Eloide

“Yes.”

“Can I ask why? I thought Gavin was excited about the pup’s arrival. Is the therapist having a personal crisis too?” Dr. Calder laced his fingers together on the desk.

“I just... I don’t want to be a mother who can’t take care of her child properly.”

My voice was barely a whisper, weighed down by the doubt that clung to my heart like fog.

Dr. Calder looked at me for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll schedule the procedure.”

Yes, I was full of doubt. All these pent-up emotions, this constant mental and physical exhaustion—it was wearing me down. And Dad, insisting I carry the Alpha’s child like it was a holy mission, wasn’t helping.

I returned to the pack house with thoughts swirling in my mind. At the stairs that separated the east and west wings of the building, I saw Dad—Gamma of the Frost Mountain pack—watching me with his usual cold stare.

“Why are you wandering around?” I lowered my head, unable to meet his eyes.

“I just got back from a checkup at the clinic.”

“Why wasn’t Gavin with you? You two are supposed to go together.”

“He’s busy, Dad. He canceled our Mating Ceremony for something he said was more important. I don’t want to burden him.”

The image of Gavin and Catherine tangled together in that steaming hot spring flashed in my mind. Their bodies pressed together, her moans, his groans as he reached his climax—it all played on a loop, stabbing at my heart. Something more important meant satisfying the needs I couldn’t fulfill. He chose his pretend little sister for that. There would never be a place for me in his heart again.

“Pathetic girl. Come on, I’ll talk to him.”

Dad dragged me to the warrior barracks. There, I saw Gavin wiping sweat from his face with a towel. I used to admire those broad muscles, the sheen of sweat from training—back when I was naive, hopelessly drawn to him. But now, this was what I had: wasted love and shattered illusions.

“Gavin, got a moment? Eloide’s too shy to talk to you, so I’m speaking for her.”

“Yes, Gamma Holden. Go ahead.”

“Considering what happened yesterday, Eloide didn’t want to ask you to go with her to the clinic. She was afraid you were busy, so she went alone. Could you go with her next time? I mean, this pup is an Alpha’s heir. I’m sure you both want everything to go smoothly.”

“Oh, of course.” Gavin’s gaze finally turned to me. “When’s the next checkup, Eloide?”

“Next week. Dr. Calder said he’d give me some vitamins,” I lied.

“You should’ve just told me. You don’t have to carry everything on your own, Eloide. Gavin loves you,” Dad added, glancing between us.

Gavin let Dad return to training the warriors. Then he pulled me behind the barracks and wrapped his arms around me like we hadn’t seen each other in ten years. He brushed his hand across my cheek and kissed my lips.

I didn’t kiss him back. When he pulled away, I saw the hickey on his neck. He could play pretend and say he loved me, but he let another she-wolf touch what used to be mine.

“Listen, Eloide. I promise I’ll go with you next week. After that, we’ll start documenting every moment of our pup’s growth, okay?”

I nodded lazily. He tilted my chin and kissed me again, but it was pointless. That fire he once lit in me had burned out.

“Close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood for any of this. I knew Dad was watching us from a distance, probably making sure I didn’t walk away. If he wasn’t there, I would’ve left without a word.

Gavin led me forward in the dark like an excited kid with candy. When I opened my eyes, we were in our room.

“I got you something.”

He picked up a medium-sized box from the bed and handed it to me. “Go on, open it. You’ll love it.”

Inside was a pair of turquoise high heels. The heels were engraved with the YSL logo. Gavin had never bought me shoes before. This had to mean something.

“Do you like them?”

I nodded, just so he wouldn’t keep asking. He waited for me to try them on, so I did—half-heartedly. I’ve never liked high heels.

Catherine, the party queen, was the one who loved flashy designer heels like these.

I placed the shoes back in the box and noticed Gavin’s confused expression. I explained that pregnant women aren’t supposed to wear heels. He made me promise I’d wear them after I gave birth.

Then his phone rang. Catherine’s voice rang loud and clear through the speaker.

“Every woman loves fancy shoes! I can help her pick out more stylish things if she wants.”

The call ended, and Gavin looked at me intensely. I turned away, refusing to fall under his spell again.

He walked over and crouched in front of me, kissed my belly, and spoke softly.

“Your mom loved my gift. If you’re a girl like her, I’ll spoil you with everything you want. I love you both.”

His words were sweet poison. I stepped back, pulling his hands off my stomach. Gavin was just a biological father—and a man who satisfied his biological urges with someone else.

I was so done with his lies.

He excused himself to return to training. The moment the door shut, my phone buzzed.

Two new pictures.

Same number as yesterday.

In the photo, Catherine stood on her balcony, hand touching the moonstone pendant at her neck. One leg lifted, clearly showing off the same exact heels Gavin gave me.

Damn it.

I stepped out onto our balcony and looked across at hers. There she was—Catherine, smiling like the devil who just sealed a deal with her next victim.

I held back tears and whispered to myself, “Hang in there, Eloide. Just a few more days, and you’ll be free from this poison.”

My phone rang again, but it wasn’t Catherine’s number. I answered, and a soft voice came through on the other end.

“I’m going to send you a photo of your chosen mate, Eloide.”

Eloide

Two days later, Gavin asked me to join him for swim practice at the training center. Once the pool cleared out, he pulled me into the water to teach me how to swim. I had to admit—this side of him, the attentive one, still had a place in my heart.

I’d always hated the water ever since I nearly drowned in the Lynn River as a child. But Gavin knew that. He made it his mission to help me overcome that fear. He even bought me a pair of sleek swim goggles to cheer me on.

That moment of peace shattered when Catherine showed up, decked out in a designer swimsuit, and made a beeline straight for me. Her eyes zeroed in on the goggles I was wearing like they were her next trophy.

“Gavin,” she said sweetly, “I want those goggles. I looked them up online, but they’ve been discontinued. Can I have them? You can always get Eloide a newer, fancier pair.”

She knew exactly what she was doing—those goggles were a gift from him. She pouted just enough to look cute, her voice syrupy sweet. I shook my head slightly, silently begging him not to give in.

But Gavin hesitated. And that was all she needed.

He gently took the goggles off my face without saying a word. No protest escaped my lips. What would be the point? His heart had already been enchanted by that manipulative she-wolf.

“I’ll get you a brand-new pair,” he said, brushing a hand down my arm like it meant something. “Let’s not make a big deal. Catherine gets anxious if she doesn’t get what she wants.”

Doesn’t get what she wants?

How ridiculous. She's always sickly, always needy, and still acts like the center of the damn universe.

Gavin cupped my face—something that used to bring me comfort. Now it just felt like second-rate acting.

“Thanks, Eloide. You’re such a good sister-in-law,” Catherine chirped. “Gavin, teach me to swim like you taught her!”

She wedged herself between us, gripping my shoulder playfully. I was afraid if I resisted, I’d lose my balance and slip. So I quietly stepped away, distancing myself.

Just as I reached the pool’s edge, Gavin called after me, “That’s enough training for today. You should get some rest, babe.”

I didn’t respond. Why bother? A second later, they were laughing together. I already knew what would follow: another disgusting, soul-crushing scene I refused to witness. I’d had enough poison for one day.

**

The next day, I sat waiting at the human hospital where Dr. Calder practiced. I had asked her to keep my abortion procedure secret from Gavin.

Then came the message—another blow. A fifteen-minute video clip landed in my inbox, showing Gavin and Catherine swimming... then having sex in the pool.

My chest tightened, my heart clenched painfully in my ribcage. I struggled to breathe, willing myself to stay calm among the oblivious humans around me.

Then, out of nowhere, I heard a name being called from the pharmacy counter.

Catherine LeBlanc.

I sank lower into my seat, hoping she wouldn’t notice me. No such luck. She strolled to the counter, collected a slip of paper, then turned and walked right up to me.

“You finally understand where you stand, huh, Eloide?” she said with a victorious smirk. “Gavin Jr. doesn’t need to be born just to realize his daddy loves another she-wolf. Gavin will only take pride in his real heir.”

“You’re pregnant?” I asked, stunned.

“Yup. We were going to wait.” She looked around casually. “But I figured I’d speed things up. Just to watch you break a little faster.”

“You manipulative bitch.”

My hand flew up, ready to slap her, but she caught it easily.

“Shh, keep your voice down. We’re in a hospital.” She leaned in close, her whisper cold and sharp. “I plan to destroy you slowly, Eloide.”

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“I thought your therapist brain would be smarter than this. You’re just like my old rehab friend in Winnipeg.” She inched closer to my ear. “She died after I set her hair on fire.”

A chill ran through me. I scrambled to my feet and left the waiting area, my heart pounding in my chest. I headed toward the elevator, but the numbers were crawling. Impatient, I pushed through the door to the emergency stairwell.

That’s when I heard footsteps echoing behind me.

I looked up. Catherine was coming down the stairs—fast. Her smaller body moved easily. She caught up, grabbed me, and shoved me hard against the wall. I stumbled down a few steps, clutching my belly.

She kicked me hard. I hit the floor.

“Please—stop! It hurts,” I cried out.

“You think Gavin cares about you?” she hissed. “You’re just a pawn. He needs you to get the Alpha title.”

“Please… Catherine…”

She yanked my hair, forcing our faces inches apart. Her eyes burned with malice. There wasn’t a shred of mercy in them. In that moment, I begged the Moon Goddess to end this nightmare.

[Gavin, help me!]

I called to him through our mind link. He had to be nearby. He had to feel it—my pain, my desperation. I was sure he was in the hospital too, probably here to “support” Catherine.

Then Gavin showed up.

But not for me.

Catherine dropped to the floor beside me, feigning a panic attack. The performance was flawless.

“Gavin! I-I can’t breathe!” she gasped. “Eloide fell on the stairs. There’s blood… I—I didn’t know what to do!”

Gavin rushed to her side. “Hang on, I’ve got you. Don’t worry, Catherine.”

Then, finally, he looked at me. “I’ll call someone to help you, Eloide. Just hold on.”

“But I’m bleeding,” I whimpered, pain surging through my stomach.

“I’ll send the medical staff right away. You’re strong—you’ll be okay,” he said.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as the pain tore through me. He didn’t choose me—not even now. Not even when his child was at risk.

He chose her, 99 times.

I waited for help that never came. The blood kept coming. The pain became unbearable.

Then everything went black.

And Gavin… never came back.

Eloide

I woke up in a hospital bed, the harsh glow of fluorescent lights stabbing into my eyes. My head throbbed, and my body felt like I’d been hit by a truck. Next to me, Mom sat slumped in a chair, looking exhausted. Her eyes were red and puffy, like she’d been crying all night. But the second she saw I was awake, she grabbed my hand with quiet urgency.

“How’s the baby, Mom?” I asked, my voice raw and barely a whisper.

She paused, looking at me for a long moment before shaking her head slowly. “The Moon Goddess has taken him back.”

The world just… stopped. My heart didn’t break—it went numb. That tiny life growing inside me, the last thing tethering me to Gavin, was gone. I stared up at the sterile, white ceiling. Cold. Empty.

“Where’s Gavin?” I asked, even though deep down I already knew the answer.

Mom shook her head again, slowly, and the tears started streaming down my face. Of course he wasn’t here. He was probably with Catherine. I’d known from the beginning where his heart truly was.

“May the Moon Goddess give you strength, Eloide,” Mom whispered, her voice trembling. “I won’t let you suffer like this forever, sweetheart.”

“Does Dad know?”

She nodded. “He’s... disappointed. He needs time to accept this.”

But I knew better. My father didn’t process loss with sadness—he met it with anger. That baby had never stood a chance in his world of rules and betrayal. Maybe the Moon Goddess had spared them the same fate I was suffering.

“Eloide,” Mom said, pulling a small black velvet box from her bag. “Luna Livia called me. She said you agreed to the arranged bond with her son. I’m relieved, sweetheart. This is your way out of all this toxicity.”

She opened the box to reveal a glowing yellow amulet nestled inside. A folded note sat beside it.

[I want you to wear this. It will protect you.]

I picked up the pendant, my fingers trembling. The moment it touched my skin, I felt something shift in my chest. Lighter. Calmer. Like I could finally breathe.

“I’m going to arrange the engagement quietly,” Mom said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Your father doesn’t need to know until everything is in place. You’ll go to Winnipeg for a ‘recovery retreat.’ I’ll handle the details.”

I gave her a slow nod. This was the only way out of the pain. I was lucky to have Mom on my side.

My eyes drifted to a bouquet of soft pink carnations on the nightstand.

“They’re from Luna Livia,” Mom said. “She’s been so thoughtful.”

Meanwhile, the one who was supposed to be my mate didn’t even bother to check on me. The man who should’ve cared about me more than anyone didn’t even know he’d just lost a piece of me. And yet, someone I barely knew, from across the country, sent me flowers. The irony stung.

“Aren’t they pretty?” Mom smiled faintly. “She really knows how to make someone feel seen.”

Before I could say anything, the door swung open. Dad walked in. His face was unreadable. He looked straight at my stomach—not at me.

“You need to recover fast. Alpha Malcolm and Gavin are heading to Revelstoke Mountain. It’s your chance to fix your bond. Don’t disappoint me, Eloide.”

My throat tightened. “But... Mom said Luna Livia is waiting for me. For the ceremony with her son.”

Dad’s expression hardened. “You’ll do as I say. Or you’re out of Frost Mountain.”

“Holden, that’s enough!” Mom snapped. “She just woke up.”

He didn’t reply. He just walked out, leaving silence—and the crushing weight of his expectations—behind.

An hour later, I asked Mom to take me for a walk around the hospital. I needed to get out of that room, even for a few minutes. To see the sky, to hear something other than beeping machines and IV drips.

She gently pushed my wheelchair through the hallway. The air smelled like disinfectant, but it still felt fresher than the stale room we left behind.

As we passed the children’s ward, I overheard two nurses talking by the window.

“Did you see him yesterday?” one said. “Gavin was here, holding his sister after she had a panic attack.”

“Yeah, he was so sweet! You could tell she felt safe with him. Guys like that… they’re rare.”

My chest clenched. Something cracked inside me, but didn’t explode. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. It was just... silence.

I kept my eyes forward, pretending I hadn’t heard a thing. But I could feel their eyes on me—part surprised, part sorry.

“Isn’t that Gavin’s fiancée?” one of them whispered.

“Yeah… why is she alone?”

I didn’t want to hear any of it. It would’ve hurt less if I hadn’t heard a word. Let them gossip. Let them pity me.

I stared at the ceiling tiles above, their dull color blending into the emptiness I felt inside. I didn’t want to feel angry anymore. There was no room left for rage. No space for hate. Just numbness.

This was betrayal—but I wasn’t going to fight it. I didn’t have the strength. I just wanted to live without this constant ache.

Then, Mom’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and smiled softly as she looked down at me.

“Luna Livia just sent your plane ticket,” she said gently. “I’ll help you get everything ready, so your father won’t suspect a thing.”