Every muscle in my body froze. “You won’t hurt me.” I managed to say, though my voice quivered with terror.

“Luna!” Orion roared, his voice echoing in the room, panic lacing every syllable.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Marcosias taunted, his grip on me tightening. “One more step, and your little mate bleeds.”

I swallowed hard, my throat pressing even harder against the blade, but I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed by fear, feeling the warmth of my blood start to trickle down my neck.

“Let her go, Marcosias!” Orion’s voice was rough with desperation. He took a step forward but stopped when the blade pressed harder into me. “This is between us. She’s innocent!”

Marcosias laughed softly, the sound sending chills down my spine. “Innocent? Oh, Orion, you’ve never been one to see the bigger picture. Luna is far from innocent. She’s the reason you’re here. She’s the reason you’re going to fail.”

I could see the struggle in Orion’s eyes—he wanted to tear Marcosias apart, but he couldn’t risk my life. His fists clenched at his sides, his entire body trembling with the effort of holding himself back.

“Marcosias, don’t do this. Don’t hurt her,” Orion pleaded, his voice raw, filled with a pain I’d never heard before.

Marcosias smirked, his lips curling cruelly. “Hurt her?” He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear, making my stomach turn. “Oh, I could do so much worse than hurt her. For instance, I could kill the baby growing inside of her.”

“What!” Orion looked at me, confused.

How did Marcosias find out?I thought.

“O, don’t tell me you didn’t know she was pregnant. Luna dear, you kept it secret. Opps. I ruined the surprise, right? My big mouth. Elena told me about the pregnancy.”

“Is it true?” Orion asked, looking at me, as a single tear drop rolled from his eyes.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“You know, a seer and a werewolf aren't supposed to have a baby together, which is all the more reason why I should kill her,” Marcosias interrupted.

“Don’t you dare touch her!” Orion growled.

“Orion, you never learn, do you? I have the upper hand here,” Marcosias said, holding the blade closer to my throat. I shuddered, tears stinging my eyes. “Please, Marcosias, don’t,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I didn’t know what else to say. I couldn’t think past the cold steel pressing against my skin.

“Shut up!” Marcosias hissed in my ear, and I flinched. “You’re lucky you’re still breathing.”

“Marcosias,” Orion said again, his voice shaking with barely restrained rage. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just … let her go.”

Marcosias smiled, but there was no warmth in it. Only malice. “I’ve already told you what I want, Orion. I want you broken. And she,” he pulled me closer, the blade grazing my skin painfully, “is how I’m going to do it.”

Orion’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light. “If you touch her, I swear I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” Marcosias interrupted, his tone mocking. “Kill me? Not before I take what’s mine.”

A low growl rumbled in Orion’s chest, and for a second, I thought he might snap. I could see it in his eyes, the battle raginginside him. But he couldn’t make a move. Not with Marcosias’ blade at my throat.

“Don’t,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Orion, please don’t do anything.”

Orion’s eyes burned into mine, and I could see the war waging inside him—wanting to save me, to end this, but knowing that one wrong move would mean my death.

“Do you really want her blood on your hands?” Marcosias whispered, his voice dripping with malice.

Orion’s chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, his fists trembling with the effort of holding himself back. He looked at me one last time, his gaze filled with something raw and agonizing, before he dropped his head in defeat.

Marcosias grinned, triumphant.

“Good boy,” Marcosias hissed, leaning in closer, his eyes gleaming with victory. Marcosias dragged me from the building, past Orien and his men.

Marcosias’ grip on my arm was like iron as he dragged me through the dense forest, the blade still pressed against my throat.