Alex didn't return that night.

I didn't wait for him either.


I avoided all the guards and left through a secret passage leading outside the estate, known only to generations of Lunas.

I took only my identification documents and the cash from the black market dealer.

Not a single item related to Alex.


I couldn't stay another second in that place where he had been intimate with another woman.

I still had my child in my belly.


I wanted to take my baby away, to a place where nobody knew us, to start anew.

In the night sky, dark clouds gathered as torrential rain poured down.

I trudged through the muddy forest with unsteady steps.

This was the edge of Black Moon territory; once I passed through this forest, I would be free.

The rain soaked my hair and clothes, bitingly cold, but a fire burned within my heart.

For my child, I had to carry on.

Suddenly, a swift black shadow lunged from the trees!

It was a massive black wolf, its eyes gleaming with cruel green light in the darkness.

It was Selina!

She had been waiting for me!

She had completely transformed into a beast, her eyes filled with undisguised murderous intent.

*Ella...*

What emerged was a beast-like growl, but the mental transmission reached my mind clearly.

*The Alpha is mine, and the Luna position is mine. You and that little bastard in your belly both deserve to die!*

I stepped back in terror.

How did she know I was pregnant?

Before I could think further, Selina pounced on me.

As a human, I was no match for a frenzied werewolf.

She violently knocked me to the ground.

Her claws, like sharp blades, mercilessly tore open my abdomen.

Excruciating pain shot through me.

I looked down to see blood pouring from my body, mixing with cold rainwater to form a horrifying crimson pool on the ground.

My child...

No...

My child!

Panic and despair instantly consumed me.

"Help..."

My voice was so weak it was barely audible.

Selina stood over me, looking down triumphantly.

She extended her tongue, licking my blood from her claws, then let out a victorious, satisfied growl.

She was certain I wouldn't survive.

Having finished her work, she turned away, her massive silhouette quickly disappearing into the depths of the dark forest.

I lay in the cold mud, my life force slowly ebbing away.

My abdomen felt empty, that faint life force connected to mine rapidly dissipating.

"No... don't leave me..."

"Baby... don't leave mommy..."

I used my last bit of strength, stretching out my hand, trying to hold onto that fading life.

But I couldn't grasp anything.

Only cold rainwater.