Chapter 2
Before I could react, I was forced to my knees in front of Armani’s room by Kyson and his enforcers. The night had drained me, leaving my face pale and my body weak. Perhaps it was my fading beauty, or perhaps I had never truly held a place in Lawson’s heart to begin with. His eyes bore into me with disdain as he spoke, his voice cold and cutting, laced with the Alpha tone that made my wolf cower.
“You’re manipulative and jealous,” he spat. “Don’t think I’m blind to your schemes. If anything happens to Armani or our pup, your life won’t be enough to make up for it.”
“The fault is mine alone,” I murmured, bowing my head in submission. I only hoped that Lawson’s anger wouldn’t spill over to the pack members who served me. They had suffered enough because of me, caught in the crossfire of his rage time and time again. I pressed my forehead to the floor, my movements mechanical, leaving no room for Armani to find fault. She could only cry softly, playing the victim.
Lawson’s gaze lingered on my bruised forehead, but his expression remained cold. “Since Armani is unharmed and you’re being cooperative, I’ll show mercy. You’ll use your own blood to copy the sacred texts as penance, offering them to the Moon Goddess for Armani’s and our pup’s protection.”
I rose unsteadily, avoiding the sight of Lawson tenderly holding Armani’s hand, his voice dripping with affection. I didn’t want to see it. I leaned against the doorframe, struggling to step out.
Kyson watched me closely as I began the grueling task of copying the texts with my blood. Lawson stood nearby, his eyes cold and unyielding, occasionally reminding me that my penance had to be sincere. At one point, he took matters into his own hands, using his claws to slice open my fingertips. Blood pooled into the inkstone until he seemed satisfied.
“If you pray with sincerity, the Moon Goddess will surely protect Armani and our pup,” he said, his tone clinical.
Edwin, the pack’s healer, who had once benefited from my kindness, dared to speak up. “Alpha, the Luna has already suffered a miscarriage that weakened her body. Drawing blood like this will only harm her further. Perhaps another pack member could take on this task instead.”
Lawson’s glare was venomous as it landed on Edwin. “How many times must I remind you? Haley is no longer the Luna. Are you defending her because you have feelings for her?”
It was always like this. Lawson didn’t love me, but he couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else showing me kindness. Anyone who tried to help me became his enemy. I quickly bowed my head again, my knees bending out of habit. “I will pray sincerely for Armani and the pup. But please, Alpha, allow me to leave the pack and live as a rogue.”
To my surprise, Lawson didn’t punish Edwin. Instead, his eyes narrowed as he studied my pale, lifeless face. “You think you can threaten me with leaving? Is this the courage the Williamson bloodline has given you?”
I said nothing, picking up the blade to continue the task. I don’t know how long I worked—whether I collapsed from exhaustion or blood loss. When I woke, my attendant told me three days had passed. She gently tucked the blanket around me, hesitating before adding that Lawson had come to see me every day since I’d fallen unconscious.
That day was no exception. He strode into my room still wearing his formal Alpha attire, his presence as commanding as ever. I tried to sit up, but he pushed me back down with a firm hand.
“You’ve stopped calling yourself ‘Luna,’” he observed, his tone sharp. “Are you still sulking?”
“The Alpha’s mercy is vast, but I shouldn’t overstay my welcome in the Luna’s quarters and delay Armani’s ascension,” I replied, my voice calm and detached.
Lawson seemed taken aback by my tone, but he quickly masked it with a sneer. “Haley, we’ve been mates since we were young. Is this how the Williamson family taught you to play games for attention?”
He knocked over the soup that had been brought for me and ordered the pack to halt all activities for the day. Then, with a growl, he tore down the curtains and forced himself on me, his anger and desperation colliding in a storm of dominance and possession.