The manipulator

CLARK POV

I sat frozen on the bed, bracing myself for Lucian’s next move—his next words, his judgment. The fury blazing in his eyes was undeniable, a sharp warning that whatever was coming would not be in my favor. But even in the thick of this tension, I clung to a fragile hope. I trusted him. I trusted our love.

A faint movement beside me pulled me from my thoughts. Instinctively, I realized the person who had impersonated Lucian was still there. But not for long.

Before I could react, Lucian noticed the intruder too. In a flash, a whoosh of air swept past me as Lucian lunged forward, but the impostor was already on the move. With a shattering crash, the impostor dove through the window, disappearing into the night.

Lucian stood at the broken window, watching the figure plummet from the fourth story. His breathing was ragged, and his clenched fists trembled. Suddenly, he swung his arm against the mirror. The glass exploded on impact, shards scattering across the floor.

“Lucian!” I gasped, my eyes darting to his hand, which was now dripping blood. My hands flew to cover my mouth in shock.

“Be careful,” I scolded softly, rushing to clutch his injured hand.

His free hand shot up, gripping mine tightly, almost painfully. I stilled, slowly raising my gaze to meet his. His eyes—dark, cold, and unrecognizable—sent a shiver down my spine. There was no warmth in them, no trace of the man I knew.

“The next time those filthy hands of yours touch me,” he snarled, his voice low and menacing, “you won’t have the chance to say goodbye. I’ll have them rolling on the floor.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as tears blurred my vision. “Lucian, please,” I choked out, my voice trembling. “Listen to me. Let me explain—just give me a chance to explain.”

He laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and sharp. “Explain?” he spat. “What could you possibly say that would matter? Will you tell me I’m blind? That I didn’t just see you with him? That you weren’t just making out with the man who’s been plotting to ruin me?”

He took a step closer, and I flinched.

“Or maybe I was blind all along,” he continued, his voice rising. “Blind to the warnings. Blind to the proof. Blind to everything because I was a damn fool—fool enough to love you!” His voice cracked, and in one swift motion, he punched the wall with his wounded hand.

“Stop it!” I cried, my heartbreak as I watched the blood drip from his knuckles. “Lucian, stop this!”

He turned to me, his chest heaving. His words hit like daggers. “I’m an Alpha, Clark. I command soldiers, warriors—an entire pack. And yet, I let myself be made a fool of... by you.”

The weight of his accusation crushed me. “You think so little of me?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Why? Why, Lucian?”

“I gave you my all,” I continued, my voice rising with raw emotion. “And this is what you think of me? You’re calling me a slut—your mate, the mother of your child!”

Lucian froze. “You’re... pregnant?” he repeated, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. His gaze flickered to my stomach, his hands balling into fists.

“And whose child is it?”

The question hit like a slap, leaving me breathless.

“You’re questioning my dignity?” I asked, my voice cracking.

“Dignity?” He laughed bitterly, his eyes burning with disdain. “I would ask it if you had any. How do I know that child is mine? For all I know, he’s the result of your affair—or maybe even someone else’s.”

His words shattered something deep inside me. My tears dried instantly, replaced by a cold, hollow resolve.

“My dignity…” I began, my voice steady despite the storm raging within me, “...is most respected and that of my child Raph... Lucian” I met his gaze, searching for a glimmer of remorse, of regret, but there was none. Only emptiness.

“It’s Alpha Lucian to you now,” he growled. “And if I were you, I wouldn’t cross me.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Very well, Alpha Lucian Pascal,” I said, my voice firm despite the tremble in my knees. “I reject you as my mate and Alpha. From this moment forward, I will address you informally and by name. I sever all ties to you, your pack, and this bond. You are free to choose another Luna—someone worthy of you.”

The pain was unbearable, but I held my head high, refusing to let the tears fall. I waited, hoping he’d stop me, apologize, ask me to stay.

Instead, his voice was cold and final. “I, Alpha Lucian Pascal, hereby banish you from this pack. I accept your rejection and never want to see you near me or my pack again. From this moment, you are nothing to me.”

Almost immediately, a gush of pain washed over me, and my legs gave way. For a brief second, I thought he might catch me. But he didn’t move.

I clung to the edge of the desk, using it to steady myself as tears streamed down my face. Without another word, I turned and ran, each step heavier than the last.

I wanted to hate him—needed to hate him—but I couldn’t. My heart refused to let go of the love I felt for him, even if it was for the wrong man.

Tears were streaming down my face as I ran, blurring my vision, my chest heaving with ragged breaths.

I didn’t care where I was going; I just needed to get away, far from the heartbreak and betrayal that had ripped me apart. My foot suddenly caught on something, and I stumbled forward, colliding with someone.

The impact jolted me, and I staggered back, blinking away my tears to see Sarah standing before me. Her expression was eerily calm, her lips curving into a smirk that sent a shiver down my spine. Before I could process what was happening, I felt a sharp, piercing pain in my arm. My breath hitched, and I gasped as she pulled something away quickly.

“What did you just do to me?” I demanded, stepping back as fear began to creep in.

Her smirk deepened as she whispered one word: “Wolfsbane.”

My body betrayed me immediately. A searing pain exploded in my veins, spreading like wildfire. “Wol...f...bane,” I managed to choke out before my knees buckled beneath me. I fell hard, my palms scraping against the rough ground as my wolf howled in agony inside me. The connection I’d always felt with her began to slip away, leaving a hollow ache in its place. My limbs grew numb, heavy, unresponsive. I collapsed fully, unable to move, though my mind screamed at me to fight, to survive.

Sarah stepped on my cheek, pressing my face deeper into the floor, adding to the pain, but I couldn't even react though I was dying inside. "This is what you get for thinking you could snatch away what's mine, Lucian is mine and now you and your bastard unborn child will be out of our life for good" She growled, dragging me by the legs and started dragging me away, my vision was fading slowly, and I could barely contain consciousness or comprehend were I was.

Suddenly, she released me, and I felt the harsh impact of the ground as she flung me away like trash. I landed on the cold, damp grass with a thud, my breath knocked from my lungs. Sarah stood over me, sneering. “Here’s what you’re worth—a worthless piece of junk and a fresh meal for angry rogues and vampires.” She crouched down, her fingers trailing through my hair almost tenderly before tucking it behind my ear. “Say hi to Mom for me, twin sister. Goodbye.”

Twin sister. The words barely registered through the fog of my pain. I wanted to scream, to beg her not to leave me here, but no sound came out. My lips moved soundlessly as I tried to plead for the antidote, for the life of my child. But my body betrayed me again.

Sarah straightened, turned, and walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the shadows. I watched her go, the last of my strength slipping away with her. My vision darkened, and the last thing I remembered was the distant sound of my wolf’s faint whimper before everything went blank.