로그인Arianna's POV
For several seconds, I couldn't move nor breathe. I could only stare at the two bodies tangled on the bed. "Liam?" His name escaped my lips as a broken whisper. The two bodies froze. Slowly, Liam turned his head and our eyes met. I waited. I waited for him to look horrified. For guilt to cross his face. For him to jump out of bed and rush toward me with an explanation. Instead, he let out a long, tired sigh. Almost as though I had interrupted something important. "Well..." he ran a hand through his hair. "I suppose there's no point hiding it now." My heart shattered. Seraphina slowly sat up, pulling the blanket over her naked body. She wasn't embarrassed nor was she ashamed. A smug smile curved her lips. "Look who we have here,” her eyes travelled over me. "My father's bastard child." My fingers curled tightly at my sides. I forced my eyes onto Liam. "Tell me this isn't real." Liam climbed out of bed, calmly buttoning his shirt. "I was going to tell you eventually, Arianna." "Eventually?" I repeated weakly, my laugh came out broken. "I waited for you. You promised you were coming to take me away!" "I did. I promised your problem would be dealt with, he said casually. "Just not for the reason you expected." I stared at him. "What does that mean?" Seraphina rolled her eyes. “Oh, Arianna. You still don't understand? I was the one who convinced Father to nominate you.” My entire body went still. Her smile widened as she glanced at Liam. “And your precious mate helped me.” The air left my lungs. My head snapped to Liam. "Why?" my voice cracked. "Why would you do this to me?" Liam didn't even blink. He folded his arms across his chest. “Because you're my mate,” he said. “That's the problem.” My brows furrowed as I tried processing his words. "I don't understand." "I have never loved you, Arianna. But I couldn't reject you publicly." His words hit me hard like a slap to the face. "If I rejected you without a reason," he continued, his voice calm and detached. "it would humiliate your father and damage the reputation of the Lunarcrest Pack." By that time, tears had laced my eyes and I could barely hear him. "You're the future Alpha," I whispered. "Exactly!” He looked at me as though the answer should have been obvious. "How could the future Alpha of Lunarcrest accept a wolf-less Omega as his Luna? A bastard whose bloodline isn't even known?" I felt something inside me die. For three years, I had believed Liam saw beyond those things. But I had been wrong. Seraphina leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes sparkling with cruelty. "You should be thanking us, Ari. A useless girl like you, actually getting to carry royal blood? It's the only useful thing you'll ever do." The pain inside me burned away, leaving behind a sharp, cold rage. I raised my chin, staring straight into Liam’s eyes. "If I was so useless, why did it take you three years of pretending to love me just to get rid of me?" Liam's jaw tightened. The casual composure melted from his face, replaced by a sudden, tense silence. Seraphina’s smug smile flickered. "You really know nothing, do you? But don’t worry. Everything will be clear by the time you get to the palace. By then, it might have been too late for you to back out.” Before either of them could speak, heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway outside. "The Royal Guards are here!" a guard shouted. "They're demanding Lady Arianna!" Seraphina recovered her sneer instantly. "Looks like your escort is here, bastard." I closed my eyes. For a moment, I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. Because I realized losers like them weren’t worth my tears. I looked at Liam one last time. The boy I loved was dead. I turned toward the door without another word. "Arianna,” Liam's voice stopped me and I paused. "I hope you survive the selection." His voice carried no warmth. "Though, knowing you, I doubt you'll even make it past the first round." I didn't turn around. Some betrayals didn't deserve an answer. By the time I reached the entrance of the pack house, the Royal Guards were waiting. They silently escorted me downstairs. The moment I stepped outside, I saw Beta Craig. He stood at the entrance with his hands clasped behind his back, wearing the respectable expression everyone in Lunarcrest knew him for. To the pack, he was a powerful Beta and a respected Leader. Only I knew what existed beneath that mask. His cold eyes swept over my pale face. "You look sad." "I'm surprised you noticed," I snapped quietly. His expression hardened, and he stepped into my space, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Listen to me carefully. You are representing this pack. You will do whatever the royal family demands, and you will become the surrogate bride." "I can't force the royal family to pick me." "You had better find a way," Craig sneered, "Because the moment you fail, I stop paying for your mother's life support. “Win,” he leaned closer. "Or watch your mother die." He turned and walked away before I could reply. As the royal guard gestured toward an iron-reinforced carriage, my trembling fingers instinctively closed around the worn silver bracelet on my wrist, gently rubbing my thumb over the crescent moon engraved into it. "Never take this off, Arianna," my mother's weak voice echoed in my memory, "It will protect you." Even while fighting for her own life, she had only worried about protecting me. I didn't care about Beta Craig's ambition or Lunarcrest's honor. But as I remembered my mother lying frail and unconscious in the healer's ward, I swallowed the pain in my throat and stepped into the carriage. "I will save you, Mom. No matter what it takes." The journey to Valtheris Kingdom took hours. When the carriage finally stopped, I saw it. Valtheris Palace. The Lycan Kingdom was unlike anything I had ever seen. Silver towers rose above white stone walls, their peaks disappearing into the clouds. Royal Guards stood at every entrance, their armour bearing the crest of the Lycan Crown. This wasn't simply a kingdom. It was the heart of the supernatural world. And somewhere within those walls was the man whose heir I had been brought here to carry. I stepped outside and immediately realised I wasn't alone. Dozens of young women stood in the enormous courtyard. All of us had come from different packs and territories across the kingdom. Some wore elaborate gowns, others were covered in expensive jewellery. They looked like women who had come to win. A blonde woman nearby stared at me. "Isn't that Beta Craig's bastard daughter?" Her friend glanced at me. "She is. That's what the Lunarcrest Pack sent?" They both laughed, covering their mouths with their palms. I raised my chin. "I'm sorry. Were you talking to me?" I asked with a murderous look in my eyes. Their eyes widened, the laughter died in their throats. "No," they shook their heads simultaneously. "Good,” I smiled politely. "Because you should probably be worrying about your own chances of winning instead of my dress." The blonde girl's expression darkened. I turned away from them without another word. I hadn't come here to impress anyone. I had come to save my mother. A sharp voice suddenly cut through the courtyard. "Candidates!" Every conversation immediately stopped. An elegant woman descended the palace steps. Her silver hair was pulled into a neat bun, and her emerald robes marked her as someone of high authority. The women around me immediately lowered their heads. "That’s the Royal Steward, Lady Helena," someone whispered. Lady Helena stopped before us. "Welcome to Valtheris Palace,” her cold gaze swept across the fifty women. "I guess you all know why you are here." Silence. "The Crown Prince of Valtheris requires an heir,” she continued. “The royal family will therefore select one woman to become his surrogate bride." A murmur passed through the crowd. "Only one of you will remain, while the others will return to their packs,” her expression hardened. "The selection will take place in two stages. And remember this. The Crown Prince is heir to the Lycan throne. Any candidate who deceives the Crown or violates palace law will be dismissed immediately." The crowd fell silent. "Follow me." We entered the palace and the sight of it was a beauty to behold. But I barely had time to admire it before we reached the Royal Medical Wing. One by one, we were called inside. Candidates disappeared behind the bronze doors. Some returned to the waiting lounge relieved, while the majority looked frightened. No one spoke. Finally… "Arianna of the Lunarcrest Pack." I stood, my legs felt strangely weak with my heart hammering against my ribs. A maid led me into the examination room where three physicians waited inside. The oldest one, who seemed to be the chief physician, studied me. "Arianna." "Yes." "Lie down." I obeyed. A glowing crystal was placed against my lower abdomen. For several seconds, nothing happened. Then… the crystal flashed violently. The chief physician frowned. "That's odd," she muttered under her breath. My heart began to race. "Run it again." When the second scan produced the same result, she locked the examination-room door. “Inform Lady Helena at once,” the chief physician said. A junior physician immediately walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Silence enveloped the space. The other physicians kept whispering among themselves. My mouth went dry.“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?" Before anyone could answer, the heavy bronze doors burst open. Lady Helena strode in, flanked by royal guards. "Lady Helena," the chief physician drew a shaken breath. "She might be the one." Lady Helena's gaze snapped to me. “The one?” The chief physician swallowed. “Yes, my lady. The woman the Crown has been searching for.” She pointed toward my abdomen. “She has two wombs.” My heart nearly stopped. Two wombs?Arianna's POVDays passed and I was finally accustomed to seeing my mother around me. The first thing I usually did upon waking up was check up on my mother before getting ready for the day. On one of those mornings, I had decided to check on my mother before having breakfast.I had barely stepped out of my chamber when I heard a commotion coming from the servants' quarters.Curious, I followed the sound and stopped at the entrance of the laundry room.What I saw made me pause.Seraphina was standing in front of a large basin filled with dirty clothes. Her sleeves were rolled up, her hair was loosely tied behind her head, and her servant's dress was already damp.Beside her stood two maids, watching her work."Why are you standing there staring at me?" she snapped. "Do you expect me to wash all these clothes by myself?"One of the maids stepped forward."Lady Seraphina, those are the clothes you are expected to wash. We have other duties to attend to."Seraphina glared at her."Then
Arianna's POVAfter breakfast, Cassian made sure his orders were carried out.Within a short time, several physicians and healers from different parts of Valtheris were brought to the palace to examine my mother.Some arrived carrying medical bags and books, while others came with assistants and different instruments I had never seen before.I watched as they took turns examining her, checking her pulse, asking questions about her symptoms and reviewing the few medical records we had managed to obtain from Lunarcrest.I remained beside her throughout the examinations, holding her hand whenever I noticed her becoming uncomfortable.After the final physician finished examining her, Cassian requested that they meet with him and the royal physician.I wanted to stay with my mother, but she advised otherwise. "Go and listen to what they have to say, my child. I will be fine."I hesitated before nodding.When I entered the adjoining chamber, the physicians were already gathered.Cassian sa
Arianna's POV The following morning, I decided to have breakfast with my mother. It had been a long time since we had shared a meal without worrying about someone interrupting us or finding a reason to make her leave. So, when I entered the dining room and found her already seated at the table, a smile immediately spread across my face. "Good morning, Mother." She looked up and smiled. "Good morning, my child. I hope you slept well." "I did. What about you?" "Very well. The bed was so comfortable that I almost didn't want to get up." I laughed softly and took the seat beside her. "Then you should have slept longer." "I didn't want to miss breakfast with you." My heart warmed at her words. A servant approached and began placing food before us. I noticed my mother hesitating whenever she needed something, as though she was still afraid to ask. "Mother, you don't have to be shy. Just tell them whatever you need." She nodded. "I know. It's just going to take some getting used
Arianna's POV The journey back to Valtheris was quieter than I had expected. My mother sat beside me inside the carriage, wrapped in a warm shawl. Her hands rested on her lap, and every now and then, I caught her staring at me as though she still couldn't believe we were together. I couldn't blame her. For months, we had been separated by circumstances neither of us could control. Even when we lived under the same roof in Lunarcrest, we had barely been allowed to spend time together. Now, she was finally leaving that place. And this time, I wasn't leaving her behind. I reached for her hand and gently held it. "Are you comfortable, Mother?" She nodded, offering me a faint smile. "I am. You don't have to keep asking." "How can I not? You have been through so much. I just want to make sure you're alright." Her eyes softened. "You have always been a thoughtful child, Arianna." I lowered my gaze, fighting the sudden sting in my eyes. "I wish I could have taken you away sooner."
Arianna's POV Liam stared at Cassian as though he hadn't expected such a question. For several seconds, he said nothing. Then, to my surprise, he took a step backward. “Your Highness, I believe the person who committed the offence should be punished.” A stunned silence followed. I glanced at Seraphina. Her eyes widened as she stared at the man she had just called the love of her life. “Liam?” she whispered. Beta Craig immediately stepped forward. “What nonsense are you talking about? She's your fiancée!” Liam turned toward him, looking irritated. “And what does that have to do with anything?” Beta Craig's mouth fell open. “She is the woman you're supposed to marry! How can you stand there and allow them to do this to her?” Liam scoffed. “Being my fiancée doesn't mean I should die for her.” Seraphina looked as though someone had slapped her. “Liam…” He barely glanced at her. “I love you, Seraphina, but I'm not going to throw my life away because of something you did.” H
Arianna’s POV“Let's proceed.”Cassian's words sent another wave of panic through the chamber.“No! Please, Your Highness!” Seraphina screamed, desperately trying to pull away from the guards. “I promise I won't do it again! I'll never go near your mother-in-law again. Please!”Cassian remained unmoved.“Bring her forward.”The guards exchanged a brief glance before dragging Seraphina toward the centre of the chamber.“Father!” she cried, turning desperately toward Beta Craig. “Father, don't let them do this to me!”My father looked as though he might collapse.“Your Highness, please! Spare my daughter. I beg you!”Cassian didn't even spare him a glance.“Did you not hear my order?”Evander immediately stepped forward.“Your Highness, the guards are waiting for your instruction.”“Tell them to proceed.”My stomach tightened.I glanced at the burning charcoal. Its red glow flickered beneath the metal tray, and the sight made my chest feel strangely heavy.I wanted Seraphina to pay for







