Chapter 27
“You, Aurora, are part of a very old and rare bloodline. A bloodline that was once considered sacred.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Sacred?”
Killian nodded. “Long ago, there existed a powerful bloodline of Lunas who were bonded to two Alphas instead of one. They were known as the Dual-Mated Lunas. They were said to bring balance, to unite rival packs through their bonds. But… they were also dangerous.”
I swallowed. “Why?”
“Because they had the power to choose. To reject fate. And that made them unpredictable. Too powerful.”
I sat down slowly, my legs suddenly weak.
“So you’re saying I’m—”
“One of them,” Killian finished. “Yes.”
My pulse pounded in my ears.
“But… why me?”
Killian exhaled. “It’s because of your father.”
Of course, it was.
I clenched my fists. “What did he do?”
Killian’s expression turned serious. “The blood pact he made with my family wasn’t just a simple agreement, Aurora. It was a binding contract. A contract made with magic.”
I stared at him, my heart hammering. “Magic?”
Killian nodded. “Your father, in his desperation for power, made a deal with the Shadow Council. He offered up his own bloodline—your bloodline—as collateral.”
My stomach twisted. “Collateral for what?”
Killian’s eyes darkened. “To keep his position as Alpha. He promised that if ever a female heir was born into his line, she would be bound to the most powerful Alpha in existence. To me.”
I felt sick.
My entire life—everything—had been dictated before I was even born.
“So I was never supposed to be with Tyler?” I whispered.
Killian smirked. “No. The Moon Goddess may have bonded you to him first, but the blood pact ensured you would always end up with me.”
A cold chill swept over me.
“And if I refuse to be your Luna?”
Killian’s expression darkened. “Then the curse takes effect. Your mother was just the beginning. The entire Silver Moon Pack would fall.”
I shot up from my seat, my heart slamming against my ribs.
“That’s insane!”
Killian shrugged. “Blame your father, love. Not me.”
I felt trapped. Suffocated.
Everything about my life had been a lie.
And then, a new question formed in my mind.
“Why do I need to give you an heir?” I demanded, my voice sharper than before.
Killian stood, walking toward me slowly. “Because, Aurora,” he said smoothly. “If you don’t, the blood pact won’t be complete. The curse won’t be fully lifted.”
My breath hitched.
“So that’s what this is about?” I whispered. “You don’t actually care about me. You just need me to have your child to break a curse?”
Killian tilted his head, his smirk returning. “Oh, love,” he murmured. “Did you really think this was about anything else?”
Killian’s words may have been harsh, and they may have cut deep, but at least they were honest. Honesty. Something that had become so rare in my life that I barely recognized it anymore.
Everyone in Silver Moon had lied to me. My mother. My father. My own brother. Even the people I once trusted, like Amaya, had been keeping secrets.
And now, here I was—trapped in a bond I didn’t choose, forced into a life I never wanted, carrying the weight of a bloodline I never asked for.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts spinning endlessly.
Just days ago, my life had been peaceful. Normal.
Now?
It was one dramatic disaster after another.
A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
I sighed, pushing myself up from the bed. “What now?”
“Aurora!” Killian’s deep voice echoed through the hallway.
I rolled my eyes. Of course, it was him.
Dragging myself out of bed, I swung the door open and found him standing there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
“What?” I muttered, already exhausted.
Killian exhaled sharply, then tilted his head toward the staircase. “Tyler is outside.”
My entire body stiffened. Tyler? Here? I frowned. “What the hell is he doing on your territory?”
Killian smirked, but there was nothing amused about it. “That’s what I’d like to know.”
I scoffed. “Well, why don’t you go talk to him then? I don’t want to see him.”
Killian’s smirk vanished.
He took a slow, deliberate step toward me, his golden eyes darkening. “Because that is your ex-mate, Aurora. Not mine. And if I go talk to him, it will be in the afterlife.”
A heavy silence stretched between us. I let out a frustrated huff. “Fine.” If Tyler wanted to play games, then fine. I’d play.
I turned and marched down the stairs, my anger rising with every step. Tyler sat on the steps of the estate, looking completely at ease. Like he belonged here. Like he hadn’t ruined my life three years ago.
His golden eyes flicked up to mine the second I stepped outside.
I crossed my arms, stopping a few feet away. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Tyler exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I wanted to come and tell you the truth.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “You’re a little late for that. Killian already told me everything.”
Tyler shook his head. “No, not about the bloodline. Not about the curse.” He met my gaze, his voice quiet. “The truth about why I rejected you three years ago.”
I froze.
My heart stopped.
I stared at him, my breath caught in my throat.
“What?”
