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.