Chapter 3

Martha forced a flattering smile as she spoke into the phone, her voice full of fake sweetness.

“Please rest easy, Miss Natalie. We have already forced her to take the medication. We will make sure to follow your orders to the letter.”

“Good.” Natalie’s tone overflowed with smug satisfaction. “If Iris is still whining about the pain in a little bit, I happen to know a method that can both relieve her pain and buy enough time until Kaelen gets back.”

“What method?” Martha asked hurriedly.

The voice coming through the speaker instantly turned venomous and cruel.

“First, hang her upside down by her feet. After five minutes, the pup will naturally begin to recede into the womb. Then, find a rope and tie it tightly right below her lower abdomen—that will naturally stall things for a while longer. If that still doesn’t work, then…”

She intentionally raised her pitch, her voice dripping with malice.

“Sew her shut. Do whatever it takes, ensure she holds out until Kaelen gets back.”

I shook my head frantically, but I could still only manage muffled, helpless noises against the hand blocking my mouth.

Martha froze to the spot, her face completely pale. It took her a long moment before she could force out a strained sentence.

“Miss Natalie, surely that isn’t wise. Something terrible will happen…”

“How could it?” Natalie scoffed with utter disdain.

“Our werewolf kind possess a fiercely resilient life force. In the past, whenever we wanted to ensure a healthier pup, this was exactly how we did it.”

She paused for a couple of seconds before continuing coldly.

“Are you all entirely certain you want to offend me over a discarded she-wolf who is about to be thrown out onto the streets? You know exactly how much Kaelen favors me. Whoever dares to help her will be the very first one I deal with once I become the Luna!”

Disregarding the intense contractions and the warm blood flowing freely from my lower body, I lunged forward in a desperate attempt to break free from the maids.

“No! Kaelen would never do this to me and our pup! You’re lying! You wicked, malicious she-wolf! Martha, don’t listen to her!”

But in the next second, the two maids ruthlessly pinned me back down onto the mattress. Tears streaming down my face, I stared at Martha, pleading desperately with my eyes.

“Martha, you’re a mother too. Do you really have the heart to inflict this upon my pup?”

Martha trembled violently from sheer terror, cold sweat pouring down her skin as the hand holding the phone shook uncontrollably.

Natalie pushed her advantage, narrowing the trap. “Kaelen already promised he would give me my official title and cast her out of the pack entirely. I suggest you weigh your options very carefully.”

With that, the call was abruptly disconnected.

After a tense, heavy silence, Martha finally spoke to the maids.

“Let go of the Luna.”

A surge of relief washed over me. Believing that her maternal instincts had finally won out and she couldn’t bear to go through with it, I weakly reached a hand out toward her.

“Martha... quickly, the hospital. If we wait any longer, it will be too late.”

But she suddenly jerked her head away, avoiding my gaze entirely as she barked a cold order to the maids.

“Go fetch some ropes.”

Horror contorted my features. I fought with everything I had, but the sedative coursing through my veins left me completely drained of strength.

Moments later, a heavy iron frame was wheeled into the bedroom.

They grabbed my arms, dragging me forcefully toward the terrifying metal rack.