第三章

I never told Draven about my true family. I wanted a love that was pure, untouched by power.

I used to be a blood-healer, but I ran away from home after my brother's second-in-command broke the rules and fed on a human.

Besides my brother, I have no other family.

And I cut off all contact when I left.

When Draven discovered I was his blood-mate, his parents looked down on my background.

But Draven chose me anyway, making me believe our bond could overcome anything.

I felt a love I had never known before, but that spark faded with time.

That night, Draven stayed with me. I didn't refuse him, even though the lingering scent of Sabine's herbs on him, the ones used to suppress the werewolf scent, made me sick.

The next morning, he was in a good mood. He kissed my forehead when he woke up.

"The two most important women in my life, finally at peace. I'm so grateful, Isolde. I promise I'll make it up to you in the future!"

After breakfast, he even lifted my communication block and allowed me to take walks outside the manor, escorted by clan guards.

The first thing I did was contact my brother's most trusted lieutenant.

Draven had no idea that my brother controlled the lifeblood of the entire vampire world.

We were not alone. With his help, I would be out of this place soon.

Over the next few months, I tried to live in peace with Sabine.

She had Draven find all sorts of ancient artifacts to suppress the werewolf bloodline. I had nothing, but I wasn't even provoked when she flaunted them.

But even with so many experts tending to her, by her eighth month of pregnancy, the half-breed fetus inside Sabine had a violent power surge.

The clan's physicians said she had to go to the neutral territory of "Moonshadow Isle" to seek protection from ancient mages, or she could be in danger.

Draven immediately packed his bags to take Sabine away.

I was curled up in a corner of my bedroom, hands on my swollen belly, feeling a weakness I had never felt before.

My own ancient bloodline screamed a warning inside me. Our bond is shattering. If he leaves, we will not survive.

"No, we will survive! We have to get through this alone."

Before he left, Draven glanced at me. His face was etched with exhaustion, but also a flicker of warm concern.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I refused to show any weakness. I didn't answer.

"Isolde, I'll be back before our child is born. Sabine's situation is urgent. When I return, I'll stay by your side 24/7."

I wanted to stand up and tell him that I needed him too, that my child and I needed care. But my pride won. I forced a smile and nodded.

Draven stared at me, a little surprised. He probably didn't expect me to let him go so easily.

He didn't move until Sabine called for him. Then he slowly pulled his gaze away from me.

Just as he was about to step out the door, he suddenly dissolved into a black mist and rushed back, grabbing me from behind in a death grip, his arms squeezing the air from my lungs.

His voice was a raw, desperate cry.

"I'm not going!" His voice was a raw cry. "Isolde, I'm staying! I'll send Uncle Lucien with her. I'm staying with you!"

My heart hammered at this sudden show of emotion, but my mind was a block of ice.

I could feel our fragile blood-bond groaning in protest at my heartache.

I used all my strength to keep my voice steady. "You should go. Sabine and 'your child' in her belly need you more right now."

I stressed the words "your child."

What I really wanted to say was: If you don't go, and anything happens to her or the baby, you'll hate me for the rest of your life.

His arms around me went rigid, and his grip slowly loosened.

Just as Draven was about to leave, a maid stopped him.

"Sir, please let Miss Isolde move back to her original room. The sunroom gets terribly stuffy during the day, even with the drapes pulled. I worry it might affect the baby. "

Before Draven could answer, Sabine cut in. "No way! I'll be moving back in soon. How can she take my room?"

"I don't want to move back," I told Draven. Relief washed over his face, followed by a warm smile.

"I'll build you a brand-new blood-healing lab when I get back. I'm sorry you have to suffer for these few days."

With that, he dissolved into a black mist and vanished into the night with Sabine.