006: FREEDOM

Five

Valerie 

I expected relief. I expected him to be glad that I am trying to make things easy for him. He obviously wants me gone. The elders have turned against me. Celeste now has his heart. He doesn’t need me in this pack anymore.

But what I see on Sebastian’s face isn't relief. It’s anger. His jaw clenches. He stands beside the bed, thin creases appearing on his forehead. For a moment, I thought he heard me wrong, but his next words confirm that he didn’t.

“A divorce?” he seethes. “Why, Valerie? Why do you want a divorce all of a sudden?”

Nothing happened to my child today, but I may not be that lucky in the future. There are countless people who don’t want me in this pack. I have to leave.

“Shouldn’t that be the next step for you?”

“Valerie–”

“Why do you want to keep me here?” My voice rises. I wince, taking deep breaths to calm myself. “I have been exiled, Sebastian. Can you go against the wishes of your subjects? Will you pick between Celeste and I?”

“Is this because of Celeste?” Desperation flashes in his eyes. “She won’t take your place. Everything between me and her is just temporary.”

I refuse to believe that. I refuse to be a fool for him any longer. “I don’t understand why you can’t let me go. The universe is against our union. You don’t…” My voice breaks. I dip my head, sinking my teeth into my lower lip. He let them accuse me of something I am innocent of. I don’t think I can ever get over that.

“You’re not getting a divorce.” Sebastian's tone is firm, dismissive. He rises to his full height, staring down at me. “This conversation is over. You’re delirious right now. Let’s talk again when you’re hale and hearty.”

Heat crawls up my throat. “I meant every word I said, Kael,” I state flatly.

He turns away without bothering to spare me a glance. At a snap of his fingers, two guards rush into the ward. 

“Take the Luna home and stand guard right at her door,” he orders. My heart sinks to my stomach. He may phrase his instructions however he wants, but I know he’s confining me again. His voice drops lower. “And you’ll treat her with respect. If any of you manhandles her again, I'll personally chop your head off.”

Both guards straighten, fear flickering in their eyes. A chill runs down my spine at the coldness in his tone.

He finally turns back to me. His expression is still stony, but there’s a layer of something else beneath. Guilt? Frustration? I can’t place my finger on it.

“Valerie,” he calls quietly. “You’re not leaving. You’ll stay in this pack and bear my child, whether you like it or not.”

“And before I forget,” he adds, his back to me. “There’ll be a mating ceremony between Celeste and I soon.”

My heart drops to my stomach. For a moment, I can't breathe, I stare at him, waiting for an indication that this is a prank, but there’s none.“Sebastian!” I exclaim, my eyes wide. “This is exactly why we should go out separate ways. You can't get mated to someone else when you're married to me.”

“I will.” His jaw is taut. “It’s nothing serious. We found a way to make her heal faster, and it’s if she gets mated to an Alpha."

I’m at a loss for words. How can he say it’s nothing serious? A mating ceremony is no child’s play.

Besides, his father just died. Why is he thinking of Celeste's wellbeing even at a time like this?

His hands tighten around the wheel. “It will be just for a short while, Valerie. This doesn't mean I will reject you as we are not mated theoretically. I’m sure you also want Celeste to stop hanging around me, right? This is the fastest solution.”

No. I don't care about them anymore. I just want to leave, rebuild my life somewhere else with my baby. 

My lips quiver. I dip my head, holding hand to my stomach. “You want to replace me.”

Sebastian lets out an exasperated breath. “I will never do anything to hurt you. Trust me, Valerie.”

I did. Look where that got me.

With that, he turns to leave, completely shutting down my requests.

By the time the guards take me back to the Alpha’s residence, my body is trembling with dread. The place is a stark reminder of everything I have been through for the past three years. Flanked by the guards on both sides, I make my way to my room. Surprisingly, it has been cleaned up again. The sheets were changed, everything put back into place, a subtle fruity smell emitting from the corners. This time, no one dares to look into my eyes. A maid stands by the bed, ready to do every of my bidding. I walk to the window to stare out through it idly. 

“Lady Helen, Miss Celeste, the Alpha gave specific orders for Luna to not be disturbed,” someone says outside my door. My mother in law’s furious reply follows.

“That woman is no Luna,” she fires. “She has been stripped of her title.”

“I know, but the Alpha says–”

“Get out of my way.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Helen. I can’t risk–”

He’s cut short by a noisy clutter. The door of my room bursts open to reveal Helen. Celeste is behind her, her lips set in a hard line. Helen’s eyes narrow in anger, as if simply looking at me disgusts her. I clench my hands into fists, schooling my expression.

“Celeste.” My eyes trail to the woman behind my mother inlaw. “You look really strong for someone healing from broken bonds. How long is it going to take? Years?” I make no effort to hide the sarcasm in my tone.

Helen stalks forward and sends her hand flying to my face. I since, feeling a sharp pain tear through me.

“Mother.” Celeste scurries to Helen and laces her arm with hers fondly. “Don’t let her get under your skin. It isn’t good for your health.”

I can’t help the scoff that escapes my lips. She’s a very good actress, pretending to care for the people with influence over the pack. In the past, I tried to be like her, brownnose everyone and get them to like me. But it’s exhausting. I don’t have interest in kissing Helen’s ass anymore. 

“Valerie.” Celeste turns to me, her composure intact, as always. “You can think the worst of me, I don't mind. I deserve it. Because I returned, your husband stopped caring about you. The pack members think I should be in your place. It’s only normal that you’d resent me for that.”

My teeth grind together. A smirk tugs at the corners of Celeste’s lips as she continues. 

“But do you really think Sebastian wants you here because he cares about you?”

I push bile down my throat. Her smirk widens. “He kept you here because you’re beneficial to him.” She closes the distance between us, rubbing her hand over my stomach. “The blood of a child between the Alpha and a healer carries…certain abilities.”

I frown. “Don’t beat around the bush, Celeste.”

“Healing abilities, Valerie,” Helen cuts in. “It’s miraculous. It’s the kind Alphas kill to possess. Sebastian wants you for selfish reasons.”

A shiver ripples through me. Sebastian’s words ring in my head. 

You will stay in this pack and bear my child, whether you like it or not.

Did he marry me for this reason? He approached someone with passion for medicine to bear his child just for this? I shake my head, trying to push the treacherous thoughts to the back of my mind. “That’s impossible.”

Celeste and Helen laugh, throwing knowing glances at each other. “She must really think he cares about her,” the former snickers. Sweat gathers on my skin.

“We have done you a favour," Helen says. “We told you the truth when the man you trust wouldn’t even do that. The fate of your unborn child is in your hands now.”

I stare into space, feeling tears sting my lids. Helen gives my hand a gentle tap. “You either stay here and lose your child as soon as you deliver, or leave now that you have the chance. The ball is in your court.”

They spin on their heels and stalk out of the house, leaving me to my thoughts. I grip the window bar for support, disoriented.

Sebastian never cared about me after all. My stomach lurches. A tear slips down my cheeks. I press a shaky hand to my belly.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry.” 

I have failed my child by being so gullible. Because I failed to see through Sebastian, my unborn baby is in danger.

“I won’t let them take you.” The decision settles in my chest with decisive clarity. 

 I have to leave. I have to escape for my child. Give him the freedom he deserves.