Chapter 3

Bennett frantically tore through the healer's station, searching for emergency equipment.

But the cabinets were empty.

Not even basic hemostats or gauze.

"Equipment? Where's the bloodclot potion? Birthwort tincture?"

A midwife whispered: "Everything was sent to the third floor."

"The Alpha ordered all resources go to Lady Vivienne first."

Bennett slammed his fist into the cabinet.

He looked at me with red-rimmed eyes, lips trembling:

"I'm sorry, Luna, I'm so sorry..."

"There's nothing I can do..."

Lyra walked over and patted his shoulder:

"Bennett, don't panic."

"Elara hasn't delivered yet, right? Once Vivienne's done, the equipment comes back down."

She glanced at my belly and added:

"Even if she does deliver, it's just a girl. No loss if it dies."

"The Frostwood Pack doesn't need another one."

I stared hard at her.

At this person I'd treated like a real sister for three years.

Then, using every ounce of strength, I forced out two words:

"You monster."

Lyra's expression darkened.

She bent down, leaned close to my ear, voice dropping low:

"Call me whatever you want. Go ahead."

"Once you deliver and your body's weak, I've got plenty of ways to shut you up permanently."

"Then Vivienne gets to be Luna."

"As for you..."

She straightened up, smile bright:

"For Kieran's sake, I'll let you live. You can be a servant."

Bennett couldn't take it anymore:

"Miss Lyra! This is murder!"

"Murder?" Lyra scoffed. "Bennett, watch what you say."

"Women dying in childbirth—isn't that perfectly normal?"

"Besides, this is Frostwood Pack family business. What's it to you, outsider?"

She waved at the guards:

"Take Bennett to rest."

"I'll personally look after my dear sister."

Two guards stepped forward and dragged him away.

Bennett struggled, shouting:

"Luna! Apply pressure to your lower abdomen! Massage in circles! It triggers contractions!"

"Don't give up! The pup can still be saved!"

His voice faded down the hall.

Lyra shut the station door and turned to face me.

She pulled out her scrying mirror and activated a vision spell.

"Kieran, Elara's about to deliver. Don't you want to watch?"

Kieran's face appeared in the glass.

He stood outside the birthing chamber, healers bustling in the background.

"Elara, quit being dramatic."

"Vivienne's in bad shape—the pup's heartbeat dropped."

Lyra turned the mirror toward me:

"Look how much blood Elara's losing. Is she dying too?"

Kieran frowned, glanced once, then quickly looked away.

"Make her wait."

"Once Vivienne delivers, the healers will go down."

"Elara, you handle things. I can't leave."

The vision faded.

Lyra shrugged and pocketed her mirror.

"You hear that?"

"In Kieran's heart, Vivienne comes first."

"You're just a breeding tool."

"And once a tool's used up, it gets thrown away."

I closed my eyes, done looking at her.

My hand crept behind me to the lining of my dress.

Sewn inside was a button-sized talisman.

Father had given it to me.

He'd said: "Elara, the Frostwood Pack isn't what it seems. If something happens, press this."

I'd laughed it off back then.

"Dad, Kieran treats me well. The whole pack treats me well."

Now I realized how stupid I'd been.

I used my fingernail to pry open the protective seal.

Pressed down gently.

No sound. No light.

But I knew—the signal was sent.

Father had promised—press this, and help arrives within thirty minutes.

But thirty minutes...

Could my pup survive thirty minutes?