Chapter 5

Ariana’s POV 

The moon was full and high in the sky as I was pacing around the room, trying to distract myself. I’d spent the morning plotting and planning my escape while folding clothes, the tiny ones meant for the baby. Jared wasn’t home, as usual.

The air felt thick with energy, the kind that made the hair on my arms stand on end. Maybe it was just the full moon's pull, or maybe i was just tired.

 Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain grip my belly, stopping me in my tracks. I sucked in a breath, grabbing the edge of the dresser.

 “Not now,” I whispered, shaking my head as if I could will the pain away. But then I felt a warm liquid running down my legs. 

“oh, no,” I whispered, trying to stay calm. But panic rose in my chest. This wasn’t supposed to happen yet. I was only seven and a half months along. The baby wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready.

I tried to remain calm, but another contraction hit, stronger and more painful. I grabbed my belly, breathing hard, and stumbled toward the door. I needed help. 

“Help! Someone, please!” My voice was weak, barely louder than a whisper, but the house was quiet, and I prayed someone would hear me.

Within moments, two servants appeared in the doorway, their faces pale as they took in the scene. One of them rushed to my side, wrapping an arm around my waist to support me.

“Get the healer,” I managed to say through the pain that was already growing sharper. My legs crumbled under me, and I fell to the floor. Everything was happening too fast.

As two of the women helped me to my feet, guiding me to the bed, It wasn’t supposed to feel like this, was it? I had heard stories about childbirth, but nothing had prepared me for the staggering pain that was now ripping through my body.

The healer, an older woman named Maera, hurried into the room with her apprentice at her side. She had delivered countless babies in the pack, and her presence gave me a small sense of comfort. But it didn't last long.

“Lie back, Luna,” she instructed, her voice firm but gentle. “We need to get you ready. This child is coming soon.”

 I did as she said, lying back on the bed, my breath coming in short gasps. The pain was unlike anything I’d ever felt. It felt like my body was being torn apart from the inside.

“Maera,” I gasped, gripping the sheets beneath me. “Something’s wrong.”

She glanced up from where she was kneeling, her hands pressed against my swollen belly. I could see the concern in her eyes, but she remained calm. 

“The baby’s not in the right position,” she said softly. “It’s going to be a difficult birth.”

Difficult. The word sent a wave of fear over me. The pain was so terrible now, and I could feel something else—a deep sense of dread.

I let out a scream as another contraction hit, more intense than before, it felt like my body was on fire.

 The metallic scent of blood filled the air, and I saw the flash of crimson on the sheets.

“Maera!” I cried out. “I’m bleeding!”

She moved quickly, her hands now slick with blood as she worked to stop the flow. “We need to call Jared,” she said sharply to one of the servants. “Now.”

Time seemed to blur together as Mera worked, giving orders to her apprentice, trying to stabilize me.

Minutes stretched into an eternity, and I could feel my strength slipping away. My vision blurred, and I could barely keep my eyes open.

“Maera,save my baby” I whispered weakly, barely able to form the words.

Suddenly, I heard the door burst open, and Jared’s voice filled the room.

“Ariana!” His voice was full of panic, and he was at my side in an instant, his strong hands gripping mine.

 “I’m here now.”

 “Jared...” I whispered, reaching out for him, but my arm felt too heavy to lift. I could barely keep my eyes open.

 “I’m here, love. I’m here. Stay with me.”

But I was slipping away. I could feel it. The pain was starting to fade, and everything around me felt...distant

“She’s losing too much blood,” Maera said urgently, pulling Jared aside. 

“We need to cut the baby out, or we’ll lose them both.”

Jared’s face turned white, and for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.

“No, no that's not happening,” He said shaking his head. I am not going to choose between my wife and my child.

Maera grabbed his arm. “She has lost so much blood, and she might not make it, but the baby still has a chance.”

Jared looked down at me, I smiled weakly at him and slowly nodded. He closed his eyes and I knew it was the last thing he wanted.He turned back to Maera and nodded slowly.

“Do everything in your power to save them both Maera”. He said

The healer didn’t waste any time. Her hands moved quickly, preparing for the procedure. I could barely process what was happening, the world around me a blur of pain and voices. I was slipping further away, my eyes were barely seeing.

I felt a sharp pain, but it was different now more controlled. They were cutting the baby out of me, trying to save my child, but I could feel myself fading. The pain was giving way to something else, a numbness that crept over my body like a cloth.

“Stay with me, Ariana,” Jared pleaded, his voice cracking as he held my hand. “Please. Don’t leave me.”

But I was already slipping away, my body feeling lighter with every passing second. I could see them working, see the healer holding the baby, and hear the distant sound of crying, but it felt far away. My baby boy or girl, I'd never get to meet, to kiss. I felt tears stream down my face.

I was sinking. It was strange, almost peaceful.

—————————————————————————

 Lily’s POV 

My mind was still reeling from everything I now knew about Cole. Like my mind materialized his presence, Cole walked into my room.

“You know” He said his voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. For a moment, I couldn’t speak. I just stood there, staring at him, the betrayal heavy in the air between us.

 “He knows what you found.”  Allegra whispered.

Cole took a step closer, his expression darkening. “Lily, I can explain.”

I felt the tears finally break free, sliding down my cheeks as I looked him in the eye. “How could you?” I whispered, my voice shaking.

Cole didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, his jaw clenched, his fists tight at his sides.

“We trusted him, and he betrayed us.” Allegra continued ranting in my head. 

The weight of everything the cheating, the lies, the attacks pressed down on me, and I felt my legs weaken beneath me. My wolf snarled inside me, ready to lash out, ready to defend. But I held her back. I needed answers first.

Cole stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Lily, listen"

"Lily, please," Cole said, his voice softening. "Let's talk about this calmly. I can explain everything."

"Why Coke, you know what, I don't want to hear your explanations," I snapped "I'm done listening to your lies." With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room, ignoring Cole’s calls for me to come back.

“Let her go, I handled it already,” Sybil said stepping from behind Cole.

I ran to our bedroom - no, my bedroom now. I couldn't bear the thought of sharing a space with Cole anymore. Slamming the door behind me, I leaned against it, finally letting the tears fall.

"What are we going to do?" Allegra whined in my head.

"We need help," I whispered back. "We can't handle this on our own, we need Lukas.”

My eyes fell on a glass of water on my nightstand. I didn't remember leaving it there, but I was grateful for it now. My throat was dry from all the shouting. I grabbed it and drank deeply, not noticing the slight bitter aftertaste.

I grabbed a jacket and headed out, making my way through the forest towards Lukas's cabin. The cool night air helped clear my head, but as I walked, a strange dizziness began to set in.

"Something's wrong," Allegra whined, her voice sounding fainter than usual.

I stumbled, catching myself against a tree. My vision was blurry, and my limbs felt heavy. What was happening to me?

As I collapsed to the forest floor, one last thought crossed my mind before darkness took me.

The water...They must have...

I don't know how long I lay there, drifting in and out of consciousness. The forest around me was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or hoot of an owl. Was this how I was going to die? Alone in the woods.

 I thought I heard voices calling my name. Lukas? No, it couldn't be. He didn't know I was out here. No one did. In one last desperate move Allegra sent a howl of distress to Lukas.

"Lily! Lily, is that you? Where are you?”

The voice sounded closer now, more urgent. I tried to call out, but my voice was barely a whisper.

"Here," I managed to croak. "I'm here."

Suddenly, there were hands on me, turning me over. Through my blurred vision, I could make out Lukas's worried face.

"Lily! Oh god, what happened? Stay with me, okay? Stay with me!"

I wanted to tell him everything - about Cole, about Sybil, about the notebook and the poisoned water. But the darkness was closing in again, and this time, I couldn't fight it.

As I slipped into unconsciousness, I heard Lukas shouting for help. Then, silence.