Chapter 3

                    

Eleanor's Point Of View…

Every joyful memory I've had with Killian now stands at a distance, far away from my reach, leaving behind only a wrenching feeling of despair and emptiness. Taylor poisoned me with wolfsbane three weeks ago, and I'm amazed that it had no effect on me or my unborn child. My stomach kept bulging as the day passed by and the desperation to die loomed around me like fog.

“Eat up,” Lydia, one of the maids, pestered after bringing my food. My eyes settled on the crumbs of bread and a glass of milk on a white tray. The hunger in me prompted me to drag the food and gobble it, not bothering if it was poisoned. 

She watched me with so much sympathy and when the door to the corridor opened, loud music and drumming emanated from outside.

"Lydia! Don't tell me you're going to waste much time here?" The maid who had just come in inquired, her puzzled gaze flickering between me and Lydia.

“I was going to leave. I swear. I didn't intend to waste much time," Lydia answered, her voice trembling slightly.

“You know we have to arrange the chairs and see to the successful preparation of the event. We can't afford to cause any flaws. You know it's the Alpha's wedding.” 

The other maid scolded and fumed, causing my eyes to grow wide. My breath caught in her hanging words and I could hear my own heart shatter. Killian is finally marrying Taylor, and I was completely unaware.

“Let's go! Spending a second with this murderer isn't worth it! I hope she starves till she dies!” The other maid cussed as she dragged Lydia by the wrist, her eyes brimming with contempt as she gazed at me. Lydia glanced at me one last time before trotting out of the dungeon with the other maid.

I didn't feel the urge to eat anymore. 

Hearing about Killian and Taylor's wedding pierced through my heart like a thousand needles. The air felt thick and suffocating, the silence in the dungeon was broken by my ragged breaths. I felt my chest tightened and I buried my face in my palms, the echo of her words ringing in my ears.

***

Later that evening, I laid weakly beside the wall when I noticed two shadowy figures approaching. My eyes flicked open when I realized it was Killian and Taylor.

“Guess who's finally married…” Taylor chirped as she spread her fingers for me to see her glistening ring. She wrapped her arm around Killian who stared at me with an unreadable expression.

“Congratulations! I hope you two last in your marriage,” Wiping the tears in my eyes, I said to them, while Taylor's eyes grew wide as she didn't expect me to say such.

“You!!!!” She yelled and was about to approach me when Killian grabbed her arm.

“Did you hear what she just said, Killian? I'm sure she was being sarcastic.. I'm certain..” She gritted her teeth, glaring at my bulging tummy. She has been terrified of me and increasingly angered since discovering that her plan to poison me to death failed. She wanted me to have a miscarriage in particular, but she was upset that it did not happen. I am more astonished than she is. I also wished to die along with my unborn child but it seemed as though the Moon goddess had plans to keep us alive.

“When will you banish her, Killian? I can't stand seeing her any longer. Who knows what plans she might have next? She might even have plans on strangling you to death..” 

Taylor snarled, gritting her teeth as she gazed at me with contempt. Killian approached me and squatted in front of me, his brownish eyes on my bulging tummy. “I won't banish her… Not until she bears me my pup..”

Taylor's eyes grew wide after hearing his statement. Her stomach had bulged as well but she was dissatisfied with the thought that another woman would bear Killian's child.

.

“Killian.. I'm carrying your pup. Our baby! I'm enough for you. Who knows if the child she's carrying is not even yours?! Just banish her right away..”

Killian looked up at her and banged his fist on the wall to silence her.. “You won't tell me what to do!! I'm the one to determine what to do. She's carrying my pup as well because I can smell their scent..”

Killian retorted before shifting his gaze at me. 

He lifted my chin with his fingers and I scooted backwards from him as panic overwhelmed me.

“You said you'd reject me.. Do it! Reject me right now and let's end this!!” 

His eyes grew wide at my statement and he grabbed me by the wrist at once.

“I won't reject you not until you suffer for your crimes!!” 

Eight months later~

Watching the months pass slowly affects my mind, and the pain from the one-sided mate bond causes me to cry and scream every day. It would have been preferable if he had rejected me, but he did not…

A kick in my belly made me groan.

"Ah!" I winced at the sharp pain and crouched by the cage before gripping the bars.

Something warm trickled down my leg and I froze. My eyes widened when I realized my water just broke.

Luckily a guard heard me screaming and he called for the doctor. The pain surged through me like waves and I gripped the bars tightly.

"Ahhhh!!" I screamed, my breath labored as I glanced around.

"Ahhhhhh!!" 

"My lady," Agnes, the elderly midwife, murmured as she scurried towards me, her face filled with concern.

She made me lie on a foam and spread my legs.

"You have to push, Lady Eleanor!" She urged and I groaned, gritting my teeth and shutting my eyes.

"You can do this.." She encouraged me and my scream pierced the air that cold evening.

"It hurts... I - I just want to die... please!!" With my chest heaving, I mumbled but she shook her head.

"You're stronger than this... please, for the sake of your child.." 

"Ahhhh!!!" Gripping the foam, I screamed once again as I tried to push. 

My baby doesn't deserve to be born here..

This isn't a home…

"I can see the head. You're doing well.. Come on!" The midwife encouraged me, so I took a few deep breaths, groaning and pushing with all of my effort.

Suddenly, a maid raced in, her gaze flickering between us.

"You have to accompany me, Doctor Agnes. The Luna needs your attention."

"What?!" I asked, holding back a gasp.

But the doctor is in the midst of something important.

"I can't leave.. She's--"

"Luna's water has broken. Who do you pledge allegiance to? A non-significant murderer or the new Luna of our pack? The maid spoke through clenched teeth, leaving Agnes speechless.

"Alpha Killian is by her side and if anything happens to her, he will have your head," ..

What about me? Doesn't he know that I'm having a baby too? Isn't he aware?

Agnes returned my gaze with a sorrowful face, and my heart plummeted to my stomach.

"N--No! "Please do not leave me!!" I shook my head and implored, but she rose to her feet. 

"Keep those legs open!" The other maid snapped as she slapped my thighs and forced them apart..

"I'm sorry Lady Eleanor. It's my duty to attend to the Luna."

Agnes muttered, grabbing her tools and hurr

ying away, with some maids behind her.

"No.. no they can't do this to me..The pain is unbearable.. Arghh!"