Chapter 5

"Lydia?" The name was a raw, desperate whisper, the first sound to tear from my throat as I pried my eyes open.

The white light of the pack infirmary was blinding.

"You're awake!" Ethan stood up, his voice laced with concern. He looked like he'd been watching over me for a long time.

"My daughter," I pushed myself up. "Is she alive?"

"Don't say her name," he growled, his face hardening. "Whether she lives or dies... depends entirely on you."

My heart pounded. "What does that mean?"

"My men pulled her from the river," Ethan said, standing up. "But she's badly injured."

"Let me see her!" I tried to get out of bed.

"No." He pushed me back down. "First, you have to answer for what you did."

"What did I do?"

He leaned in close, his eyes dark. "Your jealousy almost cost me my only true heir. Lilith is in critical condition. She needs a Luna's vitality to stabilize her."

I stared at him, stunned. "You want me to..."

"Yes," he said without hesitation. "You will heal her. You will give her your life force."

"That could kill me!" I gasped.

"It won't kill you," he purred, a low, cruel sound. "It will just leave you... empty. Besides, you owe me this pain. It’s only fair. Otherwise, Lydia's life…"

A threat. A naked threat.

"Ethan, are you even human?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Human?" He sneered. "The bond makes us more than human, Sera. And so does betrayal. Did you ever once think of my pain when you were with him?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I knew nothing I said would matter now. He had made up his mind.

"I'll do it."

"Good." He nodded, satisfied. "We'll begin immediately."

Twenty minutes later, I was in an ancient ritual chamber. Silver runes were carved into the floor, and moonlight streamed onto a Moonstone in the center. Lilith was already lying on one side of the altar, pale and weak.

"Begin," Ethan ordered the pack healer.

The healer forced my hand onto the freezing Moonstone. Across from me, Lilith took my other hand, and even in her weakened state, I saw the triumphant smirk on her lips.

The ritual began.

I could feel my life force being ripped from me, flowing through the stone and into Lilith's body. My vision blurred. A deep, chilling cold spread through my bones.

Across from me, Lilith’s cheeks began to flush with color. Her scent grew stronger.

He didn't spare Lilith a single glance.

His eyes were locked on me.

A twisted fascination burned in their depths as he stared at my pale face. He gently wiped the sweat from my brow.

"Does it hurt, my love?" he whispered, his voice a venomous caress. "Good. Remember this pain. The next time you think of betraying me, you will remember exactly how this feels."

"Enough..." I begged weakly.

"Just a little longer," he whispered, kissing my cold hand. His tone was cruel, yet he sounded like he was comforting a lover. "If you can't handle a little pain, how can you be my Luna? How can you deserve my mercy for that bastard?"

After another ten minutes, I was on the verge of collapse.

"Stop," the doctor finally said. "Any longer and the Luna's life will be in danger."

The ritual ended. I slumped into a chair, too weak to even speak.

"Thank you, Seraphina," Lilith said with a fake smile. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me."

Didn't mean to? She was still acting.

I ignored her and looked at Ethan. "I... need to see my daughter..."

Ethan walked over and lifted me into his arms as if I were a piece of precious porcelain.

He leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"See? You do still love me. You're willing to do anything for me." His voice was filled with smug satisfaction.

He laid me down on the bed, tucking the sheets around me as if I were a fragile doll.

"You disappointed me today, my Luna," he whispered. "You still care more about that bastard than you do about me."

"You don't get to see her. Not until you learn that your world begins and ends with me."