Unseen

"You can't give me an heir, Elara!" He yelled into my face, seething. "But she can. So know your fucking place."

I blinked at his outburst. What was he saying? "You are being insensitive, Cassian. If I could, I would... you know I..."

"But you can't," he deadpanned.

His words were slaps to my face, and I had to take a step back. "Why are you doing this to me? After everything we've been through together..."

Cassian waved his hand dismissively and rolled his eyes.

"Survival comes first, Elara. Don't make me regret this, don't make me regret us," Cassian's words hung in the air, bitter words of rejection. I felt a storm of emotions brewing within, but I couldn't let him see my vulnerability.

I squared my shoulders, refusing to let tears betray me. "This isn't just about an heir, is it?" I demanded, locking eyes with Cassian.

He hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "We all have our roles to play, Elara. Even you."

The weight of his words sank into my soul.

"So I am supposed to sit down like an obedient servant, while someone else takes my place?" I tried to sound angry, but my words only came out sad.

"No one said that," Cassian denied. "You are still my Luna."

"What about your wife? Am I still your wife? Am I still the woman to love?" I asked.

His face was still distorted with anger, and he said, "You are who I need you to be,"

"Will I ever be enough for you?" I implored, my voice trembling with the weight of unspoken pain.

Cassian's gaze hardened a flicker of hatred in his eyes. "Elara, it's not about being enough. It's about securing the pack's future."

"But what about us? What about the love we shared?" I pleaded, searching for a glimmer of the man I once knew.

His shoulders sagged, a heavy sigh escaping him. "Love can't sustain a pack, Elara. We need an heir."

At that moment, I felt the chasm widening between us, a divide that no amount of love could bridge.

“Cassian?”

The sound of Nora's voice in the doorway turned my stomach. I watched as my mate's countenance changed as he turned to her.

“Nora, dear,” he said as he reached her. He reached down to cradle her swollen stomach. I turned away, not being able to stomach the sight.

They were speaking, but I did not want to hear any of it. Cassian did not even stop me as I left the room, tears pricking my eyes. My heart was scattering, and I knew that I would inevitably lose him completely.

I went to my quarters to get my head together. I sat in bed. The room was unfamiliar to me because it had not been mine a few months ago. It had been Nora's before I was made to switch places with her. Now, she sleeps in our matrimonial bed.

There had been a time when it had been me and Cassian had fallen asleep, wrapped in each other's arms, whispering sweet promises of forever. Now, it seemed like a distant dream.

I wiped away the traitorous tears, resolving not to let anyone see my weakness. The world outside was cloaked in darkness, mirroring my inner turmoil. As the Luna of Silverpine, I had a duty to fulfil, even if it meant burying the shards of my shattered heart. Cassian would have his heir, then he would pay Nora as was originally intended and send her on her way. We would be one once again.

I hoped, but the rational side of me told me that if anyone would leave the castle, it would be me. A knock suddenly pulled me out of my reverie. I got up and ensured that my face was dry of any rogue tears and went to answer the door.

My heart dropped when I saw the person on the other side.

“Luna,” Nora said in her sweet voice that made my tooth ache. She bowed slightly.

I forced a smile. “Nora, what brings you here?” I asked, completely stumped as to why the Alpha's breeder would be coming to see me.

Nora's eyes gleamed with faked innocence as she entered my quarters, a hint of triumph playing on her lips. "Luna, I thought we could have a little chat. Woman to woman."

I motioned for her to sit, maintaining a composed facade. "Very well, Nora. What's on your mind?"

She settled into a chair, eyes never leaving mine. "Cassian is quite distressed, you know. He's torn between securing Silverpine's future and your shared past."

I clenched my fists, holding back the surge of anger. Nora was skilled when it came to charming people with her inherent sweetness, but I knew what snake hid just beneath the surface waiting to strike. "What do you want, Nora?"

Her grin widened, "I want you to leave. Cassian needs an heir, and I'm the one who can give it to him."

The audacity of her words left me momentarily speechless. The room seemed to close in on us, and I fought to maintain my composure. “Once you give him his heir, you will be on your way.”

She cackled at my words, like the witch that I knew she was. Why could nobody see what I was seeing? Why could they not see through her like I did?

She leaned in, her voice dripping with honeyed menace. "You're not in a position to be making declarations, Elara. I hold the key to Cassian's future, and you're merely something of his past."

Anger flared within me, but I bit back a retort. Nora revelled in provoking reactions. Instead, I took a deep breath, gathering my strength. "If you think you can manipulate your way into power, you underestimate me, Nora."

Nora's eyes gleamed with the challenge. “Would you like to make a wager on that?” She asked.

I said nothing.

“Okay then let's make a wager, I'll send you out of the castle within the next three days, but if I can't…” She paused for dramatic effect. “I'll leave on my own after the heir is born.”

I raised a brow at her over-confidence, but I did not speak.

She got up, rubbing her stomach and waddled to the door. “I'll be on my way now, the father of my child must be waiting for me.” She said,

“Let the games begin, Elara,” She said as she exited my room.