Mag-log inSelene's POVThe sheets were cold against my skin, I lay still, one hand resting flat against my stomach.The familiar swell was gone, the weight I had carried for months had disappeared in a single moment, leaving behind an emptiness that felt unreal.A shiver ran down my spine, I pressed my palm harder against the fabric, as though I could somehow feel the baby again.Nothing.My throat tightened, I closed my eyes, and the tears came without warning. They slipped down my cheeks and soaked into the pillow.The baby was gone. For months, I had told myself I loved that child because it was Melvin's, that was the lie I had allowed myself to believe.Now, my only chance of keeping Melvin was slipping away with it. I pressed my hand against my stomach again.The emptiness made my skin prickle, I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.Pale light filtered through the curtains. Outside, birds chirped softly, their songs drifting into my quiet room.Then Melvin's last words returned to me,
Auren's POV“Mum, what is this about? Why are you even here? You didn't tell me you were—”“Save it.” Queen Isolde lifted a hand.The force in her voice made me tremble. I lowered my gaze, my body going rigid as the entire courtyard fell into an uneasy silence.Ronan stepped forward. “Mother, you're making a scene.”Isolde turned toward him slowly. “A scene?” she scoffed.She walked straight toward him and stopped inches away, her finger pressing against his chest.“I came here because I heard about your sick decision to marry a girl with no background, no awakened wolf, and a history of rejection.”Each word struck me separately, No background, no awakened wolf, history of rejection.Thornridge flashed through my mind, my stomach twisted.Suddenly, I was back in the courtyard at Thornridge, back before the elders, how they looked at me as though I was something shameful that had been allowed to live too long.The exile, the rejection, the whispers, was history about to repeat itself?
Auren's POV"Lady Auren, please stop moving."The maid's voice was soft but firm as her hands moved through my hair."I'm trying." I frowned."You're making me redo your hair."I caught myself smiling at my reflection in the mirror.The maid's fingers worked through the strands, weaving them into something beautiful. Another maid knelt beside me, adjusting the hem of my dress.The fabric was pale and soft, catching the light from the window."Finally becoming the Alpha's intended," the first maid said warmly. "We've been waiting for this day. I am so happy for you."I laughed nervously. "Thank you, Lyra. I am honored.""You don't look nervous."I looked at my reflection. "Really? I feel like I'm going to be sick."She laughed. "That's nerves. It's normal."I pressed my hand against my collarbone. Silver was warm beneath my skin, quieter than usual, as though she was content.The door opened, Maelis stepped inside.She stopped when she saw me. Her eyes moved over the dress, the hair, t
Selene's POV"What's happening?"I pushed through the gathered crowd.Marcus stood outside Melvin's locked chambers, his face pale, his hands clenched at his sides. Elders, guards, and household members clustered behind him, their voices overlapping in anxious murmurs.Marcus turned toward me. His eyes flickered."Lady Selene—"I looked toward the closed door, another heavy impact came from inside, wood splintered against stone.I flinched. "What's happening to him?"Marcus hesitated."The Alpha received an invitation."I frowned. "An invitation to what?"He looked uncomfortable, his jaw tightening. "Lady Auren's engagement ceremony."The words hit me like a physical blow. "What?"Marcus explained that Melvin had heard Auren was going to marry Alpha Ronan, I stared at the door.Another crash came from inside, something shattering against the wall. I looked back at Marcus."And he's doing this because of her?"He didn't answer immediately, the silence told me enough.My expression hard
Melvin's POVMarkus stood outside my chambers with something in his hand.He didn't enter immediately. He paused at the threshold, his eyes fixed on the sealed parchment, his jaw tight. I noticed his hesitation before he noticed me watching."Markus, what is it?"He looked up, his fingers tightening around the edges of the parchment."Alpha, it's nothing you need to see right now."I narrowed my eyes. "Markus."He didn't move."I believe that is mine. Give it to me."He hesitated, his hand remained still."Alpha—""Give it to me. That's what I said."He finally handed it over, I unfolded it.My eyes moved across the words. A formal script with an official seal bearing an invitation.Lady Auren.My eyes stopped.Alpha Ronan.The words made my chest tighten. A grand engagement ceremony.I read it again, as though the words might suddenly make sense. Maybe I had misread them.Markus finally said it aloud."Alpha, Lady Auren is getting engaged to Alpha Ronan."The invitation slipped from
Selene's POV"Cassien, Melvin is sterile."The words came out before I had fully crossed the threshold.I didn't wait for his approval to enter, neither did I close the door behind me. I walked straight toward him, my voice sharp, my hands still trembling from the shock of the truth.I dropped the papers in front of him, Cassien looked up from the papers on his desk and stared at me, his mouth falling open."What did you just say?""It's right in front of you. I saw the blood sample on Yarrow's desk. The report confirms it. His name is boldly written on it."My heart pounded as I recounted the whole event, his face remained still, then he leaned back in his chair."One report doesn't prove anything."I stared at him."What? Are you serious right now?"He waved a hand dismissively."You found a single document. It could be outdated or a mistake. You're jumping to conclusions."I stepped closer."I saw his name on it and the date as well. This came in last month. He's sterile, Cassien."







