The tiny blue baby booties felt like lead in my palm as I tracked Garrett's scent through the dense forest. My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat echoing the words I'd rehearsed all morning: "I'm pregnant."

Three months of carrying his pup, and today was finally the day. I'd imagined his face lighting up, his strong arms wrapping around me, protecting us both like he'd promised when we were kids.

"Always protect your wolf, Emily," he'd whispered when he saved me from rogues at eight years old.

Now I was his mate, carrying his heir, and somehow those childhood promises felt hollow.

The scent grew stronger—his distinctive pine and amber mixed with something floral. Something that made my wolf whimper.

"Shh," I whispered to her. "We're almost there."

The trees thinned, revealing a small clearing bathed in afternoon sunlight. And there they were.

Garrett's broad shoulders blocked my view of the girl in his arms, but I didn't need to see her face to know. The floral scent—roses and vanilla—could only belong to one person.

Eliana Carr. The Beta's daughter. His childhood friend. His...

"God, I've missed this," Garrett's voice carried through the still air. "Her scent, her taste..."

My fingers tightened around the baby booties until my knuckles turned white.

"The mate bond is nothing but a burden," he continued, his voice dropping lower. "The Moon Goddess may have chosen her, but I choose you, Eli. I always have."

I stepped closer, my foot snapping a twig. They broke apart, and Eliana's smug face came into view, her lipstick smeared across Garrett's mouth.

"Emily," Garrett's eyes widened, but there was no guilt there. Only annoyance at being caught.

"You're supposed to be at the pack meeting," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

I held up the tiny booties, my voice barely a whisper. "I wanted to tell you first."

Something flickered in his eyes—not joy, not love. Fear.

"Is that...?"

"Two weeks," I managed. "I've been carrying your pup for two weeks."

Eliana laughed, the sound sharp as broken glass. "How sweet. The little Omega managed to get pregnant."

My wolf snarled, but I stepped back, turning toward the pack house. I wouldn't break down here, not in front of them.

---

"Emily, please—just listen!"

I had one bag packed when Luna Catherine burst into our bedroom, her elegant features twisted with worry.

"I'm not staying," I said, zipping the bag closed. "Not after what I saw."

Catherine's eyes fell to the baby booties I'd dropped on the bed. Something shifted in her expression—not surprise, but resignation.

"You know about Eliana," she said softly.

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

"Then you understand what's at stake." She sat beside me, her perfectly manicured hand covering mine. "The pack needs stability. My son needs time to come to his senses."

"He doesn't love me," I whispered. "He never did."

"That doesn't matter!" Catherine's voice hardened. "What matters is the bloodline, the future of this pack. Your pup—my grandchild—deserves better than to be born into a scandal."

I pulled my hand away. "I won't stay where I'm not wanted."

"Two weeks," she pleaded. "Give me two weeks to fix this. For the sake of your unborn child. For the pack."

Something in her desperation made me pause. This woman had always been kind to me, even when others called me "Little Omega" behind my back.

"Two weeks," I agreed, though my wolf howled in protest. "But if he hasn't chosen me by then..."

Catherine nodded, relief washing over her face. "He will. I'll make sure of it."

---

The pack run was mandatory—a show of unity and strength. As future Alpha, Garrett led the charge, his black wolf form majestic against the moonlit forest.

"Run beside me," he commanded, his Alpha tone leaving no room for refusal.

My wolf obeyed before I could protest, moving into position at his right flank. The pack followed behind us, a testament to our supposed harmony.

He'd been attentive all day—touching my arm, bringing me tea, asking about my morning sickness. But his eyes kept drifting to Eliana, who ran further back in the formation.

"She doesn't deserve you," someone whispered as we passed. "The throne is ours."

I glanced at Garrett, but he kept running, his expression unreadable.

Later that night, lying beside him in our bed, I watched his chest rise and fall. He'd faked sleep hours ago, but I couldn't close my eyes.

His phone lit up on the nightstand. Without thinking, I reached for it.

The screen unlocked—he'd never bothered with a passcode around me.

A text from Eliana glowed in the darkness: "She doesn't deserve you. The throne is ours."

I set the phone down, my hand trembling. Two weeks. I'd promised Catherine two weeks.

But as I stared at Garrett's sleeping face, I wondered how much more betrayal I could endure before I broke completely.

My wolf whimpered inside me, already mourning what we'd lost before we'd even had it.

The morning sickness had barely subsided when I slipped into the pack kitchen, hoping to brew some ginger tea before anyone else woke. The quiet solitude was all I needed—just me and the gentle hum of the kettle.

"Making breakfast for your Alpha?"

I flinched at Eliana's voice, sharp as a blade slicing through the peaceful morning. She leaned against the doorframe, her silk robe hanging open to reveal the curve of her breast. Even in the early light, her makeup was flawless.

"Just some tea," I murmured, keeping my eyes on the kettle. "For the nausea."

Eliana's laugh was cold as winter frost. "Oh, the little broodmare needs her morning pick-me-up."

My wolf bristled at the word. *Broodmare*. Like I was nothing more than a vessel for Garrett's heir.

"You should be more careful, Emily." She moved closer, her floral scent suffocating me. "Did you really think he'd choose you? A little Omega with no power, no connections?"

I gripped the counter to steady myself. "The Moon Goddess chose me for him."

"The Moon Goddess made a mistake." Eliana's fingers trailed across the marble countertop, leaving a trail of her scent. "Garrett tells me everything, you know. Every night you cry yourself to sleep. Every time you vomit. Every pathetic little prayer you whisper to that useless wolf of yours."

My stomach clenched. Those were private moments—our private moments.

"He says you're so desperate for his attention you've started leaving little gifts on his pillow." Her eyes gleamed with malice. "How cute. How pathetic."

The kettle whistled, its shrill cry matching the scream building in my chest.

"Once you pop out that pup," Eliana continued, leaning in close enough that I could smell Garrett's cologne on her skin, "he'll have no use for you. Just you, your sad little wolf, and a nursery full of baby things no one will ever want."

I pushed past her, the empty mug clutched in my trembling hand. "I have two weeks," I whispered. "Catherine promised."

Eliana's laughter followed me down the hall. "Promises are for children, little wolf. And you're nothing but a means to an end."

---

Garrett's office was empty when I slipped inside later that day. I needed to find the pack territory maps—anything to distract myself from Eliana's words echoing in my head.

The massive oak desk dominated the room, its drawers neatly labeled. I found the maps in the second drawer, but as I closed it, something caught my eye.

A small brass key, partially hidden beneath a stack of reports.

My fingers trembled as I picked it up. What was Garrett hiding that required a lock?

The key fit perfectly into the bottom drawer—the one I'd never seen him open. Inside lay a wooden box, polished to a gleam and tied with a silk ribbon.

I shouldn't look. This was private.

But Eliana's words pushed me forward. *He tells me everything.*

With shaking hands, I untied the ribbon. The lid opened smoothly, revealing a shrine that shattered what little hope I had left.

A scarf—Eliana's scarf—folded carefully and tied with her scent. Photos of them together, some recent, some from years ago. And beneath them, letters.

Love letters.

"Dearest Eli," I read, my voice barely audible. "Another night pretending to love her while my heart belongs to you..."

The date on the letter was three days *after* our mating ceremony.

I sank to the floor, the letters scattered around me like fallen leaves. Each one more intimate than the last. Each one proof that Garrett had never intended to honor our bond.

"My wolf howls for you," one read. "Not for the little Omega who shares my bed out of duty."

My wolf whimpered inside me, the sound so pitiful it brought tears to my eyes.

---

The forest was quiet as I followed Eliana's scent toward the eastern border. Something about her smug confidence had set off warning bells—what was she planning?

I stayed downwind, my footsteps silent as I tracked her to a small clearing just beyond our territory lines.

A man waited there—rough, scarred, with the unmistakable scent of a Rogue.

"The information is accurate," Eliana was saying, her voice low but clear. "The training session is tomorrow at noon. The northern path will be unguarded."

The Rogue nodded, his yellowed teeth flashing in what might have been a smile. "And the price?"

"Create a distraction," Eliana said. "Something big enough to draw attention away from the training grounds. I need about ten minutes."

"What's your endgame, Beta's daughter?" the Rogue asked, curious despite himself.

Eliana's laugh was cold as winter ice. "Let's just say I need to eliminate some... competition."

My blood ran cold as I realized what she was planning. Not just to hurt me—but to endanger the entire pack.

I backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound. Whatever game Eliana was playing, it was far more dangerous than I'd imagined.

And Garrett was either part of it—or completely blind to the threat growing right under his nose.

The training grounds buzzed with activity as pack members gathered for the mandatory session. I stood at the edge, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach. Two weeks had passed since Catherine's plea, and still, Garrett's heart remained elsewhere.

"Everyone pair up!" Delta James shouted, his voice carrying across the field. "We're practicing defensive maneuvers today."

I scanned the crowd for Garrett, but he was nowhere to be seen. Probably with Eliana, preparing for their next betrayal.

A sudden explosion shook the ground, sending birds scattering from nearby trees. Shouts erupted as pack members scrambled for cover.

"What's happening?" I cried, clutching my stomach protectively.

"Rogues at the northern border!" someone yelled. "They've breached the perimeter!"

Chaos erupted. Warriors shifted into wolf form, racing toward the commotion. The training ground emptied quickly, leaving only a handful of us behind.

"Emily!" Delta James called. "Get inside! Now!"

But before I could move, a massive gray wolf burst through the trees—Eliana in her shifted form. Her eyes locked on mine, gleaming with something that made my blood run cold.

"Emily," she growled, her wolf's voice thick with malice. "Perfect timing."

She stalked toward me, her massive paws silent on the grass. I backed away, my wolf snarling inside me.

"Eliana, stop! The Rogues—"

"I know exactly what I'm doing," she snapped, circling me. "This is the distraction I arranged. Didn't you wonder why I needed those patrol routes?"

My heart pounded as I realized what was happening. This wasn't random—it was planned.

"You're insane," I whispered, backing toward the trees.

Her wolf lunged forward, teeth bared. "Insane? No, I'm practical. There's only room for one Luna in this pack."

I turned to run, but Eliana was faster. She slammed into my back with brutal force, her heavy wolf body propelling me forward. I screamed as I flew through the air, my arms wrapping instinctively around my stomach.

The world slowed as I hit the rocky outcrop at the edge of the training grounds. Pain exploded through my abdomen, sharp and tearing. I crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Alpha!" I cried out, my voice breaking. "Garrett! Please!"

Blood pooled beneath me, warm and sticky against my skin. I could feel it—the life inside me slipping away.

Eliana shifted back to human form, clutching her ankle. "Oh no," she whimpered loudly. "I lost control! The stress of the attack—I couldn't stop myself!"

Footsteps pounded toward us. Garrett appeared, his face pale with shock.

"Emily?" His eyes widened at the sight of my blood.

"Help me," I begged, reaching for him. "Our pup—"

A pained yelp from Eliana cut me off. She limped dramatically, tears streaming down her face.

"Garrett, I'm hurt," she sobbed. "My paw—I think it's broken."

I stared in disbelief as Garrett rushed past me to Eliana's side.

"Let me see," he murmured, gently examining her ankle while she leaned into him.

"Garrett," I gasped, the pain intensifying. "Your son is dying."

But he didn't look up. His hands cradled Eliana's foot, his attention completely focused on her minor injury.

"It's just a sprain," he told her softly. "You'll be fine."

Strong arms lifted me from behind. "I've got you, Luna," Gamma Marcus said grimly. "The Healer is waiting."

I watched through tears as Garrett helped Eliana to a sitting position, completely ignoring my blood staining the ground.

---

"The pup is gone," Dr. Helena Stone said gently, her hands still glowing with healing energy. "I'm so sorry, Emily."

I stared at the ceiling, unable to process her words. The emptiness inside me was physical—a void where life had been moments before.

"I felt it happen," I whispered. "The bond... it snapped."

Helena's eyes filled with tears. "The Moon Goddess blesses us with these bonds, but sometimes they're fragile."

A commotion outside drew her attention. "Alpha Garrett is here."

"Don't let him in," I pleaded, but Helena was already moving toward the door.

Garrett burst into the infirmary, his face ashen. The scent of Eliana still clung to him—her perfume, her tears, her deceit.

"Emily," he breathed, approaching the bed cautiously. "I came as soon as I could."

I turned away, unable to look at him. "You came too late."

"Is it true?" His voice cracked. "Did we lose...?"

"Our son is dead," I said flatly. "While you were comforting her."

Garrett's knees buckled as he sank to the floor beside my bed. "Emily, please—I didn't know—"

"You didn't want to know," I corrected him, my voice hollow. "You chose her. Even now, you reek of her."

His hands reached for mine, but I pulled away. The mate bond between us stretched thin, weakened by his betrayal and the loss of our pup.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, but the words meant nothing.

Sorry wouldn't bring back our son. Sorry wouldn't heal the wound in my heart. And sorry certainly wouldn't change the fact that when I needed him most, he had chosen another.

As I lay there, empty and broken, one thought crystallized in my mind: This was the end. The beginning of the end of everything we had once been promised.