Masuk
"Serena, I had no idea about any of this. Nora did it all on her own."Julian rushed toward me, his large frame trembling violently.He placed both hands on my shoulders and leaned close, his eyes pleading and full of regret. "Serena, please forgive me. Let's start over."I pulled free and stepped back. "Julian, it's too late."Do you really think you deserve my forgiveness just because you didn't know?"If you hadn't promised Nora a future and given her special treatment, she never would've dared to hurt my child and me, thinking she could get away with it!"By the Moon Goddess, I, Serena, reject you, Julian, as my mate.""No!" he howled. "Serena, you can't be this cruel to me!"I looked at him, utterly calm."But I won't keep being this cruel to myself, Julian."If you refuse, I'll go to the Alpha King. I won't let my child have a father like you.""Serena, you..."He reached for me, but I moved out of his reach.He pulled his hand back, his face pale and his voice trembling. "If tha
The pup's blessing ceremony was set for dusk.I went to Julian and told him I wanted to attend with him as the pack's Luna.He hurried across the room and gripped me by the shoulders. "Serena, have you really come around?""Yes." I nodded. "For the sake of our child and the Nightfall pack's dignity, I can't keep being so unreasonable."He let out a long breath and pulled me into his arms. "Good, Serena. You're finally being reasonable."That evening, the hall blazed with light.I entered on Julian's arm, wearing an understated, elegant silver-gray gown.At the center of the hall, Nora held the pup they had named Lucas.She looked radiant, surrounded by the Nightfall Elders, Alphas from other packs, and countless guests.Someone called out, "The Alpha and Luna are here!" Every eye in the hall turned to us.Nora turned. Surprise flashed in her eyes when she saw me, but it quickly gave way to the pitying look of someone who was sure she'd won.She walked over to greet me. "Serena! I never
Three days later, Julian picked me up and took me home.He put me in the most secluded guest room and issued a brief statement: "Luna Serena has developed severe psychosis due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. She needs complete rest until she gives birth and will not receive visitors."Every word made it sound like he was protecting me.I knew better. He was afraid I would find a way to disrupt the blessing ceremony for Nora's pup.By pack custom, a pup would be carried to the altar to receive the Elders' blessing. It was a solemn ceremony.Only exceptional heirs formally recognized by the Alpha were eligible for it.Whatever faith I still had in Julian died, and I stopped speaking to him.Every day, he brought me dishes I used to love. None of them tempted me.I spent each day by the window, staring at a dead tree. No matter what he said, I pretended not to hear him."Serena, you don't need to torture yourself like this."He stood beside me, his voice still gentle. "I've told you
I looked up at him, stunned.Julian... he believed it!He believed her lies and fell for her schemes. He believed I was a monster who would hurt a newborn!A stabbing pain shot through my abdomen, and then everything went black.When I woke again, the sharp smell of disinfectant hit me."Serena, you're awake?" Julian sat beside the bed, his eyes bloodshot.He probably had not slept all night. Dark stubble covered his jaw."Serena, are you all right?" His voice was hoarse. He reached out to touch my cheek, but I instinctively turned away.He pulled his hand back and coughed twice, trying to hide his embarrassment."The doctor said your emotions have been too volatile during pregnancy. That's destabilized your wolf and nearly triggered premature labor."Nora is here to stay, and that won't change. If you don't want to see her, I'll have her and the pup transferred as soon as possible. But for my sake, can you stop making things difficult for them?"I fought to control my emotions. "Julia
I waited and waited, but Julian never came.The maid finally found me writhing in pain and rushed over. "Luna, what's wrong?""Quick! Call Julian and tell him to take me to the hospital."She hurried downstairs to call him. Two or three minutes later, she returned with an ashen face."Luna, the Alpha said he... he had to go back to the medical center. Ms. Vane is emotionally unstable after giving birth. The call dropped before I could tell him about you."I leaned against the wall as cold sweat streamed down my forehead.The signal cut out again.It reminded me of our bond and all the years he had spent blocking it on his end. Whenever I needed him, he was never there."Call an ambulance."The ambulance arrived quickly and took me to Lycian Private Medical Center.The corridor lights were harsh. A doctor entered my room holding a form."Your abdominal pain appears to be caused by an adverse reaction to some kind of medication," he said. "We need a family member's signature before we ca
I returned home alone.The moment I opened the door and looked around the house, the tears I had been holding back finally fell.The cradle I had put together myself still stood in the living room. The smell of paint still lingered.The pretty wool blanket draped over it had taken me a month to knit.Julian and I had hung every decoration on the walls together, piece by piece.The happy future I had pictured again and again ended in that moment.The lock clicked twice behind me. Julian had followed me home."Serena, let's talk." He took off his coat and reached for me, but I stepped away.He sighed. "I admit I shouldn't have lied to you. But I owe Nora so much. I know how much this hurts you. That's why I've felt so torn for so long."As I looked at him, the bitter irony hit me."Julian, do you really think our child will keep me from turning against you?"You think I'll never leave you?"His brow furrowed. I knew I had hit the mark."Serena, I only wanted to wait until you gave birth







