Chapter 3

Lucas froze. A look of disbelief and deep hurt washed over his face.

"Babe, what are you talking about?" His voice trembled. "I know losing the baby has been hard on you, but you can't just say things like that."

When I didn't respond, his tone softened, becoming helpless. "It's my fault. You're exhausted and emotional. I shouldn't have asked you to apologize to Isabella. I know how much you're hurting. You just need some rest."

He sighed. Even though he was still supporting Isabella, his gaze was locked on me, filled with concern. "Please, stop saying things out of anger, okay? It really hurts."

He ordered an Omega servant to take me to my room.

He also handed Isabella a generous compensation, and even mobilized a huge amount of medical resources just for a minor scrape. He had always believed that I was the one who pushed Isabella. The sorrow in my heart crept up little by little, leaving me gasping for breath.

At ten that night, he returned to the master bedroom.

He was holding a bouquet of lilies—my favorite.

He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned his head gently against my shoulder, while I kept my back to him.

"Babe, please don't be mad anymore." His voice was husky, thick with exhaustion and vulnerability.

"I know you're in pain. I'm devastated about the baby, too. It wasn't just your child; it was mine, too."

He wrapped his arms around my stiff body, his touch gentle.

"About Isabella... I know she was in the wrong. She shouldn't have touched Leo's room. We can talk about it once you've calmed down. But when you asked to sever the mate bond today... it really scared me. It broke my heart."

"The Healer said as long as you recover, we will have more pups. Please, don't push me away. Don't torture me with words you don't mean, okay?"

Watching him hold me, his eyes red and his face full of deep affection, I felt nothing but the ultimate irony.

He had always been like this. That was why I truly believed he loved me and that Isabella was just a responsibility.

But I wouldn't fall for it again.

After I paid my respects to my child tomorrow, my brother would be here to pick me up.

The next morning, we went to the Moon Goddess Shrine.

It was the pack cemetery. We were there to erect a tombstone for the child who never had the chance to be born.

Halfway through the ceremony, Lucas received a mind link from Beta Marcus. A pack of rogues had attacked the pack borders. The situation was critical.

A look of conflict crossed Lucas’s face, but he didn't hesitate for long.

"Babe, there's an emergency at the border. I have to go."

He waved Isabella over from where she stood in the distance.

"Isabella will stay with you. I know she has the mind of a child, but she's family. I'll feel better knowing she's with you. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Lucas hurriedly kissed my forehead, turned, and sprinted into the forest.

A minute after he left, the silly grin vanished from Isabella’s face. She walked up to the tombstone and kicked over the Moonflowers Lucas had just placed there. "Such expensive Moonflowers. Does that little bastard of yours even deserve them?"

Slap!

I didn't waste words. I summoned all my strength and slapped her hard across the face.

Isabella was stunned. She clutched her cheek, glaring at me in disbelief. "You... you dare hit me? Lucas will be back soon, and he won't let you get away with this."

"So what if I hit you? What is there to be afraid of?" I sneered, lifted my foot, and kicked her hard in the knee.

Isabella shrieked. She stared at me, her eyes filled with rage.

But a few seconds later, she let out a creepy laugh. "Fine. You've got guts. But you won't be arrogant for long."

She pulled out a signal transmitter and pressed the button.

In less than a minute, a dozen massive rogues emerged from the surrounding bushes, encircling us.

Isabella pointed at me triumphantly. "This is the Luna of the Storm Pack."

"Kill her. Once she's dead, Lucas will make me the new Luna."

"When that happens, I'll give you half the territory."

The lead rogue let out a harsh, mocking laugh.

"Relax, Isabella. But your Alpha really is an idiot. Five years ago, that ambush was such bad acting, yet he actually believed you got brain damage saving him. That moron deserves to be played."

Watching them gloat, I clenched my fists.

So, not only was the brain damage an act, but Isabella was actually a spy for the rogues.

And Lucas was willing to sacrifice our child for this traitor.

I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he found out the truth.

"Do it!" Isabella ordered.

The rogues swarmed me.

I tried to force my weak body to shift. But the miscarriage had left me drained. My wolf form barely manifested before shattering from the intense pain.

I was pinned to the ground.

These rogues didn't claw or bite me. Instead, they repeatedly punched and stomped on my lower abdomen.

I had no external wounds, but I could clearly feel my uterus rupturing under the immense force.

The agony was so intense I couldn't even scream.

Isabella stood to the side, laughing maniacally.

"Didn't Lucas say he wanted more kids with you? Once your uterus is destroyed, let's see how you breed!"

Five minutes later, the rogues stopped.

I lay in the dirt, covered in blood, completely losing feeling in my lower body.

A howl echoed in the distance. It was Lucas.

The rogues exchanged glances and quickly retreated, vanishing into the dense forest.

Isabella immediately picked up a sharp rock from the ground and slashed her own arm twice, drawing blood.

Then she messed up her hair, sat on the ground, and let out a scream of pure terror.

"Lucas! Help me!"