Chapter 2

Linus examined me with a blank expression, then produced a vial of potion from his medical kit that glowed with an eerie green light.

He motioned for Martha to make me drink it.

"What is that?" No one answered.

A sense of dread washed over me. I shook my head wildly. "I won't take it! Are you trying to poison the Alpha's bloodline?"

"Luna, this is an ancestral potion of our pack. It will slow down the birthing process. The pain-relieving properties will also make you more comfortable."

I stared at the dark green liquid sloshing in the glass vial, giving off a sinister sheen.

Linus was right; it was an ancestral potion.

But it didn't just delay labor and ease pain. It also contained trace amounts of wolfsbane extract.

"No... no!" I recoiled. "I won't drink it! You can't make me!"

Linus's expression remained cold. He continued to prepare the dose as if I were nothing more than a specimen on a dissection table.

"Linus, you're a father, aren't you? Your mate just gave birth last year."

"Imagine if it were your mate lying here, being poisoned with wolfsbane. Would you still be so cold-blooded? Do you not fear the judgment of the Moon Goddess?!"

Fighting through another wave of tearing pain, I turned my gaze to Blake.

"Blake, if anything happens to me or the Alpha's heir, you'll be responsible for the death of a future Alpha. Kael will tear you limb from limb!"

Linus and Blake exchanged a look, a flicker of doubt crossing their eyes.

But then Blake suddenly stiffened, his eyes losing focus.

He was receiving a command from the Alpha through their mind-link.

I saw a glimmer of hope.

"Is that Kael? Tell him what's happening! Tell him I need the pack hospital now!"

A few seconds later, Blake's expression turned to solid ice.

"Luna, you must feel the Alpha's will as well." The last shred of warmth had vanished from his tone.

"The Alpha has given a direct command. It cannot be broken. We wait for his return. I dare not defy the Alpha's authority."

"He demands that the potion be administered immediately."

With that, he gave a silent command to Martha.

Martha and several other maids immediately surged forward, pinning my arms and legs.

I struggled desperately, roaring in protest.

"Don't touch me! Get away!"

"Linus, if you dare inject me with wolfsbane, I swear I will make you pay!"

But my threats and my strength were pitifully small. The needle plunged into my arm, forcing the potion into my veins.

I thrashed and tried to vomit, but the poison was already mixing with my blood.

Tears of despair streamed down my face. I stared at the moonlight filtering through the window and suddenly laughed, the tears flowing even faster with rage.

"Fine. All of you, remember this day!"

"If my pup comes to any harm because of this, I swear I will never forgive you, and you will all be punished by the Moon Goddess!"

Blake frowned. "The Luna is too agitated. Give her a sedative. We can't let her frenzy harm the Alpha's bloodline."

"Remember, the Alpha said this is merely a test. The Luna needs to experience the pain of childbirth."

"Martha, monitor her closely. Neither she nor the pup can be harmed."

After giving his orders, Blake strode out of the room.

I finally gave up the fight, allowing the cold needle to pierce my skin.

I could never have imagined Kael could be so utterly cruel.

It was clear now that his hatred for me was far more important than the life of his own pup.

He hadn't even come to see me, all to protect Chole and her child.

My despair was as deep as my regret for ever allowing him to mark me again, for becoming his Luna.

I had been naive enough to believe that if I was just submissive enough, he would forgive our past.

I thought we were mates designated by the Moon Goddess, that love could conquer all.

Sometimes, on the night of a full moon, I even fantasized that he still felt a shred of our bond.

But I finally understood. You can't force love where there is none.

Not even carrying his pup could earn me an ounce of his pity.

I gently caressed the curve of my swollen belly as the cold liquid spread through my veins.

A wave of dizziness washed over me.

I slowly closed my eyes, a tear escaping from the corner.

"Kael, if anything happens to our pup, I swear I will make you pay with your life!"

The wolfsbane began to take effect, and the pain of the contractions lessened slightly.

But the blood continued to flow from between my legs, and I collapsed weakly onto the bed.

My consciousness began to fade, my limbs feeling disconnected from my body.

"You're all... monsters..."

My voice grew weaker, my eyelids too heavy to open.

In a haze, I heard Martha's hushed voice.

She was on a call with Kael.

A final spark of hope ignited within me.

Had he finally had a change of heart? Was he going to send me to the pack hospital?

It seemed that deep down, he did care about me and our baby.

I used the last of my strength to scream toward Martha's phone.

Martha had started a video call, but it was Chole's face on the screen, a perfect mask of false sincerity.

She was lounging on a pristine white hospital bed, her cheeks rosy, even wearing light makeup.

"Luna Elara, you have to hold on. Kael is taking such good care of me, he really can't tear himself away to deal with you."

She paused deliberately before giving a sickly sweet instruction to Martha.

"Martha, do take good care of our dear Luna. It's time she learned to obey the Alpha."

"Chole, where is Kael? I need to speak to him..."

Before I could finish, a hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my words into pained whimpers.

Martha smiled fawningly at the screen.

"Rest assured, Miss Chole. We've already administered the potion to delay the birth. We are following the Alpha's instructions to the letter."

"That's for the best." Chole's voice was filled with triumphant malice.

"Poor Elara. If she's still in agony later, I know of an ancient ritual."

"It will ease her pain, and help her hold on until Kael can return."

"What ritual?" Martha asked eagerly.