Selene's POV
The faint sound of the beeping monitor increased as my eyelids gradually fluttered only to be met once again by darkness.
A faint tired sigh escaped my lips as the dull ache between my legs reminded me of why I had been brought to the pack clinic. Leonard my second-chance mate, the alpha of moonblood Pack, and his heavy nightly demands were the reason I was here more often than not.
Clenching my legs tightly to quell the dull ache, I reached out blindly, my fingers grazing the medical equipments until they fell on my walking cane. Grabbing it, I slowly stood up from the bed and began to slowly make my way toward the door.
Just as I found the door, a familiar voice made me stop in my tracks.
"You know you can't smoke in a hospital even if you are the alpha of the pack," Cassian Reed, the beta of the pack said, his voice low, almost a whisper.
A loud frustrated groan escaped Leonard's lips as he slumped against the wall with a loud thud causing my heart to twitch in worry. Having been mated to Leo for three years, I knew he wasn't one to smoke carelessly except he was deeply troubled. My heart yearned to comfort him just as he has done all these years for me.
Just as I placed my hand on the doorknob, Cassian continued.
"I know I'm not supposed to pry into your personal affairs," Cassian muttered, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "But as your best friend and beta, I need to say this."
"Spill it Cass and stop being awkward. When have you ever needed permission to berate me?"
The gentle tap of Cassian's shoe against the floor filled the space and I couldn't help but wonder what he wanted to talk about that was making him this nervous.
Letting go of the doorknob, I leaned closer, curiosity eating me up.
"With Selene now carrying your child. It's quite dangerous for her to move about still blind. She could lose her footing one day and that could lead to the loss of your pup. This is the heir to the pack and we can't afford to lose him. Just approve the corneal transplant, Ethan, it'll do you both good," Cassian whispered cautiously.
A smile spread across my face in anticipation of his response but as his voice filled the air, a shiver ran down my spine.
"There's no need for that. She's okay the way she is," Leo stated coldly.
My knees weakened at his words and I placed my hand on the wall to stop myself from falling but that wasn't all.
"But…" Cass trailed, clearing his throat noisily. "But three years ago, when her sister Amelia Casper had lost her sight due to the rogue attack, you didn't bat an eyelid when you both plotted and stole Selene's corneas. For three years, you lied to her, telling her the blindness was caused by the moon goddess's curse which runs in your family."
"You made her believe it was irreversible and even when a cornea donor became available, you still refused to let her get treated. She's your mate, you marked her but we both know Amelia is who you truly want. Admit it!"
I froze, my heart racing frantically in my chest as bile rose to my throat. I placed a hand over my mouth, struggling to keep it in as I waited for Leo to deny the allegations.
A wry chuckle filled the air. "You don't understand these things Cass, Amelia and I might not be together but I swore to protect her with everything in me," Leo responded, his voice devoid of any emotion. "The moon goddess chose Selene for me, just so she can bear me pups since I can't do that with any other woman. I made her Luna, made her respected again after her family threw her out. That is more than enough."
"Enough?" Cassian's voice rose above a whisper and the disgust in it couldn't be mistaken. "Everyone can see that Amelia doesn't love you and just wants the Luna position except you. Is she really worth risking your child's safety given your condition?"
I held my breath, waiting for his response.
"If Selene never sees again, then so be it. I'll raise the child to the best of my ability and make sure he lacks nothing. Just take care of it Cassian."
It suddenly felt as if the whole world was closing in on me. My whole body trembled as tears poured down my cheeks seamlessly as my wolf, Nina struggled to surface. I placed a hand on my chest, trying to stop the burning pain I was feeling but it did nothing to help, it suddenly felt like I had forgotten how to breathe.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed and I immediately scrambled back to the bed, pulling the sheets over me like nothing had happened.
The door pushed open and Leo's scent filled the air. He closed the distance between us and my body stiffened as he gently brushed his fingers against my cheeks. His once soothing touch now burned like silver.
I remained mute, pretending to be asleep until his fading footsteps and the door shutting close confirmed he was gone. I let out a breath I didn't I was holding and poured down once more, soaking the pillow.
My "perfect" marriage was all a lie. Two years of my life filled with nothing but lies.
After I had gone blind and my family, the Casper family, council members of the moonblood pack found out I wasn't their real daughter, they abandoned me. Leo had stepped in and saved me by accepting the mate bond and making me his Luna despite being blind.
I had thought he was my savior but alas he wasn't. The man whom I worshipped had stolen my eyes for his lover, the very same woman who had tormented my life ever since she arrived.
My heart broke with every thought and it felt like I was sinking. Unable to continue lying down, I rose from the bed and made my way outside the pack clinic room, trying to calm my raging emotions.
My wolf howled painfully in my head unable to hide her pain, her mate, our mate had betrayed us in the worst way possible and we had no one to console us.
In the corridor, my hand trailed the wall with the other on the stick, trying to find my way around but suddenly, his scent hit me and I froze, my heart racing frantically in my chest.
"Sel, what are you doing out here? He called out, reaching for my hand. "You are freezing."
As if burned by fire, I jerked my hand away.
"What's wrong darling?"
I said nothing.
Without warning, he wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in a hug. Bile rose to my throat as his scent occupied my nostrils.
"Who pissed off my Luna? Tell me so I can soak him in silver until he cries for mercy or have his head cut off. Just say the word darling."
"You," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, fighting back tears. You are my tormentor, the one who needs to be soaked in silver, begging for my forgiveness until his tongue wears off.
You Leo are the bane of my existence.
Forcing my emotions to remain at bay, I gazed up at him. "The nurses told me I'm pregnant, and it's all your fault, always keeping me up half the night like this. What if something happened to the ba…"
Leo cut me off with a sharp look. "Enough! Our pup will be healthy. Nothing will happen to either of you, I'll make sure of that."
These words before would have made me content but now they made me feel like I was the greatest fool to ever live.
I forced a smile. "Leo, do you think… do you think we'll ever get divorced?"
His expression darkened and his grip around my waist tightened. "What did you say?"
"Will we walk down the path of divorce someday like other mates? Or are we already broken?" I repeated, placing my head on his chest as I listened to his heartbeat.
Suddenly, his heart rate quickened and his body stiffened against mine. He brought his lips close to my ears. "Selene, the moon goddess gave you to me. You are mine and I will never let you leave me."
I shut my eyes briefly at his words. He'll never let me leave him? Why? Was it because he feared I'd ruin his beloved woman's happiness or shatter her perfect life?
I bit my inner cheeks, anger surging through me.
I no longer wanted him. Not as an alpha. Not as a mate. And most certainly not as the father of my child.
But before I walk away, there's only one thing I need to do.
Make them all pay!