CHAPTER 6

“You’re carrying Damien’s heir.”

My heart stopped. My lungs tightened, hands trembling.

The excitement in her eyes unsettled me. Damien’s heir? How is that even possible? There must be some mistake.

“What?” I asked, my breath hitching.

She furrowed her brows slightly. “I sai—”

“Ma’am Elena!” A soft, warm voice called from behind. I turned sharply—it was Elizabeth, my personal maid.

Immediately, I snapped my head back toward the old woman. To my horror, she was gone. My eyes reeled in shock as I stared around in confusion.

“Where is she?” I whispered.

Elizabeth’s footsteps echoed as she rushed toward me. “Who are you talking about, Miss Elena?” she asked softly, scanning the empty garden, her face filled with perplexity.

“The old lady…” My voice was low, shaky but audible.

“Ma’am, we should leave now. There’s no one here. I’m sure you didn’t see anyone.”

I bit down on my lips. I couldn’t argue, couldn’t even explain. I wasn’t sure if what the woman had said was true.

It can’t be true. Maybe she mistook me for Damien’s mate.

But the way she held my hand… and she didn’t feel like a wolf at all.

“Did the lady say anything to you?” Elizabeth asked softly.

There was no way I could tell her. It didn’t even sound real.

I gripped the hem of my dress, inhaling deeply. “Nothing… she didn’t say anything,” I murmured, my voice trembling.

Elizabeth’s tone lowered, calm yet cautious. “Maybe you just imagined it. We need to leave. Witches sometimes wander into this garden, picking flowers for their herbs.”

My breath hitched. Witches.

The realization struck like lightning. That was why I couldn’t catch her scent. My heart pounded, lips quivering.

No… it can’t be true.

“How true is a witch’s information?” I asked suddenly, turning to Elizabeth, my palms slick with sweat.

She frowned, concern etched on her face. “Ma’am, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just tell me—how true is a witch’s prophecy? Or their information?”

She studied me, noticing my fear and anxiousness. “It depends. Some are lies, some are true. Many witches enjoy deceiving people, especially werewolves. They hate us, so most of the time they give false information.”

Her words were supposed to bring relief. But instead, panic clawed at me.

Why would a witch I’d never met before lie to me? And why did she look so… excited?

Questions piled in my mind, heavier with every breath.

“Elisha…” I called to my wolf, my voice echoing only in my thoughts. “You’ve been silent for days now. Won’t you say something?”

No answer.

“Elisha!” I called again, but there was nothing.

Cold realization spread through me. My chest hollowed, spirit light, empty. I couldn’t smell from a distance anymore. Couldn’t even sense that woman was a witch. My hearing had dulled.

Then it hit me like a thunderbolt.

I had lost my wolf.

My breathing grew heavier, legs trembling. I stretched my hands, desperate to call forth my claws, but nothing happened. It was like I was human.

I staggered, nearly falling, when Elizabeth caught me.

“Ma’am Elena, are you sure you’re okay?” Panic laced her voice.

Tears blurred my vision. I clamped my hand over my mouth as sobs broke free.

“Ma’am Elena… you’re crying?” Elizabeth’s voice shook with disbelief. “What happened?”

But I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t stop. The tears kept coming, my chest aching with the weight of it all.

And all because of Lucas. I cursed the day I became his mate.

Now I was nothing—powerless. My wolf had been too shocked, too betrayed, and she left me.

I gripped my dress tightly, trembling, while Elizabeth held me firmly, keeping me from collapsing.

“Please calm down. Tell me what’s wrong. Should I call Lycan Damien?” Her words tumbled out in fear.

“No—don’t call him,” I whispered, sniffing.

Elizabeth brushed away my tears gently. “Then what happened? Did the old woman do something? Say something?”

I shook my head. No one could know. Not about this.

Without my wolf, I was useless. Ashamed. I might never get her back. Why was I cursed like this?

I longed for my mother’s embrace. For her comfort.

Why am I the only one in this world suffering like this? First my mate rejected me. Then doubts about my pregnancy. And now… losing my wolf.

Why is the Moon Goddess punishing me?

My sobs grew heavier. Losing a wolf was like an angel stripped of its wings.

I couldn’t tell Elizabeth. I couldn’t tell anyone. I had to leave. Far away, before anyone discovered my shame.

And yet… the witch’s words kept echoing in my head, pressing against my chest.

Lucas is infertile.

No. That can’t be true.

What am I even thinking? How could it be possible?

“Why are you crying, Maddena?”

A thick, cold, familiar voice cut through the air from behind.