Pain.
That was all I felt as I staggered backward, my vision blurred by the sight of two familiar figures tangled in each other’s arms.
Lucian. My mate. My love. My Alpha.
And Stella.
My sister.
His lips were on her neck, his hands gripping her waist as she moaned into his touch. The scent of their betrayal filled the air, mixing with the sharp sting of my own disbelief.
This can't be! I must be seeing things.
My stomach twisted as the truth hit , nausea rising in my throat as I tried to digest the image in front of me.
Lucian lifted his head, his golden eyes locking onto mine. But there was no guilt. No remorse. Just cold, unfeeling indifference.
“You weren’t supposed to see this,” he said, his voice laced with irritation. And something else.
Something I never thought I'd see
No! Something I tried to deny.
Hatred! His eyes didn't hide them.
He didn't even try.
I pressed a trembling hand against my swollen belly, the child inside me kicking, as if sensing my despair.
I closed my eyes for a second.
Two seconds..
Three seconds.
But nothing changed after opening my eyes
Stella smirked, her fingers tracing Lucian’s jaw. “Don’t look so shocked, dear sister. Did you really think he wanted you?”
My pulse pounded. “Lucian… how could you?”
I yelled, wrapping my hands around my belly tightly.
Lucian has been acting weirdly but I thought it was stress from the attacks from the rogues, even though deep down I know it's more than that.
I choose to bury the truth somewhere far within me, hoping it'll change the situation.
I had my suspicion of him cheating but never in a thousand years will I think of him with my sister.
Lucian sighed, stepping toward me. “You were never my choice, Riya.” His gaze dropped to my belly, his expression darkening. “I needed an heir, not a weak Luna who can't even fight.”
The words struck like a blade to my chest.
I backed away, my breath coming in short gasps. “You’re lying. You said you loved me.”
Stella let out a soft laugh. “He loved the idea of you. But it was always me, Riya.” She leaned against him, her smile taunting. “I should thank you, really. You carried his heir. You served your purpose.”
A strangled sob escaped my lips. I turned, desperate to leave, but a sharp pain shot through my stomach.
A contraction.
No. Not now.
I forced myself to move but my legs were glued, they were weak.
I stumbled, gripping the doorframe as my vision swam. “Lucian… the baby—”
“Take her to the infirmary,” Lucian ordered his guards. “Make sure the child survives.”
He didn’t even look at me.
As darkness swallowed me whole, one thought burned in my mind.
They would never get my child.
Hours Later
Searing agony tore through me as I clutched the sheets, my body drenched in sweat.
“Push!” the doctor commanded.
A scream ripped from my throat as I obeyed, my body convulsing with the effort.
Then, a cry.
A small, fragile cry that pierced through the haze of pain.
“My baby,” I gasped, reaching out weakly.
But no one handed him to me.
Instead, I saw Lucian standing by the bassinet, his back turned to me.
“You did well, Riya,” he said without emotion. “The child will be raised as my heir.”
I blinked through my exhaustion. “Give… give him to me.”
Lucian finally turned, his expression unreadable. “You won’t be needing him where you’re going.”
The doctor didn’t see my eyes as I felt a cold pressure on my neck.
Poison.
Stella’s smiling face blurred as my body grew weaker.
They were killing me.
My vision darkened, my child’s cries fading into silence.
And the last thing I saw before death took me…
Was Lucian and Stella, standing together, watching me die. With a smile
Aidan's POVI watch them all leave except Dane, we both have personal matters to discuss. “That's a petty move there Aidan” He commented as we both walk out of the room we just concluded the meeting in, heading to the private area on the rooftop where I can see almost everything going on in my packThis is my favorite hide spot, Steve and Dane were the only people that had access to this place beside me. I went straight to the bar for some alcohol, grabbed two cups and poured some liquor for the both of us, while Dane sat on the stool. I walked back to the couch and dumped myself on there after handing one glass to Dane. “What's wrong?” he asked, throwing a pillow at me. “Nothing, just life. You know, life of an Alpha”“Yeah I get, but there's more” I felt his gaze on me but I refused to make eye contact, the fear that he might figure out my worry through my eyes. I've always believed eyes are the gate to one's soul. Like Aurelia, her eyes that once held hope and love now held
Aidan's POV.. It's been a week since I set my eyes on Aurelia, but I've been receiving news about her. About everything she does, even the tiniest details. She's been parading the pack with that tall Wolf that's in the pack army, he's one of the elders' sons. I heard they both walk around acting like couples, visiting my pack members and sharing food with them. Trying to buy their conscience to turn them against me, “You know deep that isn't true, you're reaching too much with that thought” Kharl snarled. “I'm not, I just…..…, why does she think it's okay to walk around giggling with that bastard. Have you seen the way he looks at her? At first I saw them standing in front of her quarters staring deeply into each other's eyes, then I saw them sitting under the tree discussing in hush voice and then he had the guts to touch her hair”I wasn't expecting Kharl's reaction, he laughed. Kharl took his time to laugh and giggled at me, my brow furrowed in confusion. This is what I expect
Aurelia’s PovRonnie didn't leave my side for a second, he stuck to my side as we both explored the side of the pack I haven't been too. If he's not by my side you'll find him behind me, making sure I'm okay. I met some of the elder she wolves, they were all happy to have me. “Child, You'll visit me soon again right?” Mrs Adeline asked as she handed me some packages which I assume were food since I refused to eat at her place. “Sure, I enjoy your company so well. I'll definitely visit you soon enough” I promised, she was one of the sweetest of them all. Her soothing voice somehow gripped my heart in a way I can't even explain. I remember our conversation earlier when she invited us into her house‘“I'm still in shock that a Royal blood will visit us in this place, we're like the forgotten wolves of the pack. The last on the chain, because we don't have anything to offer the alpha and we aren't even part of the council of elders so we are like strangers in our own pack” she mentio
Aurelia POVI don't have any explanation to give Aidan or anyone. Seeing Aidan's face was so satisfying, he looked like he would burst from too much anger. I intentionally waited in the library before him to come look for me, he would never find out what I'm putting together. I was shocked when I found out that Lucian was still in the pack, Aidan didn't allow him to go because of the incident that landed me in hospital holding him responsible. Where did you say I'll find the book that includes everything about moonshine packs?” I questioned Susan while she got my closet arranged. I need to put my plans into action, first wad to acquire as much power as I can in the moonshine pack before executing my plan on Aiden and Lucian. I need knowledge and wisdom to get power. And I'll get them, I'll gather as much as I can, do whatever I can to get as much power as I want. The library in the alphas quarters, it's hard to get in there. I heard there are multiple guards protecting the libr
Aiden's POV “She's here! Your mate! Lady Aurelia is back!”I didn't blink twice before jumping out of my seat and rushed out of the meeting. Making my way out to look for her, I unconsciously ran towards her quarters without asking questions. Alpha, No she's not there!” Steve mind linked me, I stopped abruptly. She's not in her chamber?” My brow furrowed in confusion and shock! “Yes, she's in the library” “Library? Doing what? What is she looking for?”Questioning no one in particular. I switched lanes and turned to where I was coming from, my heart was pounding with questions and worry. Beads of sweat trickled down my back, how was she here? Where has she been? I kicked the door open and there she was, curled up in a chair with a book in her hand, my desperation to know what went wrong, why she disappeared without any traces and returned like nothing happened. Seeing her look alright, she was solely concentrated on her book. She must have heard the loud bang of the door wh
Aiden’s Pov“I don't care Where else you want to check, I want her here As soon as possible!” my voice could be heard across the whole pack, the guards were scattered across everywhere In the pack. The clouds were heavy with rain, waiting to pour, while the air was thick with tension and fear. fearFear of the worse. From the realization that something might have happened to Aurelia, that worse had happened. Different thoughts were crossing my head, Did the rogues that were stealing our crops kidnap her? The bed soaked with blood and the trail of blood from her ward to the reception is something suspicious and scary on its own. That's enough evidence to convince us that she didn't remove the needle herself, Kharl pondered on how much it must have hurt her to be in that situation. I'll kill all of them! If they lay a finger on her___ I'll ruin them and anything left of their ashes. “I don't know why you're making too much deal out of nothing, not like her presence is needed”“T