SAVANNAH

There’s a kind of pain that steals your breath before it breaks you, and I felt it the moment my mate said, “This is Cecily, and she’s carrying my child.”

The words hit like a fist to the gut. I stood frozen, the air thick in my lungs, suffocating. His words swirled around me, and for a moment, I couldn’t move or breathe. My gaze locked on Evan, my mate, as his hand rested casually on Cecily’s slightly swollen belly like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Pregnant.

With his child.

He had found a breeder and hadn’t even the decency to tell me first?

It felt like my heart had shattered, jagged pieces stabbing into my ribs. Every inhale was a struggle, every exhale a reminder of how much he had just ripped from me. Betrayal. The word barely scratched the surface of what I felt. It was deeper, sharper—something that clawed at my insides and refused to let go.

Evan stood there, all cold distance, his eyes avoiding mine. He stared past me, not even acknowledging the wreckage he was leaving in his wake. His stance was rigid, his face unreadable, like this was just a business transaction and not the destruction of everything we had built together. I didn’t even know where Cecily had come from—didn’t know how long this had been going on—but long enough for her to be showing apparently and now there she stood, her eyes round with innocence and her hands clasped in front of her like some sacrificial lamb.

She looked like everything I wasn’t—soft, demure, and perfect for the role she was about to play.

His breeder.

I could already feel the pack’s whispers starting to swirl in the background. I could practically hear them behind my back: Poor Savannah, can’t even give him a child. She’s not enough anymore. He needs someone who can provide an heir.

I could already feel the sting of their judgment.

“I know this is difficult, Savannah, but since you’re unable to bear a child, it left me with no choice,” Evan said, his voice flat, almost mechanical. “It’s for the pack, you need to understand.”

For the pack.

Those three words sliced through me like broken glass and that was what it took for me to snap out of the shock, “What the hell, Evan? You decided to take a breeder without even talking to me first? You’ve been planning this long enough for her to be showing, and now you bring her here?”

I hated how shaky my voice sounded. I hated how small I felt, but I couldn’t help it. My body trembled with a storm of emotions—betrayal, anger, disbelief—but none of it could get out, none of it could make sense.

All I had was the thick, painful lump in my throat.

Evan finally looked at me, The elders have been pushing me to secure an heir. I didn’t know how to tell you, but I found Cecily. A while ago. She’s perfect for the job, and now that she’s carrying my child, I decided to bring her to the pack.”

His voice was so calm, like he was announcing a simple fact, not revealing the fact that he’d been screwing another woman behind my back for months.

“She’s only here to carry the heir, Savannah. Nothing more.”

I could barely contain the disgust that surged through me but the real kicker was his casual dismissal of everything we’d shared.

As if all of it meant nothing now.

Cecily took a step forward, her soft voice like honey, dripping with innocence that sounded too fake. “I apologize, Luna. I didn’t know you weren’t aware of this arrangement. I never meant to cause any trouble.”

I didn’t even bother to look at her. My gaze stayed fixed on Evan, the man I had sacrificed everything for going as far as taking a hit meant for him during an attack which was why I couldn’t have a child.

My voice was cold and sharp, “You should have consulted me first, Evan. I am your mate. If you wanted to get a breeder, you should have told me, not bring her into our home.”

His gaze hardened, but I could see the tension in his jaw, the slight flicker of discomfort. He opened his mouth to speak, but I wasn’t finished.

“I won’t stand for this. Not now. Not ever,” I said, my voice unwavering.

The silence that followed was deafening. Evan’s eyes bore into mine, his expression unreadable, but I knew he was making a decision. I could see it in the way his lips thinned, the way he glanced at Cecily, then back at me knowing his next words would decide everything.

“You don’t have to accept it, but you have a choice,” he said finally, his voice firm with no trace of remorse. “Stay and support this, or leave. The decision is yours.”

SAVANNAH

“She can stay.”

That was the first mistake as I came to realize over the months that had passed because from that moment onward, everything fell apart.

Well, at least it did for me.

“Savannah, are you listening to me?”

I blinked, snapping out of my spiraling thoughts to focus on the man across the table. Luther Scott—my father’s best friend and the only person I could trust to speak the truth—watched me with an expression that screamed pity.

“I’m sorry, Luther. I zoned out. It won’t happen again.”

His gaze softened, though it didn’t erase the sadness etched in his features. He reached across the table, his hand squeezing mine with the same warmth that had comforted me since childhood.

“I hate that this is happening to you, Savannah. But I have to say it, even though it won’t make things easier.” He hesitated, his voice low and full of regret. “I warned you. I told you not to merge your pack with Evan’s. Your father gave you the pack because he knew your potential. He believed in you. You could’ve been a great Alpha, but instead, you chose to be his Luna. Now, it’s out of my hands. If you want to leave Evan, you’ll have to do it without your pack.”

The words hit like a punch to the chest. I closed my eyes, swallowing the bitterness they carried.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

I shouldn’t have had to spend the last four months of my life being treated like a stranger in my own home. Four months of watching Evan, the man who had promised to love me till the end of time treat me like an afterthought.

And all because of her.

The woman he brought into our lives under the pretense of innocence—a façade I had seen through immediately. She was a manipulative viper, but no one else seemed to notice. When no one was looking, she made sure I knew exactly what she was: a scheming, vicious interloper who was determined to replace me as Luna.

At first, I fought back. I tried to make Evan see her for what she was but my efforts only pushed him further into her arms and the betrayal stung even more like nothing I’d ever known.

But I didn’t care anymore. It was difficult but I had simply let go… she could be his Luna.

I was supposed to be an Alpha before I put love first and handed over the reins of my pack to him. Now, all I wanted to do was walk away.

With my pack.

Unfortunately, reality had just slammed into me hard that I was truly about to lose everything. Blinking back tears, I forced myself to stay strong meeting his gaze.

“So there’s really nothing I can do?” My voice wavered despite my effort to keep it steady. “I didn’t know it would come to this, Luther. I… I loved him. I gave him everything. I took a hit intended for him that should have killed him—that’s why I can’t have children. I sacrificed so much for him, and now he chooses her? After everything I’ve done? Ho can he bring her in? How can he not see her for what she is?”

The tears I’d been holding back spilled over, and I hated myself for it. Hated how much I still cared when I should’ve been stronger.

Luther stood, coming around the table to pull me into a warm embrace. “I’m so sorry, Savannah. I wish there was something I could do but it’s out of my hands. Have you asked him? He might give you your pack.”

Wiping the tears from my face, a sad smile graced my face, “I’m not telling him anything until

everything is set and I am ready to reject him. It doesn’t matter, Evan will never hand over my pack amicably. The power from mine bleeds into his, after six years he won’t let that go.”

Luther nodded in understanding, still robbing my back like he used to do when I was a little, like he still did because ever since my parents died, he had stepped in and filled the role. Silence stretched between us and I finally said the words I had really come here to say because Luther being able to help me was a long shot.

“There is one person with enough power to unmerge our packs.”

The moment the words left my lips, Luther pulled away and from the look on his face, the real reason why I had come to him had clicked. He shook his head, “No, Savannah. No. That’s why you came to me. Not to ask for my help but to get to him.”

“Uncle Luther—“

“No, Savannah!” His tone was sharp, final. “Thane Blackwood might be the Alpha King, but he is not someone you should ever associate with.”

“And what if I had chosen to remain an Alpha? If I hadn’t merged the packs?” I shot back, my frustration rising. “Wouldn’t I have had to meet him eventually?”

“That would’ve been different,” he countered, his voice firm. “But now you have nothing. Asking for his help would be you walking into a slaughter without any form of defense. You don’t understand what you’re asking for.”

His eyes locked onto mine, the severity of his words sending a chill down my spine. “The rumors don’t even begin to describe the man he is. Thane Blackwood isn’t just dangerous—he’s worse than the devil himself. If you cross paths with him, Savannah, it won’t end well. It’ll end in your ruin.”

SAVANNAH

"How dare you?!"

The door slammed shut behind Evan, making the painting on the wall tremble, its rattling echo punctuating his outburst. I silently counted to three, willing myself to remain calm before looking up from the stack of papers I was reviewing. Another dramatic performance, courtesy of Cecily.

“How dare I what?” My tone was clipped, my boredom evident as I uncrossed my legs and stood to face him.

His eyes burned with fury, dark and unrelenting. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you these past weeks, but this has to stop. For goodness’ sake, Savannah, she’s carrying our child, and you seem determined to do everything in your power to make her lose the baby!”

Breathe, Savannah. Just breathe.

“Let me guess,” I said calmly, folding my arms. “She told you some wild story about me again, didn’t she? Like when she ‘accidentally’ got too close to the fire and blamed me for telling her to stand there. Or when she cut herself moving kitchenware because I supposedly told her to move them, even though there are omegas for that. Or the time she ‘almost fell’ down the stairs because she was supposedly rushing to answer my call, even though I wasn’t even in the packhouse?” I paused, tapping my temple mockingly. “Honestly, Evan, it’s exhausting how you can’t see through her constant lies. She’s full of bullshit, and you’re eating it up like a starved puppy.”

His hand shot out, lightning-fast, and wrapped around my neck. His wolf surged to the surface, blackening his eyes with rage. My wolf roared in response, and I shoved him back with every ounce of my strength, breaking his hold.

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on me,” I hissed, my voice like steel. “I’ve let you play the superior male, but don’t forget yourself, Evan. I’m an Alpha female, and I won’t tolerate this. I don’t care what Cecily said this time. I’ve had enough of her nonsense and your tantrums from it. Leave my room. I have work to do.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously as he stepped closer. “No, Savannah. You’re the one who’s forgotten yourself. I’ve put up with your behavior long enough. Don’t push me any further, or there will be consequences—ones you won’t want to face. Do nothing to jeopardize this child, or—”

“Enough,” My voice was cold, my patience at its limit. “This conversation is over. Get out.” I pointed to the door, my gaze unwavering.

Evan glared at me, his anger palpable. Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls seemed to shudder.

I exhaled heavily, the sound filled with weariness as I sat on the edge of my bed. This was what we had become—constant fights, accusations flung like weapons, all because he refused to see her for what she truly was.

Whatever love we once shared was hanging by the thinnest thread, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it snapped entirely.

When it did, I’d walk away. But walking away would mean leaving everything behind, and Luther had made sure that I stayed away from the one man who could actually change things for me. Another sigh escaped my lips and I decided to go find something to eat because Evan had managed to completely ruin my mood and disrupt my focus.

As I stepped into the packhouse kitchen, the chatter of the two omegas present instantly ceased. Their heads bowed low, their voices soft with deference. “Luna.”

I nodded briefly, about to respond, when her voice cut through the air like poisoned honey.

“Luna,” Cecily cooed, her tone dripping with false sweetness like it did whenever people were present. “I didn’t realize you were here. You could have sent for me. I would have brought whatever you needed to you.”

I turned slowly to face her, my patience razor-thin. “Save it, Cecily. You’ve won. I have no interest in playing your games anymore, so drop the act.”

Her eyes widened in mock surprise, one of her hands fluttering to her chest then the other reached for me, “Luna, I’m sorry if my—”

“Don’t.” I stepped back before she touched me, cutting her off sharply. “Don’t touch me.”

And then it happened.

Her eyes flickered with triumph just before she stumbled backward like I had pushed her, landing on the floor with an exaggerated cry. “My stomach!”

Shock rendered me immobile for a moment even worse, blood began to seep through her dress, staining the fabric in deep crimson.

“No,” I whispered, my mind racing.

Evan burst into the kitchen, his gaze filled with shock snapping to Cecily on the floor before settling on me. His expression hardened instantly, his voice icy and accusing.

“What have you done, Savannah?”