“What do you mean by that? Your only child?” I hugged my baby tighter to my chest, unable to believe the words coming out of Cyrus’s mouth.
But Cyrus didn’t answer.
Instead, he turned to his men and pointed at me.
“Take the child from her and send it to an orphanage,” he commanded.
“What? No!” I cried out, clutching my daughter protectively. “You can’t take her away!”
I refused to let go, but the guards who stepped forward were strong. They pulled at me roughly, nearly tearing off my dress in the process. I struggled against them, every muscle in my body screaming from the effort.
“No! You’re not taking her from me!” I shouted.
And then my wolf surged forward with a furious roar that shook the air. The men faltered, taking a cautious step back. They must have forgotten, I was still the Luna. I may have just given birth, but I remained the pack’s rightful female leader. A guide strong enough to stand beside an Alpha.
An elder stepped forward, speaking to Cyrus in a low, urgent voice.
“It is unwise to separate a newborn from its mother so soon. Doing so may cause complications... even with your son’s growth and health.”
Cyrus frowned, clearly displeased. He raised his hand, signaling his men to stop. His eyes landed on me again, bloodied, disheveled, a mess in every sense of the word, but I didn’t shrink back. I held his gaze, fierce and unflinching.
“Whatever you’re planning, Alpha,” I said through gritted teeth, “dare involve my child in it, and I will burn every bond between us to the ground.”
He showed no sign of fear, only cold indifference. And then, perhaps in what he thought was mercy, he spoke.
“My heir requires full attention from the Luna. I can’t allow any distractions. I won’t have other children become a reason for my son to be neglected.”
I sneered. “Then why not let his mother care for him? She certainly seems confident enough to parade around like this in front of the entire pack.”
Calista made a soft expression, something gentle, almost tender, that might have deceived anyone watching. She looked at me as if we were dear friends and said in a sweet voice, “You are the rightful Luna. I’m only here to serve our Alpha.”
I scoffed. “Then you do understand what that means. And you still dare to do this?”
She lowered her head as if humbled, her tone quiet, submissive. “I’m only doing what’s best for the Alpha’s bloodline. He deserves a proper heir.”
I wanted to scream, to lash out and tear her mask apart. But before I could say anything, Cyrus’s presence crashed into me like a wave. His aura was suffocating. My knees nearly buckled, and I would have fallen if not for the baby in my arms.
“I’ll give you seven days,” Cyrus said flatly. “Take care of the girl as much as you want. After that, your focus will be on my son.”
Without another word, he turned his back to me and walked away with Calista in tow. He didn’t spare me a glance. Didn’t order anyone to help me. No one in the crowd moved, all too afraid of drawing their Alpha’s ire.
So, I helped myself. I pulled my torn dress over my shoulder, staggered off the platform, and nearly collapsed. I called a cab with trembling fingers and somehow managed to get to the hospital.
By the time I arrived, I was fading. But I didn’t let myself pass out until I’d made sure my baby was in safe hands.
When I finally opened my eyes, hours had passed. My daughter lay in a crib beside me, sleeping peacefully. I stared at her, overwhelmed by a feeling I couldn’t name. There was love, yes, but also sorrow. She didn’t deserve this. I had imagined her birth would be met with warmth and welcome. But Cyrus...
Cyrus had shown me otherwise.
He paraded the son he had with Calista. A son born in secret two nights ago.
They had been cheating all along.
I reached for my phone with shaking fingers. There was only one number I could think of calling. It rang just once before a deep, familiar voice answered on the other end.
“Lyra,” he said smoothly. “As expected, you called me.”
He chuckled softly, teasing. But I wasn’t in the mood for games.
“Apollo, you said you love me, right?” My voice trembled, but not from fear. “Then prove it. Take me and my child away from here… and I’ll give you my life and body in return. Deal?”
