“How are you doing, Selena?” Hawk murmured as his gaze wandered over her.
“As if you do not know how I’m doing? Dad, when did you care for me?” Selena scowled.
“Do not deny me a father’s concern, Selena. I need to see for myself that he has not harmed you.”
Her lips trembled as she tried to fight off the fear of what Hawk would do to her.
“Forget about him,” his father ordered. “With my guards protecting you, he can’t hurt you here.”
“What on earth are you talking about, Dad? You didn’t care if I lived or died.” She rose from her chair when she realised it shackled her to it.
“Rubbish. I’ve always cared for you and, of course, your mother. That’s why I kept her alive. Do you not want to meet your mother?” He grinned.
His fingers curled around her chin, forcing her to look up, and tears shimmered in her eyes.
“He’ll pay dearly for stealing something that belonged to me,” he murmured, finally lifting his gaze to meet hers. Fear twisted in her stomach as he stood up, his broad frame towering over her defenceless seat. “Rest,” he said.
“You’ve been through something traumatic. Tonight will come quickly enough. I’ll send someone to look after you.” Long after he had left, Terror kept her frozen on the bed.
*****************
When Selena awoke the next morning, she had barely made it to the chamber pot before emptying the contents of her stomach. She was feeling sick.
“Are you okay?” When she heard a woman’s voice, she spun around, her eyes widening as she noticed the elegantly dressed woman sitting by the window.
The malicious triumph in those golden-brown eyes made her stomach clench. “Luna Sierra,” Selena exclaimed, surprised.
She did not know her stepmother would pay her a visit.
“What exactly are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you,” Sierra replied, her lips curled into a sneer. Your father instructed me to take excellent care of you. And I’m relieved to know that Alpha Cayden’s arrows are accurate.” Selena bristled at her words but maintained her cool. She should have known better than to argue with Sierra.
“What are you talking about?” Selena inquired.
“Do you not know? Or are you pretending not to know?” the woman asked as she walked across the stone floor towards Selena.
“You really do not know.” Selena flinched slightly as soft fingers traced the delicate line of her jaw.
Selena swallowed hard, fighting back her disgust, and turning her face away. “I do not know what you’re on about,” Selena admitted, her voice shaking.
The woman softly chuckled and moved in closer, her breath hot against Selena’s ear. “But, my dear, you appear to be completely clueless. How long have you been sleeping with Cayden? Six months? You know sex has consequences?”
Selena’s blue eyes widened in horror as her gaze returned to Sierra. “No, that’s not possible.”
She paused, trying to remember if she had slept with Cayden during the heat. It was difficult to recall because they had been intimate far too frequently to recall all of them.
“Oh, you poor girl, it appears you are completely clueless,” Sierra exclaimed, raising an eyebrow. “Surely you didn’t expect to get away with using what was between your legs?”
Selena exhaled. “It wasn’t like that. We didn’t do anything during the heat.”
Sierra burst out laughing. “I recognise you as the slut that you are. Congrats! You’ve got his bun in the oven now.”
Selena’s eyes widened in surprise and rage.
“That is a lie. I’m not pregnant!” she exclaimed. Sierra shrugged, unconcerned.
“Well, I guess it’s too late now. And who told you that you could only get pregnant during the heat?”
“I am infertile. Gerald and I couldn’t have a child in five years!” Selena shouted.
Sierra reached out and slipped a nail around Selena’s bite mark as Selena’s lips trembled.
“So, you’re mated.”
“It doesn’t matter; just tell me you’re lying!” Selena pleaded vehemently.
“If you don’t believe me, that is not my problem. I’ve given birth to five children. I would know. We can go see a healer to confirm it,” Sierra said, rolling her eyes.
Selena took a deep breath and instinctively touched her flat stomach.
“How? How is that even possible?”
Sierra relished her discomfort. She spoke as she leant forward.
“I knew Gerald’s ex-mate. He was firing blanks. But he was too egotistical to accept it.”
As she processed the information, Selena’s eyes widened in shock. “I can’t believe it,” she mumbled. “What am I going to do?”
“I’m curious how your father will react if he finds out you’re carrying Cayden’s child.” Sierra laughed.
“Please do not tell Dad.” Sierra was pleading with her.
“Your father is unaware. Imagine his surprise and rage when he found out you were carrying Cayden’s bastard, and what he would do to you,” Sierra shivered delicately, her eyes glowing.
“Please, no; I will do whatever you say.”
The older lady stated coldly, “Your father will never allow his enemy’s bastard child to live.”
“Luna Sierra, please,” Selena said quietly, her face flushed.
As she slowly slipped Selena’s thin strap from her shoulder, the older woman observed the turmoil in the sweet, innocent face. “Don’t…” Selena screamed as icy fingers pinched a soft nipple and coaxed it into a hard knot.
“What are you willing to do, Selena, in order for me to keep your dirty little secret?”
“W-what?” Selena exclaimed as she took a step back. “What do you expect from me?”
“It’s unfortunate that I must punish you.”
“Punish me?” Selena exclaimed.
“Mm. I intend to hold you accountable for what your whore of a mother did to me.” Sierra had an evil glint in her eyes.
Selena took a deep breath and swallowed. Sierra gave a sly grin. “I’d like you to turn around and grab the bedpost like a good little girl.”
Selena looked at the woman with trepidation, fear keeping her frozen.
“Now! If you don’t do what I say, I’ll have you service the entire pack on your back.”
Selena squeezed her eyes shut, doing as she was told. She let out a whimper as the silky chemise was yanked down over her hips, tearing the tiny straps, and allowing the material to pool at her feet. Her long tresses trembled as they were swept over her shoulder, revealing the creamy column of her back and the inviting curve of her bottom.
“Please don’t hurt my baby.” Selena pleaded as Sierra smoothed back her hair.
She heard rustling behind her and screamed as she felt something lash across the skin of her back, sending waves of hot, burning agony searing through her. Her knees buckled, but before she could catch her breath, she heard the swish of air and felt it again, fire igniting across her skin. As the punishment continued, she clung to the wooden post, tears streaming down her cheeks, her screams filling the small chamber.
She was completely unaware of the door slamming back on its hinges or her father’s thunderous words as he wrestled the belt from Sierra’s grip. She was barely conscious when her father placed her face on the bed, taking care not to touch the inflamed skin.
“Tie her down or she’ll roll on her back and injure herself,” he yelled to the nearest man before striding out of the room, dragging a struggling Sierra behind him. “Get a maid to look after her,” he said to another before turning to stare murderously down at Sierra.
“What the hell were you doing?” He screamed at Sierra.
“Oh, so now you have started caring for that whore’s daughter?” Sierra snapped in anger.
“Shut up Sierra. Selena must testify in front of the council. When the council decides. All the packs will hunt and kill Cayden like a dog. So, rid yourself of your jealousy and leave Selena alone.”
Sierra narrowed her eyes; should she tell Hawk about Selena’s secret? She was perplexed. Maybe, maybe not. She had long suffered under her tyrant mate, and perhaps now was the time to play this card.
“How do you know she’s going to testify against Cayden?” Sierra was sceptical.
“She certainly will. I have a trump card she can’t turn down.” Hawk smugly stated.