Their words grew increasingly shameless, accompanied by crude laughter that made my stomach churn.
I staggered backward, my face drained of all color.
Not afraid of pain because I was strong?
What a ridiculous joke.
Of course I was afraid.
Every she-wolf was afraid.
The Bloodline Rituals had been agonizing. The Moonstone fertility ceremonies had left me weak for days afterward. Carrying four pups at once felt as though my body was being slowly torn apart from the inside.
But whenever the pain became unbearable, I would think of the family Ethan and I had dreamed of building together.
That thought alone had carried me through.
No matter how badly it hurt, I never complained.
Even when my fingernails cracked from gripping the stone altar during the rituals.
Even when I bit through my lip to stop myself from crying out.
Even when the sickness left me curled up on the floor, unable to move.
I endured it all.
And in the end, all I received was a reputation for being stubborn and resilient.
The memory of the day the conception ritual succeeded suddenly surfaced in my mind.
Ethan had held my hand tightly the entire time.
His eyes had been filled with concern.
"You've suffered so much for our pups, Sophia."
He had knelt beside me afterward, resting his palm against my still-flat stomach.
Then he had smiled and spoken to the tiny life inside.
"You'd better behave yourselves. Don't trouble your mother too much."
Whenever I couldn't keep food down, he would personally bring healing broth from the kitchens and sit beside me until I finished every drop.
"You have to eat something," he would say helplessly. "You've already lost weight. When these pups are born, I'm going to settle accounts with every one of them."
Back then, every word had filled my heart with warmth.
Now I understood.
His concern had never been for me.
It had always been for the pups.
I was nothing more than the vessel carrying them.
The realization hurt more than any ritual or pregnancy ever had.
Slowly, I closed my eyes and wiped away the tears on my cheeks.
Then, through the private mindlink reserved for high-ranking pack members, I contacted the chief healer and requested an audience.
A termination ritual.
As soon as possible.
Ethan Carter.
This time, I no longer want you.
And the bloodlines you treasure so dearly...
I will not bring them into this world.
When I finally stepped out, Ryan Walker and the others had already dispersed.
Only Ethan and Lily Sinclair remained in the great hall.
I deliberately made enough noise for them to hear my approach.
If they had anything to hide, this was their chance to compose themselves.
I could not confront them yet.
Not until I had made my preparations.
Lily's cheeks were still faintly flushed as she stood beside Ethan, pretending to deliver a report.
"Alpha Ethan, the council elders have called for an emergency gathering tonight. They require your presence."
Then she turned toward me, wearing the same sweet smile she always showed in public.
"Luna Sophia."
Her gaze lowered to my stomach.
A strange expression flickered across her face.
"Your stomach seems even larger than before. Four pups at once... what a blessing for the pack."
The smile on her lips made my skin crawl.
Looking at her, I suddenly felt exhausted.
I no longer had the strength to maintain polite conversation.
Sensing my indifference, Lily excused herself.
But before crossing the doorway, she glanced back at Ethan.
The look lasted only a second.
Yet it felt far too intimate.
Far too familiar.
A secret exchanged between lovers.
Ethan turned toward me as soon as she disappeared.
His brows drew together slightly.
"When did you return?"
His voice sounded casual, but I could hear the subtle probing beneath it.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
My gaze drifted to his lips.
They still looked damp.
The sight made my eyes sting.
The signs had always been there.
I had simply refused to see them.
Lowering my eyes, I forced a bitter smile.
"I was exhausted when I got back. I fell asleep in one of the guest chambers and only woke up recently."
The tension in his expression visibly eased.
"That's good."
His face returned to normal almost immediately.
"How was today's examination with the healers? I promised I would accompany you, but something came up."
His voice carried just the right amount of guilt.
In the past, I would have believed every word.
I would have reassured him that pack matters were important and that I understood.
But now I knew better.
"The examination went well," I answered calmly. "The healer said the pups are healthy."
Ethan immediately asked several more questions.
Were the pups active?
Had the healers detected any problems?
Was I eating enough?
Only after receiving satisfactory answers did he finally relax.
He had always been like this.
Careful.
Attentive.
Concerned about every detail.
For years, I believed that concern belonged to me.
Today, I finally understood who it was truly meant for.
