NO WAY FOR US

Sitting in the passenger seat, I watched Ashton through the rearview mirror. Even in his human form, there was an untamed energy simmering under his skin, the feral presence of the alpha that both drew me to him and kept me wary.

Beside him sat Sera, his ever-loyal beta, her eyes catching the dim light with a subtle amber glow—an unsettling reminder that she had the strength, the loyalty, and the drive he sought in a second. She was more than just his beta; lately, it felt like she was taking the place I’d once filled.

For example, she currently had my seat beside my own mate. We had even quarreled about it this morning, but with Ashton always being controlling, I could only swallow my anger and stay at the front.

Even when I reminded him that as his mate, I needed his protection and since Sera was his beta, she should be the one sitting at the front. But guess what? He told me that, as his beta, Sera is to sit beside him to protect him when something happens.

I couldn’t help but notice the way Ashton’s arm draped across the back of her seat, his fingers brushing her shoulder as they murmured to each other. He chuckled softly at something she said, and I felt the wound of their bond deepen, like claws raking over old scars. I forced myself to look away, turning my gaze to the blurred landscape outside. The pack, my role as his mate, even his loyalty—everything felt tenuous, like threads ready to snap.

I rested a hand on my stomach. I hadn’t told him yet about the baby.

A future alpha, I’d hoped, could make him remember us, the bond we’d shared before Sera came along. But now, with Sera’s presence like a shadow between us, I feared that this bond wouldn’t be enough to hold him. And worse, I feared for the child, the little spark of life that already felt so fragile in the tumultuous world of pack politics.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I could use the child to gain Ashton back.

Just then, while I was lost in my thoughts, a sharp, unnatural howl ripped through the air, jerking me out of my thoughts.

Ashton’s head snapped up, his nostrils flaring. I saw his eyes flash with a wolfish gleam, his instincts instantly on edge. He looked at Ali, our driver, a wary expression settling over his face.

“Run,” Ashton growled, his voice barely human, the tone a low rumble.

Before I could fully process his command, an explosive force rocked the car, and I heard a sickening crack as a clawed hand tore through the roof, ripping metal as though it were paper.

I screamed as claws scraped down the frame of the car, the scent of blood and musk filling the air.

Ashton snarled, leaping over the seat with predatory speed, pushing Sera down as gunfire erupted around us.

“Rogues,” he hissed, his eyes darting from side to side, his senses sharp, feral. These weren’t just random attackers; they were members of a rogue pack, rival wolves exiled from our clan’s territory, looking for a way to challenge Ashton’s leadership.

A rogue lunged through the shattered window, jaws snapping. Ali barely had time to react before the creature’s teeth sank into his shoulder, pulling him from the driver’s seat in a blur of snarling fur and blood.

The car veered, spinning out of control, until it slammed into the ditch, throwing us all forward with a jarring force.

For a moment, everything was still.

My heart pounded; my hand pressed against my stomach as if to shield the life within. The sound of snapping branches and footsteps approached, and I knew the rogues were closing in.

Ashton’s voice cut through the air, firm and commanding.

“Sera, stay down,” he barked, pulling her closer to him. His body coiled protectively around her, muscles tense, ready to shift at any moment to protect her. His wolf—powerful, loyal—had chosen to guard her, while I was left struggling to even get out of the car.

“Ashton!” I cried, but he didn’t look my way. His focus was entirely on Sera, and with every gDennis he cast her, the truth became clearer: she was his new mate- his chosen.

I struggled to crawl out of the car, a grunt escaping my lips. I clenched my teeth, unwilling to cry, but I could feel my eyes fill with tears.

Finally, out of the suffocating car, I laid low, crawling to a shade I felt could cover me and keep me safe. I didn’t forget to put my hands on my stomach like an amour, to protect the fragile life within me. But as if to say that my protection was worthless, another gunshot rang out, and a searing pain exploded in my side as a bullet tore through me.

I gasped, feeling warm blood seep through my fingers, the scent of iron mixing with the musk of the forest.

My vision blurred, but I forced myself to stay conscious, to cling to the last threads of strength. I wasn’t just fighting for myself anymore. I was fighting for my child, for a life that had no place in a world where my place had already been replaced.

As I lay in the cold grass, my body weakening, I looked up to see Ashton’s form start to shift. His skin rippled as fur sprouted along his arms, his muscles expanding, and his jaw elongated into a snarling muzzle. He was magnificent, a warrior, the alpha. But as he tore through the attackers, his wolf stayed close to Sera, circling her protectively, ensuring she remained untouched while I lay bleeding.

Through hazy eyes, I watched as Sera touched his fur, murmuring something only his wolf could hear. And in that moment, I knew that Ashton had already chosen his mate.

Pain thrummed through my body, more from the realization than the bullet itself. The child I carried, the life I’d thought would make Ashton mine again, faded with every shallow breath. I clutched my abdomen, whispering a silent apology to the life slipping from me, the little hope that had bound me to him.

And as the world dimmed around me, I heard Ashton’s voice—a low growl, a plea, almost a whisper. But it wasn’t for me.

“Stay with me,” he rumbled, his voice thick with emotion.

The words were for her and not for me.

It didn’t pain me as much as I couldn’t protect our child.