Chapter 3

Damian's expression flickered momentarily before he burst into mocking laughter.

"Have you lost your mind? You used to go on and on about being the Moon Goddess's chosen mate, deceiving me into sleeping with you. Now you're trying to pass off stones as our children? Your insanity is truly nauseating!"

In the next instant, he carelessly tossed one of the silver stone orbs into the fire, where it instantly dissolved into a flash of silver light.

A searing pain immediately shot through my lower abdomen, as if I was being torn open by a sharp blade.

A stream of silver blood gushed from between my legs as the life force of a tiny being rapidly faded from my womb.

Damian, cradling Lilith, coldly watched me writhe in agony.

"You really are quite an actress. If I hadn't witnessed your performances these past three years, I might have almost believed you."

"Since you claim this is your child, I'll give this one a dignified end as well - whoever bids the highest will get to decide its fate!" Damian declared coldly.

Fighting through the excruciating pain, I looked at him through tear-blurred eyes.

When I saw only icy indifference in his gaze, I responded with a bitter smile, "Fine, I'll buy it back."

Damian laughed loudly at my words. "You? With what?"

He knew I had never cared about material wealth.

For three years, I hadn't taken a single penny from the Moonlight Wolf Pack, so naturally, I had no means to participate in this ritual he had set up.Seeing my silent response, the malice in his eyes grew more apparent.

"Considering you were once my bedmate, I'll help you think of a solution."

"Aren't you skilled at pleasing men with your body? There are over a hundred werewolves in this hall. Why don't you service them one by one and let them raise money for you?"

A wave of vulgar laughter erupted in the hall.

Those wolf clan members who were previously just quietly observing began to draw closer, their eyes gleaming with greedy desire.

"This is the Alpha's Luna. It's too generous to let us have her so easily!"

"Since she's being offered to us, why not let us have a taste first?"

"How about this - ten thousand for a touch, fifty thousand for a feel. What do you say?"

The Moon Wolf lineage already struggles to produce offspring. If I could protect this last child, perhaps I'd have a glimmer of hope.

Not just for me, but the future hopes of the entire Shadow Moon pack rest on this unborn life.

I glanced at the last stone sphere in Damian's hand, closed my eyes, and abandoned my final shred of dignity.

He merely watched coldly as those werewolves tore at my clothes, subjecting me to various humiliations.

Wad after wad of cash was thrown onto me, my dignity completely trampled.Until I was pinned to the ground, unable to escape no matter how I struggled, Damian finally spoke:

"Enough! Selena, have you no shame?"

I bit my lip, fighting back the taste of blood in my throat as silver tears slid down the corners of my eyes.

Damian seemed about to say something, but Lilith screamed and threw herself into his arms.

"Dami! Her eyes are so scary, will she curse me? Will she hurt us?"

Damian gently embraced her, soothing her as he said:

"Don't be afraid, Lilith. I'm here, she can't hurt you. Besides, the Moonshadow pack is blessed by the Moon Goddess. No matter what danger we face, we'll always turn misfortune into blessing. You're my mate now. Not only can no one harm you, but you'll also be safe and healthy forever."

Even as every inch of my body was wracked with unbearable pain, I couldn't help but let out a bleak laugh.

"Damian, I've lost my moon power. I can't even protect you anymore, yet you think she'll be safe? The Moon Goddess's will is not to be trifled with."

The Moonshadow pack has indeed turned misfortune into blessing for over a hundred years, but that was all because I used my own moon power to shield them from various crises.

The price paid each time was another devastating blow to my soul.

Only because my moon spirit wolf remained intact could I recover time and time again.Three years ago, Damian was severely injured in a bloody battle against renegade werewolves. He almost lost his ability to shift and couldn't even stand.

Knowing he might never be able to fulfill his Alpha duties again, he fell into such despair that he attempted suicide.

It was Elara who knelt before the Moon Goddess's altar for three days and three nights, begging the goddess to send me to save him.

At that time, I had just averted a disaster for the wolf pack, and my lunar energy hadn't yet recovered.

Despite this, I risked damaging my soul by using the most intimate form of bonding to gradually infuse lunar energy into his body, healing his wounds.

When he was finally able to shift and run as a wolf again, the first thing he did was propose to me.

I initially refused, but he knelt before me and wouldn't get up until he coughed up blood and passed out.

When he regained consciousness, he clung to my legs with blood-stained lips, begging me to become his Moon Goddess mate.

I eventually softened, and through our repeated intimate bondings, I couldn't help but fall in love with him.

But what I got in return was this outcome we face today.