My voice cracked under the weight of desperation. “I’m not lying. Trust me.”

As if that dragging me into danger was not enough, his friends chimed in like vultures circling prey. “How dare a lowly Omega refuse the Alpha’s command?”

“She must be jealous of Lyra,” one said. “Trying to leave her in a weakened state, so she can take her place,” another added, their laughter grating against my ears.

Their words fanned the flames of Killian’s anger. He turned back to me, his jaw tight with fury.

And then he did it—the thing I had always feared but never imagined would happen.

“Sienna, obey me!” Killian’s Alpha command rang in the air like a whip cracking against my soul.

My legs buckled, and I fell to the floor, gasping for air, unable to resist the pull of his authority.

I looked up at him, tears streaming down my face. “Killian, please….” My voice was barely above a whisper, but it did not matter.

Killian ignored my plea, dragging me closer to Lyra, who laid on a chaise, looking pale but still managing a triumphant smirk as he brought my trembling hand to her.

“A little energy won’t kill you,” he said coldly.

The moment my hand touched Lyra, she inhaled sharply, her smirk widening into something predatory.

She did not just take what she needed—she took everything she could, greedily siphoning my strength, as though draining the very life out of me.

I felt my soul slipping away, piece by piece, as Lyra’s grip tightened. My limbs trembled violently, and my vision blurred.

The pain was unbearable, but Killian stood by, watching as if this were just another task I was meant to perform.

“I think that's enough,” Killian finally said, pulling my hand away.

His voice softened as he turned to Lyra. “You’re fine now.”

Lyra nodded weakly, though her smirk still lingered. She looked at me like I was a discarded rag doll, unworthy of even her contempt.

Killian’s gaze returned to me, void of any concern. “Go back to the house and reflect on your actions, Sienna.”

Before I could speak, his friends grabbed me roughly and dragged me out. My knees scraped against the ground, but I did not fight back anymore.

What was the point? My chest burned with anguish, my energy depleted, and my spirit crushed.

I glanced back one last time and saw Killian holding Lyra’s hand, his face etched with worry for her—worry he had never spared for me.

My tears flowed freely, blurring the cruel reality before me.

By the time I reached the Alpha residence, my body was on the verge of collapse. Each step was a battle as my legs wobbled beneath me.

The baby… I could not let anything happen to my child. I had to hold on, for both of us.

I stumbled toward the front door, gripping the doorknob with what little strength I had left.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks. “This must have tortured you so much. Please, baby, fight harder. We can’t stay outside like this.”

With trembling hands, I twisted the knob and pushed the door open. It felt like moving a mountain, but I dragged my body inside.

The last thing I remembered was collapsing onto the living room sofa, clutching my belly as darkness consumed me.

“I’ll protect you,” I whispered weakly before losing consciousness, my heart breaking even in my dreams.

The next day, I was shaken awake by a storm—not of weather, but of Killian's anger.

The sound of the door slamming and his heavy footsteps reverberated through the house before he appeared before me, his face etched with fury.

"Why are you so cruel, Sienna?" His voice thundered, jolting me awake from my drained stupor.

I blinked, my head spinning as I struggled to comprehend his words. My body was too weak to sit up, but Killian had no patience for my frailty. He grabbed my arm and yanked me into a sitting position on the sofa.

"Killian… what are you talking about?" My voice was hoarse, barely audible.

He glared at me, his hands trembling with rage as he leaned closer.

"Lyra," he spat, "all night long, she vomited blood. She said you didn’t treat her—you stole her energy instead."

I stared at him, stunned. "What? That’s not true." I protested, but my words seemed to bounce off him like raindrops against stone.

"She told me everything," Killian continued, his voice dripping with venom. "She said you drained her energy instead of helping her. The healers have been working all night to save her, and this is what you’ve done?"

His accusations stabbed at my already wounded heart. I could barely lift my head to meet his eyes, but I forced myself to speak.

"Killian, that’s a lie. I gave her my energy—nearly all of it. She drained me to the point I could hardly make it back here."

"Stop making excuses!" Killian roared, grabbing the front of my shirt and pulling me closer.

His eyes bore into mine, filled with mistrust and fury. "You’ve changed, Sienna. Ever since you found out we’re mates, you’ve been trying to sabotage her. Are you jealous of her?"

My breath hitched, tears stinging my eyes. "Jealous?" I whispered, shaking my head.

"Killian, I swear on the Moon Goddess herself, I never meant her harm. I’ve done everything I could for her, even at the expense of my own life and our pup’s life!"

His grip tightened, his growl low and threatening.

"Don’t you dare lie to me. If her condition worsens, you’ll pay for this, Sienna. Mark my words," he said coldly before slamming the door behind him.

I sat there, trembling, tears streaming down my face as his words echoed in my mind. The man who was supposed to be my mate, my protector, had become my greatest tormentor.

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. "What should we do now?" I whispered to the life growing inside me. "How do we survive when the one who should love us the most has turned his back on us?"

Kaela, my wolf, broke the silence in my mind, her voice sharp and resolute. “Sienna, didn’t I tell you from the start that staying in Thornwood was pointless?”

Her words cut deep because I knew she was right. Killian, my so-called mate, had never truly seen me. Kaela resented him for it, despising how he had treated us.

“Leave the Pack,” she urged again, “You deserve happiness, Sienna, not this.”

I had considered it—letting Killian go, allowing him to live his life with Lyra, and freeing myself from this endless heartache. But the moment I discovered I was carrying his child, everything changed.

“I can’t,” I whispered to Kaela, my voice trembling. “I won’t let my child grow up without a father... not like I did.”

Kaela’s frustration simmered, but she softened at my plea. “Fine,” she relented, “but don’t expect him to change, Sienna. You have me, always.”

Her words brought a flicker of comfort, but it was not enough to drown out the growing despair.

Days passed, each one blending into the next, my condition worsening as I struggled to keep up with the weight of my responsibilities.

One evening, after an exhausting day spent tending to the house, I finally sat down, hoping for a moment of rest.

But before I could even catch my breath, Killian’s voice invaded my mind through the pack’s mind link.

“Sienna, you should be grateful Lyra’s condition is improving. As an apology, you’ll cook her a grand feast tonight.

“We’re celebrating her recovery at my residence, and you will also apologize to her in person. We’ll arrive at seven.”

The link went silent, leaving me staring into the emptiness of the room. I glanced at the clock—it was already five.

Two hours to prepare a feast?

Kaela growled in my mind, her voice sharp and laced with frustration. "Sienna, do you hear yourself? You’re putting yourself and the pup at risk for him and her again. How much more can your body take?"

I ignored her, my heart heavy but determined. Killian’s command left me with no choice, and I could not afford his anger again.

My hands trembled as I gathered ingredients from the pantry, calculating how much I could prepare in two hours.

"I have to do this, Kaela," I whispered to her in my thoughts. "For the sake of keeping the peace. For the pup."

Kaela huffed but stayed silent, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.

I worked tirelessly, ignoring the ache in my body and the overwhelming fatigue that came with giving Lyra my energy.

My vision blurred as I chopped vegetables and marinated meat, but I forced myself to keep going.

The clock ticked mercilessly, each minute feeling like a weight pressing down on me.

By the time the food was ready, I was drenched in sweat, my hands barely steady enough to arrange the dishes on the table.

At exactly 7 o’clock, Killian arrived, his arm around Lyra as they walked in like royalty.

Their friends also came to live up the party.

"Lyra, if you're still feeling any headaches, don't push yourself," one of her friends said with concern.

Another chimed in, "Yes, we want to celebrate your recovery, but we don't want you to tire yourself out."

Lyra’s soft voice carried over the chatter. "I’m actually bored of staying in bed all the time, so this celebration makes me really happy."

"Of course, it’s your boyfriend’s idea," one of them added with a teasing tone.

"There's no one more romantic than Killian in this pack," Lyra said sweetly, her eyes shining as she turned toward him.

Killian pulled out a chair for her like a perfect gentleman, his smile warm. "Thank you, honey," Lyra cooed.

"Anything for you," Killian replied, his voice soft and affectionate. He leaned down to peel shrimp for her with such care it felt like a dagger twisting in my chest. "What do you want to eat first?"

Their intimate display only heightened the chatter at the table, drowning out any small hope I had of catching Killian's attention.

Exhausted, I tried to mind-link him. ‘Killian, may I take a rest now?’

Before I got a response, one of his friends interrupted. "Hey, Sienna, can you make an omelet for me?"

And so, it continued. One dish after another was requested, piling up endlessly. Each request kept me tied to the kitchen until it was nearly 9 p.m.

My body ached, my energy was drained, and I felt like I could collapse at any moment.

When I finally stepped out to deliver a drink to Lyra, my trembling hands betrayed me. The glass slipped, spilling its contents near her lap.

"Are you doing this on purpose?" one of her friends barked at me, their tone accusatory.

But Lyra, ever the picture of false kindness, waved them off with a gentle smile. "It’s okay, guys. I’m fine."

She turned to me with mock sincerity. "I know you didn’t mean it, Sienna."

Another friend chimed in, loud enough for the whole room to hear, "See? Even after Sienna endangered her life, Lyra is still so gracious."

I bit my lip, holding back tears, but Killian cut through the noise.

"Sienna," he said, his voice cold and commanding, "lend your clothes to Lyra and take her to change. Didn't you say you had something you wanted to talk to Lyra about?"

I froze under his gaze, suddenly remembering his earlier demand for me to apologize to her. My throat felt dry, but I nodded silently.

"Come this way, Lyra," I said quietly, leading her out of the room while suppressing the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

Once we reached my room, her mask of innocence crumbled. The words that slipped from her lips, dripping with venom, sent shivers down my spine.

"I know you’re his mate," Lyra said, her voice calm but laced with malice. "Killian himself assured me I had nothing to worry about. But now, hearing the heartbeat in your stomach... I think it’s time I started worrying, don’t you, Sienna?"

I froze. My arms instinctively cradled my stomach as if I could shield my child from her hatred. Lyra's smirk deepened, her tone sharpening like a blade.

"Are you afraid I’ll kill your baby, Sienna?" she asked, stepping closer.

Her words cut through the air like a predator cornering its prey. She moved toward me, her gaze fierce, forcing me back until I hit the wardrobe behind me.

"Well," she continued, her voice cold and calculating, "maybe you’re right to be afraid. Unfortunately, a few days ago, Killian grabbed your hand before I could finish the job."

My eyes widened in shock. Lyra’s confession was like a knife plunging into my chest. She had not drained my energy to heal herself—she had done it to harm my baby.

As a healer, Lyra must have known I was pregnant from the moment she touched me. She had planned to kill my child from the start.

"Lyra," I whispered, my voice trembling, "if you want Killian, you can have him. But please, don’t hurt my baby."

Her laugh was cold and empty. "Killian? I don’t want him, Sienna. He’s already mine. He’s always been mine. You’re the one who keeps getting in the way."

Her words were sharp with truth. It was true.

Killian and I were nothing more than an Alpha and Omega who grew up together because my mother worked for his family. There had been no bond between us—until the Moon Goddess decided we were mates.

But Lyra and Killian? They had been lovers for four years before the bond changed everything.

Lyra leaned in closer, her sneer deepening. "Now you realize you have nothing, Sienna. Nothing but that baby."

"No," I said, summoning courage from the fragile hope inside me. "Take whatever you want—everything, anything—just don’t harm my child."

Lyra tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as if considering my plea. "Fine," she said after a pause.

Her smile returned, wicked and full of menace. "If that’s the case, I want you to leave this world."

My heart stopped. She moved closer, her presence suffocating. My hands trembled at my sides, bracing for her next move.

But instead of attacking, Lyra reached into my closet, yanked out one of my dresses, and turned toward the door.

"I’ll change in the bathroom," she said casually, as if her threat had never been spoken.

I stood frozen, my breath caught in my throat. The room felt colder, heavier, with her absence.

Kaela stirred in my mind, her voice tense. "I’ve told you, Sienna. We need to leave this pack before it’s too late."

I shook my head, trying to reassure both her and myself. "No, Killian won’t let her kill me. He wouldn’t let that happen... I’m sure of it."

But as I heard Lyra’s voice in the dining room again, my doubts resurfaced.

"Why isn’t Sienna with you?" Killian asked.

Lyra’s tone was soft, coated in false sweetness. "She said she was tired and wanted to rest. That’s fine, though. Everything is clear now."

Killian sighed, his voice warm with gratitude. "That’s good. Thank you for forgiving her, Lyra."

Her laughter followed, light and airy, while I stood trembling in my locked room, clutching my stomach and praying for my child’s safety.

The night stretched on as their laughter and chatter filled the house.

Despite retreating to my room, peace eluded me. I could not rest, knowing Lyra might come barging in at any moment.

Thankfully, the night passed without incident.

When morning arrived, I decided to head to the market since the groceries were nearly gone after the previous night's party.

Fate, however, had other plans. Among the bustling crowd, I saw her—Lyra.

My heart sank, but her behavior piqued my curiosity. She looked unusually cautious, her eyes scanning her surroundings like she was hiding something.

Moments later, she met a man, and together, they slipped into a quiet alley behind the market.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I followed at a safe distance.

What I witnessed left me frozen. The man pulled Lyra into his arms, his lips claiming hers with an intensity that spoke of passion, not innocence. She melted into his embrace, clinging to him as though they were lovers.

At first, I thought the man might be Killian, but as I studied him more closely, it became clear he was not. His build, his posture—everything about him was different.

Kaela’s voice sneered in my mind, "Is she cheating on Killian?"

Watching them grow even more intimate, Kaela’s suspicions felt like the truth.

My heart churned with unease as I turned to leave. Anxiety settled in my chest, growing heavier with every step I took back home.

‘If she already has another man, then why does she still want Killian?’ The thought clawed at me.

She had gone so far as to threaten my life and the life of my unborn child—all because I was Killian’s mate. Her actions made no sense, and the strangeness of it all left me restless.

When Killian returned that evening, I wasted no time. “Killian,” I began, “I saw something at the market this morning. Lyra was with another man. They were….”

“Stop.” His voice cut through my words like a whip. His gaze darkened as he narrowed his eyes at me. “Sienna, don’t start with your lies again. You’re just jealous of Lyra.”

My heart sank. “You really never trust me, Killian?”

“How dare you call me by my name?” he snapped, his tone laced with fury. “I am your Alpha, Sienna!”

My frustration boiled over. “You said I changed after the mate bond, but the truth is, you’re the one who’s changed. You’ve been different ever since you became Alpha, taking over for your father.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Killian’s expression twisted in rage, and in an instant, he lunged at me, his hands wrapping around my neck.

“What did you say?” he growled, his grip tightening. “Are you accusing me now? Do you think I’d act this way if you hadn’t endangered Lyra from the start, Sienna?”

His words crushed me as much as his hands did. I struggled to breathe, tears stinging my eyes, when suddenly the door creaked open.