bound by blood not love

The air in the hospital hallway was cold and smelled like antiseptic. Snow had melted off the boots of everyone who came in, but the tension inside was worse than the winter outside. *Reagon Walter*Alpha of the Silver Woods Pack, stood in a patient room in a sharp black pinstripe suit. His jaw was tight. He was sitting beside a hospital bed, his hand gently covering the hand of *Lily*, a member of the Silver Woods Pack. Lily was pale in her hospital gown, covered with a thick grey fur blanket. Her blonde hair spread across the pillow and she forced a weak smile up at him. Behind the half-open door, *Sia Emerson*,Luna of the Silver Woods Pack, stood frozen. Her long dark hair fell over her white dress. Her eyes went wide, and her hand flew to her chest like she’d been struck. Reagon turned from Lily and walked out. Sia followed him, her heart pounding. He spun on her the second they were in the hall. His eyes were dark, furious. “You,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “You actually had the nerve to put wolf’s bane in Lily’s food.” Sia’s eyes filled instantly. “Reagon, I don’t know what happened. Lily said that she wasn’t feeling well and asked me to bring her breakfast so I did.” Her voice shook. She took a step back, pressed against the blue wall. “Shut up,” Reagon snapped. His eyes narrowed. “The maid saw you do it.” “Reagon, she’s obviously lying,” Sia pleaded, desperation cracking her voice. “Stop with the act.” Reagon took a step closer, towering over her. His expression twisted with betrayal. “You’re the one who told my father that we were mates, and I had to sign that ridiculous contract.” Sia shook her head, tears spilling. She could feel her wolf stirring under her skin, hurt and cornered. Reagon’s voice dropped to something colder. “Lily should be my Luna. Not you.” The words hit Sia like a slap. Her eyes changed — from hurt to shock, then to a dull, broken shine. She whispered, “It wasn’t me.” Her hands trembled. “I don’t know how he knew, Reagon. Stop.” She slid down the wall and ended up sitting on the white hospital floor, hugging herself. Reagon just stared down at her, then turned and walked away without looking back. “Reagon?” she called after him, but he didn’t stop. Inside the room, Reagon’s whole face changed the moment he saw Lily again. The anger melted. He sat on the edge of her bed and took both her hands in his. “Hey, hey, how are you feeling?” His thumb brushed over her knuckles. Lily smiled, even though her eyes were glassy. “I’m fine.” Then her smile faded. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have told Sia our story.” Reagon shook his head. He reached up and cupped her face, his eyes soft, warm. “Don’t blame her. You’re so kind and sweet as ever.” Lily looked up at him, and her whole face lit up despite everything. “I love you more than ever.” “me too,” Reagon murmured. He leaned in and hugged her tightly. Lily buried her face in his chest. “It’s okay, hey, I’m here. I’m here for you.” Over his shoulder, Lily’s eyes flicked toward the door. She whispered into his jacket, barely audible: “Soon you will no longer be the Luna of this pack.” From the hallway, Sia saw it all through the window. She watched them hug. Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a sob. Tears ran down her cheeks. Her other hand pressed against her stomach, as if holding herself together. On the floor near her foot, a pregnancy test with two lines lay forgotten. She turned around and decided to go home since there is nothing else for her to do at the hospital. On getting home Nelly Walter reagon’s mom sat on the velvet couch, legs crossed, holding a wine glass. Her red hair fell straight past her shoulders. Black dress. Pearl choker. Her eyes were sharp as she stared across the room. Sia stood by the coffee table. White ribbed dress, long dark hair. Her back was to Nelly at first. Nelly’s head snapped up. Her mouth opened. “Stop!” Sia turned around slowly. Her eyes went wide when she saw Nelly standing now, angry. Sia’s lips parted a little. She looked scared, but tried to keep her face calm. Nelly stepped closer, pointing. Her voice cut through the room. “You’re evil. You poisoned Lily!” Sia’s hand flew up to her cheek on instinct. Her eyes filled instantly. She shook her head, disbelief written all over her face. “I didn’t—” Nelly didn’t let her finish. Jaw tight, eyes blazing. “I told Reagon’s dad, you’re not Luna material! He was dead wrong talking about respecting the Moon Goddess’s choice!” Sia flinched at every word. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. She looked down for a second, then back up. Her voice was quiet, broken. “You’re right. Our marriage was a huge mistake.” Nelly’s eyes narrowed further. “Stop right there!” Sia sat on the edge of the bed alone. She held papers in both hands. Divorce papers. Her eyes moved over the words slowly. Her brow furrowed. One tear slipped out and she wiped it away quickly with her fingertip. She looked at herself in the vanity mirror. Her face was tired. She sighed, “So it has come to this.” The door opened. Reagon walked in. Black pinstripe suit, black shirt. Hair perfect, beard trimmed. His face was blank, but his eyes scanned the room and landed on her. Two suitcases were in the hallway behind him. He shut the door and walked to the bed, sitting down a few inches from her. He didn’t touch her. For a moment neither of them spoke. Sia stared straight ahead. Reagon stared at the floor, then at her. “Lily doesn’t blame you,” he said finally. His voice was flat. “She just wants you to apologize to her. Apologize.” Sia turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were glassy. She’d been holding this in for years. “Reagon, have you ever loved me?” Reagon’s jaw ticked. He looked at her like the question was ridiculous. “Of course not. If it wasn’t for your damn tricks, I would have never married you.” Sia’s breath caught. Her eyes darted away, hurt. Then back to him, steadier now. “And I told you, I never told your father that we were mates. If it wasn’t you, then who was it? You wanted to marry me, didn’t you?” She dropped her gaze to her hands. Her voice got softer. “I have tried so hard. For three years. I thought maybe you could find a little bit of love for me, but... I was wrong.” A tear rolled down. She didn’t wipe it. Her eyes lifted to his again, no anger, just exhaustion. “You only ever see me as an evil woman.” She took a shaky breath and straightened her back. “Reagon, I’m done.” Reagon frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?” Sia looked him dead in the eyes. Calm now. “I want a divorce.” Reagon blinked. “A what?” He stared at her, like he hadn’t heard right. Sia didn’t answer. She just looked away, out the window. Another tear fell, but her face didn’t crumble. She was done begging. Reagon’s voice was low. “What?” His eyes narrowed, confusion flickering across his face. Sia finally looked up. Her expression was steady, almost empty. “Yes.” Her voice was soft. “A divorce agreement is signed. It’s in the drawer.” Reagon’s whole body stiffened. His eyes widened for half a second, then hardened. He turned away from her and walked to the wooden dresser. His jaw clenched. He pulled the drawer open and riffled through papers with quick, angry movements. When he found them, he yanked the divorce papers out. He held them up. His eyes flashed. “What the—” He cut himself off. His hand tightened around the papers. Sia stood up. Her eyes were wet now, but she didn’t cry. “What are you doing? I said I wanted a divorce.” Her voice shook a little. Reagon crumpled the papers in his fist and threw them down. He stepped toward her, fast. “You’re not getting a divorce!” His voice was sharp, possessive. He grabbed her by the arms. Sia gasped. “Reagon!” Her eyes went wide with shock, then fear. She tried to pull back but he held her. He pulled her closer until their faces were inches apart. His hands moved up to her jaw, holding her face. His eyes searched hers, dark and desperate. “What are you talking about? You are still marked by me.” His thumb brushed her cheek. Sia’s lips trembled. She looked away for a second, then back at him. “You’re not going anywhere.” Reagon’s voice dropped. It wasn’t a question. It was a demand. For a moment she stopped struggling. Her eyes glistened. Then she pulled back just enough to look down at herself. Reagon followed her gaze. His hand slid down to her stomach. He pressed his palm there gently. “And our baby still grows.” Sia’s breath caught. Her eyes snapped up to his, filled with panic. “How did you know?” Reagon didn’t answer right away. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white and purple stick. A pregnancy test. He held it between his fingers, staring at it, then at her. His expression was a mix of disbelief and something softer underneath. Sia looked at it and her face crumpled. A tear slipped down. “It’s too late.” Her voice broke. Reagon frowned. “What do you mean?” Sia lifted her chin. Her eyes were hollow now, like she’d already cried all she could. “I drank the witch’s potion.” She paused. “You heard me. I drank it in secret.” Another tear fell. “Our baby is gone.” Reagon went completely still. The pregnancy test was still in his hand. His eyes darted from the test to her face, then back down. The anger drained out of him, replaced by shock. His mouth opened but no sound came out. Sia just stood there, staring past him. Her face was empty now.