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. . . "
Just as everything faded, strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me out of the death's embrace.
"Lianna! "The voice rumbled like thunder through fog.
Darius.
His worrying eyes were the last thing I saw before going limp in his arms.
When I woke, the gentle sweet scent of lilies filled the room. A large bouquet rested on the table beside my bed, white petals fresh and trembling like they had been placed there with care.
My fingers trembled as I reached for the folded note left beneath the flowers.
[Darius:The baby in your belly is doing well, please don't worry about her.
I know Lilies are your favorite and bring you comfort. I wanted to stay, but the borders were attacked and I had to leave immediately.
I don’t want you to face anything alone again Lianna. . . not now, not ever. Please answer me Lianna, are you willing to marry me?]
My breath caught as I lifted my phone to reply.
[Lianna: Okay. On this full moon, let's get married. ]
Three days passed in the hospital, and not once did Zyan show up.
On the third day, I finally opened my phone only to find it flooded with Victoria’s photos.
Rumpled sheets in the background as shadows mingled intimately in the candle light.
Photos of Zyan kissing her belly affectionately, cooking for her and spending every night at her place.
The memories flooded my mind like a curse.
When I was nineteen, I burned dinner so badly the kitchen filled with smoke.
I stood there on the verge of tears, but Zyan sat down and ate every bite, smiling like it was the best meal he ever had.
Then he gently pushed me out of the kitchen, kissing my forehead and said softly ‘You are already everything to me, Lia. Let me do the rest’ then with a shy smile added. ‘That way….that way I will know how to cook when our daughter arrives.’
That careful, earnest love was gone and reduced to cold hatred I felt in this instant. It was then a message chimed on my phone.
[Zyan:I am willing to overlook what happened earlier.
Tomorrow, I will accompany you to choose the wedding dress. Don’t disappoint me again,
Once the Southern trade deal is finalized everything will be in order. ]
I stared at the screen for a long moment before replying.
The deal you feel smug about is already cancelled Zyan.
[Lianna:Fine. ]
I didn’t bother explaining that the wedding gown I would be choosing had nothing to do with him.
The next morning, I was discharged only to find Victoria accompanying Zyan to ‘help her sister’.
I didn’t speak, sitting with my hands folded in my lap, watching the city blur past the window as Victoria filled the silence.
The car finally stopped before the most exclusive bridal boutique in the city.
Victoria smiled and turned to me, her eyes shining with soft triumph.
"Look Sister. "she said gently. "Everything here is reserved for the most deserving bride. "
As soon as we entered, the sales assistant greeted us with polished enthusiasm, guiding us through the season’s finest designs.
My steps slowed as one dress caught my eye.
Ivory and elegant…just like my mother’s wedding gown that was 'accidentally' torn by Victoria.
My fingers trembled as I reached out slowly, afraid to taint it when a voice echoed lightly.
"That one… that is my dream dress."
Before I could touch it, a sharp pain bursted across my skin.
SLAP!
My hand flew back as the sound echoed through the boutique, red bruises bloomed instantly where Zyan’s palm had struck.
For a second, Zyan stilled, his hand frozen mid-air as if he had only just realized what he had done.
"Lianna…I…that…that doesn’t suit you." he explained hurriedly before pointing towards another rack randomly. "That one is best for you."
The sales assistant hesitated, confusion flickering across her features. "Sir…are you sure? You really want your bride to wear that? "
The moment my gaze followed where Zyan pointed, a dull ache blossomed into my chest.
Black.
A mourning dress that shone like gems.
I saw the realization strike his eyes a second too late, his lips parting as if to correct himself.
"I saw wrongly, if you are upset choose whatever you like-"
"I will wear it. "I said softly.
The words fell into the boutique like a final bell.
"Lianna you… "Zyan’s said stunned, his gaze searching my face unsettled, like he was looking for tears that never came.
Before the silence could stretch any further, Victoria’s voice slipped in gently.
"Sister. . . I am so sorry. . . today was ruined because of me. "
"To make up for it, would you…come to the family dinner tonight? " she offered, eyes reddening as if guilt weighed heavily on her heart. "Father misses you terribly. His heart condition worsened after you cut off all contacts. "
Hearing those words, the small flicker of guilt lingering in Zyan’s eyes vanished instantly.
"Alright. "I replied, making her innocent facade crack for a moment.
I agreed..not for her.
But because once, my brothers had been my shelter, my twin’s footsteps always half a breath behind mine, his hand reaching for mine whenever he was afraid.
Before bloodlines mattered, they had loved me without conditions. This would be my final farewell to those memories.
When we finally reached my childhood home, everyone was already seated.
Father didn’t look at me. My brothers didn’t greet me. Their attention solely belonging to Victoria.
"You shouldn’t strain yourself."bFather said gently, his voice softening in a way I barely recognized. "Especially in your condition."
Then, as if continuing a thought already settled in his mind, he said "Victoria was always a kind child…gentle and considerate. She would make a far better Luna."
Only then did his gaze flick toward me cold and already done.
"When Lianna ran away, I feared she would truly go astray. Alpha, we are grateful you took responsibility for this rebellious child."
Something cold slid down my spine.
The room stilled.
"It wasn’t me who was impregnated by an unknown man and still walked the pack without shame. " My eyes lifted, steady.
"Shouldn’t father first ask his ‘good daughter’ which man she chose to share her bed with? "
CLANG!
A hand slammed hard against the table.
"You shameless woman, do you think Victoria is like you! "my elder brother exploded, his voice ripping through the room as he stood up furiously. "Wasn’t killing mom enough that now you even want to sow discord between our family? ! "
My fingers went numb against the edge of the table. "I-I never-"
"Oh really? " My twin brother Damien stood, his gaze sliding downwards slowly until it landed on my stomach with disgust.
"Let it be brother." He smirked "Maybe God saw what kind of woman she was and kept her barren for years, even when she conceived…. it was all but a dead child.”
Something broke then.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just the quiet understanding that I had loved people who never once tried to love me back.
For years, I had stood between my twin and father’s temper, taken the blows meant for him, swallowed my own pain so he could remain unscarred.
But from beginning to end, none of them ever looked back.
"Brother Damien" Victoria sobbed softly then, clutching at his sleeve. "Please…don’t say such things. Sister didn’t mean it. "
Zyan looked at me sharply and did not bother to defend me as if saying I deserved it.
It was then father cut in sharply, his impatience freezing the room.
"Enough. Victoria especially cooked the meal herself despite being pregnant. Must you always ruin the atmosphere, Lianna?!
Go on and serve the food, that’s all you are good for! "
I stood unable to breathe.
"I am leaving. "
Zyan’s hand closed around my arm, rough and unyielding.
"You will not" he said quietly. "Didn’t you already ruin everything…I am already at my limit Lianna. "
"No-"
"Do it" he said quietly, his grip tightening.
"Or I will announce to the entire pack that your mother died because of your weakness.
That the rogues came for you and she stepped in to die because you couldn’t even shift."
My world tilted violently as he twisted the deepest of my wounds and tore it open.
I turned toward the kitchen because there was nowhere else to go.
Each step felt heavy as I carried the food back, settling with a heavy silence, each mouthful felt like I was chewing on cold wax.
Then warmth touched my lip.
I wiped it absently and stared at the blood on my fingers. It dripped slowly onto the table.
My chest tightened, breath coming shallow and sharp. I lifted my eyes to Victoria.
She met my gaze and smiled, mouthing a word when no one was watching.
‘Peanuts’
I huffed clawing at my chest, deathly allergic.
"Lianna-" Zyan noticed first before Victoria screamed.
"My stomach! "
She doubled over, clutching herself as panic erupted instantly around her.
Chairs scraped back. Zyan rushed to her side. My father and brothers surrounded her, voices overlapping in fear.
"Call the doctor! "
No one looked at me.
I gripped the edge of the table, blood trickling down as my vision darkened, my lungs burning as if the air itself had abandoned me.
They rushed her out.
And I was left behind struggling to breathe.
