My serpent mate has locked me in the castle, nine months pregnant. A dozen serpent guards watch me day and night. I can't even leave the room.
A month ago, his brother died in a hunting accident. He became the serpent clan leader. Then he brought back his brother's widow, the woman he grew up with. His first love.
He said he needed to take care of his brother's widow. He told me we'd all live together in the castle, nice and peaceful.
I said no.
I'm his mate. I'm a beastman. My pride won't let me accept that. And they grew up together, childhood sweethearts. How could I not think about it?
She came to him in tears, heavily pregnant. She said I poisoned her medicine, that I wanted to kill her and the baby.
He believed her.
He decided I was just some rogue beastman with no background, jealous and vicious, only after his title and money. So he locked me in this freezing castle while he camped outside her delivery room.
When labor hit, I screamed for a healer. I swore I never hurt her. I just couldn't live with her under the same roof. I only ever loved him.
He just laughed. "You're good at acting. I don't believe a word out of you. Once she delivers safely, I'll deal with you. Don't think you can trick me into coming back."
But when a trembling guard reported "Your mate and the child... they didn't make it," he lost it completely.
