CHAPTER FOUR

Talia’s POV

I stood by the window, staring down at the garden that used to be mine.

Now it reeked of lavender and other flowers that Viki thought was more elegant. Her scent coated every stone path and flower bed: an invasive putrid scent of jasmine and smugness.

My wolf growled low in the back of my mind. ‘You shouldn’t have allowed this. She defiled our territory.’

‘It’s just a garden,’ I sighed and swallowed the bitterness.

Even though I wanted to ignore the situation, my wolf was right. I should have challenged her on the spot and made her submit to me, but deep down I knew there was no point. Viki would have her way no matter what I did. If she told Jason to help, I would have no chance to win.

Viki had taken my mate, my bed, and my garden. What was going to be next?  

Ever since Viki had moved into the Alpha’s residence, Jason hadn’t spent a single night with me. He went to be with her instead.

He betrayed the mate bond night after night not caring about the pain, he was putting me through.

Still, some deluded part of me clung to the hope that I still had a place in his heart.

Maybe once the pup was born, he would come to his senses.

Maybe he would treat Viki like a breeder, and he would come back to me.

After all, I was still Luna.

Viki couldn’t take that from me.

I went to the kitchen mid-morning, needing tea. I needed something to soothe my sore body after another sleepless night. Viki was there, draped over a stool like a lounging cat in heat. I groaned in frustration as she was not who I wanted to see first in the morning.

Viki’s robe hung open enough to make any unmated wolf turn his head and stare. Her bare legs were crossed, revealing skin she had no shame showing like the whore she was.

My nose twitched before I even saw it. The scent of her blood, from a fresh bite.

I froze.

There, on the curve of her neck, was a mate mark. The flesh was still raw, slightly raised. My stomach dropped.

My wolf bristled. ‘He didn’t, did he? Tell me he didn’t,’ she growled.

“Did... did Alpha mark you?” I asked, voice tight.

Viki smiled, baring her teeth in triumph. “Oh, this?” She tilted her head, so I could see the mark better. “Yes, last night, he was like a wild animal. He just couldn’t help himself.”

My gut twisted and my blood chilled. This wasn’t just lust. Their relationship wasn’t something that had just happened to produce an heir like Jason wanted me to believe.

A mark meant claiming.

A bond.

“He said I smelled irresistible,” Viki added, stroking the edge of the wound. “Said he couldn’t stand the thought of another male even looking at me. You know how possessive Alpha can be.”

“Don’t let it go to your head. You’re nothing but an incubator,” I said through gritted teeth.

Viki leaned forward. Her voice was laced with cruelty. “Alpha told me I am on a level with Luna. It makes sense after all, I’m the one carrying his pup.”

My wolf paced inside me, snarling, ‘Tear her face off. Do it now!’ I took a calming breath and stepped backward from her. Viki smirked seeing my distress.

“Don’t tell me, you’re surprised Talia,” Viki said while playing with a lock of her hair.

“I am surprised that you’re utterly shameless,” I snapped.

“You knew this day was coming, Talia. I was raised by my father to be Luna, and now you should just bow out with grace,” Viki whispered with a bright smile.

“Don’t fool yourself, Viki. That mark means nothing but that you’re a thieving whore. There is only one Luna in this pack and that’s me,” I said through gritted teeth.

Viki flinched but then laughed, “For now, but let’s wait and see.”

“I don’t have time for your little games, Viki.”

I turned to leave, afraid of what I might do if I stayed in the same room with her.

Then I heard it.

A sharp, theatrical cry followed by a heavy thud.

I turned just in time to see Viki throw herself to the ground; her hand clutched around her swollen stomach. She smirked at me as she began to cry.

I froze. 

Viki screamed again, louder this time. “Talia, why did you push me? Why are you trying to hurt the heir?”

“What?! I didn’t touch you! You…” I snapped.

Jason burst through the door, eyes glowing, his wolf close to the surface. His scent burned with fury as he glared at me with hatred.

“What the hell did you do to her?!” he barked.