"Stella!"

Chloe's voice rang in my ears. It felt like she was calling me from somewhere far away.

I was lying on the icy stone ground while feeling the life inside me ebbing away. It was not pain I felt in my chest but an emptiness. All I felt was intense fear.

"Rowan!" I called out weakly. "Please come quickly!"

He was holding Riley's pup and checking his wound not far away. The pup only had a minor scratch on his arm from sharp rocks, but he was crying hysterically.

"Mommy! It hurts!" The pup's crying echoed in the night.

Rowan comforted him softly, "It's fine. I'm here."

I called out once more, "Rowan!" My voice was even weaker now.

He finally heard me and turned to look. I saw the hesitation in his eyes, but he turned back to look at the crying pup in his arms. After some more hesitation, he made his decision. He picked up Riley's pup and quickly walked toward the car parked at a distance.

"I'll take the pup to the hospital first," he told Riley.

Riley looked at him gratefully. "You're such a kind person, Alpha."

The moment they closed the car doors, Rowan used the mind-link to talk to me. His voice was cold.

"You're a Luna who can't even protect herself. You need to reflect on that!"

He started the car, and I watched the red taillights move farther and farther away from me. I was left lying in a pool of blood.

Chloe crouched next to me, her eyes filled with tears. "Hold on, Stella!"

She took her communicator out to call for a doctor, but I knew it was too late. I could feel the life weakening inside of me.

An hour later, Rowan had settled down Riley and her pup in the hospital's VIP ward.

"I'm so grateful to you, Alpha." Riley grabbed his hands with tears in her eyes.

"It's what I should do," Rowan replied tiredly.

That was when Beta Damon hurried over.

"Alpha, I heard that you and the Luna were attacked by the enemy's pack. Are you alright?" Damon asked anxiously.

"We're fine. Riley's pup is hurt, so I brought them to the hospital," Rowan answered nonchalantly.

Damon was taken aback. "Where's the Luna? Is she alright?"

"She's fine. Chloe is taking care of her."

"Really?" Damon sounded doubtful. "I heard the doctors discussing something."

Rowan frowned. "What is it?"

"A woman was attacked and suffered a miscarriage. She's bleeding profusely," Damon continued talking about what he had heard. "Massive amounts of Holy Energy are leaking. The entire holy land can feel it. I wonder who that could be."

Miscarriage…

The word struck Rowan like lightning. He started to panic as a wave of fear overcame him.

"Impossible." His voice was trembling. "It can't be Stella."

He dashed out of the hospital as he sped crazily toward the holy land.