Chapter 2

The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed. Lucas must have already left for the Pack Council.

My maid, Sarah Miller, slipped quietly into the room and set out breakfast. When she noticed I was awake, her face brightened with a warm smile.

But as she handed me a glass of deep purple potion, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes. "Luna, the chief healer from our pack brewed this potion for you on the Alpha's orders."

Sarah's voice was soft, thick with unmistakable concern.

The liquid in the clear glass was an eerie deep purple, its pungent smell alone enough to make me uneasy.

A single glance was all it took for me to wave her off.

Sarah bit her lip, her eyes clouded with conflict and reluctance. After a hesitant pause, she spoke gently. "Luna, the Alpha specifically ordered me to watch you drink this before he left."

The moment she said that, I knew something was off about the potion.

No wonder I kept waking up last night, drifting in and out of sleep with the feeling that someone was examining my body.

Sarah must've noticed something too. That was why she looked so worried.

Last night, that person pinned me down with terrifying strength, leaving me unable to move.

Now that I thought about it, that was no dream.

How could I have forgotten?

Lucas might not have been a healer, but as an alpha who'd seen his share of battlefields, he knew the basics of examining someone.

"I'm a little dizzy right now. Just leave it there. I'll drink it later," I said.

But I had no intention of drinking that potion.

Ever since that corrosive potion had been thrown on me, my health had been failing. I wasn't the same person anymore.

I relied on potions to keep going, but none had ever been like this one, reeking so foul it curdled my blood.

This had to be an abortion potion.

The healer once told me my wolf was damaged, and that I might never have a pup of my own.

This one felt like my last hope—a gift from the Moon Goddess herself.

I'd been an orphan since I was young, with no family to call my own. But now, against all odds, I had one. And even if the chance were slim, I'd fight with everything I had to keep it safe.

After a moment, Sarah's voice sounded from the other side of the door. "Alpha, Luna isn't feeling well. She won't take the potion."

"Got it. Bring in the potion, then everyone out."

I yanked the blanket over my head, pretending to be fast asleep.

Lucas settled beside the bed, his cool fingers brushing my cheek and lips with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

I instinctively tried to pull back, but then his voice, deep and quiet, brushed against my ear. "Evelyn, are you awake?"

He wrapped me in his arms, his touch warm and tender. "Sarah told me you refused to drink the potion. It was specially brewed for you by the pack's chief healer. Come on, be good, Evelyn. Drink it, okay?"

A shiver ran through me, but I forced a smile for the pup's sake. "Lucas, it's not that I don't want to. It's just… The smell is terrible."

He snapped his fingers at that, and several maids hurried in with trays of assorted sweets.

His gaze held unspoken meaning as he watched me. "I had these prepared for you. There's nothing to worry about."

"But I really don't want to drink it..."

Lucas' expression turned cold instantly, his voice sharp with warning. "Evelyn, don't test me. My patience only stretches so far."

With that, he grabbed my chin and forced the potion down my throat.

The bitter liquid burned as it went down, making my eyes water. I clutched my throat, coughing violently.

But Lucas thought I was trying to spit it out. His smile was gentle, but it chilled me to the bone. "Evelyn, if you dare throw that up, I'll make you drink it again."

In the end, I couldn't keep the pup, and my heart went out to the little thing.

Gritting my teeth, I forced down the searing pain in my chest, swallowing my tears along with the bitter potion.