Chapter Two

Violeta's Pov

Living in King Theron's castle made me stop believing in happy endings.

When I was a child, I used to dream of love — the kind that made you feel safe and cherished.

I'd always dreamt of my fated mate.

That he would be someone would hold me close.

When I felt sad, he'd whisper that I was enough.

But the Moon Goddess was cruel.

She gave me a monster.

She gave me Lycan King Theron.

And he took one look at me and threw me away.

Ever since Camila arrived in the castle, everything that was worse became more horrifying.

Every single day, she'd remind me that I had no title. That I had no protection. That I was just a slave, an inconvenience and just a mere shadow in the corner.

She had told me to my face that I was something she would break.

“Do you really think you're Theron's sex slave that he would love you?” She sneered one afternoon, pressing my face into the cold, marble floor, her fingers digging into my hair.

When I didn't reply, she kicked me in the shins and I cried out.

“You are nothing, Violeta? Do you hear me? You are nothing! Not Luna or even a real mate.”

I didn't fight her.

I couldn't.

I just stood there, waiting for the confrontation to be over.

Somewhere deep inside of me, I told myself that I had endured enough. That I would be able to numb the pain and wouldn't feel it anymore. But I was shattered. Completely.

I died over and over again every time a mirror was tossed at me. Every Time I was told cruel words. Every Time I was told I was useless. That I was not wanted but then, the baby growing inside me reminded me that I was still alive.

It became my pain eraser.

Each time my body ached or when my heart felt like it was barely beating, I would place my hand over my belly and feel the faintest kicking. My baby. My only reason to keep going.

Then, one day, everything changed.

Theron found out I was pregnant.

I had just finished scrubbing the hall floors when I heard my name. No, he didn't say my name. He called me what he calls everyone.

“Slave!”

I lifted my eyes to see a guard holding a scowl on his face.

“Come!” The man ordered and I had no choice but to follow.

The walk to Theron's chambers felt like forever.

My heart pounded with each step and my hands trembled as I reached the door.

The guard knocked softly on the door and a deep, regal voice spoke :

“Come in!”

I had my gaze on the floor, daring not to look at him.

“Leave.” Theron's voice echoed and the guard left, shutting the door behind him.

I stood there, still trembling as I heard approaching footsteps.

“Look at me, Violeta.”

When he said my name, I looked up in shock.

He said my name.

He knew my name and yet he'd always call me —

He didn't look at me with disgust. Instead, he looked at me differently.

His hand found mine and drew me close. “You're carrying my child?”

I stifled contact but he didn't let go.

“Violeta?” he called my name softly and my heart skipped a beat.

I swallowed hard, my right hand instinctively touching my belly. “I… Yes.”

My eyes filled as I stared through my veil. “Yes. I'm carrying your child.”

Something flickered in his eyes. Something I had never seen before — softness, hesitation, pure joy.

Warm hands engulfed me in a tight embrace and I froze.

Theron buried his face in my neck as he wrapped his hands around me. “You're carrying my heir, Violeta.”

I didn't know what to do. Do I hug him back? Do I just stay still?

I was startled from my conflicted thoughts when he whispered words I'd never heard from him.

“Thank you.” he pulled away and smiled.

“Thank you?” I repeated in shock.

“Yes,” he cupped my face. “For carrying my heir. Thank you, Violeta.”

And from that day on, things changed.

I was no longer a SLAVE!

I was given a better room, better clothes and even better food.

The servants who once sneered at me now treated me politely.

Camila's cruel hand no longer touched me. Though her hands no longer touched me, her glares burned hotter than ever.

From then on, Theron started coming around me.

He wouldn't say much but he was always there.

Sometimes, he'd call for me to have dinner together. Other times, we would sit together in the garden and he would brush his fingers over mine as we talked.

The warnings that used to scream in my mind died down.

I believed now that he had changed.

I believed now that the child — our child in my belly had softened his heart.

Oh, how wrong I was.

But that night, I overheard the truth.

I was walking on my way to his chambers when I suddenly heard his voice — Theron’s voice.

The voice in my head screamed at me to leave.

I should've listened to it. Instead, I ignored it.

I'd heard only whispers and what not and realized he wasn't alone and wanted to leave but I heard something in his voice that made me stop.

“... once Violeta gives birth to our son, I'll take him.”

My blood ran cold.

What?

“She will be free afterwards. After all, isn't freedom what she's always wanted?” The second voice responded.

“You're right, ” Theron said softly. “Violet would've served her purpose by then.”

Served her purpose?

A gasp almost hit my lips and I pressed my hand to mouth.

How could I have been so foolish?

Theron never changed. He'd been the same — the same cruel monster.

He didn't care about me. Never did for one second.

All he wanted was my child — his heir. And once he'd had his son, he'd be more than happy to discard me.

Again.

Just like before.

Only this time, it wouldn't be me suffering. My baby, the only light in my darkness, was taken away from me.

I turned on my heels and ran back to my chambers.

So the food, the kindness, the soft looks had all been a lie. The hug, the “Thank you” — everything had a lie? Everything had been a pretty little act to keep me here until he got what he wanted? How cruel!

Tears ran down my face as I curled up on my bed.

I had been ready to endure everything for my child but I would not, not ever, let Theron take him from me.

Even though I had nothing. Even though I had no power or allies, I still had my will and my desperation and that was enough.

In the dead of night, I planned my escape.