CHAPTER 3

ONE YEAR LATER

Life had been hell on earth. It felt like I could not go one day without being belittled by Calanthe subtly.

She had given birth a month ago and of course, I was expected to take care of the baby while she ‘healed’, which was just a frontier for lazing around.

My fingers worked fast, stroking the little boy's head while trying to shush him. “It's okay… your aunt is here…” I whispered, stroking him with a reverence that I rarely used.

I shouldn't feel jealous. Why should I? It wasn't her fault that I hadn't gotten my mate. But she never missed a second to remind me about my plight.

My feet ached as I straightened up, leaning to the side as I stretched.

Fuck.

The baby was softly cooing in his cot, his small hands clenched into tight fists as he warbled.

Of course Calanthe wasn't here. She was never here with her kid. It was my jobㅡ always mine.

Satisfied with his current state, I walked out of the room, feet softly padding across the plush floor, making my way back to my room.

And thenㅡ hushed voices.

I paused, sure I had heard wrong. No one was usually at the abandoned wing of the building.

But there it was again. Another voice. This time unmistakable. Calanthe.

“Can you get it or not?!” She hissed, sounding pissed at whoever was on the receiving end.

I shuddered, not wanting to make my presence known yet as I lurked around the corner, listening in on the conversation.

Maybe it was wrong to listen in on her. But I couldn't help myself. Whatever they were discussing was urgent.

“ㅡI’m not sure. Baby scent blockers are hard to get.” The other person sounded unsure.

Calanthe groaned, the sound low and harsh. “How hard can it be to get a scent blocker?!”

My ears perked up. A scent blocker for the baby? Why would she want to block the scent of the baby?

I gripped the edge of the wall, nails digging across the surface of it.

“I'll do it. But you know it'll cost a lot.”

Calanthe spoke again. “As long as it can stop anyone from guessing that the child isn't his, I'm ready for it. Get it for me by noon tomorrow. I'll get the money ready.”

My stomach lurched, mind working fast to make sense of what I just heard. The child wasn't his? Wasn't for Alpha Orion?

Something ugly stirred in my stomach.

Anger. Disgust. Shock. I didn't know what to feel.

My feet moved before I could stop it and I stepped into the open space, fury written on my face. “Calanthe.”

They both spun to look at me. Panic flashed across Calanthe’s face and the maid went pale with fear.

My gaze darted between the two, finally resting on the maid. “Leave…”

She didn't wait. She scrambled away, muttering apologies under her breath.

Slowly, I turned to Calanthe. “What the hell were you trying to get?” I asked, stepping closer.

Her face was pale, devoid of color as I approached her. “Why were you listening on me?” She screeched instead.

Fucking pathetic.

“That isn't the fucking question, Calanthe. The baby… who is the father of that baby?” I asked, preparing myself for the worst.

Her lips parted but no words made it out, her lips wobbling instead. “It's Alpha Orion. Are you crazy? What makes you think you can ask me questions like that?”

I let out a low scoff. “Do I look stupid to you? I heard you, you know. I'll ask again.” I moved closer. “Who. Is. The. Father?”

This time, she faltered, fingers twiddling with the sleeves of her shirt. “It'sㅡ”

I waited with bated breath. “Who?”

“Cedric!” She snapped.

My eyes widened, shock flashing through my expression for a second. “Cedric?!”

Cedric was Alpha Orion's beta and adopted brother. The baby was…his? And she lied to the whole court?! For a whole year?!

“Oh you littleㅡ” I cursed. “You think this is funny? Lying to everyone? Cheating on the Alpha and then lying to us? I'm gonna tell everyoneㅡ”

Before I could make it a step away, her fingers wrapped around my arm, pulling me back forcefully, causing me to stumble.

Her eyes were wide and she shook her head, a crazed look in her eyes. “No. You can'tㅡ”

A bitter laugh crawled up my throat, the sound rough. “I can't?!” I tried to shrug her grip away but she held tight, nails digging into my skin. “Let go, Calanthe!” I warned.

She shook her head stubbornly. “I would rather die than let you ruin everything I've worked for.”

Footsteps faintly echoed through the hallway but I wasn't thinking again, I shoved her. Hard. She stumbled, crashing to the floor and I spun on my heels, ready to expose her for who she really was.

Thenㅡ

I froze, my eyes widening as I saw Alpha Orion and his parents beside him, their gazes wide and flicking from mine to Calanthe's slumped figure as she struggled to sit up, an exaggerated howl of pain escaping her.

“What's going on here?” Alpha Orion stepped forward, eyes wide with concern.

“I can explaㅡ”

“She pushed me! She tried to kill me!” Calanthe wailed, throwing herself into Orion's arms. “I told you this would happen!”

Waitㅡ what?!

I struggled to form words. “Wait, I can explain. She's lying!”

His mum stepped forward, fury written across her face. “Is it not enough? The havoc and the rumors you've spread against your own sister?!” She seethed, voice harsh.

I took a step back, struggling to form words. “Youㅡ That's not what happened, hear me outㅡ she's lying to you all! She cheated on Alpha Orionㅡ”

“Silence!” A voice thundered and Alpha Orion looked at me, his eyes blazing with fury. “Don't say another word.”

My heart clenched in my chest and tears stung my eyes. “Iㅡ”

He looked away, pulling Calanthe closer as he checked her for injuries. “Are you okay?” He whispered, brows knitted together in concern.

His father tilted his chin up. “We've given you so many chances to prove yourself, Naidira. But you keep proving that you're a threat to the royal family. I don't think you are fit to stay here. We cannot risk harm to the Luna because of her jealous sister.”

Something in me twisted. Jealous? Harm? I didn't even do anything to her. Why didn't they take my word.

His next words sliced through me.

“Naidira, you are hereby banished from this pack. Effective immediately.”