Chapter 2
At the pack gathering, the seat that had never been mine—the place beside the Alpha—was occupied by Kate Richardson.
When I arrived, Joseph Lane smiled.
“Cecelia, you’re here. Try the pastries I had the kitchen prepare especially for you.”
I lowered my gaze to the table, my body trembling faintly.
Kate giggled.
“Alpha, you forgot? Cecelia breaks out in rashes if she eats anything with cinnamon.”
“You mixed it up—the plain cakes you just gave to Whiskers are what she likes.”
I shuddered, unable to muster even a forced smile.
Joseph rubbed his temple and ordered the dishes to be replaced.
But I had no appetite.
When the meal began, Kate hesitated over the dishes, claiming she didn’t dare eat without someone testing for poison.
Joseph seemed to remember something and turned to me.
“Cecelia, since you’re naturally resistant to toxins, why don’t you taste the food for Kate? She’s pregnant, and it would be disastrous if she got poisoned.”
I froze, my heart turning cold.
Thinking of how I’d be leaving soon, I nodded obediently.
But the moment I took a bite, my stomach twisted in agony, and I spat out black blood.
Joseph’s eyes darkened as he held Kate tightly.
He ordered the healer to be called, but Kate interrupted.
She calmly took a few bites of the food, then her eyes filled with tears of委屈.
“Alpha, the food isn’t poisoned at all. If Cecelia dislikes me so much, I can leave, but why would she frame me out of jealousy?”
Hearing this, Joseph coldly gripped my chin.
“Cecelia, is this true? After three years, I never realized you were this cunning!”
He pushed me away, his gaze icy.
Kate, however, stepped forward to intervene.
“Alpha, don’t blame Cecelia. This is supposed to be a joyous occasion. Let me play a cheerful tune for you.”
The guests all praised her for being understanding and gracious.
As the lute began to play, Joseph smiled.
“This lute has such a pure tone. It’s truly fitting for Kate.”
He listened enraptured, subtly mocking my tainted nature.
Suddenly, the music stopped, and Kate let out a cry as black blood dripped from her fingers.
The lute she dropped was emitting a faint green glow.
Before I could react, Joseph kicked me square in the chest.
“Worthless woman! You think just because you’re toxin-resistant, you can poison Kate like this?”
I stared in shock, my heart aching as the lute lay shattered.
Kate’s cries of pain echoed, and Joseph’s anger only grew.
I trembled as I tried to explain.
“Alpha, for three years, I haven’t even set foot in the healer’s office. How could I get my hands on poison? Please believe me…”
But he wouldn’t listen—or perhaps didn’t want to—and pressed my hands onto the broken lute.
Before leaving, he spoke coldly.
“Cecelia, since you’re so malicious, kneel here and play the lute nine thousand nine hundred times. Beg for forgiveness and pray for Kate’s well-being.”
With that, he walked away without a backward glance.
I endured the endless insults from the crowd.
A sharp pain gripped my stomach.
After hundreds of repetitions, word finally came from the back that Kate was fine.
I collapsed, unconscious.
As the world spun, I thought I saw Joseph rushing over with the healer.
Weakly, I raised my head, a faint hope flickering in my heart.
Did he ever care for me, even a little?
The answer, as always, was disappointing.
The healer diagnosed me as pregnant.
When I woke, Joseph was by my bedside, smiling.
He said,
“Cecelia, this pup’s fate conflicts with the one Kate is carrying. We can’t keep it…”
I froze as the healer, in front of Joseph, warned,
“Alpha, if the Luna miscarries again, she may never conceive.”
But Joseph acted as though he hadn’t heard and turned to demand I terminate the pregnancy for Kate’s sake.
I wept and begged.
“Alpha, do you remember two years ago when I lost our pups saving you? You promised to give me another chance. Now it’s here. Please don’t take this away. Give me some hope, please?”
“The healer said it herself—if I lose this one, I’ll never have another…”
At the mention of the past, Joseph’s lips tightened.
He stood, towering over me, his eyes filled with disdain.
“Cecelia, you didn’t actually believe that, did you? How many others have you carried pups for? Do you think you deserve to have mine?”
“Do you know why you can’t conceive? Because every time, you drank contraceptive tea! But your stubborn body still managed to defy it. End it. I won’t let you stand in Kate’s way.”
The truth, along with the filthy details of my past, shattered me.
I clenched my teeth, trembling.
Though I knew I’d die soon, I was determined to find a way to save my pup.
Seeing my refusal, Joseph grew furious.
He turned and left.
That night, Kate found a solution.
She came to my room with Joseph, tugging at his sleeve as she cooed.
“Alpha, I don’t want to harm Cecelia’s pup either, but there’s a way. If we use her blood to brew my tea daily, wouldn’t that solve everything?”
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