Chapter 2
“The healer noticed something wasn’t quite right. You’ll need a minor follow-up surgery, nothing to worry about.”
Maximilian said gently, his voice like velvet over thorns.
“Don’t be afraid, Juliette. One day, we’ll have the perfect pup-his eyes will look like yours, his nose and smile like mine.
We’ll love him with everything we have… make up for everything we’ve lost.”
He handed me a vial of potion, its surface glowing faintly with a sleep spell. Behind his back, I caught the subtle flicker of
enchantment.
“How disgustingly hypocritical,” my wolf growled.
“Do I… have to drink it?” I asked quietly. “Can I say no?”
Maximilian, you’ve already stolen seven of my pups. Are you really going to take my last chance at motherhood too?
He reached out, stroking my hair with his broad hand, his Alpha aura washing over me-heavy, suffocating, impossible to
resist.
“Stop acting so fragile,” he said, almost amused. “You’re not some delicate Omega. You are Frosthowl Pack’s Luna-
strong, admired, untouchable. Where’s that strength now?”
He didn’t wait for an answer.
“Here. Let me help you.”
He pressed the potion to my lips, leaving me no choice. I shut my eyes and swallowed.
It slid down my throat like broken glass.
My vision blurred. Darkness crept in.
Through the haze, I saw the door open. The healer stepped inside-his accomplice.
“Do it now,” Maximilian ordered, voice cold and absolute. “And… use magic to paralyze her legs.”
The healer froze. “Alpha, that’s… cruel. Is that really necessary?”
“Do it.”
I’d always known Maximilian was calculating. Obsessively cautious. But to think that just waking up early would push him this far?
He’d taken my pups. My womb. And now… even my ability to walk.
Eight years. Eight years I stood by his side. Is this what I get in return?
My wolf howled in agony, tearing through me with silent fury.
I tried to move, tried to fight-but the darkness dragged me under.
Just before it swallowed me whole, I heard the healer whisper, “It’s done. Her uterus is gone. And… she’ll never walk
again.”
Maximilian’s voice came next, cool and satisfied. “Double the bonus.”
When I woke again, a warm tear splashed onto my hand.
Maximilian stood at my bedside, eyes rimmed red, grief carved into every line of his face.
“Juliette,” he said hoarsely, “the healer… said your uterus was too damaged. They had to remove it. You won’t be able to have children again.”
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. I was already trying-desperately-to move my legs.
Nothing.
No sensation. No control.
Panic set in like a knife in my chest.
I broke down, sobs wracking my body. “Maximilian… what did you do to my legs?”
He swallowed hard, his voice cracking. “There was… a complication. During surgery. Your lower body… is paralyzed.”
He reached for my hand. “But don’t be afraid. No matter what, you’ll always be the Luna of the Frosthowl Pack.”
I never realized until that moment just how gifted a liar Maximilian truly was.
He dismissed the nurses, insisted on caring for me himself-feeding me healing potions, wiping my motionless body, even tending to the blood from my miscarriage like a doting husband.
He kept up the act all day, then, as evening settled in, pressed a kiss to my forehead with a sorrowful smile.
“Juliette, you’ve suffered so much carrying our pups. I’ll make it up to you. I swear it.”
I turned my face away, my voice ice-cold. “If you’re tired, go rest.”
“Alright. I’ll stay right here. Call me if you need anything.”
Chapter 2
