Chapter 3

At midnight, a sharp pain jolted me awake.

When I opened my eyes, I saw horrifying streaks of blood staining the sheets. It was still gushing out between my legs.

I reached for Lucas beside me, but his side of the bed was empty.

The sheets were cold. I had no idea how long he'd been gone.

Writhing in pain, I woke Emma Gray, the maid I trusted most. She'd been with me since childhood. There was no one I relied on more.

Emma hurried out, only to return moments later, her face tight with worry. "Luna, the estate's surrounded by attendants. They say no one can leave without Alpha's orders."

Another wave of pain tore through me.

Gasping, I barely managed to grind out, "Why would they do this?"

"They said Isabella is due to have her pup any moment, so the Alpha took the whole guard to stand watch at her place. We're shorthanded, and the Alpha is worried about your safety, Luna. That's why he ordered the attendants to stay at all times."

"Then tell them to send a healer!"

Just then, Sarah rushed in, out of breath. "Luna, I already told them, but they refused!"

The pain in my abdomen was like a knife slicing straight through me. I gripped the sheets, barely able to breathe through the agony.

Only then did it hit me. Lucas wasn't actually worried about me. He was just afraid I'd hurt Isabella.

A bitter smile twisted my lips. "You're really something else, Lucas."

Another wave of white-hot pain ripped through me, and the world went dark.

…

By the time Lucas returned with his guards, I'd already been out cold for a full day.

Still groggy, I caught the sound of an argument.

"You incompetent fools! What part of my orders didn't you understand? You actually dragged in some random healer to treat Evelyn?"

Lucas' voice was rough with anger, and everyone around him shrank back under his fury.

After a brief silence, Sarah answered timidly, "Alpha, we didn't have a choice. There were no other healers available!"

Lucas froze as he remembered his father's order that morning that all healers stand guard outside Isabella's door.

His tone softened slightly, but the threat remained. "If anything happens to Evelyn, you'll all pay for it!"

When I opened my eyes, Lucas was gazing absently out the window.

The second he noticed I was awake, his face brightened with relief. "Evelyn, you're finally awake! How are you feeling?"

I ignored him and turned to call for Emma, but Sarah spoke up first. "Luna, do you need water? I'll get you some right now."

I shook my head. After a full day and night of crying and screaming, my throat burned too much to speak.

I just wanted to see Emma. She was the only one who made me feel safe.

The maids' uneasy expressions sent a sickening dread through me, so I called Emma's name again, louder this time. But no one answered, even after I waited.

This felt strange. Emma had always been my personal maid, following me like a second shadow.

So, why wasn't she here today?

Sarah glanced at me, then at Lucas, and only spoke after he gave her a nod. Her voice shook. "Luna, Emma… S-She's dead."

"What did you just say?"

I shot upright, the sudden movement sending a sharp pain through my already aching stomach.

"Emma got into a fight with the attendants while trying to fetch a healer for you. Someone pushed her, and she fell down the stairs. The attendants were afraid it would turn into a death, so they sent us out to find a healer."

Tears ran down my face. I tried to speak, but a mouthful of blood gushed up my throat.

Lucas quickly reached out to wipe it away, but I flinched back.

"Evelyn, don't take it so hard. Emma's gone. Right now, you need to focus on getting better. The healer said your injuries are bad. You have to rest and stay calm."

I closed my eyes and gave a bitter smile. "You're right, Alpha. I'm tired. Please just go."

"Alpha? You're calling me that now, Evelyn?" Lucas's voice shook with disbelief. "Are you saying this is my fault?"

"I wouldn't dare. I'm just a helpless Omega. How could I ever blame an Alpha?"

Lucas frowned, his eyes locked on mine as if searching for something in my expression. "Evelyn, I know you just lost the pup, and you're not yourself right now, so I'll let it slide. I'll come by tomorrow."

With that, he turned to leave.

Tomorrow? I probably wouldn't even last that long.

Summoning the last of my strength, I choked out, "Don't bother. I know I'm not going to make it, and I don't deserve to keep Luna's place. So, let's break the mate bond. Just reject me. That's all you have to do."

Lucas froze mid-step and whirled around, his eyes blazing as he sneered, "Break the mate bond? That's fucking bullshit! You must be out of your damn mind!"

He turned on the others and barked, "Starting today, Evelyn stays here to recover. Nobody lets her leave without my say!"