When I opened my eyes, a sharp scent of medicine and antiseptic filled the air.

"You are finally awake." A man sat beside my bed, his posture untouched by exhaustion.

"If there had been even a minute of delay last night, the baby would have suffocated."

I sucked in a cold breath as panic tore through me.

My shaking hands flew to my stomach, pressing down trying to feel my child.

"Don’t worry." he said immediately seeing my swollen eyes. "You gave me the moonflower's cure, I saved both you and your baby."

Instant releif washed over me but the very next second, the man beside me reached forward to check my temperature.

It was then a jolt of electrifying sparks burst across my skin, igniting my nerves.

My fingers rose shakily towards the warmth blooming at my neck and I froze-A mate's mark.

No ordinary Alpha could leave a mark like that and claim another wolf's mate, only the strongest wolf can.

"This"I whispered choking bitterly "What does Lycan King Darius want from me…you claimed me why?"

My breathing slowed as his gaze held mine careful as if I might fracture.

"Alpha Zyan murdered someone under my protection. By that act alone, the Blood Moon Pack became my enemy."

His gaze sharpened. "You are their Luna. You know their borders, their alliances, their weaknesses. And now you share my enemy, we are perfect as partners Lianna. "

My throat tightened. "So you mark me…turn my life upside down…and call it strategy? "

He didn’t deny it.

"I call it necessity Lianna. Saving your dignity last night was my duty but marking you was a choice."

I looked away, my hand instinctively covering my stomach, grounding myself in the one thing that still belonged to me.

"I need time. "I said quietly. "I can’t give you an answer like this."

Darius looked at me gently. "Rest assured. I will not cage you with a decision made in blood and shock."

He rose from the chair and turned away, then paused at the door.

"When you are ready, when you choose not to fight alone call my name once. "

His voice was steady, absolute.

"I will come."

After Darius's departure, the silence inside me became unbearable.

It was until a notification lit the screen.

[Victoria Hale sent you a video. ]

A decorated room came into view, walls lined with baby toys and pastel posters.

Then the large rose bouquet in Zyan’s arms lowered.

And the world narrowed to one impossible detail- Victoria’s belly.

Round and heavily swollen…impregnated.

Victoria laughed softly. "You’re worrying too much. The ultrasound report shows both our sons are strong. "

Zyan laughed in joy lifting Victoria off the bed without effort, spinning her once as joy tore out of him.

"Two heirs, Victoria? You have given me what I have always dreamed of! In a week I will organise the biggest wedding our pack has ever seen and welcome you like a princess. "

Victoria’s eyes glimmered with tears as she tightened her fingers around the bouquet. She glanced at the camera, spoke gently.

"Alpha… if you take me as your wife now…won’t sister grow jealous? She loves you so deeply, won’t she resist? "

Zyan didn’t even look concerned.

"Jealousy only matters when a woman is allowed to speak." he replied calmly.

Victoria looked up, pretending to be confused.

"I have already prepared everything." Zyan continued "Lianna's biological father and brothers know her lies well.

They cannot see you being bullied by her anymore and were almost releived to sign the documents: Medical records and evaluations from pack healers-every piece of evidence needed to prove Lianna is mentally unstable."

"Her family already believes she caused her mother’s death." Zyan added indifferently making my entire body tremble.

"Who do you think will defend her when she screams?"

Victoria’s lips wobbled in worry.

"On paper, she is unfit to make decisions for herself let alone carry a baby.

So when I abort her child and sign her up for a uterus removal surgery, in front of the pack, I will already be doing her a kindness by keeping her as a secondary wife instead of discarding her completely. "

The phone felt too heavy to hold.

The world blurred, as if I had been shoved underwater and a sense of rage coiled in my heart like a serpent.

Victoria’s voice came out soft, almost fearful. "And if sister bullies me at home then? "

Zyan's gaze turned cold.

"Once the trade agreement takes effect, Lianna will be useless to me." Zyan said calmly.

"If she mistreats you I will send her to the mental hospital until she learns where the fault lies. "

A loud ringing filled my ears as Victoria looked at the camera with a mocking smile.

"Alpha we both would be your wives… I-I don't want to fight sister Lianna. "

Her voice cut in gently. "I want to make sister feel less lonely after you terminate her pregnancy. She can help me raise our child. In the future, it will be as if she never lost anything. "

"Also one day…"she added with a shy smile" when I give you a daughter you have always dreamt of… we can make sister her handmaid, so she won’t feel useless. "

A moment of silence followed before Zyan pulled her into his arms and kissed her without hesitation, his fingers already undoing her clothes.

"It’s your innocence I can’t get enough of. "he murmured.

"Look at you caring about my lifelong dreams.

If Lianna were half as devoted, she wouldn’t be here now. I am happy to have my heirs but if you can give birth to a daughter for me, I will give you everything. "

A sharp pain sliced through my heart as Zyan's past words echoed in my head.

'Lianna, a son is for politics but a daughter would be my own, the child whom I can spoil endlessly. A daughter like you is my lifelong dream, please accept my love Lianna, I promise to keep you happy.'

I closed my eyes.

A single tear slipping free before I could stop it.

‘Zyan. The one thing you dreamed of is already here, But you…you don’t deserve her! ’

The phone felt heavier than my hands could manage.

I didn’t throw it.

I didn’t cry.

I just sat there, listening to the sound of my blood moving through my ears.

Zyan was trying to destroy me and I wouldn't let him succeed.

I dialed a number then.

"Luna Lianna? The Trade Pact documents are ready. We await your confirmation-”

"The contract is void. Effective immediately. " I cut in.

A sharp inhale answered me.

"Void? Luna, you negotiated this for half a year, the Blood Moon Alpha will have the control over all the territories in south with this!"

"I am no longer the Luna of Blood Moon. My work is no longer theirs to claim. " I said calmly. “I once saved your life and today,I am asking you for a favor. Seven days, get me all the classified border maps, underground passages… all the dirty treaties done under table.”

"…If this leaks, Blood Moon won’t survive the winter Luna. "the voice said hoarsely.

“That’s why I need you to keep it a secret” I replied. “Conceal the cancellation for seven days.”

There was a heavy pause on the other side, the voice finally said."Understood, Luna.The agreement will be nullified quietly. As you once saved my life, this will remain between us."

The phone disconnected and my palm rubbed small circles on my belly.

Three years ago, when you were captured by the enemy pack, Zyan, it was I who surrendered in exchange for your freedom.

I remembered the chains.

The cold.

How I told myself it was worth it.

How naive I had been to give my heart to a monster like you.

It's time I collect my debts one by one Zyan.

Two days passed in blur when I returned to the Blood Moon estate, the world felt foreign…too beautiful and clean for someone whose soul was dipped in tar and simmering with rage.

I knocked on the study door.

"Come in" my mother-in-law said, her tone slightly dismissive.

I pushed the door open and saw her writing a proposal-

[PROPOSAL FOR CO-WIVES]

Primary Luna: Victoria Hale (child bearing)

Secondary wife: Lianna Rose (children born will be illegitimate)

I stared at those lines for a long time.

Strangely, I didn’t cry.

Only a hollow space opened in my chest….so I had already been erased from their future so strategically.

“Illegitimate.”

I suddenly remembered an evening years ago in the healer’s ward.

Zyan stood inside the room, holding a practice newborn doll in his arms.

His movements were stiff, overly careful.

When I caught him, he laughed like a child who had been discovered doing something embarrassing and pulled me into his arms.

“I have to learn Lianna” he said. “When our baby is born, I can’t afford to be clumsy.”

Back then, I truly believed him, believed that he would love our children even more than me.

Only now did I realize..the future had always existed.

It simply didn’t include me.

"Lianna Rose, I heard you disappeared for days, I had told Zyan not to mate with a lowly girl. One day she is serving him, another day warming the bed of another man."

Her insult landed like ash on a corpse.

"Shut up. "

Her pen slipped as stared at me in shock.

"Y-You dare speak to me like this! I-I will have Zyan skin you alive! "

My bloodshot eyes looked at her emotionless.

"Years ago, you gave me an offer-Name my price and leave Zyan forever. Today I am here to take that deal. I want all the northern territories to be named after my child. "

She inhaled sharply. "You greedy orphan-"

"I am not here to negotiate. "I held her gaze without flinching. "I am here to end this farce. Sign the agreement and me or the child will have no ties to Zyan or the Blood Moon Pack. "

"…Fine"she said tightly. "But Zyan must never know you are leaving.”

She searched my face for fear and yet didn’t find any.

"Let's do it this way. " I leaned closer. "Seven days. That’s all you have. After everything is done, I will leave Zyan completely."

Zyan will never know that I will take our daughter and disappear from his life forever.

I ignored my mother-in-law's astonished expression and turned to leave.

The walk to my marital home felt endless.

The lights were on bright and deliberate, announcing that Zyan was back from his ‘important rescue operation’.

For a moment, I stood at the door, searching for the warmth that used to rush through me when the house glowed like this.

Nothing came.

As soon as I turned the knob, a burst of confetti exploded in my face like a cruel joke.

"Surprise Lianna! "Zyan stood at the far end, smiling softly, like a man certain of forgiveness.

Candles flickered everywhere. The house glowed with careful celebration.

And on the table were Blue irises, Victoria’s favourite flowers, those that developed severe rashes even if I touched them once.

Earlier, this would have destroyed me.

Now I barely registered it.

"Lianna" Zyan said, walking toward me. "Where have you been all this time? Just because I cancelled the wedding, you disappear and leave me worried sick?"

As soon as his fingers grazed my hand I almost lost my mind.

In a small corner of the pack he had arranged for a dilapidated church asking me to decorate it myself for our wedding. His words- 'too much luxury doesn't suits you Lianna, the simpler… the better. '

I cooked, decorated and waited till midnight only for him to message me at last-

'This time the rescue operation of wounded wolves is too difficult, my life is in danger. If I live, let's marry next week Lianna.'

After that I crawled through the pack's most dangerous parts and plucked the moonflower from the cliff just to save him.

And my reward?

Humiliation

"Worried sick? "I forcefully smiled, my heart burning like embers. "I thought you stood me up at our wedding because Victoria called at the last moment."

Pin drop silence extended as Zyan’s eyes flashed with an undecipherable cold emotion and his arms tightened around me.

"Lianna, she was attacked by rogues. What was I supposed to do? Ignore her because you wanted a white dress and flowers?"

"She was the one attacked? "I whispered, barely audible.

"She is your sister and yet you are so heartless…Why can’t you learn from Victoria huh? " he pressed, frustrated. "She was worried about you even while she was injured. She kept asking if you were alright but the first thing you do is complain. "

Then came another blow.

"This is why your father is tired, Lianna. He asked me what happened to the daughter he raised. Why she keeps pushing everyone away.

No matter how much I spoil you, the pack will always be above your petty tantrums so don’t ruin my mood. "

I wanted to scream, his hypocrisy making my body tremble.

This was the man who had once covered the bruises from my father with trembling hands.

The same man who held me the night my mother died, when my father brought his mistress and illegitimate daughter home before mom’s body was even cold.

And now he used my secrets to collude and stab a dagger in my back.

He stepped closer gently coaxing me, as if I were a child throwing a fit.

"Let's celebrate Lianna. "he murmured. "I know tonight means alot to you. First cut the cake and then we can go to the fireworks festival like every year-"

"What…are we celebrating? "I asked softly, the word slipping out before my mind could catch it.

Zyan froze.

He stared at me as if I had struck him.

"You don’t remember? "His voice faltered, disbelief flickering through the cracks.

"Lianna…tonight is our mating anniversary. "

The words landed wrong… heavy.

"You cried the last time I forgot." he added quietly. "You held onto my shirt and begged me not to make it meaningless. "

Silence stretched between us when a sharp echo of Zyan’s call tore through the atmosphere, his caller ID flashing for a second before he snatched it from the table.

[Baby rabbit]

My chest tightened as a boulder was pressed on it ruthlessly.

Years ago I had shyly taken his phone and entered my name as 'Love bear.' That day Zyan had returned from the packhouse and slapped the phone against the wall making it shatter into millions of pieces.

'Are you fucking stupid! Don't you know that I hate such childish nicknames! Don't you dare touch my things again!'

After that he threw all the couple items I gifted him straight into the thrash.

But with Victoria, he didn't mind it at all.

The difference between love and indifference was clear.

"Nothing important. I will come right now. " He muttered on the phone.

The candle on our anniversary cake fluttered and went out just like the last three years where I cooked him a lavish meal and waited the entire night only to wake up and chew the cold food alone.

"Lianna, I don’t think the childish fireworks festival you visit every time is too crucial right? "he added, already slipping on his coat. "There is some emergency regarding the southern trade deal so I need to leave immediately. You-"

"Alright." I agreed quietly.

It was at that moment, Zyan froze, he tried. "You don’t mind? "

"No"I said quietly, all my tears long dried before he entered the room.

Zyan studied my face, his eyes narrowing slightly like he was searching for the familiar cracks… the plea, the tremble, the question he was used to silencing.

"You understand…this is for the pack, right?" he added slowly.

"Don’t overthink. I will be back soon."

I used to think he ignored me because he was busy.

Now I know.

He simply didn’t think of me at all.

He brushed past me so fast the air stung my cheek. The table hit my side, sharp pain bursting through my abdomen and yet he didn’t stop, the silent gasp leaving my lips as I doubled over in searing pain.

I wanted to believe that he didn’t notice.

He did.

He just didn’t care.

My palm rubbed small circles on my belly. "Don’t worry, baby…I will take you to see the fireworks, from now on I will fulfill the responsibility of both mother and father."

***

The carnival lights blurred, and in the glow the unwelcoming memories rose-a past version of us…. two teenagers sharing candied fruit, Zyan brushing sugar from my lips as he whispered: ‘If you like it, I will buy you hundreds more Lia.’

Him tugging my hand through these very stalls when we were twelve, lifting me onto his shoulders so I could see the fireworks.

I stared at the places where our laughter once lived…and felt detached, like a stranger passing through.

"Look, sweetheart…your first festival-" My words were drowned by thousands of fireworks erupting all across before my smile froze.

The night sky shone with [HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTORIA]

And on the ground I saw Alpha Zyan kneeling with a smile. In his hand was my mother’s diamond ring I thought I had lost forever.

I remembered how I panicked, sobbing into his chest, hating myself for losing my mother's blessing to me.

His past words still echoing in my ears- ‘Just a silly ring, I will buy you hundreds more Lianna, just don't cry.’

Now it glinted between his fingers as he held it up to Victoria-a birthday present amidst cheers.

This was his "emergency. "

So stupid Lianna. Three years, and you never noticed anything wrong.

So stupid, blindly believing that he was devoted to you.

So stupid! So stupid!

My palm drifted instinctively to my belly as Victoria stepped onto the ferries wheel, her lips locked with Zyan's.

"Sweetheart…let’s go. "I whispered, my stomach churning violently. "Mommy can’t breathe here. "

The fireworks kept bursting, bright enough to blind as I stepped back until the noise dulled into nothingness.

Seconds, minutes and hours passed until a sickly sweet voice called out knocking out the pastries in my hand onto the ground.

"Oh my, so you came alone sister? "

Victoria walked forth the shadows, rubbing her stomach, smiling in provocation.

"I knew it must be you from that worn out dress!

Don't worry Zyan has gone to bring me and the babies something sweet, if you would like, I will give a small piece to you as well. "

I didn’t answer her mock concern, my calm making her smile twist with a flash of frustration.

"Ah! don’t tell me you are still trying to stay strong? "she whispered. "God, how sad, you were almost raped, your naked body livestreamed across the internet becoming every dirty man’s wet

dream-"

"Shut up!"

I spat, turning around and her smile widened now that she had my attention.

"You saw how Zyan celebrated me right? If only you knew better you would have left his side by now.

Let me tell you a secret today…A month ago, Zyan took the strategic pact you spent half a year building and presented it as mine. "

Her smile widened, wicked.

"He told the elders I wrote every word. That I was the mind behind the southern trade alliance."

My steps froze in place.

That treaty was my blood, my sleepless nights, my years of sacrifice.

Zyan presented all my hardwork to his mistress on a silver platter.

Victoria stepped into the lantern light, savoring the moment.

"And for my ‘brilliance…"she continued sweetly, "your loving mate rewarded me with properties…land…and an obscene amount of money. "

"Do you want to know what I did with it? "

"I replaced all your loyal guards, signed a contract with the rogue King to make me stand at the pinnacle of power and…. hired those vile men to make your life worse than death."

My fingers curled without my permission, nails biting into my palms.

Red hot anger surged through my veins.

"Do you even know it was on your birthday party that he first held me.

Oh sister, he took me everywhere, on the desk you wrote him love letters, in the small rose garden you made him bouquets, in the bed you innocently dreamed about him…and near the cemetery where your mother's tombstone laid."

Her smile widened, wicked and victorious.

"Only when I needed a break that I told him…how about he use your body as an outlet until he can control his strong urges and handle me gently."

My entire body trembled in horror as memories of that night flashed into my mind.

Three years ago Zyan entering my bedroom while I cried for my mother before holding me gently.

'No buts, Lianna.' he had murmured, fingers tightening. 'I need you tonight. Just this once…be good for me. '

I was exhausted. It hurt. I told him.

‘Just once more darling’ he whispered instead, while my body was already trembling, bruised and hollowed out.

And I let him because I thought it was love.

Victoria lifted one manicured finger, her smile widening as she saw my face morphing into shades of anguish, as if whatever slept within me had heard those words and hated them.

"Shame the result of that day was born a bastard. But then again…children copy their mothers right? "Her smile was gentle. "Even now a whore like you will breed a whore, won’t you-"

Before she could say another word, a thunderous slap cracked through the atmosphere violently.

Crack!

The sound was so brutal that Victoria’s face twisted to a side, blood trailing down her lips.

For the first time, the woman who always looked untouchable looked small.

Her face went blank with shock before twisting with humiliation, rage and disbelief.

I stared at my own hand, breath ragged, that furious strength wasn’t me.

For the first time in my life, I felt it.

My wolf.

A slow presence simmering in my heart.

Not roaring, not awakened completely but still there breathing inside me.

"Lianna, you lowly whore, how dare you hit me?! "

"The whore was never me. "

I leaned closer, fury settling into my bones like winter frost.

"And If what you said is true then get ready to be replaced by another woman. …younger and more beautiful because men never keep mistresses forever. It's like a matching shoe, once old and used…it will be discarded for another. "

The last thread of sanity snapped inside her eyes and she stared at me like she wanted to rip my soul out of my chest.

"Fine" she whispered" Then tonight…you will see who is the real wife! "

Before I could move, her nails dug into my skin as she dragged both of us into the freezing river with a violent splash.

My scream drowned inside my throat as my hands frantically slaped the water to stay afloat.

It was then I heard a small laughter. "Remember, how I drowned your pet dog as your birthday gift and framed you sister? Lets play that game again. "

I gasped at the ruthless memory when Victoria's hand pressed down on my head, forcing me under ruthlessly.

"Sister, you can't swim because of that trauma right? Tonight I will make you relive that hell."

Her monstrous satisfaction quickly shifted to a gently cry.

"Lianna…please don’t be angry…I just wanted to see the festival…Sister, don’t hurt me…. No! I didn’t mean anything! "

She didn’t sound like a monster whose heels dug in my belly sharply instead her soft cries echoed throughout the arena.

My body convulsed, drowning, the world going dark at the edges. Through the muffled chaos, a loud roar shattered the night.

"VICTORIA! "

A splash followed immediately as Zyan jumped in the river, pulling Victoria in his arms immediately.

"Victoria! Are you hurt? Don’t be scared! I am here! "

It was then with the last of my strength, my arm shot out of the surface, water filling my lungs, mouth and ears as my daughter twirled in my stomach like she was crying frantically.

And only then Zyan looked at me.

One glance.

One cold, raged glare.

"Zyan…go save sister…I don’t blame her…she was just upset…she pushed me, but it’s alright…I am willing to die to prove my loyalty to her…"

Her tears fell on his shirt as she sobbed fakely while my entire being suffered in icy horror.

At last Zyan spoke. His voice cutting deeper than any blade.

"Lianna" he said quietly "I am disappointed to have a mate like you. In childhood Victoria went through your relentless bullying just because she understood your pain of losing a mother.

She went abroad to study because you hated her living in this pack! She saved my life because she wanted to see her sister's husband alive, so that you remain happy!"

The cold wind blew but his tone was colder than ice. "And you dare scheme against her?!"

Scheming?

I sank deeper, lungs burning, unable to breathe, unable to fight anymore.

His final words cracked through the night:

"Since you shamelessly planned this then get out of the water yourself! "And then he walked away with her.

Darkness covered my vision as my eyes closed.

No, I can't die here! I must save my unborn daughter!

Just before my consciousness faded completely, I summoned Darius through the fragile mind link.

"Darius, save me. . . save my daughter. . . "