Chapter 1
e.0
I sat there holding my month–old pup, tears burning in my eyes as I watched Malik carefully help Abigail settle into the chair across from me.
Abigail glanced at me, then immediately wrapped her arms around Malik’s waist, her voice trembling with fake emotion.[]
“Malik, honey, does Lavinia not want me living here?”
Malik gently rubbed her back, his cold eyes fixed on me.[]
“Lavinia, drop the attitude. I’m not asking–I’m telling you!”
“This is the Hawthorne pack, and I’m the Alpha! You don’t get a say in this!“]
His suddenly raised voice startled our pup into wailing. I quickly looked down, shushing and rocking the baby gently.
Abigail’s mouth fell open as she stared at me. “Malik, will our baby cry this much too?“]]
Malik chuckled at her question. “Silly girl, all pups cry.”
“If it bothers you, we’ll just have Lavinia take care of ours too.“]
My head snapped up, staring at Malik in disbelief.[]
“Malik Hawthorne, I’m your Luna–your legally bonded mate–not your mistress’s nanny!“]]
“Have you forgotten the vows you made at our mating ceremony?“]]
The Hawthorne pack had been cursed generations ago after crossing the powerful Moon Goodness. The curse doomed the bloodline to weakness and early death unless they could find their salvation.
Only a woman blessed with the Moon Priestess’s divine gift could bear strong heirs for the Hawthorne pack and break their curse.
But women with the Moon Goddess’s blessing are incredibly rare. In this generation, the Hawthornes had found only me.]]
I’d been raised in their pack since childhood. Malik knew I was destined to be his mate, and from the day we met, he’d been fiercely protective of me.
On our mating day, he’d held my hands, trembling with emotion.[]
“Lavinia, I finally get to make you mine!”
“I swear to you–if I ever betray you, may I be banished from the Eternal Hunting Grounds and never find peace in the afterlife!“]
The sincerity in Malik’s eyes that day had moved me to tears.[]
But now, he was looking at another woman with that same devotion.[]
Malik laughed dismissively.
“Lavinia, when are you going to give up this act?”
“There’s no curse! Abigail told me everything–this whole story was just your family’s scheme to worm your way into the Hawthorne pack!”
“Have you been telling lies so long that you actually believe them now?“]
Abigail rubbed her belly smugly. “Exactly, Lavinia!”
“If there really was a curse, how could I be carrying Malik’s pup?“]
“Let’s be real–I’m young and fertile, way easier to knock up than some dried–up thirty–year–old hag like you!“}
Malik sat there listening to Abigail insult me without saying a word in my defense.]
This from the man who used to flip tables and tear into the kitchen staff if they forgot to serve one of my favorite dishes at dinner.[]
“Lavinia, you’re both carrying my pups. If you really love me, you should learn to embrace what I embrace.“[]
“I already told you–no matter what, you’re still my Luna. Isn’t that enough?”
Abigail bit her lip and nodded sweetly.
1-“0
“Don’t worry, Lavinia, I-
She cut herself off mid–sentence, her legs giving out as she collapsed onto the couch.
Malik went into full panic mode, frantically calling for the pack doctor.
After examining her, the pack doctor said Abigail was just dealing with mild anemia from early pregnancy–nothing serious.
“Anemia? Then we’ll do blood transfusions!”
“Lavinia, you and Abigail have the same blood type. From now on, you’ll give her daily transfusions!”
Malik had no idea that my rare blood type was intrinsically tied to my Moon Goddess blessing.
Anyone else who received my blood would experience burning agony throughout their body. In severe cases, it could cause infection and death.]
Not to mention that anemia isn’t even treated with blood transfusions.
“Malik, have you lost your fucking mind!”
Malik’s eyes turned ice cold as he stared me down. “Lavinia Grimaldi! When you were giving birth, Abigail stayed outside the delivery room the entire time, worried you might hemorrhage!”
“She was ready to give her own blood to save you, and now when it’s your turn, you’re being selfish as hell!“]]
“I’m just now realizing how vicious you really are! Are you trying to kill both Abigail and her pup!“]
Malik suddenly snatched our baby from my arms.]
“Since you won’t cooperate, I’m locking the pup in the car!”
“When you agree to help her, that’s when you get your child back!”
