Chapter 2

The blood beneath my body had already begun to clot.

Even through the bitter ritual smoke drifting around the operating room, the smell of blood was impossible to ignore.

Several healers froze when they saw me.

They'd watched the desperate incision. They knew what had happened.

One of them hurried toward the door, clearly ready to tell Ronan the truth.

But he stopped them. "Iris, enough. Don't be difficult."

Ronan stood outside the operating room with our newborn son in his arms.

"Postponing the bonding ceremony doesn't change anything. Our son is safe, and you'll still have your place as my Luna."

His eyes stayed fixed on the closed door. "Sera has already read your future. You're fine."

He glanced at his watch. "You have three minutes. Walk out here yourself."

His fingers tapped impatiently against the side of his wrist. Over and over.

"Alpha Hale, there's something we need to tell you." Dr. Whitlock stepped forward, her face pale.

She was the only healer in the room who seemed willing to stand up to him.

But before she could finish, Sera suddenly raised her voice. "Ronan! Look at this!"

She held up my phone. "It's Iris's Instagram story. She posted it just a few seconds ago!"

My stomach dropped.

I knew my phone was in her hands. I also knew I hadn't posted anything.

I hadn't even been conscious enough to pick it up.

Sera turned the screen toward Ronan, her eyes bright with malicious delight. "Look what she wrote. Something about how the baby is finally here and now she can be with the man she truly loves."

Ronan took the phone.

He read the post once. Then again.

His expression hardened. "Iris!"

His voice turned ice-cold. "So you still can't get over Jonah?"

He stared at the operating room door as if he could burn straight through it. "You've been waiting for a chance to leave me for him?"

A bitter laugh escaped him. "You just gave birth to my son, and now you're already planning to run off with another man?"

His jaw tightened. "Well, it's not happening."

He pulled out his phone. "Cancel the wedding dress and rings we ordered. Replace them with the cheapest things you can find."

Then he made another call. "Get the border sentries to Ashgrove Clinic. I want the entire place locked down. No one gets in or out without my permission."

His eyes never left the operating room door. "Not even one person."

He ended the call and turned toward the healers. "What were you trying to tell me?"

Their faces went white.

Their eyes darted toward one another.

"N-nothing, Alpha Hale."

"We just wanted to congratulate you on your son."

Ronan's expression relaxed slightly. Then his watch started beeping.

Sera glanced at it.

"Ro, your three minutes are up."

She lowered her voice, looking toward the operating room.

"I don't think Iris has any intention of coming out. I did another reading. There's still a very high chance she'll try to escape."

She paused. "Maybe we should seal the operating room doors."

The healers stiffened.

"Alpha Hale, she just gave birth!" Dr. Whitlock protested. "She needs medical attention and time to recover. You can't lock her in there!"

"What if something happens to her?"

For the first time, a flicker of hesitation crossed Ronan's face.

Sera's expression darkened. "My great-grandmother nearly died reading the signs during the Blood Winter. Her prediction saved the Hale bloodline when the hunters were wiping out entire packs."

Her voice grew sharper. "My grandfather read for Alpha Hale's father. The backlash cost him his life. He died in a car wreck."

She looked around the room, her eyes flashing. "My family has protected the Hales for generations. And you think you have the right to question my readings?"

Her voice rang through the hallway.

Ronan's hesitation began to fade.

Still, he looked at her. "Sera, are you absolutely sure Iris is all right?"

Her face crumpled. "Ro, how can you even ask me that?"

She held out her arm.

Blood streaked her skin. Several angry cuts ran along her forearm, some still fresh.

"This is the Toll I pay every time I read for you." Her voice trembled. "Do you think seeing the future comes free? I've done everything I can to protect you and your family."

Ronan looked down at her bleeding arm.

Whatever doubt remained in his eyes disappeared.

He turned away, cradling our son against his chest. And he walked off.

Just like that.

He left me there.

I floated after him, numb with disbelief.

"Ronan, turn around."

"Please."

"It's only a few steps."

"Go back inside and look at me."

"Look at what they did."

I screamed right beside his ear.

I reached for his shoulder, trying to stop him. But my hands passed straight through his body.

He couldn't hear me. Couldn't feel me. Couldn't even tell I was there.

My heart was already gone, but somehow, watching him walk away hurt even more.

Then, just as I thought he was out of reach, a faint sound came from inside the operating room.

Beep. Beep.

The little signal from my pendant.

Ronan's steps suddenly stopped.