Chapter two

Olivia’s POV

I folded my clothes carefully into the small bag, my fingers gripping the fabric so tightly my knuckles ached, my eyes burning fiercely as I fought back the tears threatening to fall. Every corner of this room held memories of moments I once shared with Damien, memories filled with whispered lies and false promises. The way he used to look at me like I was the only thing that existed to him. Now none of it meant anything anymore. I meant nothing to him.

The door creaked open behind me, and I snapped my head back instantly. When I realized it was Damien standing there, my stomach twisted painfully with anger, and I turned my gaze forward again. I kept my back to him, focusing on the bag in front of me, forcing myself to stay strong and not shatter apart.

“Liv,” Damien called out, his deep baritone voice calm and measured. I didn’t respond. I had nothing left to say to him.

“I need to talk to you,” he said, taking a slow step closer.

“What is there left to say?” I spoke before I could stop myself, my voice sharper and colder than I intended. Damien showed no reaction to my tone.

“You need to leave the pack,” he said quietly. “It’s for your own good.”

A short, bitter laugh escaped me as I shook my head. “For my good?” I spun around to face him, my eyes blazing with anger and disbelief.

His jaw tightened slowly as he watched me. “This pack is dealing with too many dangers right now. I need a strong Luna, and Brielle is…”

“Don’t,” I cut him off sharply, my voice shaking with emotion. “Don’t stand there and try to justify what you did to me. You used me,” I yelled. “I was meant to be your Luna. You swore it would be me.”

“I can’t change what has already happened,” he replied, his tone turning cold and distant. “I have to maintain peace within this palace. Your presence only brings trouble for me, for Brielle, and for you as well.”

I flinched at the ease with which he said her name, like it was natural, like she belonged here and I never truly did.

I turned back toward my bag and shoved the last of my belongings inside. I refused to cry in front of him. As I reached for my coat, a piece of paper slipped from the pocket and fluttered to the floor between us, followed by a thin strip marked with two bold red lines.

“What is that?” Damien asked sharply, a deep frown forming on his face.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. I simply stared at it, my hands clenching tightly into fists.

Damien bent down and picked up the test strip. His eyes flickered between me and the proof clenched in his hand.

“Olivia,” his voice dropped lower, rough and almost threatening. “Are you pregnant?”

A shaky breath slipped past my lips. The truth was exposed now, but it didn’t matter anymore. Not after everything he had already taken from me.

“Yes, I am,” I said, my voice sharp and edged with bitterness. “Surprised?” I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes at him. “I was planning to tell you after your coronation.”

Damien’s grip tightened around the strip. His lips parted slightly as if he wanted to speak, but his face hardened once more.

“Abort it,” he said flatly.

The room seemed to turn icy around me. My stomach dropped as my breath caught painfully in my throat while I stared at him in disbelief.

“What did you just say?” My voice came out barely above a whisper.

“I’ll have the pack doctor handle it. You’ll be safe, Olivia. This cannot happen,” Damien explained, as if he were making a simple, logical choice.

A sharp, unbearable pain tore through my chest. “You’re serious.” My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes.

“You want me to…” I couldn’t finish the sentence as hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

Damien’s expression remained distant, cold, and unreachable. “The pack comes first.”

I laughed, hollow and bitter. “The pack?” I stepped closer to him, my voice rising. “That’s your excuse? Do you even hear yourself? This is our child, Damien.”

Something flickered briefly in his gaze, but it vanished too quickly for me to understand. His jaw tightened. “I won’t repeat myself, Olivia. This is what must be done.”

My heart shattered completely. The man who once held me like I was his entire world now stood before me, demanding I erase the only piece of him I had left.

“You will regret this,” I whispered, my voice heavy with pain and promise.

Damien let out a quiet scoff. He didn’t believe me.

“You’ll stay at the safe house outside the palace tonight. The doctor will see you, and we’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

I lifted my gaze, walked past him, and did not stop. I did not look back.