Chapter 3

Rue threw her arms around his neck. "Yes, Alpha. We're having a child."

They held each other.

Everyone else just stared.

"No way. The Alpha knocked up a wet nurse's daughter?"

"On his wedding day? And she chose today to make a scene?"

"Look at them. This is bad."

"Liora must be devastated. She's the future Luna. This is a slap in Stormfang's face."

I let my face go pale. Let the betrothal wolf fang slip from my fingers. It hit the ground with a clatter. I staggered back into my old nurse's arms.

"Alpha Kane," I said, my voice trembling. "I thought she was just a servant. Now you're telling me she's pregnant with your pup?"

Kane looked at me, uncomfortable. "Liora, she's my wet nurse's daughter. We grew up together. She's the woman I love."

I cut him off. "So you're in love. You've been meeting in secret. And now there's a child."

Question after question. He didn't answer any of them.

Rue scrambled off the bed. Dropped to the floor in a full submission kneel, forehead to the ground, hands spread wide, throat bared.

"Luna, it's not the Alpha's fault. It's mine. I couldn't control myself. I wanted to give the Alpha a pup. He drank too much that night, he thought I was you..."

Slap.

My palm connected with her cheek.

"How dare you," I said coldly. "I'm the legitimate daughter of Stormfang. I was raised with discipline. I will not be slandered."

"I met the Alpha two times before the engagement. Always with elders present. Never alone. So don't drag my name through the mud just to make yourself look less disgusting."

Rue sobbed. Shook her head. "It's my fault, Luna. Forgive me."

Then she half-shifted and dragged her own claws down her face. Three gashes from forehead to cheekbone. Blood poured down her cheeks.

Kane grabbed her arms. "Stop."

He looked at me. His voice was sharp with blame.

"This isn't Rue's fault. She wasn't born powerful. You were. That's the only difference."

"Without your father's wolves, would I want you as Luna?"

"Rue tried to kill herself today because of you. She's carrying my pup."

"Now you're married in. Rue is my consort. I won't leave her or my child without a title."

I laughed at him.

I laughed at him.

Luna? The Lycan King himself had approved this match. If it weren't for this engagement, Kane wouldn't even be sitting in the Alpha's seat.

I lifted my chin.

"The Luna position was granted by the Lycan King himself. How you've behaved today, on our wedding day, insults not only Stormfang but also the King."

"If you loved Rue, why not call off the engagement? You wanted my family's army and your lover. Did you think I'd refuse you a consort?"

Then I turned to Rue.

"And you. You've known about the pregnancy. You waited until wedding day to make a scene. Are you really not doing this on purpose?"