Later that evening, I stood on the balcony of my room, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I waited. My thoughts churned, tangled with fear and anticipation. A knock at the door startled me, but when I turned, it wasn’t Felix—it was Jacob.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said, stepping inside. His presence was suffocating, his tone laced with false concern. “You need to accept your place, Calla. The sooner you stop fighting, the easier it will be.”
“My place?” I snapped, my defiance flaring. “As your prisoner? Your pawn?”
His eyes darkened, his voice low. “You’re my Luna. You’ll act like it, whether you like it or not.”
When he moved closer, I backed away, panic rising as he reached for me. But before he could touch me, a voice cut through the tension.
“Is this how you treat your Luna, brother?”
Felix stepped out of the shadows, his presence steady and unyielding. Jacob turned, fury etched into his face. “What are you doing here?”
Felix’s gaze remained on me. “Calla, are you all right?”
Jacob’s growl deepened. “Stay out of this. She’s mine to control.”
Felix’s eyes flicked to his brother, his voice calm but firm. “If you keep treating her like property, you’ll lose her—and more than you realize.”
The tension crackled, but Jacob eventually stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The silence that followed was heavy, but Felix’s presence brought a sense of calm.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded, tears threatening to fall. “Thank you,” I whispered.
His expression was guarded, but his voice carried a note of urgency. “Calla, whatever you’re thinking—stop. You’re Jacob’s Luna now. Anything else will only make things worse.”
I hesitated, then confessed what I had been holding in. “Felix... my wolf says you’re my mate.”
His composure faltered for a moment before he looked away. “Don’t say that out loud. Do you understand? It’s dangerous.”
“But it’s the truth,” I pressed, my voice trembling.
He turned back, his face hard. “It doesn’t matter. You’re marked. The bond can’t be undone.”
Tears slid down my cheeks. “Felix, I can’t do this. I can’t bear his child. Please, help me escape.”
His gaze softened, but his reply was firm. “What’s supposed to happen will happen, Calla. We have to sever our bond—reject each other. It’s the only way to protect you.”
The words hit like a blow. “Reject each other?”
His pain was evident as he nodded. “It’s the only way.”