Chapter 3

ALESSIA

“What do you mean?” Finally, Max turned toward me, as if only just noticing my presence. 

I shook my head. "Nothing."

There was so much I wanted to say, so many questions I wanted to throw at him—but I swallowed them all. I stayed silent. It was wiser that way; he wouldn’t suspect, and it wouldn’t become a hindrance—at least, not until the day I finally left him for good.

“You’re right..." I forced a smile that stung my cheeks. "She needs your protection. So of course she can stay here in our home.”

“Good,” Max said flatly, rubbing a hand over his nose. Irritation laced his tone. “If you understand that, then this is settled. I don’t want to hear any pointless protests from you later.”

“Max, stop it,” Clementine says. “I don’t want you two to fight because of me." 

She turned to me. "Alessia, I truly apologize if my being here bothers you. I could leave… I could find a small apartment near the packhouse-"

“No,” Max said immediately. “If I say you stay, you stay. Nothing else matters.””

The word lodged in my throat like a stone.

“You're always my savior,” Clementine said, batting her lashes. “It’s been so long since I set foot here, and everything has changed. I might get lost in your packhouse—could you show me around?”

"But you're still sick."

“No, no,” she said, fluttering her hands delicately. “I can manage, with you watching, of course.”

Max nodded.

He helped her up, then guided her out without sparing me another glance—as if I weren’t standing there. As if I weren’t his wife. His Luna.

I went to my room, not expecting to see them in the living room again.

When Max’s gaze settled on me. “Wait,” 

I stopped.

“Why are those photos?” His tone was sharp, controlled, like ice.

“Sorry?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

“Our wedding photos, I remember you displayed them here,” he said, his eyes narrowing.

“Oh… that,” I replied lightly. “I asked the maids to clean them. ”

When his eyes fell on the empty table, he frowned.“Including that vase?”

The vase had been my first gift from him. Modest, yet somehow, because it was from him, it felt perfect. I had proudly displayed it on the table, the most visible spot in the room, filling it with fresh flowers every week.

“Yes, Including the vase—I just didn’t want it getting dirty.” I said calmly.

I had treasured it, and just yesterday, I had thrown it away.

“Did you?” His eyes probed my face, piercing and unrelenting.

I nodded, "Yes."

Before Max could respond, Clementine’s soft, saccharine voice floated toward us.

“Your house is so big, Max” she cooed, stepping closer, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “All this walking has made my throat dry.” She cleared her throat with a small, helpless sound. “Could you maybe get me some water?”

“Of course.”

The instant Max disappeared, Clementine’s fragile act slipped away like a ragged mask falling from her face. 

“That day at the hospital, Alessia… you saw me, didn’t you?” Her voice was low, venomous. “Do you realize what you were up against? I’m carrying Max’s child. His heir. Something you, a lowly human, could never give him. And all this time you thought he married you because of love? You're such an idiot."

She stepped closer, her hand resting possessively on her belly. “If you had any dignity, you would’ve walked away the moment you realized your place. But no, you stayed. Pathetic.”

I didn’t move. 

I refused to give her the satisfaction of fear.

“When I left this pack, left Max, he was shattered,” Clementine continued. “That night he begged me to stay, to make me his Luna. But I refused. And then he married you. Odd timing, isn’t it? And yet, you believed he chose you."

She leaned slightly closer, "End that little dream, Alessia. It’s time you stepped aside.”

I met her eyes, brimming with smug triumph, hand still on her belly as if shielding a prize.

“Is that it? All this barking over nothing?" I lifted my chin. "Just stop.”

Her eyes flared. “What did you say?”

“I said you can stop,” I replied evenly, my voice cold. “Take your place. Your Max. Everything you think you’ve won. I don’t want any of it anymore.”

Her jaw dropped. I turned and walked toward my bedroom, pushing the door open—and froze.

Max stood there, by my drawer.

In his hands was a small, carved wooden box.

The box. The one containing the Lunar Bloom Infusion.

His face had gone pale, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

“This is a pregnancy dose. Why do you have this?” His eyes scanning my face. “Alessia… are you pregnant?