LUNA ASTRID
Forced to lie on the infirmary bed, I couldn't stop the healers from binding my hands and feet, restraining my every movement.
"Please don't take my child. I'll convince the Alpha to let me keep it," I begged, my voice trembling with desperation. But they didn't listen. None of them did.
Those were my last words before the healer injected the Void Elixir into a precise vein in my hip. The cold, burning sensation spread quickly, and within seconds, I felt its cruel effect—a thick fluid leaving my body.
My pup was gone. Again.
After that, the healers shuffled out of the room, their heads bowed in silence, perhaps out of guilt or shame. A moment later, Jameson entered—contradictingly with his head held high. He closed the door behind him with a deliberate click.
Without a word, he strode toward me, leaning down to claim a kiss.
I turned my head away.
"Stop being so dramatic over a useless, unborn pup, Astrid." He said coldly, as if the pup wasn't his own flesh and blood.
Afterwards, with swift, practiced movements, he unfastened the cuffs the healers had left on me.
"Once more, you've taken away my chance of becoming a mother. Do you know how much that pains me?" I spoke as tears began to flow.
"Well, it's not my fault you can't bear a male pup." He retorted sadistically, his glare menacing. And yet, in a sick twist of irony, he reached out to wipe the tears from my cheeks.
"Don't worry." He murmured, his fingers trailing down my face. "I'll free you from that pain."
I recoiled, desperate to escape his grasp, but he yanked me back, his strength overpowering mine. "Don't be afraid, my lovely Luna." He said, his tone deceptively soft.
I shook my head violently, panic rising in my chest. "No... I know what you're planning. Stop. Please, Jameson, don't do this!" I pleaded, my voice breaking.
But my pleas fell on deaf ears as Jameson leaned in, sinking his teeth into my neck. His venom coursed through my veins, weakening me instantly.
I lost consciousness soon after.
For the fourth time, Jameson exploited his ability to numb his mate's heart—my heart—suppressing my emotions and rendering me helpless against his will.
He claimed this action healed my broken heart, but numbing and suppressing emotions aren't healing! My heart remained shattered, but Jameson's influence numbed my pain, leaving my wolf to suffer alone.
By the time I opened my eyes, the memories of losing my child still haunted me. Yet, because of what he had done, I managed—strangely—a faint smile.
"Alpha, I'm glad you're here," I said, my voice light and devoid of the pain I still felt deep inside.
When he leaned in for a kiss, I welcomed it warmly this time. His gaze was dark and intense as he settled on the side of the bed.
"Are you feeling any emotional pain right now?" He asked.
I wanted to scream yes, but instead, I was forced to respond, "No, Alpha."
In a gesture that was both tender and manipulative, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm glad to hear that." He said softly. "But honestly, there are other things that still concern me."
"Like what?" I asked cautiously.
"Like how conceiving a pup and losing it could affect your health in the long run." He said, his tone smooth as he began to rub my shoulders. "And like how the absence of an heir or a future Alpha could soon weaken the Folklore Pack." His hands slid to cup my face, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that felt as though he was trying to control my very soul. "Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"Yes, Alpha." I replied, my voice stripped of emotion.
"Good." He said, his tone was calm and gentle. "As the Luna, what sacrifices are you willing to make for the pack?"
"I can do anything, Alpha." I replied with a steady voice.
"Really?" He asked, a subtle smirk playing on his lips as he ran his fingers through my long brunette hair. Then, he retrieved a piece of paper, neatly folded, and a golden pen. "Can you prove it by signing this?" His tone was still calm, but I could feel the trap closing around me. He was taking advantage of my numb heart!
"Alpha, what is that?" I asked, eyeing the document warily.
"Since you can only produce female pups," he began, "I believe it's time to remove that responsibility from you. Instead, we'll let another she-wolf do it for us."
My heart felt like it would burst from the sheer audacity of his words, but all I managed was a quiet, "What do you mean?"
He handed me the agreement and the golden pen. Then, as if to cement his manipulation, he leaned in, kissing me softly and deeply, as if to weaken any resistance I might have. When our lips parted, his gaze bore into mine.
"As my mate and my Luna, I need you to sign this." He said, his tone gentle, but dripping with control. "It's a testament that you're giving your consent for me to use a surrogate she-wolf to bear us a male pup."
