After My Wolf Spirit Faded, I Became the Chosen Twin novel Chapter 4

Hearing my question, my parents finally tore their gazes away from Ivy, a flicker of embarrassment on their faces.

My mother frowned, waving a dismissive hand. "Harper, don't be so morbid. You're just testing the safety of a regeneration ritual. This isn't some tragic farewell!"

My father snorted. "Are you trying to back out now? The agreement is signed. You'd better get in there. We'll come get you once the ritual is proven successful."

But Ryker's tone suddenly softened. He stepped forward and took my hand. "Stop making a scene, Harper."

"When the experiment is over, I'll take you to pick out the newest jewelry. You've always wanted that blue diamond necklace, haven't you?"

I looked at him, then at my parents' expectant faces.

Finally, I sighed and slowly pulled my hand from his.

"I don't want the necklace anymore," I said softly. "I don't want anything."

With that, I turned and walked into the dark, damp cellar, and I didn't look back.

The so-called "Wolf Spirit Regeneration Ritual" was nothing but pure torture.

The old witch, Morwen, gave me nothing for the pain.

She chanted her spells, forcing a violent surge of spiritual energy into my body.

My veins burned as if filled with lava, my skin crawling as if devoured by a million fire ants.

This inhuman torment lasted for eighteen long days.

In all that time, not a single person came to see me.

Perhaps they were celebrating with champagne. Perhaps Ryker was taking Ivy to gaze at the stars under the moonlight.

I didn't know.

All I knew was the feeling of my already-fading wolf letting out one final, mournful cry.

And then, it was gone.

As my wolf spirit disintegrated, my heart began to flutter violently before it finally fell still.

I was free.

When Morwen came in to begin the next phase of the ritual, she assumed I had merely fainted from the pain.

She prodded my arm impatiently with her wand. "Get up. Stop playing dead. Today is the final step."

She was met with a deathly silence.

Morwen froze. She reached out to check for my breath, then her face went pale and she stumbled backward.

After a long moment, she dialed the emergency number they had left her, her hand trembling.

"Madam... something has happened... Harper... she's dead!"

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.