Chapter 3

Before I could answer, a voice came from the doorway.

“What are you two doing out here?”

Daemon and I turned at the same time.

Yvette was standing against the doorframe in a fitted racing outfit that hugged her figure. She looked completely at ease, almost as if she knew exactly how much attention she was drawing. Daemon's expression changed the moment he saw her.

“It isn't even the weekend,” he said. “Why are you dressed for a race? Where are you going, who are you meeting, and what time are you planning to come home?”

I blinked.

That didn't sound like a concerned stepbrother. There was something possessive in the way he questioned her, something that immediately caught my attention.

Yvette noticed it too.

A slow smile appeared on her face.

“There’s a race today, Daemon. A pretty big one, actually. I thought I'd go and enjoy the crowd.” She glanced down at her outfit before looking back at him. “Who knows? Maybe I'll meet someone interesting and finally get myself a boyfriend. Wouldn't that be nice?”

Her voice became almost playful.

“So don't wait around for me tonight, alright?”

Daemon's jaw tightened, and I caught the brief shadow that crossed his eyes.

Yvette only smiled wider before turning her attention toward me.

“What about you, Rhea? Do you have anything planned?”

I was about to answer, but Daemon spoke first. His fingers slipped between mine and held my hand firmly.

“Rhea is coming with me. We're heading back to the main pack house.”

For the briefest moment, something unreadable flashed across Yvette's face.

“Alright, then. Enjoy your day.” She smiled sweetly. “And don't forget to give my regards to Mom.”

She walked past us, leaving her scent behind.

Daemon still hadn't released my hand.

I stared at our joined hands.

Why are you holding me like this?

Half an hour later, we were driving toward the main pack house. Daemon remained quiet, keeping one hand on the steering wheel while the other stayed wrapped around mine.

I turned toward the window and watched the scenery pass.

I hated going there.

His parents had never welcomed me. His grandmother was the only one who had ever treated me with genuine kindness. She would hold my hands and remind me that I was strong and that I belonged with them.

The others never saw me that way.

They looked at me as though I had brought misfortune into their family.

I had given birth to twins, a son and a daughter who were supposed to become the future of the pack. Instead, we lost both of them.

Somehow, their deaths became my fault.

Every visit afterward felt like punishment. Their cold stares, whispered conversations, and uncomfortable silence always made me feel as though I were an unwanted guest in the place where I should have belonged.

Daemon knew how much I hated coming here, which was why he usually avoided bringing me. But his mother wasn't feeling well, so this time there was no avoiding it.

When we entered the house, his parents were sitting together in the living room, talking quietly. They had been smiling at each other until they noticed me.

The warmth disappeared immediately.

Their expressions hardened.

I lowered my gaze and pretended not to notice, but Daemon certainly did. His grip around my hand tightened.

“If you're going to treat my Luna this way every time she visits,” he said sharply, “then don't expect us to come back.”

The room became silent.

His father slammed his palm against the table, making me flinch.

“Mind your attitude,” he warned. “Are you seriously willing to turn your back on your own family because of her?”

I instinctively tried to pull my hand away, but Daemon held tighter.

“Father, we've had this conversation before. Rhea is my mate, and she's the woman I love. I would never treat her disrespectfully, so I don't understand why you insist on making her feel unwelcome every time she comes here.”

His voice hardened.

“If this happens again, I won't simply leave the house. I'll cut myself off from this family entirely.”

Anyone watching would have thought I was the luckiest woman in the pack. The feared Alpha was standing in front of everyone, defending his Luna without hesitation.

But I knew the truth.

Pathetic. Do you really think I don't know what you've been doing behind my back?

Before his parents could respond, another voice came from the staircase.

“Of course he'd choose her. He's been blinded by her for years.”

Maureen stood halfway down the stairs with her arms crossed, staring at me with open contempt.

“Are you actually serious, Brother?” she continued as she descended. “You're threatening Mom and Dad because of her? After everything that happened? After we lost the pups? Yvette would make a far better Luna than Rhea ever could.”

My fingers turned cold.

Maureen wasn't finished.

“If Rhea had been stronger, maybe those pups would still be alive.”

“That's enough, Maureen.”

Daemon's voice dropped into a dangerous growl.

She rolled her eyes.

“I'm only saying what everyone already knows. The entire pack thinks she brought misfortune into this family.”

I kept my head lowered.

There was no point defending myself.

Daemon moved in front of me, shielding me from her.

“Say one more thing about Rhea,” he warned, “and I'll stop treating you like my sister.”

Maureen stared at him for several seconds before letting out a bitter laugh.

“Fine. Keep protecting her if that's what you want. We'll see how long that lasts.”

The room fell silent again.

Daemon continued holding my hand, standing beside me as though he could protect me from everyone in the room.

Yet somehow, I didn't feel protected.

I only felt exhausted.

Finally, Mrs. Targaryen exhaled sharply.

“Enough. We'll eat first.”

At the dining table, conversation was nearly nonexistent. The only sounds were the occasional clatter of utensils and Mrs. Targaryen's irritated sighs.

I knew something was coming.

It always did.

Eventually, she put her fork down.

“It's been nine months,” she said coldly. “You've had enough time to grieve. We understand that you lost your pups, but you cannot remain like this forever. This pack needs an heir, and you need to give us another grandson.”

My chest tightened.

His father looked directly at me.

“The pups died because you failed to care for them properly,” he said without sympathy. “It started with a simple illness, yet neither survived the healers' care. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and try again. If you conceive another time, make sure you do your duty properly.”

My ears rang.

My children.

My son and daughter.

Before I could respond, Daemon calmly placed his fork down.

“I've already made my position clear. Rhea is terrified of going through that kind of loss again, and I won't force her into another pregnancy. If we never have another pup, then I'll accept that.”

His parents looked disappointed.

Maureen immediately scoffed.

“Of course you'd say that. You care more about protecting her feelings than you do about the future of the pack.”

She leaned forward.

“Are you seriously saying you don't want an heir? What are we supposed to do, wait forever while she hides behind excuses?”

Then she added mockingly, “Why don't you just choose Yvette instead? I like her much more than Rhea anyway. You had a crush on Yvette before she left to study fashion abroad.”

“Enough, Maureen!”

Daemon's voice thundered through the room.

My fingers trembled against the table.

Then I finally spoke.

“You'll have your grandson soon.”

Everyone froze.

Three pairs of eyes immediately turned toward me.

Daemon's hand tightened around mine, and his expression softened.

“Rhea, you don't have to do this for me,” he said gently. “I already told you that I won't let them pressure you.”

Protect me?

I nearly laughed.

You can't even stay away from Yvette. How exactly are you protecting me?

Still, I smiled.

“You all want a grandson so badly,” I said quietly. “Then I'll give you one.”

Mrs. Targaryen's expression immediately brightened, while her husband nodded in satisfaction.

Maureen narrowed her eyes but remained silent.

Only Daemon looked uneasy, as though he sensed that something wasn't quite right.

Then his phone vibrated on the table.

I glanced down.

A message from Yvette appeared on the screen.

Daemon, someone here keeps bothering me and asking me for something inappropriate. I'm uncomfortable. Can you come get me?

I quietly counted in my head.

One.

Two.

Three.

Daemon stood up right on cue.