LILIAN
“I reject you, Lilian Stone.”
He didn’t say the words, but I heard them as clearly as if he had shouted them. His eyes said everything. He wanted to.
He wanted to end this bond, but he wouldn’t. He’d rather keep me here, trapped, humiliated, than let me go.
So I simply walked away from him.
That was the moment my decision hardened into stone. The plan that had been simmering in my mind for weeks would finally come to life. And I’d execute it on our mating anniversary.
\Which was only two days away.
Now, I stared at the pregnancy certificate in front of me, still unable to believe that I had a pup growing inside me. Slowly, I looked up at Dr. Mirra, my throat tight. “You made sure no one is aware of this right?”
She nodded, “Yes, Luna and I did everything you asked discreetly.”
“Good.” I folded the paper, tucking it carefully under my dress. “Thank you. For everything.”
Her kind eyes softened. “You know I’ll always keep your secrets, Lilian. But are you sure about this? What you’re planning—it’s dangerous.”
“I don’t have a choice.” My voice broke, but I steadied it. “You’ve seen it. Everyone has. The way he treats me... I can’t live like this anymore.”
Dr. Mirra nodded, her expression filled with sadness and pride. “Even though things turned out this way, your mother would be so proud of you.”
A sad smile tugged at my lips. “I know she would. What she wouldn’t be proud of is me letting myself be a doormat so I have to end it.”
I was about to say more when a sharp knock on the door interrupted us. I quickly ensured the certificate was hidden as a voice called out, “Luna Lilian, the Alpha requests your presence in the pack hall.”
What did Mason want now?
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I replied calmly.
I kissed Dr. Mirra’s cheek, whispered another thank you, and stepped out.
A warrior stood at the entrance, his posture rigid and he didn’t bow his head as protocol demanded, but I shrugged it off.
My mind was already elsewhere. I started to turn toward my room to hide the certificate before going to see Mason, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“Alpha Mason requested I escort you directly to the grand hall,” he said.
I frowned, my voice sharp. “I can get there on my own. I just need to grab something from my room first.”
He didn’t move. “He ordered me to use force if necessary.”
I stared at him, incredulous. My wolf growled low in my chest, but I waved it off with a sigh. “Fine. But don’t touch me.”
I turned and began walking toward the hall, the warrior trailing me closely. Strangely, I wasn’t even angry. It didn’t matter.
It would all be over soon.
And Mason was in for one hell of a surprise.
The grand hall was dimly lit when I got to the entrance and I glanced around but Mason was nowhere in sight then her scent hit me before I even saw her.
Claire.
She was sitting in the Alpha’s chair, her legs crossed casually, her lips curved into a smirk.
“Finally,” she drawled. “You made it.”
I stopped in the doorway, glaring at her. “What’s the meaning of this? Where’s Mason?”
“He’s not here,” she said, rising from the chair with deliberate grace.
“Then why did you send a warrior to bring me here under the pretense of his name?”
Her smirk widened. “Because I wanted to remind you who holds the real power here. You’re just a figurehead, Lilian. I’m the one everyone listens to. And soon, you will be nothing.”
I raised an unimpressed brow. “Is that all? Or do you have something new to share?”
For a moment, surprise flickered in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with her practiced smile. “Actually, yes. Mason wanted me to tell you that the mating anniversary celebration…”
I stilled, every nerve in my body on edge.
“… won’t be happening here in the pack.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze. I knew that Mason would celebrate our anniversary even though this year it would be a mockery to me but it hadn’t mattered because I needed the chaos that would come with the celebration.
Everything I had planned hinged on that celebration taking place and it happening. Without it, my escape—my freedom—would be impossible.
Claire’s eyes gleamed like she could sense my turmoil. She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper.
“And one more thing, Lilian…”
She leaned in, her lips curling into a sinister smile, “Mason plans to announce his decision to formally reject you at the celebration… right before naming me as his true mate and Luna."
