SELENE DRAKOVICH'S POV

With shaking fingers, I grasped the small stick. I drew two distinct pink lines. The lines were real, bold, and indisputable. After my breath caught, I let out a quiet, watery laugh, the kind you get when you're afraid of being joyful. Three years. It has been three agonizingly long years of trying, hoping, and failing. I wish I could tell Kaelan.

I put my hand to my stomach. Nothing had changed on the outside yet, but something was now developing inside of me. It was soft and flat. There was a pulsating heart within. A future. "Kaelan, you got what you wanted," I muttered. I had decided on this course: silence, heartache, and sacrifice. However, the outcome was our triumph.

With my heart racing, I ran around the cabin. Everywhere there were flickering candles. I poured wine into two glasses, one for him and one for myself. His favorite roast, seasoned with rosemary and garlic, as he preferred, sizzled in the oven. The white lilies he had given me on our wedding day were the ones I placed on the table. I smoothed the tablecloth with trembling hands. It would be ideal tonight.

We would be a family all of a sudden after he entered, noticed the gentle glow in my eyes, and drew me into his arms. Completely. At last.

I looked at the clock. Nine. I still haven't seen him. Ten. I stopped smiling. Sad wax dripped from eleven candles onto the table. It was midnight. My heart pounded loudly and rawly. I called his phone, just as I was about to, but it went to voicemail. Once more. Then I heard the click of the door.

I gasped. "Kaelan!" My feet skidded on the rug as I sprinted forward. However, the snowy porch light outlined his tall frame as he stood there. Something in his silence caused me to pause, and I froze.

No grin. No warmth. He didn't give me a kiss. He gave me a thick, sealed folder instead.

I gazed. "What is this?" I spoke in a low voice.

He avoided looking at me. His face was expressionless as he watched me. As if nothing were wrong, he shrugged off his coat and hung it by the door.

My heart twisted as I gazed at the folder. I broke the seal. I had trembling hands. I froze after skimming the first line.

Agreement for a divorce.

The words were hazy. My throat ached. I gripped the folder tightly.

I muttered, "This isn't real."

He unbuckled his boots and sat down. He ignored me. He said quietly, "I'm not here to argue." "All I need is your signature."

My voice faltered. Kaelan... I am expecting a child.

Before I could stop them, the words escaped. I gasped. The cabin became quiet, as if everyone was holding their breath.

He regarded me as though I had grown horns. Then he chuckled. Initially, soft. Then it gets louder. "You are," he spat. "Selene", that's your specialty. False, deceive, or trap

I staggered back. His words hit me like a slap.

"You pleaded for this marriage," I said, my voice breaking. We made an effort for years. Look now.

He interrupted me. I was unable to look him in the eyes. I took a swallow. "Is it... due to Irina?"

He gave me a chilly look. He remarked, "She's moving back." No compassion.

A wave of nausea washed over me. "You're going to leave me for my cousin?"

He gave a casual shrug. I had her first. Everyone was aware of it. Before the goddess picked you, she picked me.

My vision became hazy. I lowered my voice. However, she departed.

"You were selected by the Moon Goddess, but that doesn't mean you took her place." You took her place. Low and dangerous, he laughed once more.

"I didn't steal anything." My voice faltered. "I cherished you."

He whispered, "I would have turned you down the night I met you if the goddess hadn't stepped in."

Similar to jagged glass. His remarks were scathing.

My legs felt like they were about to fail. "That's not what you mean."

He ignored me. He simply grabbed his coat. "I'm heading to Irina." I require a life devoid of deception.

I watched as his silhouette framed the doorway. My silent, hot tears fell. I was unable to talk. My entire world fell apart.

I touched my baby, my belly. My future. He didn't even inquire.

Before he could see that I was crying, I turned away. Beside me, my wolf whimpered. I bit my lip. I refrained from acting at that moment. I did not bite my lip in front of him.

He went out. The door shut. I was engulfed in silence.

I fell to the ground. I nearly dropped the folder because my hands were shaking so much. The candles cast long shadows on the frozen snow outside. I made myself take a breath.

Irina had been his choice. Not me. She was not our child. The present was not the future I had envisioned for myself.

Silently, I packed my wolf's leash, notes, and clothes in a bag. I did not sign the divorce papers. Nobody saw me go. Built for prestige rather than security, I slipped past the guard post.

Under my boots, the snow gave way. I moved farther and farther from the life I believed in with every step. Despite the wind, I held the bag closer to me. The infant gave a gentle kick. I touched my stomach with my free hand. I was struck by the infant's tiny existence and its tiny pulse.

Give Irina to him. Give the pack to him.

I continued.

Later, I discovered a cave close to the river, a secret location I frequented as a young girl. I put my bag down and lit a candle. At my feet, my wolf curled up. After sitting for a while, I opened the divorce documents. I gazed at Kaelan's name and signature line. He wanted me to sign without hesitation.

Anger erupted. Fury. I tore them apart, piece by piece, until the paper turned to dust in my hands.

"I will have something greater... my baby," I muttered in a raw voice. I'm quiet. My strength.

To the half-moon, my wolf raised her nose and let out a howl. My heart responded.

I took out my quill and paper from my bag. I started writing.

I spoke to Kaelan in words I could never express. I addressed the group. To the Goddess. In my hand, I wrote:

"My legacy will endure." I'll protect this life. I'll discover the power they're afraid of. And he won't ever see me again.

It was windy outside. The cave walls were silvered by the moonlight.

I had completed my task. I carefully folded the letter.

There was still one more thing to do.

Once more, I whispered. Allow the Goddess to keep Kaelan safe, but not so much that she can discover me. It's almost time for me.

I put my hand to my belly and curled up next to my wolf.

The wolf let out another little, hopeful whimper.

I shut my eyes.

The power stirred within me.

The cave remained silent.

Knowing that nothing would ever be the same, I fell asleep.