Chapter 9 I Knew it Was You

Selene

Would he recognize me? Could one glance pierce through my disguise?

I immediately averted my gaze, heart pounding, refusing to meet those familiar amber eyes.

He was here. Fate truly was a bitch.

The winter garden became my temporary sanctuary. Away from the suffocating crowd and oppressive Alpha auras, I could finally breathe.

"So this is where you've been hiding these months."

I spun around, my heart lurching painfully in my chest as adrenaline surged through me. Adrianna stood beside a statue. Her perfectly tailored red gown clung to her body like the skin of a venomous snake prepared to strike.

"How surprising to find my dear sister so easily," she sneered, stepping forward.

"What do you want?" I asked directly, struggling to keep my voice steady despite the ice crystals forming sharp points at my fingertips. My wolf stirred restlessly, eager to confront this threat.

I suppressed the rage burning within me, forcing myself to remain calm.

"Just checking on my beloved sister." Adrianna narrowed her eyes, examining my swollen belly. "I never imagined you'd move on so quickly. No longer playing the heartbroken Luna? Or did you find a better Alpha to replace him?"

I scoffed. "Really, Adrianna? Such elementary provocations? Why would I continue grieving? I've forgotten Vortend. I genuinely don't give a damn what he does. As you said, I've moved on."

"Oh? Does Alpha Archer know you're his rival's former mate?" She moved closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Or did you trick him into believing the child is his to trap him?"

"He knows everything, don't worry," I replied, my voice cold as ice. "I'm not the manipulative type, Adrianna. Whatever I do, I do openly and honestly. Unlike some people."

Adrianna's gaze swept over my prominent belly again, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Seems your little scheme failed, didn't it? Even a baby couldn't keep Vortend bound to you."

I frowned, confused by her words as the twins shifted uneasily inside me, sensing my emotional turmoil. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, dear sister, stop pretending. You think I don't know?" Adrianna gloated, stroking her flat stomach. "My child will be the future Alpha of Black Pine Pack. Vortend has chosen me as his true Luna."

In that moment, clarity struck. My heightened senses detected the truth—no scent of new life, no hormonal changes, no signs of pregnancy whatsoever.

"You're not pregnant," I said flatly, a sharp gleam in my eyes. "You've been lying. To everyone. Including Vortend."

Adrianna's expression faltered momentarily before regaining composure.

"You have no proof," she hissed. "And I'll soon be carrying Vortend's child. After Malcolm and Elizabeth officially acknowledge me as Luna."

"Ah yes, lying and deceiving your way to the top before gaining Malcolm and Elizabeth's approval. That's certainly your style," I couldn't help but laugh coldly. "Imagine their faces when they discover the truth. And Vortend—"

"Shut up!" Adrianna suddenly raised her voice. "At least I didn't run away! At least I fight for the man I love, instead of hiding at the first sign of trouble like you!"

"Love?" I scoffed, feeling anger rise within me. "You don't understand love. You only know possession and control."

Just then, a familiar voice interrupted our tense confrontation.

"I knew I'd find you here, Selene."

Vivian emerged from the shrubbery, dressed in an elegant black gown, her eyes revealing undisguised contempt for Adrianna.

"Really, Adrianna? Harassing a pregnant woman at the Winter Festival Ball?" Vivian remarked coldly. "Your taste continues to astound me."

"Look who's arrived, the loyal doctor friend," Adrianna sneered. "I wonder what Vortend would think if he knew you were conspiring here."

Tear her throat out. Now. My wolf snarled as I felt my nails lengthening, my rationality approaching its breaking point.

"Leave, Adrianna," Vivian said icily, her gaze unwavering. "Unless you want everyone at the ball to learn your pregnancy is a lie. I'm sure Alpha's parents would find that particularly interesting. As Black Pine Pack's Chief Medical Officer, I have a duty to report any irregularities concerning the future Luna's health."

Adrianna's face instantly paled. She glared at me furiously before turning to leave, but not without a parting threat:

"Someday, Selene, you'll regret choosing to leave. When that day comes, I'll savor watching you suffer."

After Adrianna disappeared into the depths of the garden, Vivian immediately turned to me. "Are you alright? She's insufferable. I can't believe Vortend would choose her."

I drew a deep breath, feeling the twins calm within me, and gently caressed my stomach. "I'm fine. Thanks for arriving when you did, Viv."

Vivian quickly retrieved a small glass vial from her purse, her expression unusually grave.

"I have something to tell you, and time is short. I analyzed your blood sample—the Silver Vine toxin hasn't decreased in your system; it's actually increasing. Someone is still poisoning you, Selene."

I took the vial in shock, a chill spreading through my body, unrelated to my ice abilities. "What? But I've been away from Black Pine territory for months. Who could...?"

"I suspect Adrianna has an accomplice in Misty Mountain Pack. Perhaps a staff member, or someone you encounter daily," Vivian said gravely. "This is the antidote. Take it every night. From now on, be extremely careful with everything you eat and drink."

I nodded, tucking the vial into my purse, my mind racing with possibilities. If I died, what would happen to my children? I thought escaping Black Pine would keep us safe, but danger seemed omnipresent.

"Thank you, Viv. You're taking a huge risk. If Vortend discovered you were helping me..."

"We're friends, Selene," Vivian said firmly. "And—" she paused, her expression softening, "Jason is worried about you. He says Vortend has been acting strangely lately."

My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly suppressed that flicker of hope. That bastard had abandoned us. Don't be fooled by foolish hope.

"That doesn't matter anymore," I said coldly, forcing myself to remember how he let me leave. "We should go back; Archer will notice my extended absence."

When I returned to the hall, the ball was in full swing. I carefully navigated around the dance floor, hoping to remain unnoticed, but Archer's booming voice immediately called out to me.

"Bella, come here. Some Alpha-ranked guests want to meet you."

I froze, because standing beside Archer was none other than Vortend, my former mate, and father of the twins I carried.

His amber eyes locked onto me like a predator targeting prey.

I hesitantly approached, maintaining an elegant posture despite my internal panic.

"Gentlemen, this is Bella, my companion," Archer proudly announced, placing a possessive hand on my waist.

I nodded stiffly, carefully avoiding direct eye contact with Vortend, though I could feel his gaze burning into me, as if trying to strip away my soul.

"Your companion is beautiful, Archer," one Alpha commented, while I felt increasingly tense, especially with Vortend silently staring at me, his eyes containing an emotion I couldn't decipher.

The orchestra began a new melody, and Archer extended his hand to me.

"May I have the honor of this dance?"

I forced a smile, accepting his invitation while whispering in his ear:

"I need to leave after this dance; I'm not feeling well."

Archer nodded, leading me onto the dance floor. My gaze involuntarily met Vortend's for a brief moment. Whatever burned in those amber eyes made me quickly look away—was it anger or something else?

"I'll send someone to escort you back," Archer said concernedly, his hand tightening around my waist.

"That's unnecessary. I can manage alone," I insisted. "I just need rest. The twins are quite active today."

I swiftly crossed the ballroom, choosing a more discreet route through a small art gallery. I sensed someone following me but didn't look back. My heart raced, palms sweating, my wolf agitated.

Just as I neared the exit, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks. That voice, deep and powerful, once my source of security, now the root of my fear.

"Selene."

I didn't dare turn around at all, I just froze there and didn't dare to move.

"I knew it was you," he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed fury. "How far did you think you could run, my Luna?"