They call me the fool. The outcast. The girl unworthy of love. But today, as I serve drinks at my cousin Sofia’s wedding, I’m forced to watch her marry the one man who was never supposed to be hers—my mate. Worse, I’m carrying his child. When Sofia and her mother discover my secret, they corner me with threats, cruelty, and a deadly choice: end the pregnancy or be destroyed by their lies. Just when I think I’ve reached my breaking point, guards storm in with an order that shatters everything— I’m under arrest. Heartbroken, betrayed, and trapped in their twisted game, I realize one thing: if I don’t fight back, I’ll lose my child… and myself. But that's not all....my mate is planning to sell me off to the rogue Alpha.
View MoreLayla's pov.
I'm the fool, just like everyone calls me, the outcast, the one who isn't good enough to attend any special functions except today there's an exception and I'm here serving wine and food and also cleaning up after Sofia my cousin. The music was playing in the background song, so far I had made five trips back to the kitchen, two loads of slaps from Sofia and her mother. It's Sofia's wedding day to no other person but my mate, my own mate. What other thing is worst then heartbreak than this. “Come here,” Clarrissa, my aunt dragged me to the corner behind the kitchen and there was Sofia, pacing, her eyes filled with hatred for me. “You will abort that thing in your womb.” She snarled. “No,” I said in a small voice. “I can't have you ruin my marriage you twerp.” She said and slapped me. “Drake is my mate.” I sobbed, tears falling from my eyes. “He is mine now and I don't want anyone to find out that you are pregnant for him.” She said through gritted teeth. I shook my head slowly, my tears staining my cheeks. “You…you…” “Look here you cheap slut,” Clarrissa yelled, turning my head to face her and digging her talon like nails into my cheeks almost drawing out blood. “ You will do as my daughter said.” “This is my pup….my first child. I can't do this.” I begged. She came closer and her voice lessen to a conspiratorial whisper. “ And that's why you have to do it sweetheart, who says you can't have any child….” She smiled and looked at her daughter. “... With any man you so desires, you are good in opening your legs.” I gasped and look up at her. “ You said after the marriage I'll —” “And I'm saying Plan B is in motion. Things have changed child. You will take the child out a pill will do it. Clean and fast.” My heart was thumbing in my chest. Aunt Clarissa had said I get to keep the baby and tell Drake later after the marriage. I had found out I was pregnant three weeks ago and this marriage….this marriage was supposed to be mine but I had been labeled a thief two nights ago and Drake had chosen Sofia because she had seduced him and slept with him. “And oh, I forgot to tell you, I and Drake had been having sex for a long time and I'm expecting his twins.” She said as if reading my thoughts and rubbing her stomach. The door opened and Doctor Every walked in and I gasped. I should have known. She told them about my pregnancy. “Take this and flush that thing from your stomach.” Clarrissa said taking the small bottle and squeezed it into my palms. “Even a drop will flush it and you get to attend the marriage ceremony.” I stared at the small bottle shaking in my palm. The bitter taste of fear filled my mouth even before I drank it. Tears kept falling freely, burning my cheeks. I wanted to say no, I wanted to fight, but Aunt Clarissa’s cold voice froze me. “You have no choice, Layla. Take this, and this nightmare will end. Refuse, and we will let everyone know what a liar you are.” Her words dug into me like sharp knives. “What do you mean?” I asked, voice trembling. Clarissa’s eyes darkened with hatred. “We will say you slept with Drake’s stepbrother when he visited. We will say you are a liar, a cheat. And if that’s not enough, that you killed Drake’s grandfather.” She spat the last words like poison. I gasped. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest. I never did any of those things! But to them... to everyone else, who would believe me? I was just Layla — the fool, the outcast. No one would stand by me. Sofia and her mother laughed softly, their smiles cruel and full of victory. “You see, Layla,” Sofia said, her voice ice cold, “this is how the world sees you. They’ll believe us before they believe the likes of you.” I shook my head, desperate, tears blurring my vision. “I’m not lying. I’m pregnant with Drake’s child… please, don’t make me do this.” Clarissa stepped closer, her nails digging lightly into my cheeks again, making me flinch. “You think you can keep that baby? You’re just a mistake, Layla. A shame in our family.” “But it’s my child,” I whispered, clinging to whatever courage I had left. She smiled cruelly. “Plan B is better. Clean and fast. A pill, and you no longer ruin Sofia’s perfect day.” She dropped the empty threat in my palm again—the small bottle. My hands trembled uncontrollably as I held it. My head spun, mind desperate for a way out. And just then, the door slammed open. Two guards stepped inside, their faces stern and unreadable. One held a folded piece of paper. The air around me instantly changed—hope and fear battling inside. “Layla,” one guard began, reading the order aloud, “by order of the Alpha, you are under arrest. You must come with us now.” Arrest? My breath caught in my throat. “For what?” I whispered, voice nearly broken. The guards exchanged glances but said nothing more. Behind me, Sofia’s face was lit with a victorious smile. Clarissa’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction like they’d just won a game. They said nothing, but their cruel expressions spoke volumes. It wasn’t about the truth. It was about making me suffer. I looked down at the bottle still in my hand, then back at the guards. I was caught, trapped in their web of lies and cruelty. My sobs sounded hollow, like echoes in a cage. They reached for my arms, firm but not cruel. I let them lead me out, heart heavy and mind numb. As the door closed behind me, I heard Sofia’s soft laugh and Clarissa’s proud whisper.LAYLAUsing my apron to wipe my hands, I observed the dough rising in the stone oven. I smiled as the aroma of roasted meat and baked bread filled the kitchen.While the other maids were kneading dough, chopping vegetables and stirring pots I noticed that some of them were giggling at something.I shook my head and gave a small smile .I felt at home here even though I was the Luna. Perhaps it was because I enjoyed its normalcy, the sensation of accomplishing a straightforward simple task. But as soon as I looked out the window, my peaceful moment was destroyed and my heart sank immediatelyAt first I wasn't really sure of what I was seeing and I blinked rapidly.Young women in a long line were dragged into the courtyard. Their faces were bruised, their wrists were bound and their clothing was ripped. A few of them hobbled, while others were hardly conscious, their heads drooping like ragged dolls.I felt uneasy and I swallowed hard.I knew what I was seeing, I knew what this is.
DEL MORINO. I was having trouble breathing. The dream clung to me like thick oppressive smoke. Mother's voice, pleading with me to live, sacrificing herself for me, the screams of those who tried to protect us had filled my ears all these years and my mother's face was still etched in my memory.It's been years ago but since that day I could still feel the anger of having that scar on my left eye.It hurt me that I had lost the only person who cared for me.My shaky fingers automatically reached for my face and found the cool leather of the mask I wore, a barrier separating my shame and anger from the outside world. My memory was etched with the assassin's image—a man with an arrow and a crescent moon tattooed on his neck. After years of searching packs and questioning mercenaries I had never found him but he had disappeared like a ghost. His name was unknown and no one had ever seen him.Sometimes I wondered if I had imagined things that night.He was now like a shadow I couldn't
DEL MORINO Along the path to the Temple of the Moon Goddess, the branches of tall trees made it difficult to see the silver crescent moon that hung high in the sky. The smell of flowers that were blooming at night filled the air and the sound of gentle footsteps echoed through the silence. With the murmurs of our entourage behind us, my mother sat beside as she held my hand warmly. Although the temple has long been a quiet location for prayer and tranquility I felt uneasy tonight. My six year old mind was restless.Something or someone hiding in the shadows seemed to be observing us as the cart went through the hard route to the temple.Mother had said that the rocks along the paths might destroy the cars tires."Don't worry my son." my mother looked down at me and said with a gentle and reassuring tone." We will be back tomorrow , you will pray for everyone. For grandmother, for papa and for your brothers, right?"I nodded, looking up at her and gave a small smile.She squeezed my
It was just a few hours to dinner and my thoughts were racing against each other.At first, I thought it was just a joke but as I kept thinking about it, I felt so uneasy.At the moment all I had was stress and a pounding headache but being an alpha was supposed to bring dignity and power, isn't it?I kept thinking of the elder's warning: no Seal of the Moon, no pack security. And guess what? Layla had the key to that damned Seal.I guess so.Layla who most likely hated me now.Layla had sacrificed everything for me to pay her, I now had five concubines and a Luna who was constantly complainingI reclined in my chair and gazed up at the ceiling. After everything how was I going to persuade Layla to help me? I wasn't exactly an alpha who was good at begging. No that wouldn't work. Perhaps I could bribe her? She wasn't the kind to let money influence her.It was my fault her parents had died protecting me and I hadn't treated her kindly"Ugh." I groaned massaging my back. "It's a mess
I sighed These Elders don't know me.They had spoken like I should be scared or something.Then I should run to Del Morino's pack and beg Layla to come back, kissing her feet and shedding tears.Nah.Just because I'm in danger, even little pups are constantly in danger.To look intimidating or at least that's what I hoped, I twirled a dagger between my fingers while lounging on the meeting room's enormous fur chair. As though their breakfast had been stolen the elders sat in front of me with their typical sullen expressions. I choked back a yawn. Even though I knew better than to skip this meeting they were always a pain. The pack had heard rumors of danger more quickly than wildfire. "Alpha Drake. "said Elder Marius in a serious tone ."do you realize how serious this situation is?"Of course, I do.It was as serious as the offense they had just committed this morning, coming to stress my life with a meeting I never wanted.I waved a dismissive hand and said."Of course. I'm not
DRAKEI ignored the sunlight that poured in through my large windows. I lay sprawled on my velvet chaise and gazed at the ceiling's elaborate carvings letting my thoughts wander to things I'd prefer to forget.Layla. Her name evoked feelings I didn't want to confront like a whisper in my mind.I hate that I had seen her with Del Morino.Not that it mattered but the way she was, carrying herself with so much confidence and pride broke me in two.Not that I was hoping she had been a slave or something, but I had wished I was the one who had given her that luxury she was enjoying.Sh*tShe sacrificed everything to keep me safe and fought alongside me when others ran away.Stood up for me.Challenged those rogues years ago and lost her wolf and had a permanent scar on her face because of me.I had thrown her away as if she were nothing despite this.But I brushed that aside.I am an Alpha after all. Angrily, I stopped the thoughts and moved my mind elsewhere. I was worthy of choices.
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