Page 43 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"Mama, it hurts..." His little hand clutched my dress. His voice faded.

"No! Don't!" I screamed until my throat tore. "Please, don't leave me!"

But he vanished anyway. Dissolved like smoke. The flames grew, surrounded me, consumed me.

"Ah!"

I jolted awake, gasping. Cold sweat soaked through my clothes.

Just a dream. Just a dream. But my hands still shook. The terror of losing my child nearly drowned me. No. I couldn't let this happen again. Never!

The door flew open. Blinding morning light flooded the room. I threw up a hand against the glare.

"Your Majesty!" Amy burst in, arms full of stuff, talking a mile a minute. "Quick! Get up!"

She dumped a dark blue gown and accessories all over the bed, then yanked me upright.

"Amy?" I blinked at her, brain still foggy. "What's happening?"

"It's the Hunting Contest today! The Alpha sent word—you have to attend! I'm here to dress you! You can leave this room!" The joy in Amy's voice was unmistakable.

The Hunting Contest? I frowned. The annual werewolf event where all nobility and royals gathered to hunt in the forest and prove their strength.

The winner could invite anyone to dance. A public declaration of affection.

Last time, Cedric won. But he didn't ask me to dance. Because Victoria had gotten sick again. So he'd left me without hesitation.

I became the joke of the evening.

"I'm not going." My voice went cold. I lay back down. "He said I should reflect in this room. So I'll stay right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"But Your Majesty—"

"Amy, I said I'm not going." I closed my eyes.

"Your Majesty!" Amy's voice took on a wheedling tone. "Even if you don't care about the King's orders, please have mercy on your poor servant's life!"

I opened my eyes. Her expression was dramatically desperate.

"The King said—" she lowered her voice with obvious mockery—"if I don't bring you today, he'll have my head! Your Majesty, can you really watch your most loyal, devoted Amy get punished?"

I couldn't help but laugh, despite the ice in my chest.

"Fine." I sighed and sat up. "I'll go."

Amy lit up immediately and started wrestling me into clothes.

"Your Majesty," she chattered while lacing my belt, eyes sparkling, "I heard this year's Hunting Contest is completely different! Prince Adrian from the neighboring kingdom came with his delegation!"

"Prince Adrian?" I repeated.

"Yes!" Amy's cheeks flushed pink, voice full of girlish excitement. "They say he's amazing! Handsome, powerful—every noble lady wants to marry him!"

Prince Adrian...

I searched my memories. Right. Last time, he'd competed too. Nearly beat Cedric.

He was a prince from the neighboring kingdom. Supposedly honorable, beloved by his people. But I'd never met him. After Cedric abandoned me for Victoria, I'd left early, too heartbroken to stay.