Page 4 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

Because Cedric didn't believe me. He never loved me. Maybe to him, I was just an obstacle—standing between him and Victoria. If Victoria weren't his brother Arcales' wife, they'd probably be together already. The thought made my heart go completely cold.

No. I couldn't give up. I still had the baby. My hands protected my belly. I had to escape. Had to get away with the child. When he was born, Cedric would understand I hadn't lied.

Heavy footsteps echoed outside the cell. I looked up to see Serena standing outside the bars.

"What are you doing here?" I glared at her coldly. "Get out!"

"My queen," guilt colored her voice. "Please, let me explain. The child you carry truly is His Majesty's. I'm sorry I hurt you with lies, but Lady Victoria threatened my life, forced me to say those things..."

I froze, staring at Serena in disbelief.

Serena sighed. "I couldn't bear the guilt. And I heard Lady Victoria plans to kill you. You've been branded a traitor—no one will believe you now. But I can't let you die because of my lies..."

She paused, then continued. "So I've arranged everything. Tonight, I'll help you escape, take you somewhere safe to have the baby. Then His Majesty will understand the truth."

I looked at her, emotions tangled.

The kingdom's most respected White Witch. A woman who never lied. But she'd just lied—because her life was threatened. So could her words now be lies too?

But I had no choice except to trust her. For the baby, I had to escape.

"Fine," I bit my lip, protecting my belly as I stood. "I'll trust you. Once."

Serena opened the cell door, used illusions to deceive all the guards, and led me out of the palace and into a dense forest. My heart pounded wildly.

It was late night. Moonlight filtered through the canopy in scattered patches. I followed Serena through the trees, barefoot on the cold earth, every step agony.

Deeper and deeper. Quieter and quieter.

Too quiet.

"Where are we going?" I stopped, looking around warily.

That's when I heard Serena's voice—no longer warm. Sharp now. "The time has come, Your Majesty."

"Serena, what are you—" Before I finished, she flicked her hand. A powerful force struck the back of my neck.

My consciousness plunged into darkness.

When I woke, I was bound to an ancient stone altar.

Rough ropes cut into my flesh. I struggled, wounds tearing with pain. Hooded figures surrounded me in a circle, chanting obscure spells. Black magical light swirled through the air like poisonous snakes coiling around the altar.

"Let me go!" I fought desperately. "What are you doing to me!"

No one answered. They just kept chanting, voices rising higher, faster.

That black magic... Black Witches!

"Get away! Ahh—" Massive pain hit me. My body convulsed. The wolf in my chest howled madly, nearly dying from the agony.

"Scream all you want. No one's coming to save you, dear sister." A familiar voice rang out. Victoria emerged from the crowd, slowly removing her hood. In the moonlight, her delicate face twisted with a crazed smile, eyes burning with madness.

"Victoria, have you lost your mind?" I gritted my teeth. "You're working with Black Witches? What the hell do you want?"

"What do I want?" She laughed—a sharp, piercing sound. "Your death, of course!"

She approached and leaned down. That face contorted with hatred. "Why? Why does an ugly freak like you get to be Luna? I should be Luna! Me!"