Page 84 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

She slammed her fist against the bars with a dull clang. "I should've killed you when you were still that unwanted ugly duckling. Would've saved me all this trouble!"

I watched her quietly, a sardonic smile playing on my lips. "Even if you kill me, Cedric will never love you. You'll never be queen."

Victoria's face changed instantly. "What did you say? You bitch!"

I saw her rage clearly. "You worked so hard to frame me, desperate to become Luna, playing the pitiful victim in front of him. But in the end, he still chose me."

"That's only because of the mate bond!" Victoria roared. "If it wasn't for that damned bond, I would've been his queen ages ago!"

I cut her off, my eyes full of scorn. "That's fate, Victoria. The Moon Goddess chose me as his mate, not you. No matter what you do, you'll never have his heart."

"And you know what's most ironic?" I leaned forward, my voice dropping low. "Even if I die, he still won't love you. He'll hate you. Despise you. Kill you in the most brutal way to avenge me. Because I'm carrying his child. And you—"

I paused, my smile growing more cutting. "You're just the snake who hurt his mate."

"I'll kill you!" Victoria completely lost it. She fumbled for the key, her fingers trembling as she went for the lock. "I'll kill you, you bitch! I'll tear that face to shreds! Make you regret saying that!"

"No!" A witch in black robes grabbed her from behind. "Serena said she can't die. Not before the ritual starts."

"Get off me!" Victoria shoved the witch aside, eyes bloodshot. "I'm just teaching her a lesson. I won't kill her! I just want her to know what happens when you cross me!"

"Lady Victoria—"

"I said get off!" Victoria kicked the witch away viciously.

The cell door swung open.

Victoria charged in, hand raised to strike. "Bitch! I'll tear that mouth off your face!"

The instant her hand was about to reach me, I moved.

Bones cracked and shifted. Fur erupted from my skin. I shifted into wolf form in a heartbeat, snapping the chains. I bolted toward the cell door at full speed, slamming into the witch blocking my way.

"Stop her!" Victoria's scream echoed behind me.

I ran without looking back. The underground tunnels were a maze, darkness so thick I could barely see.

My claws scraped against stone, creating sharp, grating sounds. Behind me—curses, footsteps, magic blasts exploding against walls.

My heart pounded wildly. My lungs burned. But I clenched my jaw and pushed forward.

For my child. To survive.

Light ahead! I saw the exit!

Moonlight spilled in, illuminating the path. I accelerated, almost at the entrance of the cave when a black-robed figure suddenly blocked the opening. An older witch. She raised her hand, black magic gathering in her palm.

I didn't slow down. I ran faster, jaws wide, going for her throat. The witch dodged. The magic beam grazed my fur, searing pain flaring up, but I ignored it.

I swiped at her face with my claws. She retreated again. But I was already through the opening.

A black magic beam struck me from the side.

"Ahhh—!"

Violent pain tore through my entire body, like countless needles piercing my skin, bones, organs all at once. I screamed and was forced back into human form, hitting the ground hard.

The cold, hard earth dug into my aching body. I struggled to get up, but my limbs wouldn't respond.