falls Asleep Chapter 04

When the Luna Falls Asleep Chapter 04

When danger struck, everyone instinctively moved to protect Chloe.

Jonathan wrapped his arms tightly around her, shielding her as though she were the most precious thing in the world.

My parents rushed toward her too.

As for me, I’d been asleep for too long. My muscles were weak, and my body couldn’t react fast enough.

I couldn’t dodge the flying shards of glass.

They sliced across my skin, leaving bloody cuts all over my body.

A cry of pain escaped my lips.

Only then did everyone seem to come back to their senses.

Because my wolf was so weak, my healing abilities had deteriorated drastically. Unlike normal werewolves, I couldn’t heal from injuries within seconds.

My wounds healed as slowly as a human’s.

Jonathan immediately let go of Chloe.

Yet he still didn’t dare touch me.

I was rushed to the pack doctor to have my wounds treated.

My parents’ eyes were red as they apologized over and over again.

But strangely, my heart no longer seemed capable of hurting.

Back at the packhouse, I tried to ease the tension.

“Where’s my fashion design portfolio?”

Even though I’d lost my chance to join Wainwright & Co., I didn’t want to give up the thing I loved most.

Design.

Even if one day I fell asleep and never woke up again, I wanted to leave something behind.

The moment I asked, everyone’s expressions stiffened.

Jonathan looked guilty.

“About that…” He hesitated, “Chloe is talented too. She was just a little short of Wainwright & Co.’s requirements. So I gave your portfolio to her.”

He paused before adding carefully, “You don’t mind… do you?”

Tears instantly welled in Chloe’s eyes. She looked like a frightened little rabbit.

“Allison, if you’re upset, blame me.” She bit her lip, “If you want, I can quit my job right now.”

My parents immediately became defensive.

The way they looked at me made it seem as though I were the one in the wrong.

“Allison,” my mother said softly, “Chloe has always dreamed of getting into Wainwright & Co. Surely you can understand that.”

My father nodded, “Besides, it’s not like you’ll be able to work anymore. You could fall asleep at any moment. The portfolio would’ve gone to waste anyway.”

“It’s better that Chloe can put it to good use.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Of course.

They were the family now.

And I…

I was the extra person standing outside the door.

Maybe it was finally time for me to leave.

For the first time, I made up my mind. I picked up my phone and made a call.

Over the next few days, everyone seemed unusually busy.

It felt as though they were preparing for something important.

Then one afternoon, I overheard my father speaking on the phone.

“…Make the cake bigger. Six tiers. And make it beautiful. I don’t care how much it costs.”

Only then did I suddenly remember.

My twenty-fifth birthday was only two days away.

Warmth spread through my chest. So they hadn’t forgotten after all.

On the morning of my birthday, everyone left the house early.

I sat alone in the living room.

No one came back.

By noon, I still hadn’t heard from anyone.

I was about to call my mother when I came across a social media post she’d just uploaded.

“Today is my grandson Austin Fletcher’s baby shower. Thank you to all our friends and family for celebrating with us!”

In the video, a six-tier cake flashed briefly across the screen.

I stared at it, then I finally understood.

The cake had never been for me.

I had simply fooled myself into believing it was.

I tapped the like button.

A few moments later, the post disappeared.

She had deleted it.

A bitter smile crossed my face.

Without taking anything with me, I climbed into the car that had come to pick me up.

Originally, I had wanted to say goodbye. Now it seemed unnecessary.

Jonathan’s POV

At the baby shower, Lauren suddenly gasped.

“Oh no!”

She frantically deleted the post.

“I posted it too quickly and forgot to hide it from Allison. She’s definitely going to make a scene when she sees it.”

I rubbed my temples in irritation.

“She’s an adult.”

“What is she competing with a baby for?”

Just then, my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen.

Allison.

Of course.

It had to be about the post.

I declined the call, but the phone kept ringing.

Again.

And again.

Relentlessly.

Finally, I lost my patience and answered, “Allison, are you done yet?”

My voice came out harsher than intended.

“Don’t you realize we’re all busy?”

“Why do you keep calling?”

“Can you really not even tolerate a child?”

But instead of Allison’s voice, a stranger answered.

“Am I speaking with Jonathan Fletcher, Alpha of the Obsidian Pack?”

The unfamiliar voice was calm and professional.

“This is Neurovia Labs. We’re calling to confirm the family’s consent.”

“Do you agree to allow Allison Blackwell—your mate—to participate in our experimental treatment program?”

I frowned as I finally remembered the research institute.

Back when Allison was first diagnosed with narcolepsy, they had contacted us about an experimental treatment.

They wanted to test a new drug on her.

But at the time, we had all refused.

The risk had been too high.

There was a ninety-eight percent chance Allison would fall into a permanent sleep and never wake up again.

“Alpha… are you there? Do you agree?”