The next day, I arrived at the pack's private hospital to check on the pups, only to spot two familiar figures.

Loki was carefully supporting Maya. He wore a gentle expression. It struck me that this was the emergency he'd talked about—taking her to her prenatal checkup.

My heart froze solid.

Hiding behind a stone pillar, I overheard the healer's voice. "Alpha Loki, are you sure you want to keep this pup?"

"Of course," Loki replied in a firm, resolute voice. "I must have this pup."

"But what about Luna Serafina? You mustn't forget that the Blight is spreading through the pack. The elders say that the only hope lies in Luna Serafina's bloodline. If she finds out what you're doing and decides to leave, what will you do?"

"Serafina can't bear pups or awaken her bloodline, so she's lost her value," Loki coldly cut in. "Besides, she loves me too much. Even if she finds out, she won't have the heart to leave."

So, he'd planned everything from the start, but he was dangerously wrong.

Just then, Maya walked out after finishing her examinations. She looked hurt and aggrieved as she asked, "Loki, am I making things difficult for you?

"This is all my fault. I shouldn't have told you about the pregnancy. I wanted to end it, but the healer said if I do, I'd never conceive again."

Loki patted her shoulder and gently said, "This isn't your fault. She'll accept this sooner or later."

Maya lowered her head and chokingly replied, "I know Ms. Lyall won't like me, but I'll try my best to please her. Once the pup's born, I'll move into the pack house as the housekeeper to take care of her and the pup."

Loki gave her shoulder another pat. "Things must be tough on you."

As I watched them, my chest tightened until I could barely breathe.

A few minutes later, Loki left to fetch some herbs. Once he was gone, Maya curled the corners of her lips into a cold smirk and walked toward me.

"Serafina, what are you doing, hiding behind the pillar?"

So, she'd seen me all along. I pressed my lips together and stayed silent.

"You heard everything, didn't you?" She raised an eyebrow with a provocative gleam shining in her eyes.

I turned to leave, but she blocked my path and grinned at me. "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave on your own. I'm carrying Alpha Loki's heir, while you, a barren, useless she-wolf, will just end up exiled. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

As her words grew harsher, I clenched my fists with nails digging deep into my palms.

"Maya, you—"

I was just about to speak when I heard hurried footsteps. Loki was back.

Maya's expression instantly shifted into one of fragile innocence. "Ms. Lyall, I know you don't like me, but please… Don't take it out on the pup…"

Her face was contorted in pain as she suddenly stumbled backward and clutched her stomach.

"Maya!" Loki blurred into motion and rushed to her side.

"What have you done to her?" He glared at me with eyes full of rage and disappointment.

Maya lay collapsed on the ground, sobbing with tears streaming down her face. "My stomach hurts so much, Loki… Our pup…

"Don't blame Serafina. She was probably just too upset…"

Loki's gaze softened with distress. "Don't be afraid. I'll take you to the healer right now."

He scooped Maya into his arms and left without looking back at all.

I watched the whole clumsy charade and couldn't even be bothered to explain.

Maya was declared fine and sent home for rest.

I stood at her door and watched as Loki bustled in and out, attending to her with meticulous care.

"Loki, let Ms. Lyall in." Maya's voice drifted over.

Loki's eyes seemed to avoid mine as he glanced at me before I stepped inside.

Maya was propped up against the headboard. "Ms. Lyall, please don't blame Loki. I asked him to bring you here because there are things we should talk through."

While I remained silent, Loki sat beside me and took my hand with guilt written plainly on his face. Then, he began saying, "Serafina… There's something I need to explain to you."

He paused, then continued, "Maya and I met at a gathering of the Highlanders pack. Envoys from the rival Bloodfang pack were there as well.

"They set me up and drugged me with an aphrodisiac. When I lost control, Maya was the one who saved me. That's when the pup was conceived."

At this point, he carefully eyed the look on my face and tightened his grip on my hand. "I swear that you're the only one I love, but the pup's innocent. He's my flesh and blood, so I must take responsibility.

"Don't worry. I'll have him registered under your name after he's born, and you'll be his mother. Please understand."

He finished and looked at me with hope shining in his eyes.

I lowered my head, struck with the belated realization that this was the choice he'd made.

At that, Maya's eyes reddened as well. "Ms. Lyall, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I'm not in good health, so if I lose the baby, I'll never conceive again.

"So, please… I'm begging you to spare my pup, okay?"

I could barely breathe when I looked at them. As an expecting mother, I knew what a pup meant to a she-wolf.

After taking a deep breath, I forced a smile and did my best to keep my voice steady when I said, "I'm not upset. I understand."

Loki froze. "You do?"

I nodded and forced a bitter smile. "Loki, we're both thinking for the pack's sake. I understand you need an heir."

When I was done speaking, his face lit up with relief and surprise. He held my hand tightly, and his eyes were full of gratitude.

"Thank you, Serafina."

That evening, Loki brought Maya back to our pack house and cooked a nourishing meal for her.

Throughout dinner, he kept serving her food and was clearly familiar with all her preferences.

"Maya, this soup is light, just the way you like it.

"Here's your favorite venison. Have some more; it's great for the pup."

I watched their intimate exchanges with a strangely empty calmness.

"You're taking such good care of me, Loki. Won't Ms. Lyall be upset?" Maya asked as she gave me a pointed look.

Loki froze, then quickly explained, "She won't be. You're expecting and need proper nourishment, while Serafina is a she-wolf, too. She'll understand.'

I kept my head down and ate in silence. They couldn't be allowed to sense what I was planning.

After dinner, I wandered into the garden alone when Maya approached and sat across from me. "Why are you taking a walk by yourself, Ms. Lyall? Are you feeling down?

"You really can endure anything, can't you? I can't believe you'd rather raise another she-wolf's pup than leave."

I glanced at her and rose to leave, but she angrily stepped in my way. "Stop right there!

"It's all an act, isn't it? What she-wolf would agree to raise the pup her mate had with another she-wolf? Why aren't you mad or making a scene? Just how fake can you get?

"Are you trying to make Loki feel guilty by playing magnanimous so that he'll make it up to you? That's compensation, not love! You're just pathetically clinging to an Alpha who doesn't love you!"

I bit my lip hard and refused to show the slightest crack of vulnerability.

"Oh, and one more thing…"

She leaned in and whispered, "The pup I'm carrying isn't Loki's, but he's so desperate for an heir that he believed a lie I told…"

I was stunned, and before I could respond, she abruptly stood up and shoved me hard.

"I'll show you who matters most to him."

She deliberately fell backward and hit the ground with a pained moan. "My stomach! It hurts so much…"

She clutched her belly as blood slowly seeped out beneath her.

Loki came running at the noise. When he saw what was going on, his face drained of color. "Maya!"

He gathered her into his arms and turned to roar at me. "What have you done to her again?"

I met his eyes without the slightest fear. "Whether you believe it or not, it wasn't me."

"I'm fine, Loki," Maya sobbed in his arms. "Please don't blame Ms. Lyall. I know she doesn't like me or my pup…"

He shoved me aside and lifted her into his arms to carry her away. "You've gone too far, Serafina. I'm never letting this slide if anything happens to her!"

Collapsed on the ground, I could feel my heart so cold as I watched them leave.

…

At dawn the next morning, I packed my belongings and erased every trace of myself from the pack house.

Before leaving, I reached out to Elder Garmr Grey of the Snowbound pack, once my grandpa's most loyal subordinate.

"Elder Garmr, is the Snowbound pack ready?"

"Yes, Ms. Lyall. The Snowbound pack awaits your return at any time."

With that, I ended the call.

There was nothing left tying me here. Whatever the truth was, it no longer mattered to me.

I rested a hand over my abdomen, knowing that my pups would have a kingdom of our own.

As the thought crossed my mind, I turned and vanished into the depths of the forest.