Benedetta
“Take it slow, Alpha Arlott. Our baby is still so young.”
“Shut up and just moan for me.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. The disgusting sight in front of me, the sounds they made; it was too much. I ran, but even as I fled, their voices echoed in my ears like a cruel, unending taunt.
Tears streamed down my face as I clung to the cold walls, trying to keep myself upright. My body was weak, trembling from the pain, until my legs finally gave out. I collapsed to the floor, utterly defeated.
As I struggled to pull myself together, a man appeared out of nowhere, his voice full of concern. “Are you all right, lady? Someone, help her!”
Soon, a few nurses rushed over. One of them placed a hand on my shoulder. “Luna Benedetta, we’ll get you back to your room.”
I let them guide me, my strength completely gone. Once alone, I cried until there was nothing left in me, and then I sank into the bed, exhausted.
When I woke, everything still felt heavy; my body, my heart, even the air around me. The November chill seeped into the room, making my already frail body feel even weaker. I reached for a cup of tea on the bedside table, my hands trembling as I brought it to my lips.
I sat there in silence, praying to the Moon Goddess for strength. Just enough to face whatever came next.
But the peace didn’t last long. The door opened, and in walked Bianca. She looked smug, her head held high and her lips curled into a grin that made my stomach churn.
“Oh, Luna Benedetta. You’re still alive this morning, I see,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery.
I looked up at her, forcing my expression to stay calm. “As you can see, a snake bite won’t kill me.”
Her laugh was cold and condescending. She leaned in closer, her face just inches from mine. “I just wanted to make sure you’re still around to see it. The warmth you once had? It’ll belong to me soon enough.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral even though I already knew the answer.
She tilted her head, smiling like she was talking to a clueless child. “Me and Alpha Arlott, of course. We’ve been together for two years. He loves me. Maybe it’s time you let go and set him free.”
Two years. Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. All those moments, all his promises, they were lies. I felt my chest tighten, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.
“Oh, I see,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “Tell me, Bianca…do you always take in secondhand goods?”
Her smug expression faltered for a moment. “What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t do leftovers.”
“But you are,” I said, letting my words sink in. “You’ve latched onto Arlott, discarded as he is, and you’re flaunting it like a prize. Don’t you find that funny?”
Her face hardened, but she quickly recovered. “Listen, you fool. Arlott adores me. He was with me the night you bled. I’m the one who turned off his phone because he was too busy… with me.”
My grip tightened on the blanket as I fought to keep my composure.
“And next week,” she continued with a smirk, “we’ll have our Mating Ceremony. We’re also blessing our first descendant. It’s going to be beautiful. Make sure you come to watch, Luna.”
I stared at her, letting her think she’d won, then finally spoke. “You’re unbelievable,” I said, my voice soft but cutting. “I pulled you out of that omega auction, and this is how you repay me? You’re just a snake in the grass.”
Her smile wavered for a split second before she straightened. “Oh, Luna, you’re so naïve. This world isn’t kind to women like you. Never trust another woman.”
Slowly, I stood, my legs shaking but steady. I walked up to her, meeting her gaze head-on. “Do you think your words scare me? You don’t know a thing about me.”
Her confidence faltered. “What are you talking about?”
I smiled faintly. “I know something about you that even Arlott doesn’t.”
Her face turned pale, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” I said, turning away. “Maybe it’ll make your Mating Ceremony even more memorable.”
I left her standing there, frozen, and returned to my bed.
Once she was gone, I let the tears fall again. Memories of that awful night flooded back; the searing pain, my wolf’s cries, the desperate calls to Arlott that went unanswered.
The next day, he came back, pretending to care, his eyes red and filled with fake guilt. I saw through it now, but back then, I believed him.
But I’m done hoping. My heart is numb, frozen.
The next morning, Arlott was sitting by my bed. He held my hand, his face filled with concern. When I opened my eyes, he pulled me into his arms.
“You’re awake,” he said softly. “You scared me. Dr. Morris said you fainted from dehydration.”
I stared at him, his fake empathy making my skin crawl. I didn’t move, didn’t speak. He frowned, waiting for me to react, but I wouldn’t give him what he wanted.
“Save your concern,” I said coldly. “I don’t need it, Alpha.”
