第一章

I was deep in meditation, focusing on my unborn child, when I felt a ripple of my blood-mate's power. I smiled. He was blessing our baby.

I walked to the study, a happy smile on my face, only to find him—my blood-mate, Draven. I found him in the study. His hand was pressed against another woman's belly—his first love, Sabine. A golden glow flowed from his palm into her.

"Draven, do you feel that?" Sabine's voice was a breathless whisper. "Your power... it's soothing our child."

Draven pressed his hand firmer against her belly, a gentle smile on his lips.

Then he looked up. His golden eyes met mine.

"Isolde?!" His voice was a strangled whisper. He was in front of me in a flash, his icy hand gripping my arm.

"Draven, let me go." My voice cracked, threatening to shatter.

"Isolde, listen to me! It's not what you think."

I threw his hand off, cold tears finally breaking free. "Not what I think? I heard her, Draven. She said your child. I saw your power flowing into her!"

He was about to pull me into his arms, but Sabine glided to his side. She pressed herself against him, her face a mask of feigned innocence. "Draven, you promised to keep our secret... You promised to protect our child."

Her words pierced through my last shred of hope.

Draven saw the broken look on my face, and a flash of panic crossed his.

He turned to Sabine, his voice stern for the first time. "Isolde is my blood-mate. She has a right to know the truth!"

"The truth?" Sabine laughed. "Then let's tell her everything. Let her know that to keep the three of us safe—mostly you and me—the baby in your belly is, from now on, nothing but a nameless bastard."

"What?!" Confusion and rage replaced my sorrow.

"What does she mean by that?" I demanded of Draven.

"I'm sorry, Isolde..." Draven stammered. "Sabine is all alone. If the Elders find out she's carrying a werewolf's child, they'll execute her! I have to protect her! She was attacked, Isolde. A rogue werewolf forced himself on her!"

"Then what about our child!" I screamed. "So you'll abandon our child to play daddy to hers?"

"Isolde, calm down, listen to me!" Draven held me tight, his body cold as ice. "The Elders value blood purity above all else. She'll die."

"Then let her and her werewolf mongrel leave!" I struggled against his embrace.

"How can you say that! And you think she could escape if this gets out?" Draven's face was a mask of pain. "Isolde, have I not always treated you well? Can't you do this one thing for me? For us? I swear, once I become Lord, I'll use my power to fully activate your family ring! Our child won't carry this stain forever."

I shook my head and laughed, a bitter sound.

If he truly loved me, how could he ask me to sacrifice my honor?

It was true, Draven had broken up with Sabine when he discovered I was his blood-mate.

But even after two years together, he still hadn't completed the final bonding ritual.

I should have known. It was always Sabine he loved.

Our argument drew the prying eyes of servants in the hallway.

"I'll take you back to your room," Draven said, guiding me out by my shoulder.

Sabine followed, staying possessively close to him.

I noticed a new obsidian bracelet on her wrist, carved with ancient runes that could mask a specific scent.

Sabine casually lifted her wrist to brush back her hair, smiling at me. "Isn't this beautiful? Draven was worried the werewolf scent from my baby might leak out and cause trouble. He found it for me in the family vault. He said we can't afford any mistakes."

"Sabine!" Draven hissed.

"Oh, don't be mad at me," Sabine pouted, placing a hand on her stomach. "Our baby is very sensitive. He can feel your anger."

Draven's expression softened instantly.

He reflexively reached out to touch her stomach but stopped mid-air.

He looked at me, his eyes a war of guilt and conflict, before finally softening his voice.

"Don't get agitated. The child is fragile."

I watched the sickening display, my face a cold mask. Then I turned and gently closed the door on them.

Shutting them out. Shutting out my foolish love.

On the way, Draven kept trying to explain.

"Isolde, Sabine's family is our vassal. They are incredibly strict with her. If I don't claim the child, her own family will kill her to cleanse their name! Sabine wants to save herself and this child. We have to help!"

"Then let her face the Elders' judgment! Why should my mate be the father to her child?" I said with a sneer, staring out at the castle's spires.

"You..." Sabine burst into tears.

Draven rushed to comfort her. "No, Sabine. Don't be sad. I promised I'd protect you and the baby, and I will."

Then Draven looked at me in the mirror's reflection, his voice laced with blame.

"Isolde, how can you be so cold? I broke her heart for you two years ago. I can't just stand by and watch this happen."