Chapter 221: Chapter 221 Whispered Name
Allen’s grin stretched wider as he caught the expression crossing her face. "Think I’m lying to you?
What’s the point? What would I gain when I’ve already had you? I’ve taken pleasure from your body countless times, and now you’re carrying my child - what more could I possibly get from deceiving you?"
She clamped her lips shut, searching desperately for some comeback, some defense. Nothing came.
Her mind went blank as doubt crept in. He was right, wasn’t he? Allen had no reason to lie - he’d already taken everything he wanted, and she was powerless to stop any of it.
"See? I’m not feeding you lies, sweetheart. Yeah, I’m a bastard, but I don’t lie. I always give you the truth."
Allen stepped closer, and her scattered thoughts couldn’t react fast enough to dodge his reach. His hand shot out, yanking her against his chest.
"Ah!" Her heart hammered as his palm found her breast. She stomped down hard on his foot, and when his grip loosened, she bolted.
She flew into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her, cursing the useless handle - no lock.
So she stood there, braced against the door, terrified he might force his way in.
But he didn’t.
When the rush of fear finally faded, she collapsed to the floor and wrapped her arms around herself. His touch still burned on her skin - revolting, nauseating.
All she could do was hold herself together. The disgust with her own body was overwhelming.
She tried pushing away Allen’s words, telling herself he had some twisted agenda behind his confession. But as she stood and moved toward the bed where Reginald lay sleeping, doubt ate at her resolve.
What if Allen was telling the truth?
Reginald could have stopped this. But he’d been willing to hand her over. Why?
Why would he agree to something so vile?
Any mate would have lost his mind at such a demand. But not Reginald. He’d been more than ready to let that old man have her.
Now that the thought had taken root, she couldn’t stop replaying how Reginald had convinced her to accept it.
So subtle, so careful. He’d made it about the pack’s survival, and when she hesitated, he’d explain why they needed Allen’s help. But in the same breath, he’d always add that she could refuse.
She shook her head, feeling like her chest might explode with the possibility that Allen might be right.
"You wouldn’t betray me like that, would you?" She dropped to her knees beside Reginald, taking his hand. He didn’t even stir.
The weight of everything - the hardships, losing his mother - had finally broken him down.
"I trust you. Please tell me he’s lying again." She brought Reginald’s hand to her lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles.
Suddenly, he mumbled something in his sleep, his fingers squeezing hers lightly.
"What did you say?" She leaned closer, straining to catch his whispered words.
Then she heard it clearly...
Reginald was saying a name, soft and tender.
"Phoebe..."
---
Phoebe’s POV
I woke with a crushing weight in my chest. I’d cried myself to sleep, but the sadness still swirled through me like a storm.
The white wolf had visited my dreams again last night, but like always, the memory slipped away. Especially with everything else consuming my thoughts.
What if I can never get pregnant again? The king needs an heir, I wrote, my fears spilling onto paper.
Marcela had been brutally honest - my body couldn’t carry a baby to term. Any attempt would kill both the child and me.
"There are other ways to have children, Phoebe. You could adopt."
I shook my head, meeting Marcela’s eyes with desperation. You know that’s impossible. The child wouldn’t carry Perry’s bloodline.
After my time in the palace, I’d learned enough about the kingdom to understand what was at stake. Perry needed his own heir.
His bloody rise to power had wiped out the entire royal bloodline, making him the last. If the elders discovered my condition, they’d whisper about karma catching up with him for his sins.
Then would come the demands for him to take another queen, one who could bear his children.
Another war Perry would have to fight. The last thing I wanted to put him through.
But giving him up... my heart couldn’t survive that either.
"I know. Let’s work this out when the king returns, okay?"
Let’s wait for him. My gaze drifted to the glass of black liquid Marcela had brought - the abortion potion.
"No, Phoebe. If we wait for the king, you’ll be in even more danger. Perry knew he might never have children when he chose you. He doesn’t want to lose you, Phoebe.
You keep him sane."
