Chapter 4: Dangerous Escape

Selene

The door was kicked open, and to my disappointment, it was Adriana who strode in with a swagger, immediately filling the air with her enchanting aura. I smiled bitterly. Was I still holding out hope for Vortend?

"Oh, so it's true! You're faking unconsciousness just to gain sympathy and delay the severance ritual?" she scoffed with contempt, perfectly controlling her expression and scent, but I could still sense her true emotions—raw triumph.

"Don't worry, he severed my mate status, and I accepted it. You won," I tried to hide my pain.

"Oh? That's wonderful... there's no place for you in our lives, especially since we're about to become parents soon." Adriana gloated.

"What?" I gasped, unable to mask my hurt as I stared at Adriana's stomach, watching as she gently caressed it, doubling down on her enchantment ability.

"Does it hurt? To know your man was busy with me while you were playing the good wife at home? What do you think happened on all those nights he came home late?" she taunted, the enchantment in her voice targeting my insecurities.

I opened my mouth, about to answer, determined not to let her see how heartbroken I was, when my mother intervened, fuming with rage.

"Ah, look, a filthy cockroach has entered the hospital room! The entire place needs disinfection!" my mother said, making Adriana turn around, her voice filled with her signature elegant yet cutting sarcasm.

"Are you talking about me?" Adriana accused.

"Of course you! I've never seen an uglier cockroach than you! You look just like your mother, fake inside and out. Now get out! My daughter is unwell, and the doctor specifically stated she shouldn't be exposed to toxic substances!"

"M-my father will hear about this!" Adriana sputtered.

"Oh please, I'd like to see what Harrison will do! Tell him his daughter was just rejected by her destined mate, and her sister is celebrating it! See if his conscience finally awakens!" my mother retorted, standing even straighter, displaying the dignity she carried as a former Luna.

Adriana's head snapped toward me, giving me one final glare before storming out of the room, leaving behind an acrid scent.

"Come, the private car will be here in fifteen minutes. You know the medical centers in this area are heavily monitored. I don't want Black Pine people tracking us," my mother said, draping a thick coat over my shoulders.

"Thank you," I whispered, sitting up, feeling the wound on my neck still burning.

"What else can a mother do? I'll always be here," she said gently, helping me out of bed, covering the severance mark on my neck with a scarf.

I nodded, allowing my mother to lead me out of the hospital. "You won, Adriana, he's all yours. But I wonder if winning an unfaithful Alpha is really a victory."

Back at my mother's house in Black Pine territory, I watched her worried eyes and tried to maintain a smile.

"Mom, don't worry, I won't be beaten by this," I reassured her.

"My child, I cannot imagine that we would share the same fate. Perhaps I was unfortunate, but I truly didn't wish for you to endure this suffering as well," my mother said, covering her face as she wept.

My parents had been destined mates, but my father had an affair with Patricia, resulting in Adriana's birth just two years after mine. My stepmother not only took my mother's mate but also my father.

Although I grew up wealthy, received the best education, and earned my Harvard MBA, our relationship was merely a formality to my father, a responsibility he no longer wanted. When I refused to give up Vortend for Adriana, he severed ties with me as well.

I wanted to take a shower and get some sleep, determined to keep the babies in my womb healthy despite my grief.

Standing naked before the mirror, I discovered silver spider web-like patterns appearing on my legs, and my abilities seemed somewhat uncontrollable.

Out of concern for my children, I called my friend Vivian, who secretly examined me that night.

"Your blood is very abnormal, as if you've been poisoned. The twins also seem affected. From my experience, it looks like Silver Vine," Vivian's tone was extremely serious.

"What? Who would poison me?" I exchanged glances with Vivian, both of us knowing the truth.

"Adriana, why, why do you still push me to death's door when I've already stepped aside?" I murmured, the Luna of the Moon who rarely shed tears now dropping teardrops like ice crystals, fearful for my children's safety.

My mother felt threatened. To protect me and the twins in my belly, she was determined to help us escape.

"My child, we cannot stay here anymore. If Adriana can poison you today, and if she discovers you're carrying twins, she could send assassins to kill you tomorrow! We must flee! We must flee!" my mother said resolutely, wiping the tears from her face.

Vivian expressed her support, "Yes, Selene, you must leave as soon as possible. Adriana has returned, and staying here is extremely dangerous." Her tone was very serious.

I looked out the window at the heavy snowfall, wondering: Vortend, do you know about Adriana poisoning me? Do you want to harm me too?

The windowpanes frosted over, delicate ice patterns spreading like silver ferns across the glass. In that moment, I made my decision. I would not wait for daybreak.

A silent understanding passed between the three of us. My mother squeezed my hand, her eyes lighting up with sudden insight.

"The weather will cover our tracks," I observed, a grim smile forming on my lips.

"I'll make the arrangements," my mother said, already reaching for her phone. "Pack only what you absolutely need. Nothing traceable."

As she stepped into the next room to make her call, Vivian approached me with a small medical kit.

"Take these," she said, pressing several vials into my hand. "Antidotes and supplements. They won't eliminate the Silver Vine completely, but they'll help mitigate its effects."

"Thank you," I whispered, tucking them carefully into a small bag.

"Selene," Vivian said, her voice low and urgent. "Whatever happens, whatever you learn... don't lose yourself. Your children need you whole."

I nodded, understanding the deeper meaning behind her words. "I won't," I promised. "I'll become stronger than I've ever been."

Vortend, I thought you were my everything. But now I see—I am my own Alpha, and these children are my pack.

With a trembling touch, I cradled my belly, drawing solace and resolve from the two lives growing within me.

I will keep you safe. I will give you a home. And someday, we will reclaim what is rightfully ours.