Virginia’s POV

Slade never told anyone we were together.

We’d been in a relationship—bound by a secret half-bond—for three years,but he still presented himself to the Pack and to the world as single—charming,composed,effortlessly poised,every inch the perfect Beta.

I never asked why he kept me a secret.

Back then,I thought just being with him was enough.It made me happy.It made my wolf feel chosen.

I started falling for him back in high school,the day he shielded me from a scalding splash of boiling water a bully had thrown.

It’s been ten years…and that feeling hasn’t faded…not even a little.

Three years ago,when Slade and Millicent broke up,he drank himself into a stupor.

I followed him to the bar that night,choking on the smoke and the noise and the wild,restless Pack auras in the room,but I stayed with him.

Somewhere in his drunken haze,he asked if I wanted to try being with him.

I knew it was out of spite.I knew he didn’t love me.

But I couldn’t resist.I…I said yes.

I told myself,If I love him enough,if I treat him right,one day he’ll love me back the way I love him.One day his wolf will answer mine.

Looking back now,I see just how terribly wrong I was.

At home,I watched the clock pass.It was almost a new day,and yet he still wasn’t home.

Past midnight,he finally messaged me.

[Hon,I have a dinner meeting with some Pack partners tonight.I’ll be home late,don’t wait up.Get some rest.]

But I’d already seen Millicent’s post on her story—a picture of her being carried on a man’s back.

She wrote a caption:[Still the most husband-material guy ever!Gosh,I’m seriously tearing up.Should I say yes to his proposal?]

Dinner meeting?Dinner meeting my ass.So he proposed to her,huh?

It was not the half-hearted promises he gave me,but a real one.The kind a man—no,a male wolf—makes when he wants someone in his life forever.

I stared at that blurry photo over and over again.

It felt like I was right back in school—watching their love from the sidelines,a lone wolf outside their little world.

Suddenly,pain twisted in my belly,so I shut my phone off.I didn’t need to see more.

I’m already planning to leave.What’s the point of holding on?

So I got up and started packing.I threw away the couple’s toothbrushes,the matching mugs,and the cushions I picked out for Slade and I—everything.

Just as I was tying up the trash bag,Slade walked through the door.

He glanced at me,asking,“Didn’t you love those things?Why are you throwing them out?”

I looked down,my fingers cold,forcing my voice to stay casual.

“They’re old.I’m just tired of them.”

I thought—hoped—he’d ask again.But he didn’t.He didn’t care enough to.

He walked over,like it was just another night,placed his hand gently on my belly,and murmured to the baby,“Were you good today,little one?Daddy’s home.”

He looked like the perfect dad—sweet and gentle.There was a time that would’ve melted me,would’ve soothed my wolf.

I used to think,If he loves our baby that much,maybe he loves me too.Maybe he just doesn’t know how to say it.

But now I know.He loves our baby.Not…me.

“Hon,”he said,“you’re still upset about earlier,aren’t you?Don’t be mad I didn’t tell you about Milly working at the company.She’s in between jobs—I was just helping out.It’s temporary.She’ll leave soon.”

He noticed I wasn’t helping him with his coat.That was probably when he realized I was pissed.Finally,his voice softened to me—he was trying.

“Are you jealous?”he asked.“Don’t worry.Milly might be my ex,but I don’t have feelings for her anymore.I’ve got you now.”

I wanted to laugh.But I couldn’t.

He kissed my cheek,more affectionate than usual.

If I hadn’t caught you with her,I replied mentally,if I hadn’t seen what I saw…I might’ve believed you.I might’ve felt touched.But now…everything you do—even this kiss—just feels like manipulation.Just another way to keep my wolf leashed.

Virginia’s POV

The next day,my assistant told me the abortion had been scheduled.

“Ma’am,are you really not going to tell the CEO—the Beta?The baby’s already this far along…”

“There’s no need.”

I rested my hand on my belly.It was like the baby,the little pup,knew I didn’t want it anymore.It had gone so quiet.

Honestly,up until just yesterday,I was still living in the illusion that I was happy.

With how good Slade was at covering his lies—and masking his scent—it would’ve been easy for him to keep seeing Millicent without me ever finding out.

But he slipped.

My guess?The pregnancy was too far along,and he assumed even if I found out,I wouldn’t leave him.

But I was tired.

I’d waited ten years for him to love me—since I was 16.I waited through silent crushes,waited through a pregnancy,waited through three years of being his secret,half-claimed she-wolf.

I could endure waiting.

But I couldn’t endure being used—used to carry a child for him and then discarded to make space for another woman,another Luna candidate.

Before heading to the hospital,to the healer’s ward that worked with our Pack,I stopped by the mall next door to grab something to eat.

That’s when I heard his deep and familiar voice nearby.

“This section’s worth focusing on.Domestic high-end brands are gaining more market share.”

I looked up.

There he was—Slade—just a few aisles away.And beside him,Millicent.

Both of them were dressed sharp,looking like they were here for some kind of business field visit,a Pack partnership inspection.

My chest tightened.I was just about to turn and walk away when I heard a fake chuckle.

“Oh wow,it’s Miss Aberdeen!What a coincidence!”

Millicent clicked toward me in her heels,her eyes gleaming with that fake professionalism.

Before I could even speak,the mall manager rushed over and greeted them,smiling widely.

“Mr.and Mrs.Forsyth!This way,please,we’ve got a brand new section to show you…”

“Please,just call me Millicent.Let’s keep work and personal matters separate,”Millicent corrected,still smiling.Her voice was soft,but she made sure to glance at me when she said it.

My fists clenched.

So Slade,the man who had kept me hidden all these years,didn’t even wait for our child to be born before introducing his ex as his fiancée—to business partners and Pack contacts,no less.

“Miss Aberdeen,help me keep this a secret,okay?”she added,like it was some inside joke.“No one at the company knows about us yet.We want to wait until the wedding to announce it.You won’t say anything,right?”

She smiled at me like I was a stranger.Like she didn’t know I was his current fiancée in private…the one carrying his pup.

Slade’s expression stiffened.There was guilt in his eyes,but also that same old silent warning,as if saying,Don’t make a scene.

My heart twisted as I forced a smile.

“Of course.I won’t say anything.”

Because once this abortion was done,I was done too.I was leaving.Whatever was between them had nothing to do with me anymore.

“I knew I could count on you,Miss Aberdeen,”Millicent chirped.“By the way,what are you doing here alone?Where’s your husband?”

There was something triumphant in her gaze as she leaned in and grabbed my arm like we were old friends.

“All this data talk makes me nervous.It’s all men.Will you stay with me?”

I pulled away gently,refusing to meet Slade’s eyes.

“I don’t have a husband.”

I could see his face darken for a moment,but he quickly covered it up.His tone turned clipped.

“Since you’re already here,show Millicent around.She’s still learning the ropes.”

Then,without waiting for a reply,he walked off with the mall manager.

I frowned and tried to pull my arm away from Millicent’s grip,but she leaned in closer,her voice low and sharp.

“I know you’re his fiancée.But so what?Let me be clear—you’re practically just…the incubator.Slade is mine.Once that baby’s out,the real wife?That will be me.”

My whole body went cold.Even my wolf went still.

“Let go.”

I gave her a small push—nothing rough.

But she suddenly cried out and stumbled sideways,falling hard into a woman walking by with a baby in her arms.

Both the woman and her child hit the ground.

When her baby screamed,she looked stunned and then furious.

“Are you insane?!What the hell are you doing,pushing people when you’re pregnant?Are you trying to kill someone?!”

I stepped forward,trying to explain,but Millicent cut me off—tears already spilling from her eyes,her voice even trembling.

“I’m so sorry.I’m so sorry,it was my fault!The vice president didn’t mean to!Please don’t blame her,Ma’am.It—It was my fault!”

Virginia’s POV

The customer’s face twisted in rage as she jabbed a finger toward my nose.

“Vice President?You’re a VP?You’re her superior in the Pack hierarchy and you bullied her like this?Then blamed her for it?!What kind of leader does that?Your Pack actually promotes wolves like you?”

“I didn’t—”

My chest was tight;I couldn’t breathe.I tried to explain,but Slade came rushing over,his Beta aura flaring.

He took one look at Millicent on the ground and the screaming child,and his expression immediately turned ugly.

“What happened?!”

Millicent spoke first,saying I pushed her by accident,and that it caused her to knock into the woman with a child.

Millicent clutched her ankle and whimpered,“It might be sprained.But it’s okay.Please just explain to the customer—the VP didn’t mean it…”

“Virginia!What the hell is wrong with you?!”Slade rounded on me,his eyes blazing with Pack authority.“You couldn’t even handle something this simple?Why would you push her?”

“I didn’t—”

“I don’t care!Apologize to the customer.Now!”

I stood frozen,my breath shallow.

He believes her.Just like always.

But this time,I stayed my ground.

“I’m not apologizing for something I didn’t do.”

My hand cradled my belly—my pup—my voice trembling but firm.

After all,I was leaving.I was done groveling.

His eyes widened,stunned that I’d actually stood up to him.

Before he could reprimand me again,the customer shoved me hard.

“You bitch!With a temper like that,no wonder your pup’ll grow up the same!You won’t even say sorry?Get the hell out!”

As soon as I crashed to the floor,pain stabbed violently through my belly.My ears rang.I couldn’t hear anything but static.

Slade stepped toward me—his hand twitching like he wanted to help—but in the next second,he turned away and swept his manipulative Omega into his arms instead,rushing her out.

“Think about what you’ve done,Virginia!”

I lay on the cold floor tiles,clutching my stomach,pain rolling through me in sickening waves.

In the crowd,people were pointing and whispering.Some screamed,some backed away,and some raised their phones to record me.

That’s all I heard.A sea of murmurs.And that roaring in my ears.

It felt like something inside me had been ripped apart,the pain surging like waves through my lower body.

Later,someone finally realized something was wrong and called for an ambulance.

At the hospital,the doctors were shouting while wheeling me toward the OR.

“Where’s the family?!Her vitals are unstable—do we save the pup or not?!”

A nurse grabbed my phone.“Ma’am,what’s the father’s number?”

I bit my lip and recited Slade’s.

He picked up.

Not with worry.

Not with panic.

But fury.

“Virginia,have you completely lost your mind?!What the hell did you do to Millicent?!Her ankle’s swollen—the doctor thinks it’s fractured.All because you pushed her!”

I was shivering as I corrected him.“I didn’t…She fell…on her own.”

“Oh,don’t give me that jealous crap!You’re just mad because she called herself my wife?You really believed that?It was a joke,for Moon’s sake!”

A joke?Just a joke?

I clutched the sheets,my tears finally spilling.

“Slade…the baby—”

Suddenly,I heard a click;he hung up.

I looked at the doctor,forcing out a wincing smile.

“Forget the pup.Please…just save me.”

“We’ll do our best.”

When I woke up,my belly was flat.

The nurse handed me a small box.Inside was the tiny,unformed body of my pup.

I cried so hard I couldn’t stop shaking.

Nothing hurt more than this—not even the wounds in my body—because this pain lived in my wolf.

In the middle of crying,the door burst open.

A guy rushed in—tall,breathless,familiar.

My brother…

Not by blood,but in every way that mattered to my wolf.

He ran to me and pulled me into his arms,his voice hoarse with regret.

“I’m sorry.I should’ve been here sooner…”

I buried my face in his chest,unable to speak.

That afternoon,he moved me to a private hospital under his name.

Before I left the city,I mailed that box—my pup’s remains—to the Forsyth household,the same Pack line so desperate for an heir.

And then I texted Slade one last time.

“We’re done.”

Then I blocked and deleted his contacts—without a second thought.

From that day on,he was nothing to me.

And never would be again.

Chapter 5

Slade’s POV

I received Virginia’s text while I was still at the Pack hospital,the fluorescent lights harsh and white above me as I stood in the hallway holding Milly’s test results.The doctor had just assured me there was nothing serious—only mild soft-tissue bruising,something that would heal in a matter of days,barely enough to count as an injury by wolf standards.I felt the tension in my shoulders loosen the slightest bit,and with my mind finally clear enough to think,I decided it was time to call Virginia and talk some sense into her.I wanted to calm her down,to tell her she was overreacting again,letting her emotions spiral,interpreting everything Milly did as an attack.If she would simply listen,I could explain it all.

But each time I tried to call,she refused to pick up.

At first,I thought it was just another one of her sulking spells,the familiar pattern of her needing space before inevitably returning to me,sometimes teary,sometimes defiant,but always coming back.Yet the longer the calls went unanswered,the more irritation clawed at the back of my neck,my wolf pacing restlessly beneath my skin.

I was already annoyed when her message came through.

[We’re done.]

Just two words—but they cut deeper than anything I’d expected,slipping effortlessly past every layer of rationality and planting themselves like a jagged blade behind my ribs.For a moment,I simply stared at the screen,my fingers numb,my throat tightening around something unfamiliar and unwelcome.

We’re done?

She’s the one ending this?She thinks she can just walk away from me?For years she never had the nerve to challenge me like this—so since when did she start using words like this as weapons to get her way?

Grinding my teeth,I dialed again.

“Sorry,the number you dialed is currently in Do Not Disturb mode—”

The automated voice sounded like mockery.I refused to believe it.Switching to WhatsApp,I fired off message after message,each one heavier,sharper,more frantic than the last.

[Virginia,what is this about?]

[Haven’t you made enough of a scene?]

[I don’t have time for your tantrums.Pick up the phone.]

[If you keep ignoring me,I’m going to be seriously pissed.]

But one by one,every message turned into a red exclamation mark.

She had blocked me.

For a moment,my mind went blank,a cold shock roaring like static in my bloodstream.My wolf’s instincts surged in violent protest.

In all the time we had been together,she had never blocked me.Not once.Not even when she cried.Not even when she begged.

How dare she cut me off like this?

“What’s wrong?”

Milly had pushed herself up on the hospital bed,her voice cautious even as her expression softened with concern.“Did you and Virginia…get into a fight?”

My brows furrowed,my jaw tight.The glow of my phone screen shone against her bandaged ankle—an injury she had exaggerated into a drama that now spiraled far beyond what she likely intended.

“She’s never blocked me before,”I muttered,struggling to keep my voice even.“This is the first time.”

“Maybe she’s just trying to get your attention?”Milly offered gently,her tone soothing,her eyes shimmering with sympathy she knew how to wield well.“A lot of she-wolves do that when they want their mates—or fiancés—to behave.”

I snapped without thinking.“Isn’t that ridiculous?She’s the one who caused today’s mess,and she still thinks she has the upper hand?”

I stood abruptly and paced toward the window,running a hand through my hair hard enough to sting my scalp,my wolf restless,irritated,unstable.

That was when,for the first time,I realized Virginia had been different lately—colder,quieter,her temper no longer flaring,her tears no longer falling.She stopped arguing.She stopped clinging.She stopped trying to fight me into seeing her.

And when a she-wolf stops fighting…she’s already halfway gone.

This time she didn’t yell,didn’t cry,didn’t demand I come home.

She simply disappeared behind a wall of silence.

And something inside my chest twisted sharply,hollow and terrifyingly empty.

“She’s really pushing it now,”I muttered,but the moment the words left my lips,a surge of panic flooded me so suddenly I had to grip the edge of the windowsill to steady myself.

Milly was still talking,but her voice became distant.

Because my wolf had already decided.

I needed to go home.

And I needed to go now.