Chapter 3

I stood behind Obsidian, watching him in the moonlight.

"Evangeline. I know you chose me not out of love. But I swear, as long as I live, I won't let you suffer any harm," he said.

I looked directly at him: "Obsidian, I chose you willingly."

He gazed at me in silence for quite a while, as if seeking some answer within my eyes.

That look made my heart skip.

Finally, he pressed my hand against his heart and said, "No matter the reason, you chose me. That is enough."

The next day brought the most anticipated event in Astoria's history.

The entire empire witnessed an unprecedented dual wolf clan ceremony at the Imperial Grand Cathedral.

The massive hall was split in two - eastern altar blazing with Flame Wolf fire, western altar shrouded in Shadow shadows.

Rosalind's ceremony was pure spectacle. Alphas from four major clans gathered, howls thundering through stone arches. Flames danced up soaring pillars.

My ceremony was quieter. No distinguished guests, just genuine joy from Shadow clan members.

The priest raised his silver staff:

"The union of Shadow Wolf Clan and human princess will birth the true heir!"

I gripped Obsidian's hand. He squeezed back gently, his eyes meeting mine with warmth and promise.

Evening brought the banquet in the cathedral's great hall.

Rosalind approached me.

"Behold the deep mark left upon me by Draconious," she said, caressing the scar with pride. "Soon, we shall have a perfect heir."

"Unlike some people stuck with exiled mutts," she continued.

I smirked. "Then, I genuinely wish you the best of luck."

Rosalind knew about my previous life - how I'd somehow managed to birth a healthy Alliance heir.

What she didn't know was the price I'd paid for that "success."

She believed that I had once found it easy to conceive, and consequently, she was convinced that she too would effortlessly bear children in this life.

She even made a public pledge that she would surely conceive a child within a month. This news swiftly circulated among the wolf clan.

Observing her unwavering confidence, even Draconious became entirely persuaded and began preparing for the prospective heir.

Had they been aware of the private discussions among the physician that I inadvertently overheard in a past life, they would likely not harbor such optimism.

Then Rosalind's voice cut through the hall like a blade.

"Look at this pathetic display!" She gestured toward the Shadow section with contempt. "No gifts, no treasures, barely any guests. They can't even afford proper wedding decorations. How embarrassing for our royal family to be associated with such... poverty."

Every Shadow wolf went still.

My voice turned ice-cold: "Rosalind. Apologize to the Shadow Wolf Clan. Now."

"Why should I?" she laughed shrilly. "It's obvious they're broke! Living in caves, wearing rags, can't even—"

The temperature dropped. Shadow power leaked into the air as every Shadow wolf stood in unison. Their eyes blazed with dangerous light.

Though the Shadow Wolves occupy a lowly status, they would never tolerate the humiliation inflicted by other clans.

Father countenance turned pale upon witnessing this scene. "Rosalind! Apologize immediately!"

Under the crushing pressure of their combined aura, Rosalind stammered "sorry."

Yet her gaze brimmed with vengeful intent as she gritted her teeth and said to me, "Just wait, Evangeline. My offspring will crush whatever weaklings you produce."

Later that night, in the quiet of Shadow territory.

I sat on the bed.

When Obsidian slowly removed his formal robes, revealing his powerful form, my breath caught.

His half-wolf transformation was magnificent - all lean muscle and primal grace.

"Moon goddess... you're incredible..." I whispered.

He paused, eyes uncertain. "Evangeline, if you're afraid of my true nature..."

"I'm not afraid." I stood, closing the distance between us. "I want to see all of you."

His pupils dilated as I traced the lunar markings along his chest. When I pressed my lips to his throat, he growled low and deep, the sound vibrating through both our bodies.

"You're playing with fire," he warned, voice rough with restraint.

"Then burn me," I breathed against his skin.

The last of his control shattered.

He claimed my mouth with desperate hunger, hands tangling in my hair. Our clothing disappeared like mist as we fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs and heated kisses.

His touch ignited something primal in me. Every caress, every bite, every whispered endearment in the wolf tongue sent lightning through my veins.

When he finally claimed me completely, the bond exploded between us like a supernova.

"Mine," he growled against my throat as I arched beneath him.

"Yours," I gasped. "Always yours."

Hours later, thoroughly spent and gloriously sated, I collapsed against his chest. "Rest..." I pleaded breathlessly. "I need... to recover..."

He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest as he gathered me closer. "As my mate commands."

Living with Obsidian was a revelation.

His stamina was incredible, his passion boundless. Every night with him left me breathless and completely satisfied in ways I'd never experienced before.

One month later, the impossible happened.

Rosalind was pregnant.

Pregnant? How was that even possible? Given what I knew about Draconius's condition, this should have been impossible.

I'd overheard the Flame Wolf physician talking to Draconius's mother:

"Alpha Draconius' wolf fire runs too hot. His seed count is dangerously low. Conception would require... extraordinary circumstances."

"Do not let this be known!" his mother had snarled.

If Draconius truly couldn't father children, then whose baby was Rosalind carrying?

Soon after, the Flame Wolf Clan announced grand celebrations.

Draconius raised his goblet: "The moon goddess blesses us! My blood will birth the next Alliance ruler!"

The crowd roared approval. I caught fragments of excited whispers: "The first heir..." "Finally, a Alliance ruler..."

Guests fawned over Draconius while I sat beside Rosalind at her insistence.

"Still flat as a board?" She caressed her swollen belly mockingly. "Maybe your womb just refuses to work for shadow mutts. Can't blame it really. But don't worry - my child will rule over whatever runts you eventually produce."

"Whose child it really is remains to be seen," I said calmly. "After all, full moon nights have many Alphas roaming the territories."

Rosalind's eyes filled with panic. "What do you mean?"

No brains at all. She couldn't handle the simplest probe.

I raised my glass: "May your child be born safely."

Then, I left with Obsidian.

Five months later, screams echoed from Flame Wolf territory.

Rosalind endured hellish labor for a day and night, nearly dying. But strangely, no birth announcement came. Father was refused visits.

Something had gone very wrong.

Father called me back to the palace urgently.

When I received the summons, Obsidian appeared at my side, having sensed my distress through our bond.

I caught the worry in his eyes and reached for his hand: "Come with me."

We arrived to find the palace in chaos. Servants whispered in hushed tones, and the air itself felt heavy with unspoken dread.

Following the sound of muffled sobs toward the private chambers, both Obsidian and I froze mid-step.

A physician burst out of the room, running and screaming as he stumbled and scrambled back to his feet: "Monster! It's a monster!"