His gaze faltered for a moment before hardening. "It’s not what it looks like.”
“Oh?” My voice shook, my control slipping. “So you’re not sleeping with her? Not betraying our vows?”
“She needed me,” he said defensively. “She’s been struggling ever since she came to the pack, and I—”
“You what?” I stepped forward, my wolf surging. "Decided to comfort her by screwing her?”
“Lilian, calm down,” he said, his tone soft, patronizing.
Claire’s laugh was a spark to my simmering fury. "Don’t blame him, Luna. He just needed someone who could give him the attention you’ve been too distracted to provide."
My vision blurred as I turned to her, my voice a low, dangerous growl. "Say one more word, and I’ll rip your throat out."
Her smirk faltered, but she stepped back, her eyes gleaming with victory. She wanted to win, but I wouldn’t let her see me crumble. "Get out.”
She hesitated.
"Now!" My power rippled, and she scurried away, though not without a parting glance of triumph.
The silence after her departure was deafening.
“Lilian—” Mason began, stepping toward me.
"Don’t." My voice cracked, but my resolve didn’t. "Don’t come near me."
Without another word, I turned and left before he could say another word. Tears blurred my vision as I stormed down the hall, ignoring the stares of pack members who had undoubtedly heard everything.
I kept walking until I reached the edge of the forest, the cool night air wrapping around me like a cruel comfort. I didn’t know how long I stood there, staring into the trees, trying to piece together the shards of my shattered reality.
“Lilian.”
The soft voice startled me. I turned to see Dr. Mirra, the pack’s head healer and my late mother’s best friend, her expression hesitant.
“What?” I snapped, harsher than I intended.
She stepped closer, her expression softening. “I didn’t mean to intrude,” she said gently. “But I’ve been looking for you. There’s something you need to know.”
“What now?” I asked bitterly. “Is there some other disaster I need to handle tonight?”
She blinked and her brows furrowed in confusion. “What disaster?” Then she shook her head like that wasn’t important, her eyes flicking down to where my hand rested over my stomach.
Something I suddenly realized I had been doing often.