Chapter 1

(ISOLDE)

“She's still alive?”

From her scent, I knew it was Freya. My best friend.

I tried to force my eyes open, but failed miserably. Tears rolled down my cheeks as intense pain tore through me. My body didn't feel like mine anymore.

Three hours ago, I walked into the pack hospital for a prenatal check up. After getting what was meant to be a vitamin shot from the doctor, I ended up in this state, bleeding until she told me I'd lost my pup.

I had clawed desperately for consciousness, fighting with everything in me to at least open my eyes, but the pain that greeted me left me groaning.

She must have come to take care of me. To make sure I was okay. Even with all that pain, my heart felt light. Having such a friend that comes to me when I need her most, was a blessing.

Then suddenly, I felt her fingers on my throat, hooked under the Luna necklace I've always won. It was a symbol of my status as the pack's Luna. My identity. She yanked with so much force that the clasp bit into my skin. Pain exploded as the necklace snapped free.

What is she doing?

My eyes finally cracked open just in time to see Freya putting the necklace around her neck.

She looked down at my horrified face. Bent down and patted my cheeks.

“Don't look so shocked,” she smiled. “This was supposed to be mine anyway. I'll just take it now.”

I tried to speak, tried to let out just one word to understand what was going on. Surely it wasn't what I was thinking… Freya has been my best friend since we were girls. We grew up together, did every single thing together. I'd even elevated her mum's status to pack doctor. There was no way she'd turn against me.

But reality always has a way of being cruel.

Freya bent, looking me in the eye until her face filled my vision. She let out a smile, a mocking one.

“Ohhh, you look so sad,” she laughed. 

“You didn't think I'd let you carry that thing to term?” She pointed at my stomach.

“The little bastard is already gone,” she grinned at me.

“My mum sure did a good job poisoning you today. Congratulations to me, the thing in your stomach is finally gone.”

Stopping in front of the bed, she slammed her fist into my stomach.

“Just making sure, it's gone.” She grinned.

Pain tore through me. But that wasn't what hurt most. The pain of finding out this way that the person I trusted the most in this world could go to such lengths to hurt me.

“Don't give me that wounded puppy look, Isolde. You didn't really think I'd allow you to give birth to Bryan’s child?”

“Listen here,” she grabbed my collar, yanking me up.

“I will be the only woman to give Bryan an heir. You made a big mistake getting pregnant!”

Freya kept on speaking, laying several curses on me. There was no telling she wouldn't tear me into pieces.

With every last bit of strength in me, I mindlinked my mate, Bryan.

“I need your help, please come,” my broken voice sounded through the mind link, making sure he knew I was in danger.

I panted as strength slowly left my body.

“The fool just mindlinked me. Why isn't she dead yet?” A very familiar voice sounded from outside the door, drowning every other sound. 

“Increase the dosage. I'm the new Alpha now. I don't have time to stand here and wait for her to die,” Bryan's voice filtered into the room.

I froze, my body stiffened. My heart shattered into pieces.

I'd given up everything just for him. I made my father hand him the Alpha title just two days ago and now this happened.

“The old Alpha and the others have already been taken care of. She's the only one left now,” he kept saying.

“You need to be fast. So we can dump their bodies together. Remember the plan is to make everyone think rogues broke in and killed the entire family.”

My parents. My brother. He'd killed them?

No…no. What have I done? I forced myself to move but I couldn't.

Freya let out a cold laugh, pushing her index finger on my forehead.

“Don't even try. Just wait for your death,” she whispered.

“I don't understand why you're reacting this intensely ... Come on Isolde. You're smart enough to know throwing yourself at a man won't make him yours.”

“Bryan has never loved you. You were too lovestruck to notice. He's my true mate, Isolde!” She giggled.

“You know, he only approached your family and got married to you because he wanted your family's power, wealth and resources. Now that he has it all. You've completely lost value to him.”

The door opened again, this time Freya's mum, the pack doctor walked in and injected yet another dosage of medication into my body.

I lost all hope. I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth. 

My consciousness slowly began to fade.

I'd almost succumbed to the darkness when a loud roar resonated. The sound of the door hitting the ground echoed.

 Someone rushed into the room in hurried steps, tearing off the fluids connected to my body.

 “Make sure none of them escapes,” I heard a familiar voice say.

It was Kairos.

The same guy I'd rejected over and over again for Bryan.

He pulled me into his arms and broke down.

“I'm sorry, Isolde. I failed you. I shouldn't have listened when you told me to let you be. I should have forced you to stay by my side.”

He'd warned me time and time again to stay away from Bryan. But I'd pushed him away. Now I'm paying for it.

Hurt clawed at my heart. 

Moon goddess, I do not deserve this ending. 

I've never harmed anyone. Never plotted evil. 

All I gave was love, like you teach us to. I deserve a second chance…

“I'll give you a second chance,” her serene voice sounded. 

“But you won't be the only one getting this chance.”