Fianna's POV
That night, sleep never came.
I lay on the bed, staring into the darkness.
Bastien stayed beside me for a while, but around midnight, I felt him quietly leave the bed. He thought I was asleep.
I kept my eyes closed and my breathing steady until the bedroom door clicked shut.
For a long time, I remained still.
From somewhere down the hall, I could hear Bastien's voice and Valeska's laughter.
I placed a hand over my stomach. A new life was growing inside me.
But Bastien didn't know. And I would make sure he never found out.
The next morning, Bastien entered the room wearing a smile, as if he hadn't spent the entire night with my best friend.
"Fianna," he said carefully, "we need to discuss something."
The way he said it made my stomach tighten.
"What is it now?" I asked with an immediate frown.
He hesitated before clearing his throat.
"Valeska shouldn't stay in the guest chamber anymore. She's carrying a pup. She needs more room and better comfort."
I blinked. My mind struggled to understand what he had just said.
"Comfort?"
He nodded. "The Alpha suite is larger and much nicer. It makes sense for her to have it."
For a moment, I thought I had heard wrong. Then a laugh of disbelief escaped me.
"You want me to give my room to Valeska?"
His jaw tightened. "It won't be permanent. Only until the pup is born."
I stared at him, fighting the urge to wrap my hands around his throat. I wanted to tell him I was carrying a pup too. That my pup deserved comfort and protection, not Valeska's illegitimate pup.
But I stayed silent.
He was a murderer. He had no right to know.
Then Bastien continued speaking, "Fianna, you've enjoyed that room for years. Valeska is pregnant. Shouldn't she be the one receiving special care now? Can't you make one sacrifice for your best friend?"
I pressed my lips together. There was no point arguing.
In a few days, I would be gone forever. So I swallowed my anger.
My nails dug into my palms.
"Fine," I said quietly.
Besides, it made things easier. I was already packing my belongings.
His shoulders relaxed. A relieved sigh escaped him.
He leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead.
Revulsion washed through me. I nearly shivered.
"Bastien?"
Valeska's voice floated down the hallway.
Immediately, he turned toward the door.
"Wait, Bastien," I said calmly. "I need your signature."
I forced my hands to remain steady as I picked up a folder from the table.
"Before you leave, there's a document I need signed."
He frowned impatiently. "Fianna, not now."
"But it's only a small piece of paperwork," I interrupted softly. "It'll only take a moment."
He hesitated and narrowed his eyes.
Then Valeska called again, "Bastien!"
"Fine. Give it to me."
He snatched the papers from my hand. Without even reading them, he signed his name.
My face remained expressionless. But inside, my heart hammered wildly.
He even had no idea what he had just signed.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"No."
He didn't wait.
Before I could say another word, he was already gone.
The second he left, I called my pack attorney.
"My bond severance with Alpha Bastien Ashbourne is complete. Withdraw all of my support and investments from Ashbourne Pack Holdings."
Yes, there was something Bastien had never known.
For years, I had secretly helped him build his territory. I had funded him, supported him, and protected him.
Now all of that was over.
A hollow laugh escaped me before I returned to packing.
A few minutes later, Valeska appeared at the doorway.
Her voice dripped with fake kindness. "Fianna, let me help."
Her smile even never reached her eyes.
But I knew that smile. I had seen it when she comforted me after Danica died.
Now I really wanted to scream at her. I wanted to rip her hair out.
But instead, I only forced a smile.
"That's alright. I can handle it."
She entered anyway, glancing around the room.
The shelves were nearly empty.
"It's okay. I'm good at organizing things. I'll take care of everything."
She walked directly toward the dresser where I kept Danica's belongings.
I hadn't found the strength to pack them away yet.
"Be careful. Don't touch that area," I said sharply.
Valeska's smile widened. She picked up a snow globe from the corner.
It had been Danica's favorite toy. A tiny moon dancer twirled inside whenever it was shaken.
On nights when grief became unbearable, I would hold that snow globe until sleep finally claimed me.
Watching the little dancer spin always soothed my heart.
"This is beautiful," Valeska said softly, turning it in her hands. "It belonged to Danica, didn't it?"
Pain squeezed my chest. "Yes. Put it down."
Her smile deepened. Mischief sparkled in her eyes.
"Oops."
She let it slip from her fingers. The snow globe crashed against the floor. Glass shattered everywhere.
The moon dancer snapped into two pieces. Silver liquid spilled across the floor.
"Oh, no!" Valeska gasped dramatically, pressing a hand against her chest. "I'm so sorry, Fianna. I've become so clumsy lately. It must be pregnancy fog."
Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she watched me.
Waiting.
Watching for my reaction.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
That snow globe wasn't merely a toy. It was the one thing that helped me survive the nights after Danica died.
Now it lay shattered. Destroyed by Valeska's deliberate mistake.
I dropped to my knees. My trembling hands gathered the broken pieces. I even didn't care when sharp glass sliced my skin.
Tears blurred my vision as I cradled the broken moon dancer in my palm.
"It was her favorite." My voice barely came out.
Valeska crouched beside me. A small, pleased smile rested on her lips.
"Don't worry, Fianna. You'll have more pups someday. You'll get over it."
My chest burned. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet hers.
At that moment, everything crashed down on me.
And I finally snapped.
