Chapter 14 On the other side , Julia was momentarily stunned when Kane agreed so quickly , but her surprise quickly turned into uncontrollable joy . She had thought that today , being Kane and Aria's mate ceremony , even using the child as an excuse to pull him away from Aria would require considerable effort . But to her astonishment , he agreed without hesitation . Did this mean her position in Kane's heart had already surpassed Aria's ? It made sense , since she was carrying Kane's only child . A glint of determination flashed through her eyes . Even if Aria became Luna , so what ? Whether she could hold on to that position was still uncertain ! Seizing the moment before Kane arrived , she hurriedly slipped into a sheer silk nightgown and sprayed on the pheromone perfume Kane adored . She reclined on the sofa , waiting for him . When Kane opened the door , the first thing he saw was Julia lying on the sofa in her revealing attire . A trace of coldness flickered in his eyes . So , this was what her so - called discomfort was about - just a scheme to pull him away from Aria . It wasn't the first time she had used such tactics . In the past , Kane would turn a blind eye to her little tricks . As long as she obeyed and catered to his whims , he didn't mind indulging her a little . But that didn't mean he would tolerate her ambitions of replacing Aria . In his heart , there was only ever one mate - Aria . And for Aria's death , Julia would pay . Julia , oblivious to the chill emanating from Kane , was lost in her own fantasy of becoming Luna . Seeing him , she feigned a fragile demeanor , lightly touching her flat abdomen . " Kane , I know today is your mate ceremony with Aria , and I shouldn't have called you back . But I've been feeling unwell. My stomach ... it hurts . " " This is your cub , after all . I was afraid something might happen to our child , so I had no choice but to call you . " Kane's icy gaze bore into her . " Where exactly does it hurt ? " Julia didn't catch the coldness in his tone , mistaking it for concern . She approached him , wrapping her arms around his neck , her breath warm against his ear . " The baby said he misses his daddy . " She had always been bold about such matters . Unlocked Chapter 14 She knew that Aria's sensitivity was weak , and in bed , she couldn't possibly provide Kane the heights of pleasure he craved . This was her leverage over him . And with today being the mate ceremony , the added thrill would surely make Kane stay with her tonight . In her mind , she was already planning how to provoke Aria the next morning . She failed to notice the deepening darkness in Kane's expression . She grabbed his hand , placing it on her stomach . When he didn't react , she began guiding his hand upward . Just as his hand was about to brush against her soft chest , Kane abruptly yanked it back and slapped her across the face with force . " Who gave you permission to touch me ? " Julia collapsed onto the floor , a vivid red handprint blooming across her cheek . She clutched her swollen face , staring at Kane in disbelief . She had been with him for an entire year , and he had never laid a hand on her before . What had changed today ? Even more so , she was carrying his child - how could he be so ruthless ? " Kane ! Why did you hit me ? What did I do wrong ? Haven't we always been like this before ? " Her voice carried a trace of sobbing as tears glistened in her eyes . But her tear - streaked face failed to stir even an ounce of sympathy in Kane . He looked terrifyingly grim , the storm in his eyes a harbinger of destruction . " Who gave you the audacity to tell Aria about our affairs ? "