Chapter 2

Nadia's POV

Lucian's pupils contracted sharply, slitting into vertical, beast-like slivers. As Alpha of the pack, he had absolute authority.

We stood locked in a stare-down in the deathly quiet bedroom, the air thick with a pressure that made me want to flee.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, as if he flew into a rage out of humiliation when I exposed the fluctuation in his pheromones. "Nadia, listen closely. It's not because I care. You pissed me off, understand? You'd better keep in mind that I'm still your Alpha! "

In his eyes, his lowly "temporary mate" pointing out his change in mood at such an occasion was an insult to his authority.

Fighting the wolf's instinct to submit, I replied in a cold tone. "Yes, I understand. But as a healer, I thought I needed to point that out."

Lucian stared and studied my expression, his eyes flickering with something complex that I couldn't read.

Perhaps it was because over this past year, as the pack's Luna, I had been too obedient, too understanding, even too meek that he couldn't get mad at me at all.

At this time, someone was trying to reach me through Mind Link, a private one.

I opened the link.

It was the pack doctor.

My heart shot into my throat.

Trembling, I said, "Yes?"

"Nadia, the test results are in," the doctor's tone was grave. "Your physical recovery is fine. But..."

He paused for a second, and his next words exploded in my ear like thunder.

"You're pregnant—over two months. Look, I knew you didn't expect this... But this pup carried a powerful Alpha blood, and its energy field seems quite strong."

I felt like I'd been struck by lightning. The color drained from my face, and my hands started to shake slightly.

I was carrying his pup... Right after he broke the mate bond with me?

Almost instinctively, my eyes flew to Lucian.

The flash of panic was impossible to hide from an Alpha's keen senses. He must have caught the changes in my pheromones.

"What's wrong?" Lucian took a small step closer, the oppressive aura of an Alpha crashing over me.

The doctor asked, "Is it a good time to talk?"

"No. I have to go," I frantically cut the link. My heart was hammering against my ribs.

Lucia's gaze was like a blade. He closed the distance between us, his voice a cold command.

"Nadia, were you speaking to someone? What could mess with your heart rate that badly?"

I shook my head violently, my soul torn in two. And I wondered, "What can I say? Tell you that your temporary Luna was carrying your pup?"

No. I'd been humiliated enough. He was already ending things for the sake of his "true mate." I wasn't going to use a pup to beg for scraps of his pity. I wouldn't let my pup be a stumbling block on his path to "true love," and I wouldn't let my last shred of dignity turn to ash.

"Nothing. Just some work issues. I can handle it," I lied. It was the first time I dared to look him in the eye and lie.

Lucian narrowed his eyes, his stare dangerously indifferent. He didn't call me out, but the coldness in his look made my blood run cold.

I forced a brittle smile, desperate to get away from his scent. "I need to go."

I didn't wait for his reaction and bolted.

The second I got into my car, the grief I'd been holding back crashed over me. I collapsed over the steering wheel, sobbing until I couldn't breathe.

I thought, "Lucian, you're an Alpha—you can just flip a switch and end this. But what about me?"

I placed a shaking hand over my stomach, sensing the tiny, resilient spark of life inside. "My pup... You picked the worst time to come. Your father is busy running back to his true Luna, and now, without the protection of the mate bond, I'm not sure if you can survive..."

I forced myself to drive to the Soul-Forge—the jewelry shop I ran with my old friend Kaleb. On the surface, it was just a boutique. In reality, I infused gemstones with healing energy to stabilize werewolves suffering from "blood-fury" after shifting or mental trauma after battle.

During full moons, I would carve ancient runes into the stones, guided by a strange, instinctive power.

I didn't know where the knowledge came from; the symbols just appeared in my mind when I needed them. There was more hidden in my memory, something deeper... but I couldn't reach it.

"Nadia? You look terrible. Where's your healing power?" Kaleb rushed over, his face etched with worry.

I shook my head, avoiding his touch. "What did they say? How are things going?"

"Beta Malik from the Blood Moon Pack filed a complaint. He said that the healing sigils you engraved into the Moonstones are forbidden hexes stolen from their ancestral tombs. They are calling you a 'Soul-Thief.' If the High Council finds the energy signature matches their records, they will exile you!" Kaleb said, handing me a confidential file.

He paused, holding up a contract. "Also, someone is offering a fortune for Calming Gems."

I glanced at the staggering figure on the check and turned it down without a second thought. "Not now. Not until I'm done breaking the bond with Lucian and I'm officially clear of the pack."

"You what? Are you leaving Lucian?!" Kaleb's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. "He asked for this? Because that she-wolf finally woke up?"

I closed my eyes, a bitter, metallic taste in my throat. "Yeah. His true mate is back. So, it's time for me to disappear from his life."

Kaleb was shaking with rage. He hissed a curse under his breath, looking at me with pure heartbreak. "Nadia, why do you do this to yourself? If you hadn't agreed to save his life at the cost of almost all your healing energy back then..."