Samantha’s POV
“The mating ceremony will continue tomorrow, according to Alpha Alexander.”
Father’s words echoed in my mind, but instead of responding, I stared blankly into the distance. My heart felt numb, my thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.
"Samantha, are you listening?"
I nodded, my voice as lifeless as a machine. "Yes."
"Good. We expect your sister, Cassandra, to recover soon. Once she does, the ceremony will proceed as planned tomorrow."
With that, Father left the house—our house. The home that Alexander and I were supposed to share. But at this moment, it felt anything but warm.
I lowered my gaze to the white dress I wore last night. It was meant to symbolize unity and purity, a reminder of the bond that should have been sacred. But now, it felt meaningless. The innocence it represented was long gone, tainted by the pain and betrayal that clouded my heart.
I had made my decision. I was leaving.
After everything that had happened… after everything Alexander had made me feel… I could not stay.
Silently, I began packing my clothes, careful not to make a sound. I had to make sure neither my mother nor my father would catch me. My hands trembled as I folded each piece of fabric, the weight of my choice pressing heavily on my chest.
When I was done, I reached for a piece of paper. If I was going to leave, I had to at least say goodbye.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I wrote the letter. My heart ached with every word, my emotions spilling onto the page.
But just as I was about to finish, the door suddenly swung open.
I gasped and quickly hid the letter beneath a stack of clothes before turning to face the intruder.
Alexander.
"Samantha," he said, his voice softer than I expected. "I'm sorry for what happened last night."
I remained silent, my fingers clenching the fabric of my dress.
"I was just shocked when Cassandra suddenly collapsed," he continued. "I didn’t mean to ignore you. And… she told me she was sorry for everything she did to you."
His words felt empty. They barely grazed the surface of the pain he had caused me.
"Samantha," he said again, stepping closer. "Are you even listening?"
I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. My hands instinctively pressed against the hidden letter, ensuring it remained unseen. If he found it, he would know. And I wasn’t ready for that.
"I need some air," I said, standing up.
His sharp eyes narrowed at me. "Go where?" His voice was laced with suspicion.
"I just... need to clear my mind," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "Tomorrow is our official ceremony, and I understand you were only trying to help my sister."
He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched on, thick with unspoken words. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded slowly.
"Okay," he said, his voice flat. "If that's what you want."
He turned to leave, but something stopped me, a surge of doubt that I couldn’t ignore.
“Wait…” My voice trembled, and I hated how weak I sounded.
He stopped and turned back, his gaze sharp. "What?"
I bit my lower lip, fighting the overwhelming uncertainty that clawed at me. Should I really follow through with my plan to leave? I had no idea where I would go, and I was being reckless.
"Are you really honest with me?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.
He stiffened, a flash of defensiveness in his eyes. "What? Why are you saying this? Of course, I’m honest with you."
I took a shaky breath, the weight of the moment crashing down on me. "I just want to make sure... before I become your Luna."
He exhaled sharply, irritation flickering across his face. "Stop overthinking things, okay? I’m faithful to you. Now, I need to go. There’s something I have to do."
And then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, alone with the silence and the uncertainty that seemed to echo in the space between us.
I didn’t know what to do. I needed to talk to him, to confront him. He’s lying to me! I could feel it deep in my gut—I needed answers.
“Alexander, wait!”
But before I could even step out, I overheard voices from outside, cutting through the thick silence.
“Have you heard? Princess Cassandra is pregnant. That’s why she lost consciousness.”
I froze.
My whole body went cold, and I felt the ground beneath me tremble.
No. This can’t be… could it be… he’s the father?
The thought of it sent a wave of terror, anxiety, and unbearable pain through me. I didn’t even realize the tears that had started streaming down my face. My hands gripped my hair, tugging at it in sheer agony, trying to make sense of the twisted nightmare I was waking up to.
I didn’t notice that Alexander hadn’t come home until I found myself slumped in front of the door, exhausted, my body too numb to move.
When I finally woke, everything felt like a haze—my eyes dull and heavy with dread. As I glanced outside, I saw the mating ceremony was about to begin again. But this time… I couldn’t. I couldn’t go through with it anymore.
With quiet, calculated steps, I snuck out, ensuring that no one would see me. No one could know that I was leaving…
When I successfully made it past the entrance without a single soul noticing, I paused. My eyes swept over the village, staring in its familiar sight.
This place… it held the foundation of everything Alexander and I had shared.
From the moment I arrived here, years ago, in his pack’s territory, I felt something, a connection that pulled me toward him. He had made me fall for him, not just with words, but with the way he made me feel. And for years, I truly believed that he loved me in return.
I had let go of my pride for him. I had allowed myself to be bound to this place, to him.
But everything changed the moment he invited Cassandra here. That was when things started to unravel. That was when I saw it—his true nature. No matter what I did, Cassandra would always come first.
I couldn’t let that continue.
I refused to live in her shadow any longer.
I no longer cared what my father thought. I knew he wouldn’t approve of me leaving, but his opinion no longer mattered.
And my mother? She would never help me. Even if I told her about my suffering, she wouldn’t lift a finger. In the end, she would simply obey my father’s wishes, just like always.
As for Cassandra… she would never change.
She had spent her life finding ways to hurt me, and now, she was slowly taking Alexander from me too. She wouldn’t stop until she had everything.
And Alexander… I finally understood where I stood in his life.
He didn’t love me.
He hurt me.
He raised his hand against me.
And I could no longer endure it.
This needed to end.
With one last deep breath, I made my way to the borders, ensuring that no one saw me. My heart pounded as I moved quickly through the shadows. I was almost free.
But then—
A sharp, searing pain pierced through my lower abdomen.
I gasped, my steps faltering as my breath hitched in my throat. My hands instinctively clutched my stomach as I winced.
“Ahh…!” A soft cry of pain escaped my lips.
My gaze dropped downward, and my heart stopped.
Blood.
A crimson stain spread across my dress. My hands trembled as I touched the damp fabric, realization crashing over me like a tidal wave.
No…
Not now.
Not when I was finally leaving. Not when I had made up my mind to walk away from this life, from Alexander!
And yet, in this very moment, when I was ready to abandon everything—
I discovered the truth.
I was carrying his child.
