I paced around in the pack healer's chambers, my hands shaking as I waited for her to return with the answers.

She walked through the door with an unreadable expression, my heart pounding in my chest as I got dizzy with anticipation.

“Congratulations! Luna Elara, you're three weeks pregnant.” She muttered with a warm smile.

“Really?” I echoed with excitement as she nodded with a curt smile.

She handed me the report, and my smile got even wider as I read the contents of the small paper.

I was bursting with joy as I looked back up, the healer's eyes crinkling at the corners as she shared in my joy.

‘Finally,’ I whispered.

I had been dreaming of this moment for so many years. I begged the moon goddess so I could carry Rowan's child and heir.

I can only fantasise about his joy when I break this news to him.

Oh, he would pick me up and swirl me around in his arms, his eyes filled with love and happiness.

I just couldn't wait.

I walked out of the healer's chambers, feeling like I was walking in a dream. ‘This is the happiest day of my life,’ I muttered under my breath as I stepped outside, the cold wind hitting my face.

I gently caressed my flat stomach as warmth spread through my body.

All I could think about was the years to come, and I just couldn't stop smiling no matter how hard I tried.

I stared in the mirror of my car, my wide eyes looking back at me as my cheeks flushed red with excitement. I held the pregnancy report tight in my hands, unconsciously squeezing it in my tight grip.

As I drove back to the Dark Blood mansion, an unease churned in my guts, like a dark cloud hanging over my head as I held on to the good news.

My heart raced as I froze on the doorstep of his study. The hushed conversation in the room made me pause.

“I still don’t get why you keep her around,” a familiar voice scoffed—it was Lucian, Rowan's Beta and closest friend. “You could have any she-wolf in the pack. Why settle for Elara?”

My heart clenched, but I remained in the doorway, holding my breath.

Rowan's voice, usually so warm and comforting, now sounded very cold. “Elara serves her purpose. She’s loyal, submissive, and my mate. The pack sees her as the perfect Luna.”

“But you don’t love her,” Lucian pressed. “You love Sierra.”

My blood ran cold at the mention of my elder adopted sister, whom my parents raised for sixteen long years before discovering their real daughter had been exchanged in the hospital.

I had been raised in an orphanage, and even after coming back, I was never once loved by my parents and brothers, who forgot I even existed.

"Man, how long are you going to keep that woman around?" The mocking laughter of Rowan's beta made my heart freeze as I peered through the door. "Matilda has just returned from the Northern Pack, and this is your chance to be together with her.”

Someone snickered. "Which of the two sisters will you choose, Rowan?"

My teary eyes widened as I clutched the piece of paper in my hands tighter. How could my own mate play with my heart, and that too with my own sister? No, he has to deny all of it.

Rowan's deep voice finally broke through the leering and cheers. "Elara is just a stand-in for Matilda. I just needed her to become the Alpha. If I commanded her to step down from the Luna position, she’d do it without asking a question."

Those words were like a blow to my chest; I quickly covered my mouth as sobs wracked through my body.

"When are you planning to reject her?" Someone whistled.

"As soon as I can."

The words hit me hard; the air was knocked out of my lungs. What was happening?

Rowan chuckled cruelly. "Elara is just so trusting. She’s so naïve and innocent that it makes it even more amusing. For now, I’ll keep her around, but then she can't be my Luna."

My knees buckled, and I suddenly heard movement in the room and footsteps towards the door.

Panic surged through me, and I turned, clutching my belly and dashing out of the pack house.

I kept running; I didn’t stop until I reached the edge of the forest. Tears blurred my vision as I sank into the cold ground, clutching my stomach.

My whole life just crumbled before me; I had been an absolute fool to love Rowan. I had sacrificed my life to be the perfect wife and Luna for him and now he wants to reject me.

And I was carrying his children—twins.

I stood by the edge of the cliff, looking down into my death. With each step forward, I walked closer to the edge.

I shut my eyes tight, ready to take the last step over the cliff.

CHAPTER 2

But the little kick inside my stomach made me freeze, and at that moment I knew I wasn't heartless to end the lives of my unborn children.

I pulled my eyes open and sank onto the floor. Loud sobs wracked through my body as I caressed my belle.

When I finally returned home, still in shock, the lights were all on. I wiped my tears before stepping into the house; the door swung open, and memories of Rowan embracing me as he confessed his love played in my mind like a cruel joke.

But I still loved him, and I was carrying his child. I need to find a way to make him love me too.

"Elara, where have you been? You left in the morning, and you're just returning.” The concern in his eyes seemed so real. How did I not notice all these years that he never really loved me.?

“I wasn't feeling well., " I whispered with indifference.

Ronan froze at my tone but shrugged it off. "Well, your sister Matilda just arrived from the Northern Pack." He was right behind me as I entered our chambers. “She’s hosting a gathering, and you're invited too.”

When I didn’t agree to go instantly, Ronan's expression tightened into a deep frown.

As I met his stern eyes, I could see he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. "You are coming, right?”

I met my mate’s eyes, and I wanted to ask him so many questions. My lips parted, ready to confront him, but I just couldn't.

I just can't tear apart all the memories and love we've had for five years. I didn't want to go to Matilda's party, but I didn't want to make him angry.

"I am,” I whispered in defeat.

“Good,” Rowan said with a grin, and no matter how much I tried to stop it, my heart swelled from making him happy.

The party for Matilda was just as I expected; my whole family fawned over her while I stood in the corner.

My biological parents barely acknowledged me but kept their attention solely on her.

I remained in the corner, trying to stay away from their dismissive stares.

When I got exhausted, I decided to escape the party and wandered upstairs. My hands brushed the door of a room, ready to push it open when I heard voices.

A sweet and higher-pitched voice and Rowan's deep baritone. My heart skipped a beat as it started racing uncontrollably in my chest.

I peeked through the keyhole, trying to find out what was happening.

I remained glued to the spot, trying to see through the small hole. And the next words that I heard sent shivers down my spine.

"Rowan, darling," a woman's voice filled with despair sounded through the door. "I love you! You know I want to be with you! But I can't continue being your mistress; you need to make a choice!"

There was a long pause as I craned my head closer to the door, closing one eye so I could see clearly.

“I know Matilda, but it’s very difficult. Elara is the Luna of the pack, and she is my mate. I can't just leave her. Just a few more months.”

The woman let out a treacherous laugh that felt like a knife was stuck into my gut.

“You know she’s already hanging on her last thread, Rowan. She has tried hard to keep this marriage together for so many years now. I just can't wait for her to give up.”

My hand flew to my mouth as I finally realised that the voice belonged to Matilda, my sister.

“How could you?!” I shrieked as I threw the door open, tears streaming down my face at the sight of them on the bed together.

They both turned to me in shock; Rowan flung up from the bed, his eyes wide with shock in my presence, while Matilda smiled at me maliciously.

“Rowan H…how dare you betray me?.” My voice cracked with emotions as I stared at my mate and my sister, their betrayal stinging like a burn.

Matilda remained on the bed, staring at me abashedly in nothing but red lingerie, like I hadn't just caught her with my husband.

I took a step into the room, my vision blurry with tears.”Why would you betray me like this?” I screamed.

“Elara,” Rowan growled, his eyes flashing with anger.

I whipped my head to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. “You're a piece of scum!” I shot at him with distaste. “And you…” I continued facing Matilda. “You're my sister and you do this…”

“You're not my sister!” Matilda corrected sharply, her eyes glaring daggers at me. “Finally you've found out about this. Rowan doesn't love you, and your bond with him is fake.”

I sputtered, stumbling back a few steps. “What rubbish?” I shrieked in confusion.

“Yes Elara, I never loved you. How could I? You are ugly and unattractive. I only married you because you were my mate and I needed our connection so I could get the Alpha title.”

“What are you saying, Rowan?” I cried.

“I knew I could never be the Alpha without my fated mate, so I gave in and mated with you.”

A sharp pain tore through my heart as he revealed what I thought to be five years of a lovely marriage to all be a scam.

“You used me?” I muttered in pain, pointing a trembling finger at him.

“Yes!” Matilda responded with a dry chuckle, “That’s exactly what happened.”

She stalked towards me, her eyes shining with malice. I took a few steps away from her, wiping off my tears with the back of my hand.

I couldn't let everything go like this, I needed to fight. “Please, Rowan…” I begged, my hands slowly reaching down to my belle. “I'm carrying your child!” I sputtered.

He froze, his body stiffening. Matilda's laughter died down, her expression hardening.

“What?” He whispered, furrowing his brows. “You're pregnant.”

“It's a lie!” Matilda shrieked.

“I'm not lying.” I shot back, pulling my bag off my shoulders. I searched through the contents, adrenaline fueling my ragged movements.

I pulled out the pregnancy report and handed it with shaky hands to Rowan.

I took the paper, his mouth in a grim line as he read it. Matilda stormed through the room and snatched the paper out of his hands.

She ripped the report apart and dusted off the pieces around the room.

“It doesn't matter. You promised me we would be together.” She pulled Rowan's startled face from me and towards her. “You need to get rid of her.”

“You need to kill her now. We would have our heir and also the pack would accept me if she's dead.” She whispered, dragging his face towards her and kissing him.

His head whipped back to me, his eyes now darker than before. “You're right.” He growled, flashing his teeth at me.

Before I could beg him, his fist tore down on me, with a hard blow.

I collapsed onto the floor, hot searing pain blooming in my head. I was trying to crawl away when he kicked me hard in the gut.

My body flung through the room from the force, my hands wrapped around my stomach in pain.

I opened my mouth to veg him, but blood flowed out. I cough loudly, choking on my blood.

“Harder.” Matilda spurred on.

Rowan appeared over me, leaning down with a dark gleam, he wrapped his large hand around my neck and squeezed hard.

I clawed at his hands as my lungs begged for oxygen. I wheezed, my body shaking as I choked to death.

I reached into the back pocket of my jeans, pulled out my keys and gripped them hard in my fist.

I lunged hard at him with the keys, striking his face with all my might.

“Arrgh…” he screamed in pain, stumbling back as blood flowed from the tear across his face.

Without hesitation, I rushed to my feet, running towards the door. Thankfully Matilda didn't take the key out and I unlocked it and ran out.

“Stop there!” Matilda called out, but I ignored her, running through the halls as fast as my legs could take me.

I didn't glance back but I could hear Rowan's loud growls as he stormed through the halls after me.

My limbs ached and I could feel a sharp pain in my abdomen but I kept going till I busted out through the double doors outside.

The cold wind got into my face as I ran fast through the woods.

“Elara!” Rowan's loud growls echoed through the woods as he chased me. The tree branches tore through my skin as I ran past, the sharp pebbles on the forest floor hurting my feet.

My breath hitched as I realized I was at a dead end. The edge led to a deep plunge into a lake by the mansion.

I swirled around and Rowan was already so close, his eyes flashing red in the darkness of the woods.

“I'm going to kill you.” He growled. In a second he was in front of me, baring his teeth and ready to attack.

I could also hear Matilda's hurried voice rushing towards me. “You bitch, you are going to die today.” She shrieked.

My eyes flickered from the lake and back to Rowan's approaching figure. I had no other choice.

I can't let them kill me. I closed my eyes and without thinking, I opened my arms and pushed back plunging myself into the river.