Umbryth.

“Jumped to him? How is that possible?” I asked, my eyes wide with curiosity. 

“I am not sure, my lady. But I heard that whoever kills the vessel in which Umbryth resides becomes its new vessel,” she whispered.

“So the only way Umbryth can leave the Alpha’s body is if someone kills him?” I asked slowly.

Camellia hesitated, her fingers twisting the edge of her gown. “I heard something else, my lady,” she said at last, her voice small. “But I don’t know if I should tell you.”

“Tell me everything you know, Camellia,” I said, sharper than I meant. The room seemed to narrow around us; the candles guttered in a draft I could not feel.

She swallowed.

"I did not mean to snap at you. I am just curious. I want to know everything."

She nodded. There was a depth in her eyes I had not seen before. “I overheard Elder Theron,” she began carefully, “and he said Umbryth can only leave the Alpha’s body if it is passed on, either to the one who kills him or to his first son.”

A cold pebble of fear dropped into my stomach. “His own son?” I breathed.

“Yes, my lady,” Camellia said softly. “And that is why you must be careful. Because even if the Alpha does not kill you, his child will. Perhaps before he is even born.”

My throat tightened. My pulse fluttered loudly in my ears. “You look pale, my lady. Should I get you some water?” she asked.

“No,” I lifted a hand weakly. “Wait. Tell me more.”

Camellia went still, as though the walls themselves were listening. “Ever since Umbryth entered him, the Alpha has tried to end his own life, more than once.”

My breath caught. “What do you mean?”

“Once he slit his wrists. Another time, he walked into the hunting grounds alone and did not return for hours. He provoked fights he could not possibly win. He even arranged for men to kill him in secret,” she said. “But Umbryth will not let him die. It stops the blade. It destroy the men before they can act. Some say it snaps their necks before they even lift a hand.”

A chill crept along my spine.

“And when Umbryth is not taking over,” she continued, “the Alpha keeps to himself...cold, silent and alone. He rarely leaves his chambers. He speaks to no one unless he must.”

“And his family?” I asked quietly.

“They avoid him,” Camellia admitted. “His friends too. Ever since the incident, they keep their distance. Some out of fear. Some out of shame. No one knows how to look at him anymore.”

Something twisted painfully in my chest. Anger, maybe. Why would they leave him to suffer alone. That's cruel.

“So he suffers,” I whispered, “and no one dares to help him.”

“Yes, my lady. That is why I told you to stay away. The Alpha is unpredictable now. And Umbryth…” She did not finish the sentence.

Silence pressed between us.

“If Umbryth does not die,” I said slowly, “and he does not kill me, then I would have to bear his child.”

Camellia’s face went pale.

“A child carrying Umbryth,” I finished. “And if it passes to his heir, then the curse continues. From father to son. Again and again.”

“Yes, my lady,” she said softly.

The room felt suffocating. Camellia finally insisted on bringing water.

When she returned with it, I tried to steady my hands before taking the glass. The water was cool against my lips, but my fingers would not obey me. The glass slipped from my grasp and crashed onto the floor, shattering into sharp fragments.

The sudden sound made my heart leap violently in my chest.

“I am so sorry, my lady,” Camellia said quickly as she knelt to gather the pieces. “I should not have frightened you like this. They may only be rumors. The Alpha has never confirmed any of it.”

I stared at the spreading water on the stone floor.

Rumors or not, they felt real.

“I am fine,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

“You should rest,” she urged gently. “It is late.”

I nodded.

That night, sleep refused to claim me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw blue eyes staring back at me — eyes that carried pain, fury, and something darker lurking beneath the surface. I saw a child with black eyes attacking me.

By morning, I felt hollow.

Camellia arrived early to prepare my bath and dress me.

“Do I have to wear these heavy robes?” I asked as she tightened the laces.

“Yes, my lady. You are to be Luna. It is only proper that you dress according to your status.”

“Can an Omega even become Luna?” I asked quietly.

“The decision rests with the Alpha and the elders,” she replied. “But you are his wife. It would be improper not to crown you.”

I was his wife.

The words felt heavier than the robes themselves.

After breakfast, I decided to take a walk in the garden. I needed air, space to think without walls closing in around me.

“I will come with you, my lady,” Camellia said immediately.

“I would like to be alone,” I replied, more sharply than intended.

“The castle is not safe, my lady.”

“Sophia,” I said.

She blinked. “What?”

“My name is Sophia. I would prefer you call me that.”

She hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “Yes, my... Sophia.”

We went into the garden together, with Camellia a few steps behind me. Perhaps she realized I wanted to be alone. I noticed a figure sitting on the bench in the garden and I stretched my neck to get a clearer look.

"It is the Alpha. We need to leave, my lady."

Yes, we needed to. But my legs refused to obey me.