Six

SIENNA

When my parents brought me to the black moonlight pack, I'd felt unadulterated fear. Watching them walk away without me had made me so afraid, I'd burst into tears. I also remember feeling that fear the night Nathan had sought to have his way with me. I didn't think I would feel that crippling fear again but I was wrong.

While I gasped for breath, struggling to pry Luca's fingers off my neck, I feared for the life of my unborn child.

All along, I'd never felt any real emotion towards the creature growing within me.

It was strange how I could only think about it in that situation.

"Your majesty!" I heard a woman yell. My vision was starting to cloud up with black spots. Hence, I couldn't recognise her.

"Please, let go of her. She's your mate, don't you remember?" She said, her voice trembling.

"Mate?" Luca echoed.

I squeezed my eyes shut, mentally pleading with the moon goddess to save my baby and I.

"Yes, your mate. Forgive her, your majesty. Please, don't kill her"

Luca slowly loosened his grip on my throat. Eventually, he released me. I fell to my knees, coughing and gasping for air. A hand rubbed my back in circles to comfort me. I knelt there too shaken up to move. I couldn't bring myself to look at Luca. This pain radiated through our bond. It seemed I had terrible luck when it came to having mates.

Sara was in my room when I finally calmed down. I had no memory of leaving the inner court.

"Since you're awake and sound, I should take my leave" she said, turning away from me.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" I asked. She turned to look at me, an unreadable look in her eyes.

Sara regarded me with a blank stare, her lips set in a grim line. Frustrated, I rose to my feet.

"There's something you're not telling me. Spill it now" I said.

Letting out a small sigh, she lowered her gaze.

"I know you're carrying his pups" Sara said. I stiffened, clenching my fists.

"I'm sure he's aware of it too" she continued.

"What?!" I breathed, my eyes widening.

"Sienna...I wasn't sure at first. Your necklace... your mum gave it to you, didn't she?"

Bringing a hand to my necklace, I nodded, feeling puzzled. The necklace was truly a keepsake from my mother. She'd placed it in my hands the day she'd brought me to Nathan's pack. The last words she'd said to me was, "Protect it."

"Your mother was the Luna of Silver Moon Pack. Your father was the alpha. King Luca knew them."

"W-what do you mean?" I stuttered.

There was a sinking feeling in my chest.

"King Luca knows something about the death of your parents. The necklace you're wearing...is special. He's been looking for it because of its great powers. I think he plans to sacrifice you to unlock the power of the black gem."

"You're lying!" I screamed at her, tears welling up my eyes.

"I wish I was. I heard him discuss it with the chief healer. It's why he distanced himself from you. He doesn't want to feel guilt" Sara said, her face emotionless.

"Why should I believe you?!"

"Don't you see that I'm trying to save you? Nobody should go through such horrors, especially a young pregnant woman like you. You have to live for your children."

"Why do you keep saying children?" I said weakly.

"You're carrying more than one pup within you" she responded, giving me a sad smile.

"I'll find out for myself if you're telling the truth" I spat, wiping away my tears with the back of my palm.

"Sienna, it's too dangerous. You saw it earlier. He didn't hesitate to put you in a chokehold. He feels absolutely nothing towards you."

"No, that's not true" I breathed shakily.

After Sara had left, I paced back and forth, my thoughts nearly swallowing me whole.

Finally, I decided to sneak out of my room and spy on Luca. I believed that if I did so, I might find reasons to debunk Sara's statements. The truth was, I didn't want her statements to be true. I didn't want to believe that I was about to be betrayed by Luca who had believed in me and set me free.

Driven by these thoughts, I made it to Lucas's bedroom. He was nowhere in sight. So, I sneaked in and his behind his closet. The moment he stepped in to his room, I heard him heave a sigh. Opening the door of the cabinet slightly, I took a peek at him. He was unbuttoning his black shirt.

After taking off his shirt, he pushed his hair away from his face and rubbed his temples, his face contorted with pain.

I gulped, wondering if he was truly unwell. I watched him as he sat down on his bed and picked up his phone to call someone.

"Have you found it?" He asked the person on the phone.

"She doesn't seem to know about the value of the gem hanging around her neck," was his next statement.

My blood boiled with rage and resentment as soon as I heard that statement.

"She won't know about it until it's over. Find the remaining piece, do you understand? There's no time."

The line went dead.

Quietly, I stepped out of the closet. Luca stared at me, his lips parted.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded, rising to his feet.

"Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?"

I picked up the knife on the fruit tray which lay on his nightstand.

"I was a fool to believe that there was anyone kind enough to help me without a hidden motive" I said.

He frowned.

"What are you talking about? Put down the knife, Sienna" he stated.

"What about my parents? You have something to do with their death, don't you?" I demanded.

His face went blank immediately. Overwhelmed by the spite burning within me, I attacked him. The instant my knife pierced through his flesh, my negative feelings vanished.

Luca's pained gaze was pinned on me, his brows furrowed. A sob tore out of my throat as I lowered my gaze and saw the knife buried halfway through his chest.

"Sienna" he choked out, blood oozing out of his mouth.

Struck with terror, I released my grip on the handle of the knife and took a step backwards.

Luca sank to his knees, coughing up blood. His face was quickly losing colour. I felt guilty for hurting my mate. But, this was the only way. If I wanted to survive, I had to do this.

"Why?" He coughed, beads of sweat rolling down his temples.

I gulped, taking another step backwards.

"Answer me, Sienna!" He yelled and broke down into a painful fit of cough.

"I, Sienna West, reject you..."

"No!" He screamed at me, his eyes flashing with rage.

He lunged at me with a thunderous growl, his eyes darkening with murderous intent. I moved out of the way and he fell to the ground with a cry of pain.

I could hear the approaching footsteps. It was time to run. Casting one last glance at Luca, I dashed out of his bedroom.

At the gates, I didn't hesitate to show the guards the royal sceptre which was a symbol of the king's permission. I'd stolen it right before running out of the king's chamber.

Once I was out of the palace walls, I began to run. Tears blinded my vision as I ran. I would survive. I would survive and bring pain to those who had hurt my family. This was my promise to myself.

...

Eight Years Later,

"His majesty will see you now" the young guard standing in the outer court of the Lycan palace announced. I rose to my feet, glancing around the palace that seemed so unfamiliar. A lot had changed since the last time I'd been here.

Squaring my shoulders, I walked towards the entrance of the inner court. Eight years ago, I'd fled this palace as a wretched weakling.

Now, I'd just returned to dig out the truth and begin my quest for revenge.

The familiar scent of sandalwood and coconut drifted into my nostrils the moment I walked into the inner court.

He stood by the window, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored pants.

Slowly, he turned around and our gazes met. My breath hitched at the sight of him. King Luca was still as gorgeous as ever. And, most of all, he was alive.

"And you are?" He stated. The sound of his deep voice sent my heart racing.

I had failed to reject him. This meant we were still mates. However, I'd made sure to wear scent blockers. There was no way he would recognize me.

Taking a deep breath, I started towards him. It was time to get down to business.

"Nice to meet you, King Luca of the Lycans. My name is Diane Hale, Alpha of the Red Fur Pack" I said, my gaze locked with his.

He held out a hand, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Nice to meet you Alpha Diane" he spoke.

I stared at his outstretched hand, my brows furrowed. It wasn't directed at me. Doubts and possibilities settled in my mind as I studied his silver eyes. They were gold rimmed, I noticed. With my frown deepening, I waved a hand in front of his face. To my surprise, his pupils did not react.

"You're blind?" I blurted out, flabbergasted.