Chapter 4

After the Hunt Festival, I packed my bags. I prepared to move to the Pack Stronghold.

The Stronghold was heavily guarded. I would be safe there.

Once the pups were born, I would return. And I would turn this pack upside down.

Word reached my father. Bianca reacted immediately.

At the Elder’s Council meeting, she held a water glass. She faked deep concern.

“Alanna is moving to the Stronghold?”

I nodded. “I am tired. I need quiet.”

Bianca turned to Father.

“Father, Alanna just started trying for a pup. She has no child yet. The Stronghold is not for her right now.”

“She demands special treatment for nothing.”

Father frowned. He looked at me.

“Alanna, Bianca is right. Why move now?”

I met his gaze. I looked at Bianca. Her eyes shone with victory.

She feared I would escape her control.

In my last life, I stayed in her sight. I drank every drop of her poison. I became barren.

This time, no one chains me down.

I stood up slowly. I placed my hands on the table.

“Father,” I said steadily. “I must move.”

The elders stared.

Bianca smirked. She waited for my lie.

I took a deep breath. I smiled.

“I am pregnant.”

The words hit like thunder.

Bianca dropped her glass. It shattered on the floor.

She lost all color. Her voice cracked.

“What did you say?”

I looked right at her. I spoke slowly.

“I am pregnant. Almost three months.”

Bianca shot up. She shrieked.

“You hid this? You tried to sneak into the Stronghold? You broke the bloodline law!”

“Do you respect nothing?”

Everyone stared at me.

Father remained silent. His eyes churned with conflict.

I knew his dilemma. He wanted Julian in power. But he wanted pure-blood twins.

Power versus bloodline. He hesitated.

I decided to smash the scale for him.

I spoke casually.

“It is twins.”

The room gasped.

“If Father is displeased, I will march to the clinic. I will down a bottle of pure wolfsbane today. I will end this bloodline myself right now.”

The threat froze everyone in place.

Julian slammed the table. His face turned livid.

“Alanna! Are you threatening the firstborn line?”

I raised my eyes. My smile grew soft.

“Julian, do not be silly. I threaten no one.”

“I am just trying to survive.”

Dead silence.

Father was still calculating. I calmly pulled out a sealed medical file.

I slapped it onto the table.

I locked eyes with Bianca. My gaze turned to ice.

“This is your secret Academy medical file.”

“The diagnosis is clear. You slept around. You mixed too many Alpha scents. Your inner wolf rejected them. Your womb is ruined. You are permanently barren.”

You could hear a pin drop.

Bianca stood frozen. Her face was as white as paper.

Suddenly, a feral snarl ripped from her throat.

She lunged straight at me.