Chapter 3

Damon's chest rose and fell. His eyes flickered with surprise, then a knowing smile.

"You're jealous?"

I looked away.

"Turns out I do have that taste." He laughed coldly, let go, and walked over to Serena. "I like knowing you'll stay by the bed while Serena and I are in it."

"After all, no one knows my rhythm in bed better than you. You know when to hand me the pills. You know when to hand over the wipes."

"You have no shame." I closed my eyes. My nails cut bloody marks into my palms.

"Not as shameless as you." He sneered. "I could never carry one man's pup while bonded to another and still sleep with him."

I listened to his baseless accusations. My hands shook.

It took a long time to push the pain down. Numb, I shoved past him and walked toward the door.

As I passed Serena, her face went cold. She stuck out her leg in front of me.

I had no time to dodge. I went down the stairs.

Bones cracked. The pain stripped me.

I blacked out to the sound of Damon screaming my name.

When I came to, I saw Damon's ruined face.

Dark circles. Stubble.

When he realized I was awake, something like regret flickered in his eyes.

"You're awake. The Healer said your womb couldn't be saved. They had to take it."

He hesitated. "Your chart said you were rushed in yesterday? So you didn't run off. You..."

He caught my hand as I reached for my phone.

"I want to call the Pack enforcers," I said coldly. "Serena pushed me down the stairs and did this to me. She should pay."

"I already punished her," Damon pressed his lips together. "Can you drop it?"

"Punished her? How?"

He hesitated. "I told her... no cake for the day."

I laughed. Something in me went past cold. "That so?"

He frowned, annoyed by my reaction. "Do you have to be so bitter? Your womb is gone. You can't carry anyway. Instead of praying for Serena to give me a pup, you want to torture her more?"

When I didn't answer, he softened his voice, awkward. "This one's on me. You always wanted a pup, didn't you? I never gave you one. When you're well, I'll tell Serena to let you be the pup's godmother. You can have your mother moment."

I still didn't speak. He flared up suddenly. "What does silence mean? What are you still unhappy about?"

"Don't think I don't know. You bonded with me back then because Julian wanted you, slept with you, and got you carrying his pup. You were afraid your mother — who had just climbed up into a good family — would be dragged down, so you picked me, the simp, to catch your mistake!"

"You put horns on me. I only let you lose my pup as punishment. But you went on sending Julian flirty messages behind my back, and sold my Pack's trade secrets to him! If Serena hadn't told me, I'd be your fool!"

"I did not!"

"You..." His eyes locked on something. He shoved me aside and pulled the flight pass out from the folds of the bedding.

My stomach dropped. He turned red-eyed, grabbed my hair, and slapped me.

"Still saying you didn't?! A private jet pass marked ONLYLY — Julian's personal jet, named after you! He gives you this pass so you can what — so you can run away with him? Still going to tell me there's nothing between you?"

"Bitch. You made me your cover while you cheated, so I'll make you the unloved mistress. I won't let you walk out and be happy with him. Even dead, you belong to Damon Sterling."

He kicked me in the chest. I went off the bed and knocked over the IV stand.

Glass hit me. Blood spread underneath me.

I raised my head, ragged.

"Damon. Are you so insecure? Insecure enough to believe you don't deserve love?"

His eyes were red. Struggle and resentment warred inside them.

"You..."

Before he could finish, a maid pushed the door open and ran in.

"Sir, Miss Serena — she's spotting. Please come."

Damon went tense immediately. He dragged me along without thought. "If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have spotted from guilt. You're coming to reassure her."

He dragged me into the VIP ward. Serena threw herself into his arms, eyes red.

"Damon, I really didn't mean to hurt the Luna. I'm clumsy from the pregnancy. She came at me. I only tried to get out of the way."

My chest seized. When I met Serena's eyes, all I saw was triumph.

She kept up the weak act. "If the Luna still blames me, I'll kneel to her."

"Serena!" He pulled her to him. "It's not your fault."

He gritted his teeth, hauled me forward, and forced me down on my knees in front of Serena.

"It's this bitch's fault." He seized Serena's hand and slapped mine with it.

She was wearing the gold band that had once been mine. It cut my face open.

"She's the reason you're hurt. Hit her back."

"That's not right..." Serena timidly pulled her hand back.

"Listen. You're too soft. How will you give me a strong pup? Toughen up. Just slap her. Every slap's a Maserati. Draw blood, I'll get you a villa."

"Really!" Serena's eyes lit up. Her hand swung.

I flinched.