Chapter 2

Damon soon followed the pack doctor into the office to collect Sophia's ultrasound results. Sophia, however, claimed she needed to use the restroom then just stood there, waiting.

Once they disappeared inside, she finally called out lazily, "You can stop hiding now, Luna. You've been lurking there long enough. Seen everything you needed to see?"

I stepped out from behind the pillar without a word, my face emotionless.

When I remained silent, Sophia's patience snapped. Her eyes blazed with satisfaction.

"What's wrong? Lost your tongue? You know Damon's never loved you—you were just a convenient political match. Yet you still cling to that Luna title like it means something."

I let out a bitter laugh. "And you don't find it pathetic being the side piece to a mated Alpha?"

Sophia's lips twisted into a smile. "I knew Damon long before the pack arranged your little marriage. If I hadn't left for Alpha training abroad, you'd never have gotten your claws into him."

She caressed her belly mockingly. "But I'm back now—carrying his true heir. Time for you to step aside and let the real Luna take her place."

From the day I was forced into this political mating, I knew Damon's heart belonged to another. But I never imagined she'd hold such absolute power over him.

The pain that tore through my chest made my wolf howl in agony. My claws extended involuntarily, crushing the medical report in my fist.

That's when Sophia noticed and ripped it from my hands.

She scanned the diagnosis and erupted into wild laughter.

"Lupus cancer? Oh, this is perfect!" she shrieked. "Tell me, Luna—will you live long enough to birth those bastard pups, or will you all die together like the pathetic waste you are?"

Her laughter pierced my ears and something inside me shattered completely. I stepped forward and slapped her so hard she spun around.

But instead of just falling, Sophia deliberately threw herself backward, slamming into the sharp corner of a medical cart. Blood immediately began flowing from a gash on her head.

"Help! She... she attacked me when I tried to congratulate her on her pregnancy," Sophia sobbed. "I told her I was happy for her and she flew into a rage. She said she'd kill my pup before letting me stay in the pack."

Before I could even process what happened, powerful hands seized my shoulders and threw me against the wall with force.

My spine hit the concrete and my swollen belly compressed painfully. I gasped, tasting blood as my wolf whimpered from the impact.

Damon's Alpha command slammed into me. "KNEEL!"

My legs buckled against my will, forcing me to drop to my knees before him. 

"Have you lost your fucking mind?!" he roared. "You attacked a pregnant female! You could have killed her pup!"

I stared up at him in shock, blood trickling from my split lip. Before I could speak, Sophia whimpered pathetically.

"Please don't punish Luna Aria because of me, Damon. I shouldn't have let you bring me here. This is all my fault. As long as my pup survives, she can beat me to death if it makes her feel better."

She looked like a broken angel—blood matting her hair, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Damon's face was filled with rage. His voice dropped to a whisper as he glared down at me.

"You will crawl to Sophia and kiss her feet," he commanded. "Then you'll beg her forgiveness for attacking her and our pup."

The words hit me like silver bullets to the heart. My own mate—ordering me to grovel before his mistress.

I forced a laugh through my pain. "You want me to crawl and kiss her feet?"

I struggled to stand despite his Alpha pressure still crushing down on me. My hands shook as I shoved the torn cancer diagnosis at his chest.

"Do you know what this says, Alpha?" My voice cracked with emotion. "Do you even care that your Luna is dying?"

He didn't even glance at it.

Instead, he crumpled the paper and threw it in my face like garbage.

"I don't give a shit about your excuses!" he snarled. "All I know is you've dishonored this pack by attacking a pregnant female. You're supposed to protect the vulnerable, not terrorize them!"

Tears finally broke free, streaming down my cheeks as my whole body trembled with rage and heartbreak.

Damon saw me crying and for just a moment, his expression flickered with regret. His tone softened slightly.

"Look... just do what I asked. Apologize properly and I'll consider letting this slide. I know I've been busy with pack duties lately, but I'll spend more time with you after the pups are born."

Then, without any shame, he grabbed my arm and tried to drag me toward Sophia.

She gazed up at me with triumph, clearly expecting me to break completely.

I stared hard at Damon, wondering how the Alpha who once promised to cherish me could become such a monster the moment his precious Sophia returned. Had he forgotten every vow he made during our mating ceremony?

I drew in a breath and felt my wolf rise up in defiance.

"No," I said quietly. "I won't crawl for anyone. And Damon... you've shown me exactly what our bond means to you."

I placed my hands protectively over my belly, feeling my twins kick restlessl

y inside.

Then I turned and walked away.