Willow’s POV.

“Get up. Now.”

The command sliced through the room before I could even sit up.

I flinched at the sound of his voice.

Alpha Silas stood near the door, his back to me, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He hadn’t looked at me once since the procedure ended, I knew it was because of the spark we felt due to the mate bond.

He didn't look at me, not when my wolf screamed inside my head. Not even when the bond flared, hot and sharp, like lightning under my skin.

My fingers shook as I pulled the sheet around myself.

“Yes,” I whispered.

He turned sharply. “Do not use that tone with me.”

I stiffened.

“What tone?” I asked.

“That one,” he said coldly. “The one that assumes closeness.”

Closeness. The word burned.

I swallowed and slid off the table, my legs weak. As soon as my feet touched the floor, pain shot up my spine. I gasped, grabbing the edge of the bed to steady myself.

Though the pain during the procedure was little, I had no idea the aftermath would be painful.

Silas noticed. His jaw tightened, but his eyes flicked away.

“Follow me,” he said.

No concern. No question. Just an order.

His office was dim and massive, carved from rock stones and steel. The windows stretched from floor to ceiling showing nothing but forest and the sky. Everything about the room screamed control. Power. Distance.

He walked behind the desk and didn’t invite me to sit. I stood there, arms wrapped around myself, heart pounding.

“This conversation will be short,” he said.

I nodded. He finally looked at me. And the bond reacted. Heat bloomed in my chest. My wolf surged forward, hopeful and aching.

Mate.

The word rose instinctively,

“Do not,” he snapped.

The pain hit instantly.

It was like something inside me cracked.

I cried out in silence, biting my lips hard enough for him not to notice my pain. I could taste blood oozing from my lips. It felt like fire tore through my chest. My wolf howled in agony, retreating deep inside me.

Silas stiffened.

“What did you feel?” I asked in a broken tone.

His eyes were dark. Guarded.

“Nothing that matters,” he said.

Liar.

I forced myself to breathe, slow and shallow, until the pain dulled to a heavy ache.

He exhaled sharply, as if irritated by my weakness.

“There was a reaction,” he said flatly. “I acknowledge that.”

My heart lifted in little hope to hear something better.

“But,” he continued, “I reject it.”

The words landed like a blade.

“I reject any bond the Moon Goddess is trying to force between us,” he said. “I did not choose you. I will not accept you.”

My vision blurred.

“You felt it too,” I whispered. “You can’t deny that.”

“I can,” he replied. “And I will deny it.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks, hot and silent.

“You’re my mate,” I said softly.

The pain came again. Stronger. I couldn't hold back, so I screamed this time, clutching my chest as my knees hit the cold floor. It felt like my heart was being crushed in a fist.

Silas moved, just one step forward, then stopped.

“Enough,” he said harshly. “Do you want to kill yourself?”

I shook my head, gasping. “Then why does it hurt?”

He looked away.

“The bond is incomplete,” he said. “Because of the child.”

My breath hitched.

“The pregnancy helps it to stay in place,” he continued.

“It cannot fully form. And it cannot fully break.”

I stared at him in horror. “So what does that mean?”

His voice was flat. Controlled.

“It means the bond will exist as resistance. As pain. Nothing more.”

My wolf whimpered inside me.

“So I just… suffer?” I asked.

“Yes.”

The word was sharp. Final.

I laughed weakly. “You’re cruel.”

He met my gaze, unflinching. “You knew that when you signed.”

I struggled to my feet, my body trembling.

“I didn’t sign up to be your mate.”

“Good,” he said. “Because you’re not.”

Silence fell between us.

Then he spoke again, colder than before.

“You are a vessel,” he said. “Nothing else. You will carry my heir, and when the child is born, you will leave.”

Each word stripped something from me.

“I have a future Luna,” he added. “A woman chosen by strategy, not superstition. Her name is Evelyn.”

The name echoed in my mind.

“And you,” he continued, “will never interfere with that.”

My chest hurt, not just from the bond, but from something deeper.

“What if I can’t control it?” I asked quietly. “What if the pain…”

“You will control it,” he said. “Or you will be removed.”

The word removed sounded like a threat, I shook my head not wanting to go back to debt and watch my family suffer.

He stepped closer now, towering over me.

“Listen carefully,” he said. “If you ever mention the word mate to me or to my future Luna..”

His eyes hardened.

“You will be sent back to your dying pack empty-handed.”

His phone made a chime sound, he checked it and smiled,

“Expect your new Luna soon,” he said with a smirk.

Silas walked past me without a soft heart to help me. Tears flowed out, I couldn't hold them back. I clutched my chest tightly as I could feel the heart wrenching pain like I'm being picked with needles.

My pulse tightened as my eyes felt drowsy, the fear to know what will be of me when Evelyn arrives makes me wonder,

“What will Evelyn do when she sees me?” my thoughts still lingered. “Will she accept the bond between I and Silas if she finds out?”

Willow's POV.

I held my banging head as I sat up. I scrutinized my surroundings then I found out I was on the bed. It looked like I had fainted in Silas's office.

Maids strode into my room and placed some refreshments before turning to leave. I took a glass of water and smiled at them.

“She arrived early,”

The maids said to each other before walking away.

I froze, still seated on my bed. My fingers are tightening around the glass of water I was holding. An unsettling cold feeling rumbled in my stomach.

She. I didn't need to ask who, I knew it was Evelyn. Alpha Silas’s chosen Luna, the woman whom he has concluded to marry and the woman who I am not allowed to be near.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the temporary contract. I'm just a body carrying a child, nothing more.

Still my heart ached, I needed to see her. Greet her before Alpha Silas corrects me.

I moved out of my room and my breath hitched as I turned towards the staircase. I saw her before she saw me.

Evelyn stood in the center of the sitting room like it was made for her. Dressed in blue silk that matched the estate’s beauty perfectly. Her hair cascading down her back and when she smiled at Silas it was practiced and calm.

“This place still looks the same,” she said softly, “Still dark. Still intimidating,”

“That's intentional,” he replied.

She chuckled lightly and touched his arm.

The bond inside me stirred, pain struck my chest.

I sucked in a breath and stepped back, pressing myself against the wall. My wolf whimpered; hurt and confused.

Evelyn’s smile faded,

Slowly she turned her head. Her eyes locked with mine.

“Who is that?” She asked.

Silas didn't answer instantly.

“This is Willow,” he said finally, “The surrogate.”

Evelyn looked at me from head to toe, not rudely. Just accessing, like I was someone not important, someone she had decided didn't matter.

“An omega?” she asked once again.

“Yes,” Silas replied.

Her brows lifted slightly with a smirk, “what an interesting choice,”

I lowered my gaze, my throat itchy.

“I thought you would pick someone…. Stronger,” she continued, “Higher rank, someone with a better bloodline not this…”

Silas's jaw tightened, “She was sufficient and that's enough,”

Evelyn hummed lightly, moving closer to me, she was too close and then the air changed.

Her eyebrows lifted, I felt it, her attention sharpened, not on my appearance but on something else. My scent.

Her gaze went to Silas and back to me, she did that again and inhaled slowly, not once but twice.

I gulped hard,

“You smell strange,” she said calmly.

“I… I’m sorry,” my voice cracked.

She smiled, but it wasn't from her heart,

“You don't smell like an omega,” she said softly, “You smell like Silas,”

She turned to look at Silas, requesting an answer. The pain in my chest flared, everywhere went still.

Silas cleared his throat, “That's enough, Evelyn,”

But she ignored him.

“A scent tracker never lies. Your scent is different,” she said, circling me slowly, “ Your scent is deeply entwined… I think with him,”

It felt like I was exposed. Naked.

“That seems impossible,” she continued. “Unless…”

“Evelyn,” Silas warned.

She stood in front of me.

Her eyes were sharp now. Focused.

“Unless there’s something you’re hiding from us,” she said.

I shook my head. “There isn’t.”

She stared at me intensely like she was studying my face. She smiled again, sweet, controlled, dangerous.

“Of course,” she said. “You’re just the surrogate.”

Later that night, I went to the kitchen, searching for stuff to calm myself. I never knew Evelyn was a scent tracker.

I thought it would be easy to hide the mate bond from her but now it looks difficult.

The smell of herbs and warm soup filled the space. I focused on slow movements. Quiet breathing.

I didn't hear anyone entering.

“You’re hiding something.”

I startled and turned, recognizing the voice.

Evelyn stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression polite but cold.

“I’m not,” I said.

She smirks, staring at my belly. My heart beat quickened, terrified of what was going through her mind.

“Don’t think carrying Silas’s baby makes you special. Her arms still folded as she continued, “I wouldn't have been suspicious of a lowly omega but your scent says otherwise,”

I gulped hard, the place which was supposed to be my calming medicine became my terror. As cold as the kitchen was, sweats formed on my face.

She stepped closer, touching my hair with her hands and inhaling it. I could feel her anger the more she inhaled it.

I shifted away to avoid any bad circumstances from happening.

“Willow right?,”

I nodded, she looked at my belly once again and back at me.

“Consider yourself lucky for now,”

My eyebrows lifted, confused at her words, but deep down my body was on fire, my heart beat pounding as fast as it could.

Forcing myself to spout these words,

“What do you mean by that?”

“Don't worry,”

Evelyn smirked,

“The contract says you leave the moment the baby is born.”

I nodded. “I know.”

Her smile cunning

“But I think,” she said softly, “I’ll have you leave the moment I find out what you’re hiding.”

My wolf recoiled in fear. I hid my fidgeting hands, hoping she wouldn't find out my biggest secret. And for the first time since coming to this estate, I understood something clearly.

Evelyn wasn’t just watching me. She was hunting.

Willow's POV.

Last night was dreadful, my mind wasn't settled with what Evelyn said.

“I think I have to go to the healer,” I thought to myself, knowing that would be the best solution.

While Evelyn and Silas went for a pack meeting, I used that opportunity to go to Miss Kitty, the healer of my pack.

I arrived at her place as early as I could. I smiled when I met with her,

“Ohh, my darling, what are you doing here?” She asked, her tone comforting.

I explained everything to her, she sighed and went to a drawer next to her curtain to take something.

“Take, drink it. Slowly.”

I stared at the small bottle of liquid in my hand. The liquid inside looked bluish gray, thick like a watered ash. It smelled bitter, sharp enough to sting my nose. My fingers trembled as I lifted it closer to my lips.

“Are you sure?” I whispered.

Miss kitty didn’t meet my eyes. “No.”

“If she is able to detect your scent again,” she continued quietly, “the chosen Luna will not stop at threats.”

I swallowed.

Evelyn’s eerie smile flashed through my mind. Calm, dangerous and hunting.

“And Alpha Silas?” I asked.

Her jaw tightened. “His wolf is more aware of these than himself.”

My chest tightened painfully.

“So this is the only way out?.”

She sighed. “It’s illegal and dangerous. Especially for someone who is expecting a child.”

I placed my hand on my stomach, looking at my stomach.

"I have no choice,” I said.

I removed the liquid cover and gulped it down. The taste felt wrong, it burned my tongue, it tasted metallic. My throat burned, and I nearly vomited but I had no choice but to force it down.

The liquid got into my stomach and it felt like fire.

Immediately, my body reacted to the liquid. Pain shot in my chest, sharp and it spread.

My wolf groaned in agony, confused and hurt. It felt like they tried to force something out of me. I held my chest, gasping, needing air to breathe, and my lungs felt tight.

"Easy,” the healer murmured.

“It will suppress your scent. But it will also weaken you.”

My legs felt shaky as I stood.

“How long will that be?” I asked.

“A few hours,” she replied.

“Maybe more, if you have a strong bond.”

I laughed weakly. “Of course it is.”

________

The estate gardens were quiet in the late afternoon.

Today, every step felt heavy.

The scent-blocker worked, but at a cost. My body felt misaligned, weak, like it wasn't mine.

My limbs ached as if I had run a long race. Even breathing felt difficult, every breath I took felt like hell, but I had to endure.

Still, when a servant passed nearby, I noticed something important. I could feel no reaction, no long stare or hard tension.

I smelled… like nothing. That made me relieved.

Then I staggered, shaking my head as I felt dizzy. I grabbed the edge of the wooden bench close by, my breathing hard. My vision blurry

"Just sit for a moment," I told myself. "Just a moment."

I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, my voice shaking, fear filled me

"No,” I whispered. “Please, no.”

I placed my hands on my stomach, I began panicking as I remember the healer warnings against the use of high doses because it could stress the pregnancy

I tried to position myself, then the world spun and I fell.

“Willow!”

The voice reached me through darkness. It sounded strong and sharp. Hands wrapped around me before I reached the ground.

my wolf groaned weakly. I knew it was him, I could feel his arms around me but strangely he smelled different, distorted, like my body was foreign to him.

“What did you take?” he demanded.

I tried to answer. But I couldn't.

“Why does she smell like nothing?” he growled.

“Prepare the infirmary,” someone said.

“No,” Silas snapped.

The word cut through sharp and commanding.

I felt him change direction.

Stronger arms tightened around me, pulling me closer.

“Not the infirmary,” he said again, voice low and dangerous. “My room.”

_______

I woke slowly, the first thing I felt was warmth, next was softness. The atmosphere smells fresh, not the medical smell.

I was lying on something wide, deep and very comfortable. My fingers brushed through the sheets as I moaned to open my eyes

The air changed, the smell was that of pine, smoke and something darker.

The moment I noticed Silas, my heart pounded painfully, I tried to sit up and winced. My body felt sore.

"You’re awake.”

His voice came from nearby. I turned my head slowly. Alpha Silas sat beside the bed, sleeves rolled up, jaw tight. He looked… different. Less controlled. Like something inside him was pacing.

“Why am I here?” I asked softly.

His gaze fell on me.

“You fainted,” he said. “You almost lost the child.”

My breath caught. “Is the baby...?”

“Alive,” he said sharply. “For now.”

I felt so relieved that I held back my tears.

“What did you take?” he asked again.

I hesitated.

His gaze hardened. “Don't lie to me.”

I laughed weakly. “I wouldn’t dare.”

He waited, like he knew I wouldn't dare hold back.

“Scent-blockers,” I admitted. “Illegal ones.”

He kept quiet,

“You brought harm to my heir,” he said coldly.

“I protected myself,” I shot back, my strength coming back slowly. “And you know why.”

His jaw relaxed.

"You think Evelyn would suspect you?” he asked.

“I think she has a clue already,” I replied.

He looked away.

“That liquid could kill you,” he said.

"Then maybe you should stop pretending you don’t know what’s happening,” I whispered.

His eyes locked with mine

“Stop it, Willow.”

“Why?” I asked. “Because the truth makes you uncomfortable?”

The bond stirred faintly, aching for a reunion.

“You don’t get to punish me for surviving,” I continued. “You brought me here. You made me invisible. And now you’re angry I tried to stay that way.”

His silence was dangerous.

“Rest,” he said finally. “You’ll take no more of that poison.”

“You can’t stop me,” I said weakly.

“I can,” he replied. “And I will.”

I turned my face away.

“Why bring me here?” I asked quietly. “Why not the infirmary?”

He didn’t answer. I felt sleepy again. This time it was heavier and swift. It felt like the liquid took control of my senses.

Sometime later, my consciousness awoke though my eyes weren't open. I could still feel Silas's presence.

The room was quiet. Too quiet, then I heard Silas's voice, I listened quietly

Low, rough, like he was talking to himself, a voice that seemed like it wasn't meant to be heard.

"Why does my wolf want to kill anyone who looks at you?”

My breath halted, my ears aching to hear more.

“I rejected the bond,” he murmured. “I created the rules. I chose this path… For us.”

He paused with a sigh and continued,

“Why does it feel like losing you would tear something out of me?”

My heart pounded painfully against my ribs.

“I don’t want this feeling,” he whispered. “I don’t want you.”

Another pause. Longer.

“So why does it feel impossible to leave your side?”

I stayed perfectly still, afraid that if I moved, this moment would be gone... Forever.

The bond pulsed slowly, quiet, wounded, but alive. And for the first time, I realized something terrifying. Silas was fighting fate. He was fighting hard to not give in.