Loss.

I wake to an argument by my door.

"She's almost completely healed Dante."

"Then why isn't she waking up."

"It's only a matter of time, maybe you should worry less about her inevitable awakening and more about what you'll tell her when she wakes up. She's going to need you."

"Don't you think I know that!"

"I just...she just needs to wake up. I can't lose her."

"I thought you were prepared for that consequence." The healer snorted.

"I didn't know...I mean I knew.. I just didn't think..."

They hadn't noticed me yet.

"Dante?" I croaked.

He was by my side instantly, holding my hand.

For some reason I felt empty.

"Is the castle safe?"

"Yes, everything's going to be alright."

"What exactly happened?" I tried to sit up but he didn't let me.

"We'll talk about everything when you're completely healed."

"Dante, she deserves to know." The healer reprimanded.

"Need to know what? What do you need to tell me?"

"She will-"

"Dante just tell me! Is it the twins? Are they okay?" I asked panick slowly setting in.

"Your maje-"

The healer started but was interrupted by Dante.

He snarled at the her before facing me once more.

"The vampires were here as a distraction, so someone could...get to you."

Heather.

"Heather is a vampire." I inform him stillnsurprised myself.

He looked regretful.

"Yes I know, she's 85 years old and she's been living in this castle since she was born."

I was taken back.

85 years old.

So she had been with him since he was little.

Enough time to twist her way into his heart.

New anger surges within me.

"Where is she? Is she dead?"

"No, she's not. She's locked up in the dungeon."

"Why did she try to kill me? Was it because of you?"

Dante looked out of his depth.

"Your majesty, Heather tried to kill you because you held something in your possession that had the potential to end her race and other races alike."

"What do you mean? What did I have?" I asked confused.

"A baby your grace."

"You were pregnant." She spoke blankly. Her face void of emotion.

The air was heavy as I tried to take in this new piece of information.

I was pregnant.

My hand instinctively goes to my belly.

Now it all makes sense. My body and wolf. My mind knew I couldn't risk a fight because of my pup.

My body tried to protect me by pushing me to run.

My pup

To protect my pup.

But I didn't protect my pup.

He died.

The memory of Heather's leg against my stomach causes me to cringe.

That was when he died.

She killed him.

That's what she meant when she said I didn't know.

"So the ferals weren't here for a suicide mission they just wanted to corner me enough to kill my baby."

I wanted to scream, to rage.

But I just sat there, silent, while my mate stayed glued to my side and the healer leaving the room.

"For hundreds of years, it-"

"Dante." I interrupt him.

"I just want to get some sleep, if that's okay."

"Yes, ofcourse."

He kissed me on my forehead before he left.

I barely felt anything.

My mind kept replaying the incident.

My child died.

I was pregnant and he died.

Heather killed him

She killed my child.

I lay back down and close my eyes.

Willing the darkness to come.

***

I watched the garden where I saw Heather for the first time.

I should've killed her when I had the chance.

I should go find Dante now that I'm awake.

The twins were waiting outside my room.

I fake a smile at them."How are you guys?"

They forced a smile as well. "Great your majesty. Are you allowed to be walking about."

I shrugged." I wasn't informed otherwise."

I start towards the kings office.

There were a plethora of guards, standing by.

Axel flashed his royal seal and they bowed in respect to me.

I simply nodded in acknowledgement.

Axel and Xavier follow silently.

I'm happy for that. I didn't need the apologies and well wishes.

Being left alone was enough.

When I reach his office, I don't knock. I simply opened the doors and slipped in.

There were four people in that room, excluding Dante.

I recognized Oregon Mard constantine. King and Lord Alpha of the south.

I had seen him once or twice while living in the south.

It was safe to assume that the two other men were also kings of the last two territories. Although they looked less royal than expected.

The last person though, was a woman and obviously blind.

She might be an oracle, a royal one.

"What're you doing here selene." Dante asked.

It was customary to extend my greetings, as they were all ranked above me, but I couldn't care less at the moment.

"Where is Heather?"

"Sele-"

"Dante, I earned the right to kill Heather, the day we got matched. Her life is mine. So if you want to keep her away from me, you'll have to put me down. Permanently."

One of the Alpha's whistled. His eyes were wild and savage.

I glared at him.

I had no time for this.

"Basement. 3rd level." He said, resigned.

I don't thank him even though I feel his grief and frustration.

I couldn't think, I had a mission to fulfill.

I make my way to the basement with thesame plain expression.

When I reach the doors to Heather's prison, I asked the twins to wait outside.

"No matter what you hear, don't come in until I come out myself." I ordered.

They nodded albeit reluctantly.

The view of the place was disgusting.

She was chained down to her toes.

She looked nothing like the regal maiden that pranced around the palace.

She looked filthy and deranged.

She laughed when she saw me. Not surprised at all.

"Wow, you came to see me, who would've thought."

I circle her cage like a beast sizing up its prey.

"Your expression has changed. Well its far better than the naive girl that arrived here wanting a better life." She sneered wistfully.

"Oh please, welcome to real life. It's kill or be killed. There's no happy ending."

"You can kill me if you want, but you'll never truly be happy selene. Dante will never love you! And no child of yours will ever exist."

"You are mated to a cursed man. No-"

I open her cage and interrupt her.

"I heard that the arrow I was shot with was tipped with Vermilion to weaken my wolf so you could stand a fighting chance against me."

I spike the needle as I watch her eyes widen in horror.

I inject her with the same substance and unlock her chains.

She attacked immediately.

I evaded her and watched her crumple to the ground.

"What're you doing!" Her voice came out in short gasps.

"Dont..don't.." her voice trailed off.

I lift her by her neck and inject her again.

"Now that was satium."

"To keep you awake...funny thing is these two together accelerate healing, but it'll also kill you in about 3 days."

To prove it I extend my claws and slash her across the face.

Her scream was like music as the skin grew back and the wound healed almost instantaneously.

"J-just kill me already!"

I smile now.

"But where's the fun in that?"

A scary pleasure fills me as her screams line the halls of the basement.