ASTRID'S POV
I stumbled out of the cab, tears welling in my eyes as I glanced around, scanning the area to ensure I wasn’t being watched or followed.
My heart raced as I took a moment to gather myself.
After a brief pause, I saw nothing but the quiet, stillness of the surroundings, so I turned and made my way into the woods, hoping to find some solace among the trees.
With each step I took, the weight of my emotions pressed heavier on my chest, causing my heart to sink deeper into despair.
It felt as though a dark void had opened up inside me, an emptiness that I couldn’t escape.
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing as I remembered the words that had shattered my world.
He had been so curt, so cold in his response.
“I want to.”
Those words echoed in my mind, delivered without hesitation or warmth, as if they had no real meaning.
He had lied to me, and the truth hurt more than I could bear. When I had bravely claimed I was pregnant and confessed that I didn’t know who the father was, he had reacted as if I had slapped him.
He treated me with such disdain, pushing me aside and ignoring me for as long as he could manage. It was as if I had become invisible to him, just a burden to cast aside.
He made such a big deal of it all, acting as though my pain was nothing more than a joke.
The thought of being treated like I was less than his Luna tore at my heart, and the realization that this was all just a cruel game left me feeling utterly devastated.
He used me. All the sweet words he said were nothing but lies. It felt like he had planned everything from the start.
How could he want to sacrifice his own child? How could he be so heartless? I swallowed hard, trying to push away the sadness as I spotted the little cottage ahead of me.
It looked just the same as I remembered. This had been the home my father brought me to when I was much younger. He always taught me how to hunt for animals, track prey, and understand the ways of our kind and shifting.
We would leave the pack house together and spend days here, enjoying the best times life could offer. This place was my sanctuary, my only safe space.
Slowly, I made my way inside the house. My eyes darted around, and it felt like I had been plunged into a flood of memories.
I could barely help it; I sniffed hard, trying to keep myself together. But as soon as I settled into the old chair in the corner, my nerves unravelled, and tears slid down my cheeks despite my best efforts to hold them back. I couldn't help it; the emotions overwhelmed me.
There was no going back now. I should have known better; I should have done more to protect myself. I thought I could be smarter, but in the end, I didn’t. This was how it always felt for me, right from the very beginning.
A continuous cycle of pain and heartbreak surrounded me. I deserved better than this. None of what had happened was my fault.
I buried my face in the bed, soaking the sheets with my tears as I cried without stopping.
Time passed, and I could see dusk settling in, casting a soft glow around me. Tears still lingered in the corners of my eyes, and I felt lost, not entirely sure how to handle everything crashing down around me.
I felt broken and shattered, and I desperately needed some fresh air. With a deep breath, I pushed myself up and made my way toward the door.
As soon as I stepped outside, I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the cool evening air, then exhaled hard, trying to calm my racing heart. But then I froze in place at her sight.
“Well, I finally have you where I want you,” Camilla’s voice rang through the air, sharp and filled with satisfaction. I swallowed hard, dread creeping in as I turned to face her.
My heart sank in my chest once again. Why was she here? What was she doing? What did she want from me?
A loud noise pierced the quiet, and I felt a sense of panic wash over me. I couldn’t understand it; this was my only safe place. How did she find me?
“How did you find out I’m here?” I asked, trying to sound strong as I stood my ground, my eyes scanning the area.
I noticed the cars parked behind hers and the men surrounding her, their presence making the air feel thick with tension.
“It’s simple, really. You are just so silly, Astrid—so dumb and easy to fool,” Camilla replied, her tone dripping with disdain as she looked down at me, making me feel small and worthless. “Of course, I knew this would be your next stop.”
“This is all your fault? You planned this entire thing? Again? What do you want from me, Camilla?” I asked, my voice shaking with anger and fear, but she seemed unfazed by my words.
A harsh, hysterical laughter escaped her lips, sending chills down my spine.
“You fool. I want the same thing I’ve always wanted: the end of your life. But now there's a bonus: I want you dead, and I want that child of yours dead as well… that way, Alpha Dane's curse won't be broken.” she snapped, her eyes blazing with pure rage and a twisted desire for murder.
“Imagine having the Red moon pack… the Bluestone pack and the Greenstone pack in my finger tips!!! I'm fucking going to love the power!!!” She snarled viciously, a grin curling up across her lips.
“Bring her to me!” Camilla commanded, her voice sharp and authoritative. She signaled to two men who stepped forward, reaching for me with a predatory intensity. They grabbed my arms, pulling me closer to her against my will.
“No… no… you can’t…” I protested, panic rising in my chest as I struggled to break free from their hold. I couldn’t let them hurt my child; I couldn't let the Redmoon pack's heir be in danger.