My wolf howled for blood, the rage within me threatening to snap the fragile leash I had kept on it. My fingers twitched, itching to strike, to tear into Vivian's throat and finally end the sick game she played. But I couldn't.
Not yet.
So, I smiled instead.
A small, breathy laugh escaped my lips as I forced my expression into one of naivety, feigning innocence like a fool who understood nothing. I tilted my head, blinking at her as if I didn't understand the venom behind her words. Let her think I was still deaf.
Vivian's brows twitched, her smirk widening. "You really are stupid, aren't you?" she mused, shaking her head. "I almost feel bad for you."
She let out a sigh, stroking her belly with exaggerated fondness before turning toward the door. I could tell she was done with me, ready to return to the others, to sit at Cassian's side and bask in the warmth of her stolen victory.
I moved before I could stop myself.
My hands struck out, shoving her hard.
Vivian yelped as she stumbled backward, her body hitting the cold marble floor with a sharp thud. The sound of her shriek split through the air like lightning, high and piercing, shaking the walls around us. For a second, I froze, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs.
Then, as if waking from a trance, I widened my eyes and let my face morph into a mask of panic.
I brought a hand to my lips, trembling as if I hadn't meant to push her at all. I stepped forward, reaching out with fake concern, my fingers hesitating midair as I watched her writhe dramatically on the floor. My breath hitched, and I cast a confused glance at the door, pretending to wonder why she was making such a fuss.
The sound of footsteps thundered through the hall, and then the door burst open.
The pack rushed in, their faces twisted with shock and horror. My father was among them, his furious gaze snapping at me before I could even pretend to explain. Before I could process what was happening, his hand struck across my face.
Pain blossomed across my cheek, the sting sinking deep into my bones. My breath hitched as I turned, my wide eyes locking onto my father's furious gaze. His expression was filled with nothing but disappointment and rage.
"You disgraceful girl," he spat, his voice like ice. "What have you done?"
My heart pounded against my ribs. I barely had a moment to process the searing pain before Cassian rushed past me. He didn't spare me a glance, didn't hesitate for even a second. Instead, he knelt beside Vivian, his arms wrapping around her protectively as he lifted her effortlessly into his embrace.
"Are you hurt?" His voice was laced with concern, his golden eyes scanning her face for any sign of injury.
Vivian whimpered, clutching her stomach as if cradling something precious.
Cassian's gaze finally snapped at mine, burning with unrestrained fury. "If anything happens to my child," he growled, not caring to sign due to his frustration, his voice a low, dangerous threat, "I swear, Anna, you will pay."
My breath caught in my throat.
His child?
My thoughts spiraled. My ears rang with the weight of that single sentence. I had known Vivian was pregnant, but I had never once considered that Cassian, MY mate, could be the father.
I felt as if the ground had been ripped from beneath me.
I forced my expression into something unreadable, letting my lips part in silent confusion. I glanced around, taking in the cold stares of the pack, the way they sneered in disgust, how their whispered words dripped with disdain.
"How could she?" someone whispered.
"She's lost all reason," another voice murmured, filled with disgust.
"She's dangerous. A Luna who would harm an unborn child? Pathetic."
"She's deaf, but she's still a threat."
"No wonder the Moon goddess won't let her have a child. She will only hurt them."
Their words sliced through me like daggers, each one carving into my already fractured soul. My hands trembled at my sides as I struggled to keep my breathing steady, to suppress the overwhelming urge to scream.
I lifted my gaze to Cassian, searching for something, anything, that could disprove what I had just heard. But there was nothing. No hesitation, no regret, no second thoughts.
Just pure, unfiltered rage and protectiveness, for Vivian. .
Cassian's grip on Vivian tightened as he turned away, his entire presence dismissing me as if I were nothing.
One by one, they all left. My father, my pack, my mate.
I was alone.
The weight of their absence pressed down on me, and I stood there, unmoving, my hands curled into tight fists. My jaw clenched, my breathing shallow as I stared at the empty doorway. Another emotion slowly crept in, eclipsing the pain.
