Selene's POV
For the hundredth time in the past month, my heart sank in despair. I couldn't believe Leo would go as far as hitting me because of Amelia's lies.
The metallic taste of blood still lingered in my mouth and I bit my inner cheeks, trying to hold back my tears. What surprised me the most was the fact that Leo watched Neil kick me in the ribs, very close to where his precious child resides, and did nothing.
I needed no confirmation anymore, Leo didn't want this child, and I would gladly help him by getting rid of it for good.
Slowly, I stood up from the cold floor and without glancing at any of them, I made my way out of the house. The night air was sharp and cold as a fierce southern wind howled, swaying my hair softly across my face.
Clutching my purse tightly against my chest, I flagged down a taxi. Once the engine stopped beside me, I mumbled shakily, "Take me to the pack clinic."
At the pack clinic, I lay on the cold steel operating table, swallowing hard with anxiety. The physician had told me it was a matter of life and death if I wanted to terminate the pregnancy. Did I really want to risk my life?
I heard the surgeon snap his gloves as he picked up a syringe for the anesthesia. The needle hovered near my arm as he hesitated to pierce my skin.
"There's still time to change your mind, Luna. Are you absolutely sure about terminating the pregnancy?" His voice was laced with worry and fear.
Fear of Leo's wrath when he finds out he participated in terminating his pup.
My hands trembled as I brushed my belly, feeling the faint flutter of life beneath my palm.
A wave of guilt washed over me, and a single tear traced down my cheek as I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Whispering hoarsely, I affirmed, "Mm-hmm."
Without wasting any time, the surgeon applied the anesthesia, and I felt the needle pierce my flesh as the liquid coursed through my veins, a substance meant to soothe my pain until the procedure was over.
Slowly, I fell into an unknown world, and everything went blank.
I regained consciousness hours later, feeling the chill of the night hit my body. The thick blankets wrapped around me offered no warmth, so I curled into a fragile ball, trying to generate some heat.
Suddenly, the realization hit me hard: I had just terminated my baby.
The silence within me was filled with loneliness as Nina howled softly in my mind, and the beeping of the monitor became my only comfort.
My throat was dry, and it hurt to swallow. I reached out to the side table, hoping to find water. As I trailed my fingers across the table, I accidentally knocked over the cup and a crushing wave of helplessness overwhelmed me.
After all these years, I finally realized that I had no one.
No one!
Just then, I heard voices in the hallway, and from the way they interacted, I could tell they were staff in the pack clinic.
"Hey, I just heard from the emergency room that a daughter from the Casper clan got hurt. Is that true?"
"Indeed, the Casper clan members know how to make a fuss. Ms. Casper only has some scratches, but the whole family showed up. I heard the clan head, dropped everything to rush to the Crimson pack clinic. And… her mate? He's been running around calling every specialist in the pack for a consultation. Oddly enough, he looks familiar and dominating."
"Wow, talk about different fates for the most influential clan in the pack. Our maternity ward just admitted another Casper daughter, She just had a procedure, no family around, no sign of a mate. Makes you feel sorry for her."
"Yeah, that's rough. Anyway, I've got to run, work's calling."
The drip-drip of the faucet cut through the silence, painfully loud in the stillness of the night.
They were gone.
I bit my lip so hard that it began to bleed, trying so hard not to break down, but it wasn't working. Judging by their gossip, that "mate" must be Leo.
Another obvious reason to prove Leo's love for Amelia. The more I thought about it, the more ashamed I felt for hoping for a happy marriage with my second chance mate.
Life could be cruel, couldn't it?
I had spent three years loving him and pouring my heart out, and then I got nothing. I remember going out of my way to please him by eating pastries, even though I was allergic to flour. Countless times, I brewed special hangover concoctions so he would feel better at the pack office. I scoured packs for his favorite coffee and planned every meal to accommodate his sensitive stomach.
And none of it meant a damn thing to him.
Fine, to hell with him and his lover. If they want to be together, I won't stop them. At least they wouldn't have to sneak around in the dark anymore.
With those thoughts, I fell asleep with my hands resting on my stomach, silently praying that the moon goddess would forgive me for killing my pup.
*****
The next morning, after thorough observation, I was discharged and ready to go. Although I was still weak and numb, it was best to leave before anyone noticed who I truly was.
Standing by the curb, I flagged down cabs one after another, and the hour sucked up every empty ride. Fifteen minutes passed, still no luck.
"Damn," I cursed inwardly, my brows knitting in frustration.
I couldn't help but blame my blindness. What was I going to do?
Just as I was about to begin walking, a car pulled over in front of me and a strange male wolf scent filled my nostrils.
An unfamiliar male wolf.
"Where are you headed, ma'am?" His voice, gentle and alluring, questioned and I sighed in relief.
Thank goodness I finally found a ride.
Shuffling forward, I bent low to the window and placed my fingers on the lowered glass to balance myself, "The pack house."
The driver got out of the car and rushed towards me. Gently, he let the passenger door open, and just before I got in, he draped a coat over my shoulders.
"I…"
"You just got out of the pack clinic, it wouldn't be nice if you caught a cold and ended up back there right?"
He was right, it was quite chilly this morning and I had been shivering since I got out.
Accepting the coat quietly, I mouthed a "Thanks."
The ride to the pack house was very smooth and strangely, I felt comfort that I couldn't explain in the stranger's car. I haven't encountered such warmth since I started entering cabs or taxis.
This was definitely a first.
Funny enough, I was able to sniff his wolf's activeness but I couldn't decipher how I was able to do that.
"We've arrived," His voice, deep and assuring, drifted me from my thoughts.
I reached out from my purse to pay the fare. Muttering quickly, "Keep the change."
The driver cleared his throat and I could hear the hesitation in his voice as he muttered. "Thank you."
Nodding slowly, I flashed a wry smile at him and came down gently from the car, walking into the pack house.
Sighing tiredly, I twitched my lips. The surgery, the sleepless night, the strain… It all weighed heavily on me and all I needed right now was to rest and think of the way forward.
A buzz on my phone caused me to pause in my tracks, and I pressed the screen to pick up the call.
"Hello, who's speaking?"
"Greetings, Luna. This is Mike, the private investigator you contacted earlier last week."
Finally, renewed hope.
"Okay? So have you thought about taking the case?"
"Yes, Luna. But for a steep price," He sounded more confident and I sighed.
All the people I had contacted didn't call because they were scared of Alpha Leo and it bothered me so much. The car accident three years ago, the cover-up with the pack clinic… everything had to come out.
Leo and Amelia had to pay.
After sending the deposit, I went to my bedroom to freshen up and grab fresh clothes then I noticed I still wore the driver's coat.
Damn! How could I have forgotten about it?
Tossing the coat at the foot of the bed, I headed to the bathroom. After a quick wash, I collapsed onto the bed… exhausted and empty.
I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until I felt a rough tap on my shoulders. Waking up with a jerk, Leo's familiar scent wafted through my nose and a frown rested on my face.
"Whose coat is this?" He bellowed angrily.