Chapter 5

They threw me into a confinement cage , a prison designed specifically for punishing the tribe's most heinous criminals.

It was crafted from special obsidian that absorbed and blocked moonlight energy. For werewolves who being locked inside was like being deprived of air and water, a double torture of body and soul.

I frantically pounded on the door, my bleeding hands leaving stark traces on the panels: "Open the door! Please, let me out!"

But outside, there was only deathly silence.

I gradually lost strength, sliding down to sit on the ground. My breathing became more and more rapid, and my vision began to darken.

In the darkness, time lost all meaning. My power began draining rapidly, cold and suffocation penetrating everywhere.

Just as my consciousness scattered and I was about to collapse, footsteps echoed outside the cage.

The cage door was yanked open violently. Light stabbed in, bringing with it the person I least wanted to see at this moment : Kieran.

His tall figure blocked the doorway, backlit, his face hidden in shadow, only those eyes visible, cold as the most frigid winter night.

"Kieran... it really wasn't me..." My voice was hoarse, barely audible.

Kieran looked down at me condescendingly, his gaze devoid of any warmth.

"The evidence is irrefutable, and you still want to argue? Seraphina, I never imagined your jealousy would make you so vicious that you'd invoke dark forces to cast a blood curse!" His voice was deep, carrying the weight of indisputable judgment. "You need purification."

"No... I didn't..." I shook my head in terror, instinctively protecting my abdomen. I could feel the life there growing restless due to father's power rejection and the harsh environment.

Kieran stopped looking at me, merely waving to his guards behind him.

The guards brought up several black barrels emitting a pungent, fishy stench.

"This is 'demon-breaking blood,'" Kieran's voice was ice-cold, "it will wash away the filth and evil born from your jealousy. Endure it."

"No!" My scream was cut short by the first barrel of viscous liquid poured over my head!

The liquid seemed alive, carrying intense corrosive and contaminating properties. It instantly shattered my already weak protective power, burning my skin, and more terrifyingly, it frantically eroded the fragile little life in my womb!

One barrel after another, mercilessly poured over me. I was choking, unable to breathe, my vision blurred, only able to curl up in agony in the pool of blood.

Only after the last barrel was emptied did he slowly walk over to me and crouch down.

He used an expensive silk handkerchief to wipe the filthy blood from my cheek with disgust, yet his movements carried a cold cruelty.

"Isabella woke up. She's still pleading for you, saying you didn't mean it." He paused. "But this punishment, you must endure completely. 'Soak' here for three days, let the demon-breaking blood thoroughly purify you."

A tearing, unbearable pain shot through my abdomen. Warm liquid flowed uncontrollably from beneath me, staining the grotesque liquid around me red.

The child! My child!

Using my last strength, I desperately grabbed Kieran's trouser leg, my nails nearly digging into his flesh, my voice shrill and distorted: "Kieran... the child... our child... save him... please take me to the healer..."

Kieran's form stiffened, his brow furrowing as he looked down at the wretched woman polluted by the "demon-breaking blood," his eyes showing only disgust and disbelief.

"Child?" He sneered, prying off my cold fingers one by one. "You never told me you were carrying my bloodline. Seraphina, even at this point, you still want to use such clumsy lies to gain sympathy?"

"It's... it's true..." I was in so much pain my vision went black, my breath fading.

"Enough." Kieran stood up, turning away without hesitation, leaving only one cold statement: "In three days, I'll come for you. 'Purify' yourself well."

The cage door was ruthlessly shut again, completely cutting off the last ray of light and hope.

I collapsed in the cold, viscous pool of blood, feeling life and warmth drain from my body bit by bit.

Before my consciousness sank completely into darkness, a smile of ultimate sorrow and despair curved my pale lips.

Kieran, I truly see you clearly!