Chapter 25

Loretta's POV 

As I drove back to the palace, a strange mix of freedom and determination filled me. The sleek car hummed softly as I stole glances at the small vial of herb I had obtained. I remembered the herbalist's clear instructions: take the substance three times, with the first dose being the full dose. The thought of what was to come sent a thrill of excitement through me.

I imagined how different my life could be. A part of me longed to turn around immediately and head back to my old pack, where I truly belonged. I pictured my father welcoming me with open arms, ready to restore my lost status and return me to the life I once knew. In my mind, I saw a future where I would regain everything that Eleanor had taken from me, including my place as the alpha. The idea of reclaiming my power and independence made my heart beat faster.

But I knew that I had to be patient. I had a plan that needed careful timing. First, I must return to Sebastian's pack and gather my things. I wanted to leave on good terms, or at least in a way that would not burn all bridges. I even planned to thank Grace, my loyal maid, for her kindness over the weeks. I considered asking her to come with me on my journey—a companion I could trust in this new chapter of my life.

With these thoughts in my mind, I continued driving back to the palace. I hoped that when I arrived, Sebastian would be locked away in his office, as he often was. That way, I would not have to face him immediately, giving me the time I needed to take the herb and wait for its work to be done. My plan was clear: I would take the herb, let it work its magic until the baby was gone, and then file for divorce. I longed to break free from Sebastian's pack and return to my own, a place where I could rebuild my life on my own terms.

As I pulled up to the palace gates, my heart pounded with a mix of hope and apprehension. I stepped out of the car and made my way toward the entrance, carefully rehearsing my plans in my mind. Just as I reached the grand doors, a loud, angry voice rang out, making me stop in my tracks.

"Loretta, what have you done?" Sebastian bellowed, his eyes blazing with fury as he stepped forward. His tone was harsh, and his glare made my heart skip a beat.

Sebastian's POV 

Alicia had waited for hours after our passionate intimacy before revealing what she had planned to tell me. I had been lying beside her, completely forgetting that I had come into the room because she had something important to say. The hours of pleasure had overwhelmed me, and I was lost in the comfort of the moment.

Then, as if to remind me of her true purpose, Alicia moved closer. Her warm breath tickled my ear, and for a split second, I thought she wanted to continue our lovemaking. But then her soft whisper reached me, and a slow smile spread across my face. "Loretta is pregnant," she said quietly.

In that instant, my heart leaped with hope. Loretta was pregnant! The news was the best I had heard in weeks. The thought of having an heir made my mind race with excitement—was it a boy or a girl? I began to imagine raising our child as a strong Alpha, just as I had always dreamed. All those burdens and doubts seemed to lift for a moment as I planned a future filled with promise.

But my joy was cruelly cut short when Alicia added another sentence. "But she's on her way to abort the pregnancy," she continued, her voice steady and cold.

In an instant, my mood shifted. I bolted out of bed, my heart pounding with a surge of fury. I turned to face Alicia, my eyes burning with anger as I demanded, "Why are you just telling me this now? Why did you wait for hours?"

Alicia met my gaze with a calm expression, as if she had expected my reaction. "If Loretta can carry your heir, I am capable of carrying your heir too," she said softly. Her words carried a challenge that sent shockwaves through my mind.

I glared at her in disbelief, struggling to process the impossibility of what she was suggesting. After all, she was merely a concubine—nothing more. But Alicia seemed to sense my inner turmoil, and she continued, her voice persuasive and steady. "I know I am a concubine, but you have the power to change that. You are the Alpha of this realm, and you make your own rules. Who says you cannot make a concubine Luna?"

Her words hit me hard, stirring feelings I had tried to push aside. The idea that she could bear my heir, that I could give her a new place by my side, made my head spin. It was a taboo and I was not ready to listen. The shock of Loretta's news and my own swirling anger were too strong. I began to dress quickly, my movements sharp and jerky, as I tried to collect myself. I stormed out of the room, each step filled with seething rage.

As I descended the stairs, my mind raced with a mix of betrayal and hurt. I had barely recovered from Alicia's words when I saw Loretta herself walking into the hallway. She was dressed in a hooded outfit, clearly trying to hide her identity. Her disguise only confirmed Alicia's revelation, and my anger exploded. I stopped in my tracks and turned sharply to face her. My voice boomed through the corridor as I demanded, "What have you done?"

The hall fell silent for a moment as my words echoed off the stone walls. I could see the fear and defiance in Loretta's eyes as she met my furious gaze. In that charged moment, I rea

lized that my world was unraveling.