Lyra watched with growing dread as Elara moved toward her and the life in her womb. A dark, malicious light shone in Elara's eyes.
"You misunderstand something," Elara said, stepping closer until their shadows merged. "I don't care if this child belongs to someone else." She reached out with one hand and gripped Lyra's chin firmly.
Lyra struggled to break free, but Elara was too strong. Eventually, Lyra stopped fighting and went limp. She felt her face being forced up until she was trapped in Elara's gaze.
"Whoever the Alpha is, it doesn't matter. As long as the child is in your stomach, and as long as you are the mother, it is enough. So long as you love that child, that is all I need."
Elara's face looked soft and happy, but then a new, sharper glint appeared in her eyes.
"And Lyra, if the baby isn't mine, shouldn't you stay by its side even more? Just think about what I might do to it the very second you try to run away with another person's child."
