Nora POV:
The next morning, I walked into Julian's study just as he had ordered the night before.
He was standing behind his heavy mahogany desk, as handsome as ever. His short brown hair was perfectly styled, and the powerful scent of his Alpha pheromones rolled off him in waves. The scent that once made me weak now only made me feel suffocated.
He stepped around the desk and closed the distance between us, his gaze sweeping over my pale face with chilling indifference.
"You look terrible," he stated, his voice completely devoid of concern. He spoke as if inspecting a tarnished piece of property, not even bothering to ask why I was exhausted. "But your feelings don't matter right now. Just listen. There are some new arrangements regarding your placement that I need to make clear."
I stood silently, my hands folded in front of me. It was the submissive posture I had perfected over the years. Today, for the first time, I was consciously performing it.
Julian reached out, his strong fingers gripping my chin, tilting my head side to side as if evaluating an object. His thumb rubbed my lower lip in a possessive, degrading manner. "At the full moon next month, I will be holding the Mating ceremony with Isabella Sinclair."
He said it bluntly, with no preamble, entirely absorbed in his own monologue.
Even though I already knew, hearing the words from his own mouth made my chest tighten painfully. I lowered my eyes, letting him think I was too devastated to meet his gaze.
"It's important for the Pack," he continued, his tone like he was explaining a business merger. "Our union will bring powerful allies and a stable future."
He leaned closer, his hot breath brushing my ear. "But do not worry, Nora. I need you to understand your place. After the ceremony, you can still remain here. As my companion. My private bed warmer. I have already prepared a secluded room for you in the east wing. You will stay out of sight."
He chose the words carefully to remind me of the massive gap between us. He was a noble Alpha with pristine blood, and I was merely the descendant of exiled sinners. To him, I wasn't a partner; I was a convenient asset to be tucked away in a dark corner.
A wave of bitter irony washed over me. I had never wanted to provoke him in the first place. I could have chosen a different path, found a quiet life far away from this Pack. But he was the one who had made those sweet promises. He was the affectionate lover who swore to protect me. Now, he had finally evolved into a ruthless heir, willing to sacrifice everything for power, turning my trust into a foolish, unrequited fantasy.
"I will protect you, Nora," he murmured, his hand sliding down to grip my waist tightly. "You just need to be obedient. Do not harbor any delusions about a status that does not belong to you. And most importantly, do not cause any trouble for Isabella. She has a bit of a temper."
He not only betrayed me but now expected me to behave like a well-trained pet for his new mate.
But I didn't lash out. I didn't scream or cry like he clearly expected me to. I simply wanted to get rid of him as fast as possible.
I let a single tear fall perfectly on cue, nodded meekly, and whispered, "I understand, Alpha."
The formal title made Julian pause. He frowned slightly, his fingers tightening on my waist as if testing my reaction. He searched my face for any sign of jealousy, anger, or desperate begging—the reactions he was used to.
But he found only a hollow, polite submission. My eyes were like dead water.
The silence stretched. The complete lack of emotional response seemed to unnerve him. I wasn't acting like the devoted lover he owned; I was acting like a lifeless doll. The realization didn't please him; it irritated his fragile Alpha ego.
His grip slowly loosened, the charming mask slipping to reveal a cold, annoyed expression. "Get out," he said, his voice flat and dismissive, though his jaw was clenched. "Go back to your room and reflect on your duties."
I gave a slight bow and left the study without a backward glance. The moment the heavy oak door clicked shut, the fragile expression on my face vanished, leaving my eyes as cold as ice.
When I returned to my room, Ruby Walsh, the head Omega servant, was already there with my breakfast. She saw my swollen eyes and her face filled with sympathy.
She set down the tray, hesitated, and then spoke in a low voice. "Miss, you have heard the news?"
I nodded.
Ruby sighed, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Miss, you must be careful. Especially... do not get pregnant right now."
A chill went through me. I looked at her, my full attention captured.
"There are unwritten rules in the Pack," Ruby said, her eyes wide with fear. "A child born from an unmarked union is seen as a stain on the Alpha and Luna's bloodline. They usually do not survive."
The blood drained from my face. My world turned cold. I had never considered this, because I had always believed I would be Julian's true, marked mate.
My hand instinctively went to my flat stomach. There was no life there, but the possibility of it filled me with absolute dread.
This was no longer about my dignity or my broken heart. This was about a potential, innocent life.
Seeing my ashen face, Ruby did not dare say more. She gave a quick bow and hurried out.
I stood frozen in the middle of the room. The cruelty of Julian and the coldness of the Pack were an unbearable weight crushing my spirit.
I couldn't stay here.
I had to escape.
At any cost.
A thought began to grow in my mind, a desperate, wild plan. It was full of risks, but it was the only way out.
