I had no choice but to endure the humiliation Sebastian had thrust upon me. The betrayal burned, but what cut deeper was the realization that I had trusted him blindly. I had ignored every warning, dismissed every rumor. But now, the truth stood like an open wound I couldn’t ignore.
Earlier that morning, I returned to the packhouse, determined to retrieve my belongings from the master bedroom Sebastian and I once shared. But as I reached the door, voices inside made me pause.
“Where’s Saoirse, anyway?” A woman’s voice—Evvie.
“Probably off sulking, like the pathetic stray she is,” Sebastian’s laugh followed, deep and cruel.
My fists clenched.
“Don’t worry about her,” he continued. “She knows the consequences of failing me. She couldn’t even give me a child, and now she’s useless. A delusional little bitch who thought I ever loved her.”
Their laughter echoed in my ears, sharp and mocking.
“Come here,” he said. “Let me kiss you again.”
The disgusting sound of their lips meeting sent bile rising in my throat. I staggered away, covering my mouth, and barely made it to the bathroom before I vomited. The sheer revulsion of it all overwhelmed me.
“Risey?” His voice came from behind me, soft, almost concerned.
I didn’t turn around.
“Are you okay?” He knelt beside me, brushing my hair away from my face as if he cared.
“Don’t touch me!” I snarled, jerking away from him. Rage boiled in my veins. “You’ve made a fool of me, Sebastian!”
He sighed, rolling his eyes as if I were the problem. “Risey, you know the Council demanded I name a Luna. You’re not ready. You’re weak, you’re not pregnant, and you can’t even defend yourself properly. What choice did I have?”
“What choice?” My voice cracked. “So you made her pregnant? You made her Luna? After everything we’ve been through?” My knees gave out as I sobbed, trembling. “I thought you loved me.”
“I do love you,” he said, pulling me into his arms. His touch felt like acid on my skin. “Her title means nothing, Risey. You’re my mate. You always will be. She’s just—”
“Stop it!” I shoved him away, my voice rising with every word. “You promised me! You said it would always be us!”
His expression hardened. “Enough!” He grabbed my arm roughly. “You’re embarrassing yourself. Do you think I haven’t waited for you? Do you think I wanted this? I gave you years, Saoirse—years to prove yourself. And you failed me.”
Tears streamed down my face, but I refused to look at him. My voice wavered as I whispered, “Let me go.”
His grip loosened, and I ran—straight into the kitchen, where Evvie lounged, wearing one of the dresses Sebastian had gifted me.
“Oh, this old thing?” she said with a mocking grin, twirling for effect. “It’s cute, isn’t it? Fits me better, though.”
“That’s mine,” I spat, storming toward her. “You had no right—”
“Right?” She laughed, cutting me off. “I’m his Luna. I don’t need your permission, sweetheart.” Her eyes roamed over me, dripping with disdain. “Honestly, you should thank me. Sebastian only kept you around to warm his bed. A backup plan at best.”
“You bitch,” I hissed, raising my hand to strike her.
Before I could, Sebastian appeared, gripping my wrist in midair. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
I yanked my arm away, glaring at him. “Are you seriously defending her? After everything?”
“Respect her,” he snapped, his tone icy. “She’s your Luna now.”
“My Luna?” I scoffed, breathless with disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? I owe her nothing!”
The slap came out of nowhere, sharp and stinging. My head snapped to the side, and I stumbled back, one hand instinctively covering my stomach.
“You’ll respect her,” he growled. “Or I’ll punish you. Do you hear me?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You forget I saved your life. Without me, you’d be dead—just another rogue corpse rotting in the dirt.”
I stared at him, every word cutting deeper than the last. This wasn’t the man I thought I knew. The boy who once swore to protect me, to cherish me, was gone. Or maybe he’d never existed.
But as I cradled the life growing inside me, I made a silent vow. You won’t touch them, Sebastian. You’ll never get your hands on my babies.
Because no matter what, I’d fight for them—even if it meant standing against the man I once loved.
