When I opened my eyes, a sharp scent of medicine and antiseptic filled the air.
"You are finally awake." A man sat beside my bed, his posture untouched by exhaustion.
"If there had been even a minute of delay last night, the baby would have suffocated."
I sucked in a cold breath as panic tore through me.
My shaking hands flew to my stomach, pressing down trying to feel my child.
"Don’t worry." he said immediately seeing my swollen eyes. "You gave me the moonflower's cure, I saved both you and your baby."
Instant releif washed over me but the very next second, the man beside me reached forward to check my temperature.
It was then a jolt of electrifying sparks burst across my skin, igniting my nerves.
My fingers rose shakily towards the warmth blooming at my neck and I froze-A mate's mark.
No ordinary Alpha could leave a mark like that and claim another wolf's mate, only the strongest wolf can.
"This"I whispered choking bitterly "What does Lycan King Darius want from me…you claimed me why?"
My breathing slowed as his gaze held mine careful as if I might fracture.
"Alpha Zyan murdered someone under my protection. By that act alone, the Blood Moon Pack became my enemy."
His gaze sharpened. "You are their Luna. You know their borders, their alliances, their weaknesses. And now you share my enemy, we are perfect as partners Lianna. "
My throat tightened. "So you mark me…turn my life upside down…and call it strategy? "
He didn’t deny it.
"I call it necessity Lianna. Saving your dignity last night was my duty but marking you was a choice."
I looked away, my hand instinctively covering my stomach, grounding myself in the one thing that still belonged to me.
"I need time. "I said quietly. "I can’t give you an answer like this."
Darius looked at me gently. "Rest assured. I will not cage you with a decision made in blood and shock."
He rose from the chair and turned away, then paused at the door.
"When you are ready, when you choose not to fight alone call my name once. "
His voice was steady, absolute.
"I will come."
After Darius's departure, the silence inside me became unbearable.
It was until a notification lit the screen.
[Victoria Hale sent you a video. ]
A decorated room came into view, walls lined with baby toys and pastel posters.
Then the large rose bouquet in Zyan’s arms lowered.
And the world narrowed to one impossible detail- Victoria’s belly.
Round and heavily swollen…impregnated.
Victoria laughed softly. "You’re worrying too much. The ultrasound report shows both our sons are strong. "
Zyan laughed in joy lifting Victoria off the bed without effort, spinning her once as joy tore out of him.
"Two heirs, Victoria? You have given me what I have always dreamed of! In a week I will organise the biggest wedding our pack has ever seen and welcome you like a princess. "
Victoria’s eyes glimmered with tears as she tightened her fingers around the bouquet. She glanced at the camera, spoke gently.
"Alpha… if you take me as your wife now…won’t sister grow jealous? She loves you so deeply, won’t she resist? "
Zyan didn’t even look concerned.
"Jealousy only matters when a woman is allowed to speak." he replied calmly.
Victoria looked up, pretending to be confused.
"I have already prepared everything." Zyan continued "Lianna's biological father and brothers know her lies well.
They cannot see you being bullied by her anymore and were almost releived to sign the documents: Medical records and evaluations from pack healers-every piece of evidence needed to prove Lianna is mentally unstable."
"Her family already believes she caused her mother’s death." Zyan added indifferently making my entire body tremble.
"Who do you think will defend her when she screams?"
Victoria’s lips wobbled in worry.
"On paper, she is unfit to make decisions for herself let alone carry a baby.
So when I abort her child and sign her up for a uterus removal surgery, in front of the pack, I will already be doing her a kindness by keeping her as a secondary wife instead of discarding her completely. "
The phone felt too heavy to hold.
The world blurred, as if I had been shoved underwater and a sense of rage coiled in my heart like a serpent.
Victoria’s voice came out soft, almost fearful. "And if sister bullies me at home then? "
Zyan's gaze turned cold.
"Once the trade agreement takes effect, Lianna will be useless to me." Zyan said calmly.
"If she mistreats you I will send her to the mental hospital until she learns where the fault lies. "
A loud ringing filled my ears as Victoria looked at the camera with a mocking smile.
"Alpha we both would be your wives… I-I don't want to fight sister Lianna. "
Her voice cut in gently. "I want to make sister feel less lonely after you terminate her pregnancy. She can help me raise our child. In the future, it will be as if she never lost anything. "
"Also one day…"she added with a shy smile" when I give you a daughter you have always dreamt of… we can make sister her handmaid, so she won’t feel useless. "
A moment of silence followed before Zyan pulled her into his arms and kissed her without hesitation, his fingers already undoing her clothes.
"It’s your innocence I can’t get enough of. "he murmured.
"Look at you caring about my lifelong dreams.
If Lianna were half as devoted, she wouldn’t be here now. I am happy to have my heirs but if you can give birth to a daughter for me, I will give you everything. "
A sharp pain sliced through my heart as Zyan's past words echoed in my head.
'Lianna, a son is for politics but a daughter would be my own, the child whom I can spoil endlessly. A daughter like you is my lifelong dream, please accept my love Lianna, I promise to keep you happy.'
I closed my eyes.
A single tear slipping free before I could stop it.
‘Zyan. The one thing you dreamed of is already here, But you…you don’t deserve her! ’
The phone felt heavier than my hands could manage.
I didn’t throw it.
I didn’t cry.
I just sat there, listening to the sound of my blood moving through my ears.
Zyan was trying to destroy me and I wouldn't let him succeed.
I dialed a number then.
"Luna Lianna? The Trade Pact documents are ready. We await your confirmation-”
"The contract is void. Effective immediately. " I cut in.
A sharp inhale answered me.
"Void? Luna, you negotiated this for half a year, the Blood Moon Alpha will have the control over all the territories in south with this!"
"I am no longer the Luna of Blood Moon. My work is no longer theirs to claim. " I said calmly. “I once saved your life and today,I am asking you for a favor. Seven days, get me all the classified border maps, underground passages… all the dirty treaties done under table.”
"…If this leaks, Blood Moon won’t survive the winter Luna. "the voice said hoarsely.
“That’s why I need you to keep it a secret” I replied. “Conceal the cancellation for seven days.”
There was a heavy pause on the other side, the voice finally said."Understood, Luna.The agreement will be nullified quietly. As you once saved my life, this will remain between us."
The phone disconnected and my palm rubbed small circles on my belly.
Three years ago, when you were captured by the enemy pack, Zyan, it was I who surrendered in exchange for your freedom.
I remembered the chains.
The cold.
How I told myself it was worth it.
How naive I had been to give my heart to a monster like you.
It's time I collect my debts one by one Zyan.
