Chapter 3

After I finally calmed down, I snuck into Bella's room.

Under her bed, I found a wolf fang smeared with evening primrose oil.

I carefully scraped off a small sample from the fang and took it back to the lab for testing. Sure enough, Bella's DNA showed up on it.

That meant the wolf bite mark on her body was fake.

Furious, I went straight to confront Bella. I demanded to know why she framed me and stole the man I loved.

After hearing the noise, Cade rushed over.

He pulled the trembling Bella behind him and shoved a dagger into my hand.

"I fell in love with Bella first. Don't blame her," he said. "If you think I betrayed you, I'll accept any punishment. Break my bones or stab my heart. Do whatever you want."

Thinking back on it now only made the cold sink deeper into my bones.

I wrapped my arms tightly around myself.

I suddenly missed my father's steady, comforting embrace and my mother's gentle, sweet goodnight kisses.

But they were gone, too.

They had left me a month ago.

That same day, Cade wiped out the traitors and reclaimed the wolf throne. And that same day, my parents' private jet crashed while crossing the Parencia Ocean.

Both of them died.

I touched the pendant resting against my chest.

It was a coming-of-age gift from my father.

"If one day your mother and I are gone, break this pendant. Someone will take our place and protect you," he had said.

I hadn't taken it seriously back then. I had wrapped my arms around his neck and acted spoiled.

"I don't want anyone else! I want to stay with you forever and be your little burden."

Another firework shot into the sky. The loud blast dragged me back into reality.

That was when I suddenly realized there were two other male werewolves in the room. I jumped to my feet, my back pressed tightly against the wall.

One of them spoke first. "Well, damn. You don't see a pretty thing like this every day."

The other stepped closer. He grabbed my chin with dirty, rough fingers.

"Yeah. This is some rare top-shelf quality. Who did you piss off to end up like this, darling?"

I slapped his hand away. "What do you think you're doing?"

"What are we doing?" They laughed darkly. "We're just following orders and teaching you some manners."

One of them grabbed my wrist. His hand slid up my forearm. The disgusting sensation made my skin crawl.

"Don't touch me! Do you even know who I am? I saved the Wolf King’s life. I'm the Queen's sister!"

The two men burst out laughing.

"You really think you can scare us with the Wolf King and Queen? I'll let you in on a secret. Those two sent us!"

They started tearing at my clothes.

No matter how I cursed or begged, they didn't stop.

Just as despair swallowed me whole, the door was kicked open.

Cade stood there, his face dark with fury.

With his bare hands, he tore one of the werewolf's arms clean off. Blood sprayed everywhere as the man screamed and collapsed.

The other froze, then dropped to his knees. "Your Majesty! Please, let us go!"

Cade pressed his sword to the man's throat.

"Who gave you the nerve?"

The man shook violently. "It was, it was the Queen…"

Before he could finish, Cade slit his throat with a single stroke.

-

In the bedroom, the wolf physician confirmed my pregnancy.

Cade dismissed everyone else and, for once, showed guilt.

"Selena, I only meant for them to scare you. I never thought they'd dare to do this."

Of course, I knew. Bella had altered his order.

Exhausted in body and mind, I closed my eyes.

But he didn't leave.

"Why won't you just tell me? Who is that man?"

"What do you plan to do to the child's father?" I asked quietly.

Cade sneered. "You can barely protect yourself, and you're still worried about your lover?"

I instinctively guarded my stomach. "I want your promise that we'll be safe."

Cade stared at me in silence for a few seconds.

Then, he let out a resigned sigh.

"Fine. I promise. Now will you tell me?"

The words were already on my lips when Bella's maid suddenly rushed in.

"Something terrible's happened, Your Majesty! The Queen wanted to personally make Ms. Selena some calming chamomile tea, but she spilled the hot water and burned her entire arm. It's covered in blisters."

Cade's expression changed instantly.

He didn't wait for my answer. He turned and ran out the door.