The pain in my gut twisted like a knife. Cold sweat beaded across my forehead. Something deep inside me, the faintest ember of my inner wolf, stirred with a low whine I barely recognized as my own. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the box of pastries.
"Seraphina, you poisoned me for him? How could you bring yourself to do that?"
Seraphina's eyes reddened, and she apologized over and over.
"I'm sorry, Fenris. He found out you exist. Based on the timing, the pup could be yours. He won't allow anyone to threaten his position."
So she laced the pastries I loved most with Hollowbane, and I never suspected a thing.
"Seraphina, my stomach hurts so badly. I just swallowed it, there's still time. Please, go find a healer."
She didn't move. My voice cracked raw with panic. "I won't mate with you, alright? I won't. I don't want to live like this, worse than death. Once I'm better, I'll leave. I'll go far away. I won't stand in your way, I swear."
No matter how I begged until my throat gave out, Seraphina didn't flinch.
She held out her arm. "Bite down on me. It won't hurt as much."
I shoved her arm away. "Go find a healer. I'm begging you, Seraphina."