Pain.
That was all I felt as I staggered backward, my vision blurred by the sight of two familiar figures tangled in each other’s arms.
Lucian. My mate. My love. My Alpha.
And Stella.
My sister.
His lips were on her neck, his hands gripping her waist as she moaned into his touch. The scent of their betrayal filled the air, mixing with the sharp sting of my own disbelief.
This can't be! I must be seeing things.
My stomach twisted as the truth hit , nausea rising in my throat as I tried to digest the image in front of me.
Lucian lifted his head, his golden eyes locking onto mine. But there was no guilt. No remorse. Just cold, unfeeling indifference.
“You weren’t supposed to see this,” he said, his voice laced with irritation. And something else.
Something I never thought I'd see
No! Something I tried to deny.
Hatred! His eyes didn't hide them.
He didn't even try.
I pressed a trembling hand against my swollen belly, the child inside me kicking, as if sensing my despair.
I closed my eyes for a second.
Two seconds..
Three seconds.
But nothing changed after opening my eyes
Stella smirked, her fingers tracing Lucian’s jaw. “Don’t look so shocked, dear sister. Did you really think he wanted you?”
My pulse pounded. “Lucian… how could you?”
I yelled, wrapping my hands around my belly tightly.
Lucian has been acting weirdly but I thought it was stress from the attacks from the rogues, even though deep down I know it's more than that.
I choose to bury the truth somewhere far within me, hoping it'll change the situation.
I had my suspicion of him cheating but never in a thousand years will I think of him with my sister.
Lucian sighed, stepping toward me. “You were never my choice, Riya.” His gaze dropped to my belly, his expression darkening. “I needed an heir, not a weak Luna who can't even fight.”
The words struck like a blade to my chest.
I backed away, my breath coming in short gasps. “You’re lying. You said you loved me.”
Stella let out a soft laugh. “He loved the idea of you. But it was always me, Riya.” She leaned against him, her smile taunting. “I should thank you, really. You carried his heir. You served your purpose.”
A strangled sob escaped my lips. I turned, desperate to leave, but a sharp pain shot through my stomach.
A contraction.
No. Not now.
I forced myself to move but my legs were glued, they were weak.
I stumbled, gripping the doorframe as my vision swam. “Lucian… the baby—”
“Take her to the infirmary,” Lucian ordered his guards. “Make sure the child survives.”
He didn’t even look at me.
As darkness swallowed me whole, one thought burned in my mind.
They would never get my child.
Hours Later
Searing agony tore through me as I clutched the sheets, my body drenched in sweat.
“Push!” the doctor commanded.
A scream ripped from my throat as I obeyed, my body convulsing with the effort.
Then, a cry.
A small, fragile cry that pierced through the haze of pain.
“My baby,” I gasped, reaching out weakly.
But no one handed him to me.
Instead, I saw Lucian standing by the bassinet, his back turned to me.
“You did well, Riya,” he said without emotion. “The child will be raised as my heir.”
I blinked through my exhaustion. “Give… give him to me.”
Lucian finally turned, his expression unreadable. “You won’t be needing him where you’re going.”
The doctor didn’t see my eyes as I felt a cold pressure on my neck.
Poison.
Stella’s smiling face blurred as my body grew weaker.
They were killing me.
My vision darkened, my child’s cries fading into silence.
And the last thing I saw before death took me…
Was Lucian and Stella, standing together, watching me die. With a smile
My breathing was slow but rasps. My body strolled back to consciousness. My eyes felt very thick as if an extra weight laid on them. Each motion I made to open my eyes, my eyelids felt like they were tearing them off but I managed to open them and then came another challenge-my vision was slurry. Unclear as my sight was, nothing felt recognizable.My body laid fallow on the bed in a position like someone who had died. Being covered from feet to neck. It felt like I was sucked in deep into the bed, rising up felt like a riot between my body and mind but my mind won. As I finally rose my head welcomed me with a reverberating migraine. I held my head tight for fear it might burst open. The pain gradually subsided and I squeezed my eyes with the back of my hands making sure there was no dirt left, maybe with this exercise I'd be able to see better. It worked, my eyes finally opened. Though what I beheld from what I knew my room to be was totally different. I squinted my eyes to take a b
I opened my eyes In Aurelia's body for the third time, I couldn't help the relief and anguish that washed over me. Once again I experience death for the second time, the a typhoon the anger in me erupt as the look on Aiden eyes replayed in my head. Why does the moon goddess have to be this cruel to me? What have I done to deserve the moon goddess wrath that she mates me with demons? Even my second chance at that? Is this a curse or what? I was more calm this time, if not for anything because I want to live. For my child, for myself and for Aurelia. I'm sure there's a reason why I'm possessing her body and that is what I need to find first before finding my son. “Lia.. Aurelia” I turned to the voice, the screeching sound of the chair followed the voice, a woman who looked to be in her late 50s came running towards me. Like a marathon race, slow at first and in a swift second she has her arm wrapped around me. Crying her eyes out with a broken voice and a shattered heart that cou
Lauren!!My husband's mistressThe name resounded in my head for the umpteenth time today. I still couldn't wash over the look of disgust on Aidan's face and the mocking smile on Lauren's as they both walked away with their hands locked in. Ouch! I cried out in pain. “You need to focus, you're getting distracted and you're doing so well already. What's wrong?” James asked, gently caressing my arm where he'd hit me with his wooden sword. My brother James finally heed to my pleas and cries, he gave in to teaching me how to defend myself since that is the reason I told them. “No you would do no such thing” mother objected strongly when I mentioned it at first but with silver help, we were both able to persuade them. My relationship with Silver was everything I'd wanted me and Stella to be, but we couldn't because she never gave me the chance. It has always been a competition for Stella. The way Aurelia's family are always there for her__ for me makes me wonder if this is what a hap
As I head back from my secret training session with James, I couldn't help but notice the decorations and business in the pack house. What's going on? I question nobody but myself. I couldn't ask the maids because they look like they'll get killed if they take a second to breathe. I noticed not only was the park house decorated, they're busy making sure my pictures were hanging on every corner of the Hall. Why? No answer again. I walked to my room and was taken aback by the shining dress that was sitting on a mannequin in the middle of my room. The detailed diamonds on the neckline down to the waistline was astonishing, I've never seen anything like this before. It looks right out of a Disney princesses movie, just when I thought it was over, the shining jewelry on my vanity called for my attention. Whoever picked this has an eye for good things, I thought as I imagined myself pairing this jewelry with the gown. My legs led me back to the dress as I trailed my hand down the dr
As I head back from my secret training session with James, I couldn't help but notice the decorations and business in the pack house. What's going on? I question nobody but myself. I couldn't ask the maids because they look like they'll get killed if they take a second to breathe. I noticed not only was the park house decorated, they're busy making sure my pictures were hanging on every corner of the Hall. Why? No answer again. I walked to my room and was taken aback by the shining dress that was sitting on a mannequin in the middle of my room. The detailed diamonds on the neckline down to the waistline was astonishing, I've never seen anything like this before. It looks right out of a Disney princesses movie, just when I thought it was over, the shining jewelry on my vanity called for my attention. Whoever picked this has an eye for good things, I thought as I imagined myself pairing this jewelry with the gown. My legs led me back to the dress as I trailed my hand down the dr
Lauren!!My husband's mistressThe name resounded in my head for the umpteenth time today. I still couldn't wash over the look of disgust on Aidan's face and the mocking smile on Lauren's as they both walked away with their hands locked in. Ouch! I cried out in pain. “You need to focus, you're getting distracted and you're doing so well already. What's wrong?” James asked, gently caressing my arm where he'd hit me with his wooden sword. My brother James finally heed to my pleas and cries, he gave in to teaching me how to defend myself since that is the reason I told them. “No you would do no such thing” mother objected strongly when I mentioned it at first but with silver help, we were both able to persuade them. My relationship with Silver was everything I'd wanted me and Stella to be, but we couldn't because she never gave me the chance. It has always been a competition for Stella. The way Aurelia's family are always there for her__ for me makes me wonder if this is what a hap
I opened my eyes In Aurelia's body for the third time, I couldn't help the relief and anguish that washed over me. Once again I experience death for the second time, the a typhoon the anger in me erupt as the look on Aiden eyes replayed in my head. Why does the moon goddess have to be this cruel to me? What have I done to deserve the moon goddess wrath that she mates me with demons? Even my second chance at that? Is this a curse or what? I was more calm this time, if not for anything because I want to live. For my child, for myself and for Aurelia. I'm sure there's a reason why I'm possessing her body and that is what I need to find first before finding my son. “Lia.. Aurelia” I turned to the voice, the screeching sound of the chair followed the voice, a woman who looked to be in her late 50s came running towards me. Like a marathon race, slow at first and in a swift second she has her arm wrapped around me. Crying her eyes out with a broken voice and a shattered heart that cou
My breathing was slow but rasps. My body strolled back to consciousness. My eyes felt very thick as if an extra weight laid on them. Each motion I made to open my eyes, my eyelids felt like they were tearing them off but I managed to open them and then came another challenge-my vision was slurry. Unclear as my sight was, nothing felt recognizable.My body laid fallow on the bed in a position like someone who had died. Being covered from feet to neck. It felt like I was sucked in deep into the bed, rising up felt like a riot between my body and mind but my mind won. As I finally rose my head welcomed me with a reverberating migraine. I held my head tight for fear it might burst open. The pain gradually subsided and I squeezed my eyes with the back of my hands making sure there was no dirt left, maybe with this exercise I'd be able to see better. It worked, my eyes finally opened. Though what I beheld from what I knew my room to be was totally different. I squinted my eyes to take a b
Pain. That was all I felt as I staggered backward, my vision blurred by the sight of two familiar figures tangled in each other’s arms.Lucian. My mate. My love. My Alpha.And Stella.My sister.His lips were on her neck, his hands gripping her waist as she moaned into his touch. The scent of their betrayal filled the air, mixing with the sharp sting of my own disbelief.This can't be! I must be seeing things. My stomach twisted as the truth hit , nausea rising in my throat as I tried to digest the image in front of me.Lucian lifted his head, his golden eyes locking onto mine. But there was no guilt. No remorse. Just cold, unfeeling indifference.“You weren’t supposed to see this,” he said, his voice laced with irritation. And something else. Something I never thought I'd seeNo! Something I tried to deny. Hatred! His eyes didn't hide them. He didn't even try. I pressed a trembling hand against my swollen belly, the child inside me kicking, as if sensing my despair.I closed my