Chapter 3

Watching him fuss over me so tenderly only made my heart ache.

Perhaps he'd learned to be so attentive from taking care of Maren.

I swallowed the tablet without a word.

"Are you two still awake?" Maren called from outside.

Before we could respond, she pushed open the door, carrying a bottle of massage oil.

"Lyra, pregnancy often causes swelling. I recently learned a healing massage technique. Let me help ease your discomfort."

I immediately shook my head. Maren and I had never been close. I didn't want her touching me.

"Don't you trust me?" She looked wounded before turning to Viktor. "I know Lyra doesn't like me, but I'm only trying to help."

Viktor smiled and lightly pinched my cheek.

"Maren feels bad about intruding on our time together. She's just trying to make herself useful. Let her help you, all right?"

My eyes began to sting.

Once again, he'd chosen her.

He knew how little trust existed between us, yet he hadn't bothered to consider my feelings.

I finally stopped resisting.

"All right. Thank you, Maren."

I no longer cared what she intended to do.

By this time tomorrow, I'd be gone.

I wouldn't chase anyone's affection again. Once I reached Starfall Ridge, no one could find me unless I allowed it.

"Viktor, I'll need to secure her arms and legs so she doesn't move during the massage," Maren explained, producing two stretchy-looking bands. "They're soft and won't affect her circulation."

I glanced at Viktor, silently hoping he'd see through her excuse.

What kind of massage required someone to be restrained?

Yet the Alpha who could detect danger from miles away accepted her explanation without hesitation.

He allowed her to tie down my wrists and ankles.

"Let's get started," Maren said. "Viktor, would you mind waiting outside?"

He squeezed my hand before leaving.

"I'll be right back."

The door had barely closed when Maren's pleasant expression disappeared.

I struggled against the restraints, but they held me firmly. They weren't soft bands at all.

"Save your strength." She held up the real stretchy bands, grinning. "The ones you're wearing won't give way."

She leaned toward me.

"You've figured it out, haven't you? Viktor only married you because of me."

I kept my expression blank and said nothing.

Her fingers grazed my belly.

"Knowing the truth won't change anything. You've always been at my mercy. And once your pup is born, I'll deal with that little one, too."

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

I'd already accepted that Viktor, Kael, and Father would never put me before Maren. That was why I had chosen to leave.

Still, hearing her threaten my unborn child made my heart ache.

"There's something you should know. Mother's death was never your fault."

As she spoke, she poured liquid from a glass bottle over my arm.

My stomach tightened.

"What do you mean?"

"When you were brought out of the birthing room, Father and Kael adored you. They said you looked just like Mother and wanted to spoil you like a little princess."

Her face twisted with resentment.

"I couldn't stand it. Before you were born, I was the only princess in this family. So while Mother was still unconscious, I pulled out the life-breath tube the healers had placed in her."

She smiled coldly.

"I wanted to see if they'd still love you after she died because of you."

My entire body trembled.

So I hadn't killed my mother. None of it had ever been my fault.

Maren had done it. She'd been only three years old.

"Are you not afraid I'll tell Father and Kael?" I asked, my voice shaking.

I'd always thought she was merely manipulative. Now I knew how dangerous she really was.

"Go ahead." She laughed cruelly. "Not a soul will believe you."

Then she produced a lighter and struck the flame.

The pine resin on my arm caught fire.

I screamed and fought desperately against the restraints. With one final wrench, I snapped one of them and fell hard to the floor.

My burned arm struck the boards, but I barely noticed. I curled over my belly, shielding my pup with my body.

"It hurts... It hurts..."

Before I could cry out again, Maren let out a scream and threw herself onto the floor.

Viktor burst through the door.

"Please don't blame Lyra," Maren sobbed. "I was only trying to help. I must have hurt her by accident, and she kicked me because she was in pain."

Viktor turned to me with a frown.

"How could you hurt Maren?"

I tried to explain, but a stabbing pain in my lower belly stole my voice.

Without even asking what had happened, he swept Maren into his arms.

"I'm taking her to the healers."

He didn't spare a glance for my pale, trembling face.

It took everything I had to get back on my feet.

I applied healing salve to my burned arm, then gathered my documents, travel clothes, and identity token.

By sunrise, I would be gone for good.