Chapter 3

"Dora, you went too far this time. Stay here and think about what you've done!"

Eric dropped the words coldly, then turned and left with Lilia in his arms.

Several Betas spat at me in disgust.

"Pah! And to think we called you Luna. I never knew you were this disgusting!"

"Exactly. She's vicious to the core. She's beneath even an Omega of this pack!"

"Some Luna. You're not worth a hair on Lilia's head!"

I lay in the freezing water, helpless.

And as their figures went off into the distance, I saw Lilia turn a smug smile on me.

It was three days before I slowly came around, and by then my whole body had gone numb.

Just as I was sure I was going to die there, a blurred figure came slowly toward me.

"Help... help me..."

I pushed out that faint sound with everything I had left.

Before I lost consciousness, all I heard was a small sigh.

"Dora, what am I supposed to do with you?"

When I woke I was lying on the floor inside the castle.

The moment I opened my eyes, I met Eric's conflicted gaze.

"You're awake?"

Eric was crouched in front of me, holding a cup of warm water to my mouth.

I turned my head away without thinking and avoided the cup.

Eric's face darkened instantly and he smashed the cup down on the floor.

"Dora, has your temper gotten worse? I'm willing to let Lilia's kidnapping go, so don't push your luck."

I lay on the floor and suddenly found it funny.

He hadn't even looked into it before deciding I had done it.

If I really wanted to move against Lilia, I wouldn't have needed to wait until now.

I could have done it half a year ago.

"Eric." Lilia's frail voice came from outside the door.

She came in slowly with one hand on her belly.

"Why are you here?"

Eric went to her at once and drew her carefully into his arms.

"Eric, I was worried about Dora. I wanted to come and see her..."

Lilia walked over to me, and when her eyes met mine she shrank back against Eric in fear.

"Don't mind her. An Alpha female doesn't die that easily."

Eric swept a disgusted glance over me and said flatly, "You'll stay here for the next few months, until Lilia has the baby safely."

With that, Eric put his arm around Lilia and left without looking back.

The door slammed shut, and I barely managed to push myself half upright with both hands.

In the corner of the room I felt around for the encrypted phone I had hidden long ago, and dialed the only number in it.

"I'll do what you asked."

"Really? Where are you? I'll come for you right now."

"Wait. Give me a little more time. I still have things to deal with."

"All right. However long it takes, I'll wait."