Mira’s POV

Looking back now, I felt stupid. For years, I had believed Bianca, Samantha, and Cassandra genuinely cared about me.

Whenever they visited Windbloom Pack, they always seemed so friendly.

At first, I had even felt guilty toward them. After all, I was the one chosen to become Luna.

The Moon Goddess had blessed Alpha Dylan with four mates, yet only one could sit beside him as Luna. That woman had been me.

I remembered wondering if they hated me. Instead, they welcomed me with smiles.

Bianca often brought gifts from Heaven’s Path Pack. Samantha would tell me stories from her travels. And Cassandra…

My chest tightened.

Cassandra was the one who spent the most time with me. When the pregnancy became difficult, she practically moved into Windbloom territory.

She brought fresh fruits every morning. She helped arrange my pillows whenever my back hurt. She sat beside me for hours during the days when the nausea became unbearable.

Sometimes she even fed me herself.

“You need to eat, Mira.” I remembered her gently placing sliced fruit in front of me.

“The babies need nutrients.”

Back then, I thought she was being caring. Now I knew the truth. The babies were the reason.

I laughed bitterly.

The sound echoed through my empty bedroom.

The realization made every memory feel filthy.

Every act of kindness suddenly had strings attached. Every smile carried hidden intentions.

Every visit had a purpose. I wasn’t a friend.

I was an incubator. A convenient womb carrying what belonged to them.

Earlier, after leaving Dylan’s office, I had passed by one of the guest lounges.

The three women were there. Talking together. That was when an idea had formed in my mind.

So I had quietly left my spare phone underneath one of the couches. Then I called it using my main phone. Muted my side. And walked away.

Now, sitting alone in my room, I stared at my screen.

The call was still connected. Their voices flowed through the speaker.

I listened. And slowly felt my heart die all over again.

“Oh, I can’t wait.” The first voice belonged to Samantha.

“We’re finally meeting them soon.”

“I know.” That was Bianca.

“I wonder which one will look the most like Alpha Dylan.” A soft laugh followed.

Then Cassandra spoke. “I hope my baby gets my eyes.”

The three women giggled. My fingers tightened around the phone.

The conversation continued for several minutes. Then Cassandra suddenly asked a question.

One that made the room turn ice cold.

“So.”

A pause.

“Who do you think will be the next Luna?”

Bianca hummed thoughtfully. “What do you mean?”

Cassandra laughed. “Oh, come on.”

“We all know what’s going to happen.”

Another pause. Then she continued.

“For sure after giving birth she’ll look fat and haggard.”

My breath caught.

“Alpha Dylan hates that kind of body the most.”

The words stabbed deeper than they should have.

“For sure she’ll be abandoned after giving birth.”

Then Bianca laughed. “Probably.”

My eyes burned.

“Personally, I think it’ll be me.” There was confidence in Bianca’s voice. The kind of confidence that came from knowing she was desired.

“Heaven’s Path Pack is the strongest alliance among us.”

She sounded pleased with herself. “And Dylan likes my body the most.”

The women laughed again.

I felt sick.

Then Samantha immediately protested. “No way.”

“You wish.”

“What?” Bianca challenged.

Samantha scoffed. “Whoever gives him the baby boy will become Luna.”

“That’s how these things usually work.”

The conversation became playful. Almost like friends arguing over a prize.

Meanwhile, I sat frozen on my bed. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach.

There will be no heir.

The thought appeared suddenly.

Because these babies would never be born.

Slowly, I stood. The movement immediately made my back ache. Another lovely side effect of carrying triplets.

I walked toward the mirror. And stopped.

For several seconds, I simply stared.

The woman staring back barely looked familiar.

My face had become rounder. My waist had disappeared months ago. My ankles were swollen. My pregnancy dress stretched tightly across my enlarged stomach.

I remembered crying one night after trying on an old dress. It hadn’t fit anymore.

I had locked myself in the closet and stared at my reflection for nearly an hour.

Alpha Dylan had eventually found me. “What are you doing in here?”

I remembered looking away. “I look horrible.”

Immediately, he had wrapped his arms around me. Pulled me against his chest.

“You don’t.”

“I’ve gained so much weight.”

“So?”

“I don’t even recognize myself.”

He had kissed my forehead. Then my cheeks. Then my lips. Every touch had felt sincere.

“I love every version of you, Mira.”

My chest tightened painfully.

“I don’t care about your weight.”

Another kiss. “You’re carrying our babies.”

One more. “You’re beautiful.”

At the time, I had believed every word. Now I wanted to scream. Because it had all been fake.

The truth was much uglier. He wasn’t admiring his wife. He was protecting his surrogate. Protecting the vessel carrying children that belonged to another woman.

A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts. I quickly wiped my eyes.

The door opened. And the last person I wanted to see stepped inside.

Alpha Dylan.

The sight of him immediately made my stomach churn. He looked exactly the same. The same eyes that had looked me in the face and lied for years.

He carried a tray. A glass of milk. And a plate of my favorite cookies.

His smile softened when he saw me. “There you are.”

His voice was gentle. Every part of me hated that it still affected me.

“I was looking for you.” He walked toward me.

Holding out the tray. “Here.”

His smile widened. “I know you’ve been craving these.”

“Mira?”

I realized I had been staring.

His brows furrowed. Concern immediately appearing on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

I almost threw the documents in his face. Almost demanded answers. Almost asked him why.

Instead, I simply looked at him. Really looked at him.

And for the first time since becoming his Luna, I saw a stranger standing in front of me.

The mate bond should have comforted me. Instead, it made me want to scrub my skin raw.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

The smile immediately returned to his face.

“Anything for you, sweetheart.”

Exactly what a devoted husband would say.

But now I knew the truth. And the truth was far more horrifying than hatred.

Because Dylan didn’t hate me. He simply didn’t see me as a person at all.

Mira’s POV

The drive to Althea’s clinic felt endless. The clinic itself sat near the edge of Windbloom territory, hidden among thick forests for privacy.

When I entered her office, she immediately stood from her chair.

“Mira.” Concern flashed across her face.

“You look terrible.”

Althea guided me toward an examination room and performed several tests.

The entire time, her expression became darker and darker. Finally, she removed her gloves and looked at me.

Neither of us spoke for several moments. The silence itself made my heart sink.

“What is it?” I asked.

Althea sighed heavily. “Mira…”

Her voice softened.

“You’re too far along.”

I froze. “What?”

“The pregnancy is almost full term.”

She sat across from me. “You’re expected to give birth next month.”

My fingers clenched. “I don’t care.”

Althea’s face tightened. “You should care.”

“Mira, this isn’t a simple procedure anymore.”

I stared at her.

She continued carefully. “Your wolf connection was already unstable before the pregnancy.”

“Your body has been under enormous strain carrying triplets.”

Althea looked genuinely worried. “If we terminate the pregnancy now…”

She paused. Then forced herself to continue.

“You could die.”

The room became quiet. A normal person would probably feel fear. I felt nothing. Because dying somehow seemed less terrifying than continuing like this. Less terrifying than giving birth to children that weren’t mine. Less terrifying than spending the rest of my life knowing everyone had used me.

“I still want it.”

Althea blinked. “Mira.”

“I still want it.” My voice was steady.

“I would rather die than continue being their breeding animal.”

Pain flashed across her face. She reached for my hand.

My throat tightened. “They made me carry another woman’s children.”

Finally, she released a long breath. “If you’re determined…”

I nodded. “I am.”

She closed her eyes briefly.

Then opened a scheduling book. “I need time to prepare.”

The words sounded reluctant. “A week.”

“I’ll schedule everything for one week from today.”

One week.

Just seven more days. Seven more days until I could finally be free.

The ride back to Windbloom Packhouse felt even longer than before. By the time I arrived at the packhouse, evening had settled over the territory.

The halls were unusually quiet. Most pack members were either training or preparing dinner.

I slowly made my way toward my room. Toward the room I shared with Alpha Dylan.

Then I heard voices. A woman’s laugh.

My steps stopped. Something felt wrong. The corridor ahead was mostly empty.

One door stood slightly open. Only slightly.

Enough for voices to slip through. My stomach twisted. I recognized the voices immediately. It was Alpha Dylan and Cassandra.

I should have walked away. Instead, I stood frozen.

Their conversation drifted into the hallway.

Cassandra sounded amused.

“Alpha.” Her voice carried a playful tone. “You always call for me.”

A laugh followed. “Won’t you make me your next Luna someday?”

Then Alpha Dylan’s familiar chuckle. The same chuckle that used to make my heart race.

Now it made me sick.

“Hush.” His voice was affectionate.

Then came the sentence that shattered whatever remained of my heart.

“After that fatty gives birth, all of you will be my top priority.”

I stopped breathing. The hallway suddenly felt too small.

“Once she’s done her part, we’ll all be happy under the same roof.”

The same roof. Like my only purpose was delivering babies.

If I stayed another second, I might scream. Instead, I turned around and walked away. As if my entire world hadn’t just collapsed again.

I ended up downstairs. Sitting alone in one of the common lounges.

Nearly twenty minutes later, footsteps echoed from the staircase. Cassandra and Alpha Dylan appeared together.

The moment they spotted me, both of them froze. Just briefly.

Cassandra recovered first. “Mira?”

Her eyes widened. “When did you get back?”

Alpha Dylan’s expression changed too.

“Your appointment ended already?”

I simply shrugged. “Everything went fine.”

That wasn’t technically a lie. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.

“I came home early.”

Relief visibly crossed both their faces. Alpha Dylan immediately walked over. His hand settled against my stomach.

“I can’t wait to meet them.”

His eyes softened. The picture-perfect future father. The devoted husband. The greatest liar in the world.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. A gesture so gentle it almost felt cruel.

“I promise.” His voice was warm.

“After you give birth, you’ll be taken care of the most.”

I almost laughed. Instead, I smiled. A small fake smile.

I couldn’t even bring myself to enter our bedroom immediately. The thought of Alpha Dylan and Cassandra together lingered in my mind.

Eventually, I opened the door. Suddenly, the room felt contaminated. I turned around immediately.

No. I couldn’t stay there. Instead, I walked toward one of the guest rooms and locked the door behind me.

Only then did I pull out my phone. There was one person I needed to call.

My mother. The Luna of Moonclove Pack. The woman I hadn’t listened to.

Years ago, my parents hated Dylan. They hated the complications surrounding him. Four mates.

They had warned me repeatedly. I hadn’t listened. Because I thought I was special.

Alpha Dylan had chosen me as Luna.

Me. Out of everyone.

I thought that meant something.

My parents had even arranged a potential marriage between me and the future Alpha of Eclipse Pack. A strong neighboring territory beside Moonclove. But I refused. I chose Alpha Dylan. I even ran away with him.

Looking back now, I felt like a fool.

The phone rang several times. Then my mother answered.

“Mira?” The sound of her voice almost broke me.

I closed my eyes. Suddenly feeling like a little girl again.

“Mom.”

Silence. Then concern.

“Mira, what’s wrong?”

My throat tightened. Tears finally escaped. “You were right.”

Silence.

“I should’ve listened.” My voice cracked.

“You were right about him, Mom.”

The line became completely quiet. For a moment, I thought the call had disconnected.

Then I heard her breathing.

The voice that finally emerged was soft. Far softer than I expected.

“When do you want us to send someone to pick you up?”

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. Relief washed through me.

“Please.” My voice trembled. “In a week.”

A pause. Then I whispered.

“After I get an abortion.”

Suddenly—The guest room door opened.

My blood ran cold.

I slowly turned around.

Alpha Dylan stood in the doorway. His expression unreadable. Then his gaze shifted toward the phone in my hand.

“Abortion? Did I hear that right?”

Mira’s POV

“Abortion? Did I hear that right?”

My entire body froze. For one terrifying second, my heart completely stopped.

The phone nearly slipped from my fingers.

I stared at Dylan standing in the doorway.

The call with my mother was still connected. I immediately lowered the phone and ended it before another word could escape.

Then I forced a smile. A weak one.

“What?”

Dylan stepped further inside. His brows furrowed.

“The word abortion.” His gaze landed on my phone.

“I thought I heard you say abortion.”

For a moment, panic clawed at my throat.

Then I remembered something.

Everyone in Windbloom knew Althea. Everyone knew she owned one of the largest private reproductive clinics in the region. Including abortion services.

I swallowed. Then forced myself to sound casual.

“I was talking about Althea.”

His expression eased slightly.

“Althea?”

I nodded. “She was complaining about how many patients she’s been getting lately.”

I shrugged. “Apparently she’s been handling a lot of abortion cases this month.”

Dylan stared at me for a few seconds. Then finally he relaxed. A small laugh escaped him.

“You scared me.”

Scared you? The irony almost made me laugh.

I was the one carrying babies that weren’t mine. I was the one being used. Yet somehow he was the frightened one.

“Sorry.” The word felt bitter.

Dylan shook his head. “It’s fine.”

He walked toward me holding a small bottle.

“Speaking of babies.”

My stomach twisted immediately. “Did you take your vitamins?”

I looked down. A bottle of prenatal supplements rested in his hand. The same ones he constantly reminded me to take.

“No.”

“Then take them.” His voice was gentle.

“I don’t want you getting sick.”

I almost asked if he cared about me or the children.

Instead, I remained silent. Dylan opened the bottle and handed me the pills himself.

“I know pregnancy has been difficult.”

His hand brushed against my hair.

“But you’re almost there.”

I swallowed the vitamins mechanically.

Like a puppet. Like the surrogate he believed me to be.

“Our due date is getting closer.”

Our. The word felt disgusting.

“I can’t wait to hold them.”

His eyes brightened. “I keep imagining it.”

I stared at him quietly.

“You know that?”

His hand moved to my cheek. “I think you’re the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.”

My stomach lurched. The compliment sounded perfect.

Suddenly I understood. This was how he’d fooled me for years. Because he was good at it.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

The smile on his face widened.

A few minutes later, he left. The moment the door closed behind him, I rushed to the bathroom.

I barely made it to the sink. The nausea hit instantly. Not because of the pregnancy. Because of him.

---

Later that evening, I couldn’t sleep. The packhouse felt suffocating.

So I went for a walk. The cool night air helped ease the pressure in my chest.

Eventually, my wandering brought me near the gardens. Voices drifted through the flowers. I immediately recognized them.

Alpha Dylan. And Bianca.

My footsteps slowed. Instinctively, I moved behind one of the large hedges. Their conversation became clearer.

Bianca laughed softly. “Thank you again.”

“What for?”

“My birthday.”

There was genuine happiness in her voice. “The yacht.”

“I know you didn’t have to let me use it.”

Alpha Dylan chuckled. “Of course I did.”

“You deserve it.”

Bianca laughed again. “I do?”

“You absolutely do.”

Dylan continued. “You’re hardworking.”

“Beautiful.”

Bianca giggled. “Alpha.”

“I’m serious.” His voice softened. “You’re naturally amazing.”

“I can’t wait to meet our baby.”

Silence. Then Dylan smiled.

I could hear it in his voice. “The most precious of all.”

A sharp pain spread through my chest.

Not because I still loved him. But because I finally understood.

The triplets were heirs. Necessary. Useful.

But Bianca’s child… That was the baby he genuinely desired.

Crunch.

A dry leaf cracked beneath my foot.

Both voices immediately stopped.

Panic surged through me.

“Alpha?”

Bianca sounded alert.

“Did you hear that?”

I didn’t wait. I turned and walked away as quickly as my pregnant body allowed.

My heart pounded wildly. Fortunately, neither of them followed. By the time I reached the packhouse, my emotions were a tangled mess.

And with every step, another memory surfaced.

Bianca. Alpha Dylan’s first love.

Everyone knew that story. Even before they discovered the mate bond. They had loved each other.

The problem wasn’t love. It was politics. Windbloom needed Moonclove. My pack.

Back then, everyone said Alph Dylan choosing me was romantic. That he had defied expectations. That he had chosen his heart.

I believed it.

Moon Goddess.

I actually believed it.

Now I understood the truth. He hadn’t chosen me. He had chosen Moonclove. The alliance.

A notification sound interrupted my thoughts.

I pulled out my phone.

Althea.

My stomach tightened. I opened the message. Attached was a medical certificate. Several test results. A risk assessment.

And one highlighted section. My eyes landed on the words.

Due to the patient’s condition and the complexity of the procedure, future fertility may be significantly reduced. Probability of successful pregnancy afterward remains low.

Beneath it was a message from Althea.

Mira, are you absolutely sure?

I stared at the screen.

A year ago, this would have terrified me. Maybe even a month ago.

The possibility of never becoming a mother. The possibility of never having children. The possibility of losing that dream forever.

But now? I felt strangely calm. Because the dream had already been destroyed… by everyone who had treated me like livestock.

My fingers moved across the screen.

They risked my health and well-being for this pregnancy.

I paused. A tear rolled down my cheek.

Then continued typing.

And he’d scrap me like garbage after this.

The message blurred briefly through my tears.

I wiped them away. And finished writing.

What more should I fear?