Chapter 29 Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Chapter 29
Ashley
I was shoved hard into the room, the door slammed shut behind me My legs gave out immediately, and I hit the floor hard. Pain shot through my body, but I didn’t react.
I just stayed there, I didn’t move move for a long time, wondering what could be happening, first I was locked up for treason, I thought I was going to die and now I am back in my room.,
The cold from earlier still clung to my bones, and my body felt too weak to even lift itself. I waited for the door to burst open again and someone came in to give me another round of punishment. But nothing happened.
After a while, I forced myself to sit up, no one was coming anytime soon. I pushed myself up and headed towards the bathroom, I spent a long time there scrubbing all the filth off my body.
The moment I returned to the room, I froze. The king was sitting on the couch, my breath caught in my throat. I hadn’t heard the door open. I hadn’t heard any footsteps. Instinctively, I tightened the towel around my body, suddenly aware of how exposed I was.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stood up slowly and began walking toward me.
Each step he took made my heart beat faster, I couldn’t move. My body felt rooted to the spot as he closed the distance between us. “Is that how you speak,” he said calmly, “to the man who just saved your life?”
His words confused me. Saved me? He was the same person who had ordered me to be thrown into that dark room.
Before I could respond, he stopped right in front of me. We were so close I could feel the heat from his body.
“What were you doing at the witch’s cabin?” he asked, his voice low and sharp.
My mind went blank. “I… I…” I stuttered, unable to find the right words.
There was no excuse that sounded convincing enough. “I didn’t know it was treason,” I said finally, my voice barely steady. “And Ethonian lied. She said I forced her to take me there, but that’s not true.”
He shook his head slowly. “That’s not what I asked,” he said.
His eyes stayed fixed on mine, unreadable. “Why were you at the witch’s cabin?” he repeated. “Were you looking for a potion? Something to control me because I slept with you?” His tone grew colder. “Do you want to be luna that badly?”
His words ignited anger inside me. “Why would I want to bewitch you?” I shot back before I could stop myself. “I don’t want to be your luna.” The words came out sharper than I intended. “I would rather die than become anyone’s luna again.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I froze. My eyes widened, I hadn’t meant to say that.
“Again?” he repeated slowly. “You were a luna before?”
I quickly shook my head.“No, I was never a luna,” I said, trying to steady my voice. “And I don’t want to be one. I just want to live my life in peace.” I took a small breath before continuing. “I didn’t go to the witch because of you or anyone in this pack. I went because I want to deliver my baby safely.”
As I spoke, his eyes slowly moved over my body. The way he looked at me made my skin tighten. Even though I was covered, I felt exposed under his gaze. His expression darkened, and I instinctively took a step back.
Memories of the last time we were together flashed through my mind. Abel’s words echoed in my head—no matter how many times we fucked, he would never remember.
What was the point of being tied to someone like that? Someone who could never feel anything, no matter how much you gave?
“Well,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “you are going to be my luna, whether you like it or not. It has already been decided.”
My eyes widened in shock. That couldn’t be real. “Wait… how is that even possible?” I asked. “I’m not your mate. I am not even from this kingdom.” My hand moved slightly toward my stomach. “And I’m carrying another man’s child.”
My thoughts were racing, trying to make sense of his words. Was this why I was brought out of that room?
“I don’t care about the child,” he replied without hesitation. “I already told you what will happen to it after it’s born.”
His tone was so cold that it made my chest tighten. “And as for the pack,” he continued, “their opinion means nothing to me. It hasn’t for a long time. I have made my choice, and that’s final.”
Anger rose quickly inside me. “Well, I don’t want to be your luna!” I said, my voice rising despite my fear. “Why is that so hard for you to understand?” I shook my head, frustration building. “What happens when I find my mate?” I added.
I refused to go through this again. First, Gerald had used me until he found his mate. And now this? I wasn’t going to let myself be discarded again.
“There is no chance of me finding a mate,” he said flatly. “And tell me, wouldn’t it be better to be tied to someone like me, instead of a man who abandoned you and left you with his child?”
“There is no negotiation,” he added. “Preparations for the ceremony have already begun.”
My heart dropped, a ceremony? What would happen when other Alphas came? What if Gerald is invited and he sees me? What if he finds out my parents were the same people he had declared traitors? What would he do to me then?
“I don’t want to be your luna,” I said again, more firmly this time. “I will not take part in any mating ceremony with you. Not now, not ever.”
He didn’t look angry. Instead, he smirked. “How about this,” he said slowly. “I let you face the punishment for those who visit witches.”
A cold chill ran through me. “Death by hanging.”