Samantha's POV

The scars and bruises on my arm were like a macabre map of abuse. Some were old scars, some were new bruises, but it didn't matter how long they had been there.

All that mattered was that I had endured five years of broken skin and physical torment, with only a weakened wolf to heal me, which also meant that those scars would remain until Ava returned to her old strength.

And that could never happen as long as I remained here in this hell.

My mother's cries were distant to my own ears, as if she were saying my name from underwater as she held my arm up to reveal my humiliation to all.

Meanwhile, across the room, my father's face remained cold. But he looked away and his voice was tight as he said, "We should speak to Kade so he can end your sentence."

I nodded, holding back a sigh of relief. At least my family and I were on the same page about one thing: I needed to get the hell out of here. And quickly.

The Beta, who had been standing nearby and watching the entire exchange with a look of complete disinterest on his face, led us to Kade's office. I had only set foot in this room before when summoned, and it was never for good reasons.

His office was exactly the same as always. Bookshelves lining every single wall, with an area cut out for the fireplace. A large desk that I had endured too many spankings bent over. A couple of plush armchairs that he only reserved for guests.

Kade was sitting behind the desk with a pair of glasses perching on the end of his nose as he studied a document in front of him when we entered. He barely looked up; he hated my family just as much as he hated me.

"Alpha Kade." My father spoke first, effectively stopping my mother from blurting anything out about the cuts and bruises. "We've come to collect Samantha."

For a long moment, Kade didn't answer—just kept reading his document. Finally, he set the paper aside in no rush at all, removed his glasses, and looked up at me.

I suppressed a shudder as his gray eyes swept over me.

"I'll end her sentence now," he said calmly.

My mother let out a sigh of relief beside me. I nearly crumpled right then and there from exhaustion and joy in equal measure. "Gather your things," she said, turning to me. "We're taking you home now—"

"Home?" Kade cut her off, standing. In the enclosed space, he looked positively mountainous, all broad shoulders and thick muscles straining against his shirt. "Who said she's going home?"

"But you said you'd end her sentence—" my father began, but Kade cut him off with a raised hand.

The room fell silent as Kade slowly turned his gaze on me again. There was something strange in his expression, something unlike the usual hatred he showed me. Was that a hint of… panic in his eyes that I saw? But it was gone before I had a chance to study it.

"Oh, Goddess… He knows about the mate bond and the child, doesn't he?" I desperately asked Ava. "He won't let me go now because of it."

"He shouldn't know," Ava assured me. "I haven't revealed myself. He would have no way of sensing the bond or the child."

I chose to believe her. I had to. Because the alternative… I didn't even want to consider what punishments Kade might have in store for me if he knew the truth about everything.

"She will no longer be a servant," Kade went on coolly, as if we were discussing no more than the weather, "but I won't allow the woman who caused my parents' deaths and my sister's madness to return to a life of luxury. No. She must remain here, in Crescent Hollow pack, and live out the rest of her days witnessing my sister's pain and grief."

My throat constricted painfully. I should have known that Kade wouldn't just let me walk away. He intended to destroy my life as punishment, whether I was his slave or not.

Panic took hold of me then, and I whirled to face my mother. "Mom, please take me away from here," I begged, grasping at her hands. "Please, I don't want to stay—"

"Crescent Hollow has provided your family's pack with protection for years now, Samantha," Kade growled. I hated when he said my name; he only said it when he was angry with me. The rest of the time, I had no name. "Do you really want to take that from them now?"

My family looked at one another in shock. It was true; Crescent Hollow had protected our pack, Stoneridge—of which my father was the Alpha—for many years now.

Kade's implication was clear: if I didn't remain in Crescent Hollow as his personal punching bag, he was going to revoke that protection. Rogues could overrun the small, rural pack of Stoneridge within a fortnight if it weren't for Crescent Hollow's strength.

"No," I whispered, even though I knew begging wouldn't help me now. My family had already made up their minds just like that. "Mom… Dad… Please…"

My mother was the only one who hesitated. Serena and my father were already at the door. Neither of them was looking at me. "Margaret," my father said warningly, hand lingering on the doorknob.

I felt sick. "Mom…"

My mother shivered, but murmured, "I'm sorry, Samantha. It's for the good of the pack. At least you won't be a servant anymore…"

With that, my mother wrenched her hands free from mine and quickly followed my sister and father out the door. The last look she gave me before they were gone was tearful, but resolute. I had no choice in the matter.

They were leaving me behind with this brute. Abandoning me. Again.

I fell to my knees, ignoring the sensation of pain shooting through my joints as I made impact with the hardwood floor. As the door fell shut behind my family, one tear fell. Then another. And another.

Soon, I was sobbing openly for the first time in… I couldn't even recall how long it had been since I cried like this.

"Please," I choked out through the sobs, clasping my hands together and looking imploringly up at Kade. All my remaining dignity slipped away in an instant, replaced with the overwhelming need to escape. "Please, let me go home—"

I didn't have a chance to finish before the back of Kade's hand met my cheek. Blinding pain shot through me, sending stars dancing across my vision. The force of the slap was enough to send me slamming against the floor, belly-side down.

"No!" Ava cried, and in a moment of panic, released what little strength she had to protect me and the child from permanent harm. Her aura radiated through the room, like a warm, silver light enveloping everything.

My eyes shot open when it was over. No. No, no, no…

I looked up to find Kade standing over me, nostrils flaring and gray eyes glowing.

"You're my fated mate?!" he breathed. "And… a pup? You're pregnant?

I swallowed hard, preparing for the worst. Ava's strength was short-lived, having only shown herself for a moment to protect me and the baby before she collapsed in exhaustion. But it was enough.

Kade knew. And all I could do now was lay there on the floor, clutching my stomach and wondering what to do next. Or if there was even anything to do now.

He stepped closer and towered over me, dark figure blotting out the light.

"You hid all this from me," he growled, "and you want to leave?"

Third Person POV

"You shouldn't have hurt our mate. What is wrong with you?"

Kade's wolf, Ghost, had just confirmed what Kade had been suspecting for five years: Samantha, the girl who had caused his parents to die and his sister to go mad from the brutal rape she'd endured, was his mate.

Of course, Kade had wondered on many occasions before if Samantha was his mate. He could never sense her wolf, but sometimes, during those nights when he brought her to his bedroom…

He couldn't help but feel a deep and profound connection to her despite his hatred.

On more than one occasion, he had even wondered if the reason why he kept calling her to his room—and why she always came, even if they loathed one another—was because she was his mate.

But he had never been absolutely certain. Not until now, at least.

Not until he scented her wolf for the briefest of moments, sensing both their mate bond and the pup she carried within her.

Samantha was Kade's mate. And she was pregnant.

It should have been a joyous occasion for any wolf, especially an Alpha that still had no Luna or heir, but all Kade felt was festering, bitter hatred for her. Samantha had ruined his life. Now his parents dead and his beloved sister broken.

The once intelligent, beautiful girl he'd called his sister was now a shell of her former self who could barely string two coherent sentences together without having a meltdown. Her episodes sometimes lasted for days—thrashing and screaming and hallucinating about the men who had broken her.

And it was all Samantha's fault.

Kade despised his mate with a burning passion. And yet, seeing the look of despair in her eyes as she stared up at him was unbearable. Kade didn't want to protect her, but he also couldn't help but notice the sudden urge not to hurt her.

"You must protect the child, if not her," Ghost insisted. "Put aside your hatred for one moment, Kade, and do what's right."

What's right.

What was "right" felt like throwing her into the cells right now and letting her rot down there for hiding so much from him. She really thought she could slip away without him ever knowing that she'd kept their bond and their child secret? What else did she have planned?

But Ghost was right; Kade couldn't let his pup suffer because of its mother's sins.

Internally, Kade felt a tide of panic threatening to overwhelm him. But he controlled his voice as he said, "It's no matter. I know the truth now." He dropped to a crouch beside Samantha, who shivered and scooched backwards until her spine hit the wall. "And now that you're pregnant, you belong to me. I wasn't going to let you go before, but I especially won't now."

Samatha's mouth parted wordlessly. The look in those blue eyes of hers was equal parts horror and resignation.

Kade slowly stood and turned to his Beta. "Take her to the doctor at once."

And without another word, he stormed out of the room.

…

"Mom…? Dad? Alpha Kade just pulled in."

Serena pointed at the sleek black car that had just parked in the driveway, and her parents came running. Indeed, Kade climbed out and began walking up the path with short, quick strides.

Serena's heart thudded as she rushed to the foyer and briefly smoothed her hair down in the hallway mirror before flinging the door open.

"Alpha Kade!" Serena trilled, smiling warmly. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Kade's expression was cold and calculated. Serena resisted the temptation to twist her hands nervously as she stood in front of the Alpha who was both terrifying and incredibly handsome. That square jawline covered in dark stubble ticked as he looked at her.

"I need to speak with your parents," he said gruffly.

Before Serena could reply, her parents appeared behind her. "Alpha Kade," her father said, bowing respectfully. "Please, come in. Margaret, why don't you go prepare some tea—"

"No need." Kade seemed to have no intention of setting foot in the house. "I just found out that your daughter is pregnant."

Serena and her family went utterly silent. Samantha was… pregnant? Surely it couldn't be Kade's child—Kade would never—

"Apparently it's mine," Kade went on as if reading their minds.

A wave of jealousy washed over Serena so intense that it nearly made her knees buckle out from under her. Kade and Samantha had slept together. For how long had this been going on? They didn't love each other, did they?

Samantha and Kade might be friends when they were kids, which made Serena jealous of Samantha, but Kade should've hated Samantha now after what happened five years ago.

Serena had always heard of Kade as becoming an aggressive and ruthless Alpha after what happened five years ago, not the type to make sweet love to anyone—especially not Samantha. And yet Serena had seen the way Kade looked at her in his office.

He'd looked at Samantha like he actually cared, even if only for a moment. It almost seemed as if the brutal, cold Alpha exterior was starting to crack and reveal something soft and tender underneath.

And now Serena wanted him all to herself even more.

Margaret immediately stepped forward and touched her husband's arm. "Jack, if I might have a word…?"

Serena's father nodded, and Kade agreed to wait on the porch while they spoke in private. Behind the closed door, Jack whirled on Margaret. "Is it really his?"

Margaret furrowed her brow. "I guess so. But Samantha—"

"If it's true, then Samantha probably became pregnant against her own will," Serena blurted out, turning to her parents. "She shouldn't be around him. It's not safe for her or the baby."

Jack's throat bobbed. "But he already threatened to remove Stoneridge from his protection. Our pack is small, and with all the rogues out there, we need Crescent Hollow. If we take Samantha back, then we'll all be doomed."

"Then send me in her place. If he really wants an heir, I can give birth to his child instead," Serena straightened with a cool smile, even though her mind was racing.

Serena's parents' eyes went wide. "No, honey, you can't—" her mother began, but Serena cut her off with an award-winning grin. The same grin that always got her whatever she wanted.

"I'll be fine, Mom. Kade told us the slave punishment is over. Besides," she assured her, "you know I've always had more charm than Samantha ever had. I'll win Kade over in no time and you won't need to worry about me. Plus you can bring Samantha home and get the care for her that she needs."

Margaret and Jack exchanged wary looks. But finally, after a long moment, Jack nodded. "I think it's worth a try. Besides, Samantha has always been a fuck-up. This pregnancy will only make matters worse."

Margaret wrung her hands, considering. "I just won't want her or her child to be unsafe…" She glanced at Serena. "But I don't want you to get hurt, either, darling."

"Like I said, I'll be alright. In fact, I'll have Kade wrapped around my little finger before you know it. Just let me talk to him."

Margaret still looked uncertain, but finally agreed. When they opened the door, Kade was still standing on the front steps with his arms folded over his chest. Just the sight of those enormous biceps bulging beneath his shirt was enough to make Serena's mouth water.

To think that soon, he would be hers… All she had to do was play her cards right.

"Margaret just told me something," Jack began hesitantly, glancing at his wife. "I wasn't aware of this, but apparently Samantha told Margaret this morning that she was pregnant with another male's child—that she's been seeing someone in Crescent Hollow for some time."

Kade's face blackened.

"Due to her betrayal, we think it's best if we take her back," Margaret said.

Serena beamed and stepped forward. "But if you're willing, Alpha Kade, I'll take her place. Let me become your Luna—your mate. And I swear I'll bear as many children as you desire…"

But Kade wasn't listening. He was already turning and bolting down the stairs and back to his car, ignoring Serena and her family's words.

All Serena and her parents could do was stare in shock as he peeled out of the driveway with a screech of tires.

Samantha's POV

"Looks like you're pregnant for about seven months," the doctor said, removing the ultrasound wand from my belly and tossing a paper towel at me to clean myself up.

I sat up slowly and wiped the gel off of my skin. Seven months. Exactly as Ava predicted.

"And how… How is my baby doing?" I asked, although I hardly dared to hear the answer. I had been malnourished, beaten by the household staff, and emotionally abused for so long that I was almost certain my child was going to be underdeveloped.

Or perhaps worse.

I didn't want to consider what I might do if I found out my baby wasn't going to survive. Ava reassured me as best she could, but until I heard the doctor say it out loud, I refused to hold onto hope. Hope had never served me well before, and it certainly wouldn't serve me now.

To my surprise and relief, the doctor shrugged and said, "It's fine. Healthy."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. My baby was alive. "Good. That's good."

"Good?" the doctor echoed with a sneer. "So you want to keep this baby?"

Truthfully, I still hadn't decided if I wanted to keep the baby after birth—I'd always figured that taking it to a church or an orphanage would be better than bringing it into the horrible life I'd been thrust into—but now I supposed plans had changed.

Kade knew about it now. And considering how much he loathed me, I wasn't sure what he would do to our child.

But I was still happy that my baby was alive and healthy.

"Well, yes," I admitted. "I was hoping to—"

"I figured." The doctor scoffed as she began to gather her medical supplies. "Typical breeder, only trying to gain the Alpha's favor through pregnancy."

I blinked. "What?"

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Everyone knows that you've been scheming to gain Alpha Kade's affection. And now you got what you wanted, didn't you?"

"I don't know what you're—"

"Kade is going to keep you around forever now. Care for you and that child when you don't deserve it. And that bastard child of yours is the reason for it."

For a moment, I just stared at the doctor in silence. I hadn't schemed in the slightest; I didn't even want this child to begin with. It wasn't as if I'd asked to become pregnant with the pup of a man who hated my guts.

But the doctor had also said that Kade planned to keep me around. Did that mean that he was going to actually care for me and my child, or was he just going to continue my torment?

"Hope is a fool's game," Ava chided me gently. "Even if he's your mate, you mustn't let your emotions get the best of you. Kade doesn't love you, and he never will. It's best if you're not entangled with him anymore."

Once again, Ava was correct. She always was.

Sometimes, during those strange nights of passion and humiliation, I had let myself believe that Kade might feel something for me. That the mate bond transcended everything and that he could change.

But he never did. And he never would. I was just being driven by pregnancy hormones and a mate bond that neither of us ever wanted; I wasn't foolish enough to think that he might actually care now.

As if summoned by my very thoughts, Kade suddenly barged into the hospital room.

"A-Alpha Kade," the doctor said, bowing her head respectfully, "I was just finishing up Samantha's exam—"

But Kade wasn't listening to her. He practically flew across the room, and before I knew it, he was gripping my shoulders and shaking me.

"Tell me the truth!" he snarled. "Who is the father of your child?!"

"What? It's you!" I replied.

"Don't fucking lie to me, Samantha. I talked to your parents already. They told me everything."

I didn't know what he was talking about, but it didn't matter. Because before I could respond, Serena and my parents swept into the room after him, their faces red with fear.

"Tell him the truth, Samantha!" Serena cried out. "Using a normal wolf's child to impersonate the child of an Alpha is a capital offense, but you might be spared if you tell the truth!"

My heart stuttered, then cracked.

Oh.

So this was another one of their lies. Just like everything else they had ever said to me.

I wasn't sure why they had done it, but I knew now that my family was lying to Kade about me. They had told him that my baby belonged to another man.

"Whatever they told you was a lie," I said, looking at Kade. "The baby is yours. I haven't slept with—"

"It's true!" Serena was nearly frantic by now. "Kade, it's not your baby! You have to do something!"

"Kade," I went on, "don't listen—"

"Samantha." Kade straightened, his face going cold and dark as if the stars themselves had winked out of the night sky. He fixed his gray eyes on me, and in that moment, I knew. The dread that hung over my head was too great to ignore.

His eyes nearly went black. "I reject you as my mate. I never wanted you before, and I especially don't now."

The pain was immediate and intense. It began as a snapping sensation in my chest, as if an invisible thread had been cut with a knife. Then, it radiated outward, filling every cell in my body until each fiber of my being was pulsing with the agony of our mate bond severing.

I might have cried out, although I wasn't sure. The sound of the blood rushing through my ears drowned out all else—even my mother's screams.

My world narrowed down to nothing but pain.

And then the blood came. Red liquid spilled forth from between my legs, immediately soaking the hospital gown. I gasped, clutching at my belly, but it was too late.

"Ava!" I cried out, seeking inward for her presence. I shut my eyes and retreated to that sunlit meadow, but it was empty and cold. A chill wind blew through it like the coldest winter's day.

My wolf was gone. Dead. I knew it as deeply as I knew that the mate bond had severed and my baby was miscarrying.

When I opened my eyes again, I found that someone had laid me back down on the hospital bed. Above me, figures moved around frantically, silhouetted by the fluorescent lights overhead.

"She's not going to make it," I heard a voice say. The doctor's voice. "We can save the baby, but not her. She's already dying."

I was… dying? If I'd had the strength, I might have cried out to tell them that I was still here, but I couldn't. I felt myself start to go numb. Tired. And as the world began to darken around the edges, I heard another voice.

"You must do something!" Kade's voice, deep and gruff, was filled with more panic than I'd ever heard from him before. "You can't let my mate die. Do something. NOW!"

In life, the sound of that booming command might have made me flinch. But now it felt so far away and insignificant. I knew I would never hear it again. I was slipping away now, so close to death that I could almost taste it.

"There is nothing we can do, Alpha. Only the child might be saved."

My child. At least my child would live—but what fate did it have in the arms of a man like Kade? I would never be there to hold it, to protect it—

"No," another voice whispered. A nurse stepped into view with a furrowed brow. "Not even the baby will make it…"

As the room began to darken, my eyes fluttering closed for the last time, the final thought on my mind was a single curse. If this was my fate, then I cursed every inch of it. I'd lost my life years ago, but my baby… My baby deserved to live.

And yet it would never even get that. The universe had played a sick game all this time.

Finally, I shut my eyes and let death take hold of me.

The world went black.

But not for long—because a moment later, I opened my eyes again, finding myself in an unfamiliar place.

"Samantha…" A cool hand gently pressed against my forehead. "You will be reborn."