I hadn't even processed her words before feeling a sharp sting across my face as his mother slapped me, sending me crashing to the floor. “I should have known it!” She yelled, while I sat there in a daze, my vision blurred with tears as my brain finally processed what was happening. The slap must have jolted it awake.

“Is this true?” I could hear the rage and disbelief in Kieran's voice, but what made my heart contract with pain was the relief in his voice. It was subtle, but it was there.

Then, I realized it. The only reason he kept me was because of my baby. The only thing keeping him and Selen apart was my baby, and now that there's a chance that barrier never even existed, he could finally be with the woman he truly cared about.

I didn't speak. I couldn't.

The moment I opened my mouth, I knew for certain hot tears would follow after. There was no point defending myself because they wouldn't believe me, and Selen even brought a document along with her.

I could get one from the hospital where I was treated, but they'd say I forged it. Even if I showed undeniable proof, they'd find a way to make sure I was painted the villain.

Someone grabbed my hair, yanking my head up. Kieran. His eyes were burning with hot fury, and my brain must have been messing with me because I could have sworn I saw a glimpse of hurt in his eyes.

“I'm talking to you, Lyanna, and I expect a fucking answer!” He said, and for a moment, I wondered if he'd believe me if I denied it till I heard his next words, “Why did you lie about your pregnancy?”

I let out a sigh, and I could hear exhaustion in my own voice. He wasn't asking if it was true or not, and why would I expect otherwise? Selene was the saint, and I was the devil trying to seperate them.

“I'm sorry for keeping it from you, Kieran,” Selene sniffed, and I would have rolled my eyes if not for how exhausted I was.

He released his hold on my head, shoving me aside roughly before rushing to Selene's side. I glanced at her to see tears streaming down her eyes. “When I found out, s-she threatened me using her position as Luna. I know I'm weak, but I told her I'd still tell you because I can't betray you. Even if it cost me my life, I'd never betray you.” The tears fell faster, her voice breaking.

“She promised she'd tell you, but I found out she was going to lie about losing her baby. To make you feel guilty, she was going to claim she lost the baby the night of the anniversary. So I found the doctor who diagnosed her and he confessed she paid him.”

“How could you be such a demon?” One of his friends asked.

Another scoffed, “I always knew you were evil, but to think you'd lie about being pregnant and try to make Kieran guilty over something that didn't exist.”

“She's not even saying anything. The nerve.”

“The truth is out. What can she say? What lies will she tell?”

Rage bubbled within me, blocking out their words. I hated them all—Kieran, Selene, His family, his friends, the doctor, and the world itself. But most of all, myself.

Of all the people I could have told about my child, I told Selene. I should have told Kieran immediately.

But what difference would that make?

It was my fault. I should have left when I had the chance but I didn't. And now… my baby wasn't just gone, but they're saying it never existed. I could feel the tears threatening to spill, but they couldn't see me break. I wouldn't let them.

Kieran's eyes locked with mine, and my body stiffened under the intensity of the murder in his eyes. Those eyes… my body trembled with fear.

What would he do to me?

Luckily, Selene kept being dramatic and when I was certain they were all occupied with her, I summoned all the strength I had as a Luna, and in a split second, I was outside the house.

The heavens must have been on my side because, at that exact moment, a taxi rolled down the street. I didn't think, I just ran, yanking the door open and throwing myself inside. “Hurry! To Ravenhollow Lane!” My words came fast, my heart beating wildly against my ribs. Fear coiled tight around my heart, squeezing, suffocating. I didn't dare look back.

Kieran had never laid his hands on me, but I'd seen what he did to enemies and rouges. And he always had that look in his eyes… the exact same one he had when he looked at me.

I was almost certain he'd torture me to death.

The taxi rolled to a stop at the mouth of Ravenhollow Lane, its engine humming softly in the silence. I paid the fare, hesitating for a moment before stepping out. Only then did I realize it was raining.

Just great!

My feet felt heavy, but I forced them forward towards my parents house, freezing when I saw them. Kieran's guards.

Shit! I immediately ducked behind the small fence. I expected they'd come looking for me, but not that fast. “Don’t worry,” I heard my mother say smoothly. "She’ll come back. And when she does, I’ll hand her over myself.”

My parents never loved me. I wasn't their real child after all. Sometimes I found it funny how they chose to adopt me, yet treated me like I forced myself on them.

It was all because of that damned mark of mine. The mark of the eclipse.

If I didn't have it, they would have abandoned me when they found my three-year-old self unconscious in the forest. The elders of the pack wouldn't have insisted I become the Luna of the pack.

Everyone said it brought prosperity and blessings to those affiliated with the bearer. I call bullshit! The only reason why my parent's fortunes changed was because they took the actions necessary, not because of a mark. It was the same with the Pack.

Perhaps it was the illusion that their success was guaranteed that made them take the steps they did. Giving them the confidence and boldness they lacked was probably the only thing the mark did. Besides that, it was nothing but a curse that made the bearer miserable.

Everyone wanted a piece of me because of a fucking rumour!

I knew my parents would hand me over to Kieran the moment they found out I ran, but it stung. Never being there for me, and putting their selfishness above me was expected, but it always hurt.

If not for the money I had tucked away in a secret compartment in my room, I wouldn't have neared Ravenhollow. The words she told the guards fuelled me with rage and hatred. I didn't want to see her or my father, who was no better than she was. But I earned that money through my own sweat, and blood. And if I wanted to escape this damned pack, I needed it.

The guards soon left, but I still stayed hidden behind the fence, shivering as the rain kept pouring down on me without mercy. If I went in immediately, she'd call them and they'd be back in a few seconds.

About twenty minutes later, I dragged myself into the house. “Lyanna!” My mum gasped, faking concern as she rushed to me. “Why are you drenched? Oh dear! Come, I'll take you to your room.”

Then lock me in, and call the guards so they can hand me over to Kieran.

I didn't respond and followed her lead, shaking violently so she'd believe I was truly weak. It was the first time she showed me care since she adopted me. If I hadn't overheard her conversation with the guards, I might have believed she was a changed woman. “Stay right here, okay? I'll fix you a nice, warm meal.” Her eyes were soft.

Rolling my eyes, I said. “Since when did you become a caring mother?” Her mouth fell open as she blinked in shock at my harsh words. I was always the dutiful and obedient daughter who barked at her command so her reaction wasn't surprising.

“One would think you were planning to turn me in or something.” Her face paled in shock, but she masked it with a laugh that didn't reach her eyes. “I know I've not been a good mother, but how can you say that? Can't I make it up to my daughter anymore?” her eyes were filled with pain.

For a brief moment, I felt my heart break at the pain I was causing her, but then I recalled her words and everything else she'd done, and my expression hardened. When she didn't get a positive reaction, she sighed, “Let's talk after you eat. I don't want you catching a cold.”

The moment she left the room, I heard the lock click, and immediately threw off my wet clothes, changing to something more suitable for an escape. “I’m just locking the door because I don't want you to disappear. I'll bring your food up soon.”

In less than seven minutes, I had the window open, ready to jump down and make my escape. Thankfully, my window faced the dense forest. If they came after me, and they would, it wouldn’t be easy for them to find me in the shadows of the trees.

Without another thought, I jumped down, landing on the ground with ease. I gave one last look at the house, memories of the pain, torture, and humiliation I'd suffered rushing through my mind. And the people who caused them—my parents, Kieran… this pack itself.

I thought I'd cry, scream, feel something, but there was nothing. Just a hollow, weightless void where my heart should be. As if I were merely a bag of skin, stitched together to hold the emptiness inside.

The sound of cars rolling up in front of the house yanked me out of my thoughts. Their speed was surprising, but they weren't fast enough. I turned my back on the house, my past, and everyone who had broken me.

I would survive. And when I returned…

My lips smile curled into a wicked smile.

They'd pay.