Chapter 3
Juno's POV
Three months later.
I gently stroked my noticeably rounded belly, feeling the babies' soft movements inside. Six months pregnant now, they were getting more active. The doctor said this was a healthy sign.
Since the staircase incident, Serena had been confined to her room. These past three months, the pack had been quiet. I was starting to think the danger had passed.
"Juno, sweetheart," Darren entered the room with a gentle smile, "the doctor says you need more exercise. How about horseback riding?"
I frowned. "Horseback riding? In my condition?"
"Gentle riding is good for both you and the babies." The Alpha walked in from the doorway. "Besides, you've been cooped up in this room too long. You need fresh air."
They had a point. I did need exercise and fresh air.
"But we have to be careful," Darren took my hand. "I'll be with you the whole time."
In the morning stables, sunlight streamed through windows onto clean straw. Horses quietly munched their feed while the air carried a faint scent of grass.
"Ma'am, this mare is the gentlest one we have, absolutely safe." The stable manager led out a snow-white mare, stroking her mane. "Her name's Star, never loses her temper."
I looked at this beautiful mare. She did seem very gentle. Her white coat gleamed in the sunlight, her eyes soft and intelligent.
"She's gorgeous." I reached out to stroke her nose, and Star nuzzled my palm affectionately.
"See, she likes you." The manager smiled. "And I specially fitted her with new saddle and gear, guaranteed comfortable and safe."
I noticed Star wore an elaborate garland around her neck, decorated with various flowers and herbs.
"That's a beautiful garland."
"Yeah, it's to keep the horses calm," the manager explained. "These herbs have a soothing effect."
Darren carefully checked the saddle. "Everything looks good. Juno, are you ready?"
On the mountain trail, gentle autumn sunlight warmed us. I rode Star slowly forward while Darren accompanied me on his black horse.
This felt wonderful.
A breeze caressed my face, and the distant mountain scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. For the first time, I felt completely relaxed, all my worries and fears melting away.
"How does it feel?" Darren asked with concern.
"Amazing." I took a deep breath. "I'd forgotten how beautiful the outside world is."
Star walked steadily, every step careful, as if she knew I was carrying babies.
Suddenly, Star began shaking her head restlessly.
"What's wrong, girl?" I patted her neck, trying to soothe her.
But she grew more agitated, starting to emit low whinnies. I felt her muscles tensing up.
"Darren?" I called out worriedly.
"Don't worry, maybe it's just—"
Star suddenly let out a deafening whinny, her entire body beginning to tremble violently. Her eyes turned blood red, as if something had triggered her.
"What's wrong with her?" I gripped the reins tightly.
Then everything went out of control.
Star began bucking wildly, her front hooves rearing high. I felt like I was going to be thrown off.
"HELP! The horse is going crazy!" I screamed, desperately clinging to the saddle.
But then the saddle strap suddenly came loose.
Impossible! We just checked it!
"JUNO!" Darren yelled in terror, immediately spurring his horse toward me.
I felt myself losing support, my body starting to fall toward the ground. Six months pregnant made my body heavy and clumsy.
My babies!
Just as I was about to hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me.
Darren had jumped from his horse, using his body as a cushion to let me land safely on him. But I heard a terrible sound of breaking bone.
"Agh!" Darren cried out in pain, but his arms still protected me tightly.
"Darren! You're hurt!" I saw his left arm bent at an odd angle.
"It's fine," he endured the pain. "As long as you and the babies are okay."
The medical room.
"Your arm is fractured, but it will heal." The doctor put a cast on Darren's arm. "As for the lady, the babies are still safe. It's a miracle."
I lay in the hospital bed, looking at Darren with lingering fear. He'd risked injury to protect me.
"Doctor," I asked weakly, "why did the horse suddenly go crazy? Star was always so gentle."
The doctor frowned. "I examined that garland. It contained a plant called Devil's Grass—a powerful stimulant for horses. Makes them lose their minds."
"WHAT?" Darren angrily sat up. "Who would put that in a horse's decoration?"
Just then, noisy footsteps came from outside.
"Bring her over! Let them see this snake's true face!" The Alpha's furious voice rang out.
The medical room door was roughly shoved open, and two guards dragged Serena inside. I gasped when I saw her condition.
Her face was swollen like a pig's head, left eye completely shut, blood trickling from her mouth, clothes torn in several places, hair tangled like straw.
God, they beat her that badly?
"KNEEL!" The Alpha kicked the back of Serena's knees, and she collapsed painfully onto the medical room floor.
"SPEAK! Why did you put Devil's Grass in the garland?" The Alpha grabbed her hair, forcing her to lift that swollen face.
"I... I didn't know what it was..." Serena's voice was garbled because of her swollen mouth. "I just wanted to decorate the horse..."
"Decorate?" The Alpha slapped her again, the sharp sound echoing in the medical room. "You think we're all IDIOTS?"
I watched all this with mixed feelings. Though I hated Serena, seeing her beaten so badly still affected me.
"ENOUGH!" Martin burst in, his face pale when he saw his wife's condition. "Dad, you can't treat her like this!"
"Can't?" The Alpha turned to face his eldest son, fury burning in his eyes. "She tried to MURDER my daughter-in-law and grandchildren TWICE! I'm being merciful by not killing her on the spot!"
"She's my WIFE!" Martin said trembling. "Even if she did wrong, she shouldn't be tortured like this!"
"She's a MURDERER!" Darren roared from the hospital bed. "Martin, look at my arm! Look at my wife's terror! You're still protecting this SNAKE?"
"I know she was wrong, but—" Martin tried to continue pleading for Serena.
"SHUT UP!" The Alpha's roar made the window glass tremble. "You're still speaking for this BITCH? She almost ended the Silver Moon bloodline! Are you trying to BETRAY the family?"
Martin was shocked into silence, his face growing even paler.
"There's no discussion this time." The Alpha said coldly. "According to pack law, two attempts to murder heirs means LIFE IMPRISONMENT!"
"No... no..." Serena sobbed desperately. "Martin, save me... please save me..."
Martin tried to move forward but was blocked by the two guards.
"Take her away! Throw her in the dungeon!" The Alpha waved his hand.
"WAIT!" Martin struggled to intervene. "Dad, please, she's family—"
"She stopped being family the moment she pushed Juno down those stairs!" The Alpha's voice held no warmth. "Martin, if you dare plead for her again, I'll lock you up too!"
Martin's face turned ashen. He wanted to say something but finally closed his mouth.
The guards dragged Serena toward the exit. She looked desperately at Martin: "Save me... Martin... save me..."
But Martin could only stand there pale, fists clenched, body trembling, watching helplessly as his wife was dragged away.
After the door slammed shut, the medical room fell silent.
I looked at Martin's agonized expression, complex emotions surging in my heart. But mostly I felt safe and... satisfied.
Finally, this threat would be completely eliminated.
