Chapter 3: I’m Really Not Feeling Well

(Seraphina’s POV)

I forced myself to pull away from the painful memories, my face already streaked with tears.

Lucien had made it clear from the very beginning—he would never love me.

Even though I became his wife, his Luna, all he ever felt for me was disdain, nothing more.

After all, I had used dishonorable means to marry him, though it was never my intention. But right now, he was the only one who could save my brother.

I sniffled, suppressing the ache in my chest, and called Lucien.

Finally, on the seventh attempt, he picked up.

I hurried to speak. “Lucien… I need your help with something. Could you please—”

Before I could finish, he cut me off coldly. “If you need anything, talk to my assistant. I’m busy.”

“Lucien, my brother—”

Once again, he interrupted, his tone dripping with impatience and sarcasm. “Is he asking for money again? I told you, anything financial goes through my assistant. I don’t have time to deal with you.”

With that, he hung up.

The sound of the disconnect tone pierced through me like a knife, but reality left no room for heartbreak.

I had no choice but to go to his office at the pack’s headquarters and try my luck.

Yes, Lucien wasn’t just the leader of all the wolves; he had also built a massive business empire that provided for every need of the pack—housing, food, transportation, healthcare.

Countless female wolves adored him. They were willing to do anything for his favor. They longed to sleep with him, to bear his pups.

Lucien’s seed was even sold on the black market for astronomical sums, exceeding $10 million.

Why? It was simple. Any female wolf who bore a child with Lucien’s bloodline had a chance at gaining access to his inheritance.

Even without the wealth and power, his devastatingly handsome face alone was enough to make countless women flock to him.

But Lucien never gave anyone that chance.

Not even me.

Even though we had been married for three years, I only saw him during his annual heat cycles, when he needed a mate to calm him. The rest of the time, seeing him was nearly impossible.

He made sure I would never have his child.

I steadied myself against the floor, clumsily getting to my feet, and asked the staff to arrange a driver.

But just as I stepped out of my room, the night sky suddenly burst into dazzling fireworks. The vibrant colors painted a dreamlike celebration in the air.

I froze, staring blankly at the display above.

And then, my phone vibrated again. The screen lit up with a cold, white glow. It was her.

[Did you see it?]

[These fireworks tonight—they’re all a birthday gift from Lucien, just for me.]

[What good is it for you to have forced him into marrying you with such despicable means?]

[In his heart, there’s only me.]

The taunting messages left me utterly calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

But when I looked back up at the fireworks, I found it hard to breathe.

The pain my wolf felt was consuming me.

I felt as though I were standing at the edge of a deep, bottomless abyss. The overwhelming agony urged me to jump.

If I jumped, all the pain would vanish.

My body trembled uncontrollably, my vision went black, and I lost consciousness.

…

When I opened my eyes again, it was already morning.

The sunlight poured in through the window, harsh and blinding. I squinted, instinctively raising a hand to shield my eyes.

That’s when I heard it—a familiar, icy voice.

“What other tricks are you planning to pull, hmm?”

My heart jolted. I snapped my head up.

It was Lucien.

He stood at the foot of the bed, dressed in a tailored black suit. The silver cufflinks on his sleeves glinted coldly in the sunlight. His expression was indifferent, laced with mockery, and his sapphire-blue eyes brimmed with unmasked loathing.

I stared at him in a daze, my mind blank, my throat dry. I couldn’t understand why he was suddenly here—or what he meant by his words.

“Playing the victim? Acting fragile?” Lucien sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Seraphina, do you think pulling stunts like this will make me go soft?”

Before I could explain, he took a few long strides toward the bed, towering over me with an intimidating presence.

His piercing gaze made me shrink back instinctively. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, Lucien leaned down abruptly, pinning me beneath him.

I could hear the frantic pounding of my own heart.

“I… I didn’t lie to you…” I stammered, my voice trembling almost imperceptibly. “I’m really not feeling well…”

Ever since my first transformation, when I was attacked by rogue wolves, Bevy and I had been left weak. Whenever I overexerted myself or experienced intense emotions, I would faint.

But Lucien didn’t believe me. He scoffed coldly. “Not feeling well? Here?”

Before I could react, his slender, calloused hand gripped my chest with force.