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My alpha mate drained all my life force to maintain the health of his first love, and after my death, even my younger brother was used as a tool in the same way.

After reborn, I decisively chose to abort his little wolf and leave him completely.

"Seraphina, your soul flame is almost gone. If you force the pup's life signature out now, you might never be able to carry another life..."

The High Priestess trailed off, her eyes landing on the faded moon mark on my wrist, a sign of how much essence I’d lost.

"Should we ask the Alpha before you decide?"

"No need. I'm sure. This baby shouldn't be born."

Last time, when I found out I was pregnant, I’d touched my belly, stupidly thinking this was a new bond between me and Damian, a real gift from the Moon Goddess.

Even when the High Priestess warned me that carrying a strong Alpha's pup would make my soul fade faster, I didn't care.

I just wanted to give Damian a child.

As I drank the herbs to get rid of the pup, all I could see were images of Damian taking me, draining my essence.

Sharp pains shot through my belly, and deep inside, it felt like an invisible hand was tearing at my soul. But compared to the agony of my soul being ripped apart piece by piece last time, my life flame completely snuffed out, this was nothing.

I dragged my weak body out of the "Moon Shadow Cave," where they did the termination ritual. Then, a familiar voice made my blood run cold.

Damian was walking from the "Silver Moon Hot Springs," the pack’s healing spot, with delicate Isolde leaning on his arm.

I ducked behind a huge rock without thinking.

"Damian, my head's starting to hurt again, I feel like my soul is drifting away..." Isolde said, with her fingers lightly traced his strong chest, so very fragile.

"Don't worry, my treasure."

Damian's voice was so gentle, completely different from when he ordered me to give up my essence. "I'll get Seraphina over here right away. Her soul essence always calms you best."

"But Damian, if Seraphina finds out about us… are you really going to go through with the mating ceremony with her, like the pack rules say? Then… then what about me?"

Damian chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"Silly girl. It's an honor for her, as my 'official' fated mate, to give you her soul essence. I've put up with an Omega like her by my side for three years; that's my limit. The real Luna will only ever be you, Isolde."

I knew it was coming, but hearing it still made it hard to breathe.

The communicator in my pocket suddenly buzzed. I scrambled deeper into the shadows but accidentally hit the answer button.

"Sera."

"I'm not feeling well. Can you come to my main tent? I need your soul essence."

It sent a chill down my spine.

Last time, I fell for this act, willingly letting him drain my soul essence for three years.

Even when I was pregnant, I hid it from him, letting him take and take, speeding up my own death.

I cut off the call without a word.

I stepped out of the shadows and hurried to leave, but I bumped right into Damian at the pass leading to the edge of the pack lands.

He looked at my pale face, his brow furrowed.

"Sera? What are you doing here? Why didn't you answer my call?"

I instinctively covered my stomach. His sharp eyes fell on the moon-dimming stone I was accidentally clutching, the one I’d just used for the termination ritual, and his face changed.

"You... you smell like a pup's life! What did you do?! Did you get rid of it?!" he growled.

I frantically nodded, then shook my head.

"That bastard pup can't stay!"

Damian shot a look back towards the Silver Moon Hot Springs, then grabbed my wrist, about to drag me back to the cave, like he needed to see for himself if I’d really "cleaned up."

He was scared Isolde would find out I was pregnant, and even more scared I’d use the pup to blackmail him.

His grip on my wrist was crushing. I couldn't help but cry out in pain.

"Let go! The baby... it's completely gone."

I choked back my hatred and told him the truth.

Damian froze, his face full of disbelief.

I couldn't blame him for not believing me.

The old me, who loved him so much, how could I have silently killed his bloodline?

As if realizing he was being too rough, he loosened his grip a little but still held me tight.

"Seraphina, my little moon, I know you wanted our pup. But my power isn't fully stable yet, and you've been giving so much soul essence. Any pup we had now would probably have a very weak life signature. Once I'm fully in control of the pack, we'll have the strongest heir."

A vein was throbbing at his temple, he was clearly antsy, but he was still trying to fool me with a fake future.

I just wanted to get away from him.

He dragged me to the High Priestess's cave entrance. When the High Priestess saw me back again, she instinctively asked:

"Are you feeling unwell after the ritual?"

"Check her! Make sure... make sure there are no problems left!"

Damian didn't even hear what the High Priestess said, just rudely cut her off, barking his demands.

The High Priestess looked at him, confused, then at my pale face.

"The pup's life signature is gone. Alpha, you are Miss Seraphina's mate. Didn't you feel it?"