Chapter 3

That sentence was a poisoned dart. It stabbed into my already numb heart and twisted.

I gripped the railing and walked down the stairs, one step at a time.

When Kyle saw me, a flicker of guilt crossed his face before it was replaced by his usual arrogance.

He let go of Selena and strode over to me, looking down his nose at me.

"Good, you're awake," he said, his tone a command. "Selena is carrying my child, so she's very delicate. From now on, you'll be responsible for taking care of her. Consider it a test for you to become a proper Luna."

That damn test again.

I remembered the first time he'd asked me to make a pearl. He'd soothed me with the same words. "This is a test from the Moon Goddess, Althea. If you endure this, you will be my perfect Luna."

After that, every time he died recklessly, every time he made me suffer that life-draining agony, he'd use the title of "Luna" to trick me. Like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey that it could never reach.

I used to believe him.

Not anymore.

"Kyle," I said, looking at him calmly. I was surprised by my own composure. "Let's break the mating bond."

The air went still.

The arrogance on Kyle's face morphed into shock, then into pure rage.

"What did you say?" He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight I thought my bones would shatter. "Break the bond? Althea... have you forgotten who saved your life? Don't even think about leaving me! Not in this lifetime!"

The possessiveness in his eyes chilled me to the bone.

But I knew it wasn't love.

He yanked me towards him, sniffing roughly at my neck before shoving me away, his eyes filled with hatred.

"That filthy scent again! Who is he! Who's the bastard you've been seeing behind my back!" he roared, like a cornered beast.

"I haven't..." My defense was pathetic and weak.

"Haven't you?" Selena cooed, sliding her arm through Kyle’s. "Darling, don't be angry, it’s bad for you. Maybe… Althea just made a little mistake. We can give her a small punishment, just to help her remember her place."

Her eyes were like a viper's as they landed on me.

"I've never seen a real mermaid before," Selena said, her tone innocent but her words dripping with venom. "I'm pregnant, and the doctor said I need to stay happy. Althea, could you show me your tail? To entertain me?"

For a mermaid, that is the ultimate humiliation. Our tails are only ever revealed to our mates, in the most private and sacred moments.

"No..." I shook my head, tears of shame burning my eyes.

Kyle's complicated gaze fell on me. He was silent for a moment, then his voice was cold as stone.

"Do it."

His voice carried the undeniable power of an Alpha command, crashing down on me like a mountain.

The force compelled my body, tearing at my will. I fell to my knees in agony as my legs dissolved in a shower of silver light, merging into a shimmering, ornate fishtail.

It slapped weakly against the cold floor, like a beautiful creature on the verge of death.

Selena laughed with delight and even took out her phone to take pictures.

I looked up, my vision blurred by tears, at the man I had loved with my very life. My voice was filled with despair.

"Kyle, I wish… I wish you'd never saved me."

His rage froze on his face.

Just then, his phone rang.

Kyle answered it, and his expression changed dramatically.

"What did you say? My father is dying?"

Selena's eyes lit up. She looked at me and smiled.

"Darling, this is a perfect opportunity," she said. "Use Althea's pearl to save the old Alpha. He'll be so impressed… and then all the power he still holds will be yours."