Chapter 68 The Betrayal

Chapter 68 The Betrayal
Coriander’s Point of View

Flashback 5 Years Ago

“Cori is in a dangerous condition now that she is carrying a child, Elder Mara. She may not be able to keep the Solar Sigil under complete control much longer.”

I stopped shortly before stepping inside Aunt Elmira’s cabin the moment I heard her voice through the slightly ajar door.

I had returned to the main village after discovering I was pregnant few months ago since I wanted to rest here for a while. I did not want to continue training while carrying a child. I refused to do anything that might put my unborn baby’s life at risk. For the first time in years, my only priority was to protect my unborn child, to make sure it was safe and healthy from the very beginning.

I held back from entering, knowing Aunt Elmira was still speaking with someone. I turned around, ready to leave and let them finish their conversation in private, but I froze at the reply that came from Elder Mara.

“This is our final chance to get the Sigil back into our hands after all these years it has been lost to the Hundi, Grandmother Elmira. I know you will not like my suggestion, but why not consider abortion? You know that I can perform that kind of magic, right?”

My heart began to hammer against my ribs so fiercely it felt as though it might burst right through my chest. My breath caught in my throat, and without thinking, both of my hands flew instinctively to rest over my slightly big stomach.

My eyes went wide with shock and disbelief, and my fingers began to tremble uncontrollably as I slowly turned back toward the door. Slowly and cautiously, I drew closer, even though fear made me dread what else I might hear.

“What? Coriander will never agree to such a thing!” Aunt Elmira exclaimed sharply.

“Yes, I know that, but we do not have to tell her,” Elder Mara urged.

“What do you mean by that?” Aunt Elmira asked.

“I will take care of the method myself. I can perform the abortion procedure without her ever finding out, Grandmother Elmira,” Elder Mara continued calmly, as if speaking of something ordinary. “All I need is your permission to carry out this plan. It is for the greater good, for the future and stability of the entire Hundi Pack. The Hundi Pack’s bloodline.”

My hands clenched so tightly at my sides that my nails dug deep into my skin. I stood there, silent and trembling, praying with every beat of my heart that Aunt Elmira would refuse. She is my aunt, this child is also her own flesh and blood—her grandnephew or niece! Surely she will not agree to thi—

“Very well. Do it.”

The words hit me like a bucket of ice‑cold water poured straight over my head. My knees turned weak beneath me, and I nearly collapsed right there on the spot. Luckily, I caught myself just in time, gripping the wooden post beside the cabin door for support, my knuckles turning white as I held on.

Tears began streaming down my face in an endless flow, blurring my vision completely. I did not know whether I should feel rage, betrayal, or overwhelming fear—all three emotions swirled inside me at once, making my chest ache so sharply it felt as though it might split open.

They are planning to kill my child right behind my back!

Before he is even born, before he has taken his first breath, his life is already in danger from the very people I thought would protect us.

I backed slowly away from Aunt Elmira’s cabin before turning and running carefully as fast as I could toward the Sanctuary. I even crossed paths with Luka along the way, but I did not stop or speak to him.

“Coria—”

I just let myself run, letting the tears fall freely down my face as all the pain and betrayal crashed over me.

I felt like everyone had turned against me. Had they only ever welcomed and accepted me because I am the host of the Solar Sigil? Was that the only reason I was ever valued here?

I did not even remember how I managed to slip past the protective barrier. My mind was clouded with fear and shock, and I ran on pure instinct alone. Then I suddenly realized I was already outside, beyond the boundaries of the Hundi Pack. My heart hammered wildly in my chest as I kept going, putting more and more distance between myself and the Hundi Pack territory.

I was so overwhelmed that my senses were dulled—I did not notice the commotion starting to rise inside the barrier or the voices calling my name in panic and confusion. I did not slow down until a public bus came driving along the road, and without a second thought, I climbed aboard, carrying nothing but my small wallet, which held barely enough money for the fare.

Several hours later, I found myself standing right in front of the Obsidian Fang Fortress. I looked a sight—my dress torn at the hem, my feet covered in dry mud and dust from running through the forest, my hair tangled, and my face streaked with dried tears. I felt small and exposed, like a stranger who had lost everything, standing before the very territory I had once left behind.

I never imagined I would set foot here again after only a few months. I had left this place with a clear, determined mind, thinking I knew exactly where I stood and what I wanted—and I certainly never expected to return looking like a lost child, as if the whole world had turned its back on me.

I was about to walk toward the main entrance when I paused, my brow furrowing at the sound of loud music and lively noise coming from the left side of the fortress. Instead of going straight to the front gates, I turned and made my way toward the west wing, driven by curiosity and a growing sense of unease, needing to find out what was going on.

When I reached the section where the sounds were coming from, I crept closer and peered through one of the tall windows.

“What on earth are they doing?” I whispered, my forehead creasing in confusion.

I was certain I had not lost my way. Inside the room, a large crowd of people was dancing freely, while lights of every color swirled and flashed across the walls and floor. It looked just like a bustling ballroom or a lively club—nothing like the quiet, disciplined halls I remembered.

My eyes swept across the entire space, and in an instant, all the blood drained from my face when I saw who was seated at the center of it all.

“N-No…”

There sat Mavros, right upon the high throne placed on the raised platform. Two women were perched on the wide arms of the chair, and at that very moment, he was leaning in to kiss one of them full on the lips, his hand resting casually on her waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Behind him, I could clearly make out the faces of Beta Lief, Gamma Fengk, and Delta Gun standing stiffly at attention, looking far from pleased or comfortable with what was unfolding before them.

My breath caught in my throat, and my hands flew to cover my mouth to muffle the gasp that threatened to escape. It felt as though someone had driven a knife straight through my chest mercilessly.

After everything I had just learned, after running for miles with nothing but fear and the desperate hope of finding safety here, this was the sight that greeted me.

Is this real? Did I really think he would be waiting for me? Did I foolishly believe he would still be the man I left behind only months ago?

I watched, frozen in place, as he pulled away from the woman’s lips and turned his head to whisper something in the ear of the other girl sitting beside him, making her giggle and lean closer to him. He looked relaxed, unbothered, completely at ease in the middle of this lavish, careless celebration. There was no sign of the longing I had once imagined, no trace of the bond we were supposed to share.

Behind him, Delta Gun shifted his weight and glanced briefly toward the window, his gaze sweeping over the area where I stood.

I ducked back instantly, pressing myself flat against the stone wall, my heart hammering so loudly I was sure they could hear it inside. I waited a few seconds before daring to peek again, and when I did, I saw him shake his head slightly, a look of helpless disapproval crossing his face before he turned his attention back to the room.

He doesn’t care anymore. In my time away, he has already filled the space I left behind with other women. He has moved on, while I ran here carrying his child, thinking he was the only one who could protect us.

A cold emptiness settled over me, replacing the hope that had pushed me all this way. My legs, which had carried me so far, suddenly felt weak and useless. I realized then that I had nowhere left to go. Not with the Hundi Pack, who wanted to harm my baby, and certainly not here, where the man I thought was my mate was already wrapped up in the arms of others.

Slowly and quietly, I stepped back from the window, my feet moving on their own to carry me away from the noise and the bright lights. I could not stay here. I could not let him see me in this state, broken and desperate, only to be rejected or pitied. With every step I took further into the shadows, I made a silent vow: I would protect my child alone. If the world wanted to turn its back on us, then we would survive without it.

End of Flashback