I had no choice but to endure the humiliation Sebastian had thrust upon me. The betrayal burned, but what cut deeper was the realization that I had trusted him blindly. I had ignored every warning, dismissed every rumor. But now, the truth stood like an open wound I couldn’t ignore.

Earlier that morning, I returned to the packhouse, determined to retrieve my belongings from the master bedroom Sebastian and I once shared. But as I reached the door, voices inside made me pause.

“Where’s Saoirse, anyway?” A woman’s voice—Evvie.

“Probably off sulking, like the pathetic stray she is,” Sebastian’s laugh followed, deep and cruel.

My fists clenched.

“Don’t worry about her,” he continued. “She knows the consequences of failing me. She couldn’t even give me a child, and now she’s useless. A delusional little bitch who thought I ever loved her.”

Their laughter echoed in my ears, sharp and mocking.

“Come here,” he said. “Let me kiss you again.”

The disgusting sound of their lips meeting sent bile rising in my throat. I staggered away, covering my mouth, and barely made it to the bathroom before I vomited. The sheer revulsion of it all overwhelmed me.

“Risey?” His voice came from behind me, soft, almost concerned.

I didn’t turn around.

“Are you okay?” He knelt beside me, brushing my hair away from my face as if he cared.

“Don’t touch me!” I snarled, jerking away from him. Rage boiled in my veins. “You’ve made a fool of me, Sebastian!”

He sighed, rolling his eyes as if I were the problem. “Risey, you know the Council demanded I name a Luna. You’re not ready. You’re weak, you’re not pregnant, and you can’t even defend yourself properly. What choice did I have?”

“What choice?” My voice cracked. “So you made her pregnant? You made her Luna? After everything we’ve been through?” My knees gave out as I sobbed, trembling. “I thought you loved me.”

“I do love you,” he said, pulling me into his arms. His touch felt like acid on my skin. “Her title means nothing, Risey. You’re my mate. You always will be. She’s just—”

“Stop it!” I shoved him away, my voice rising with every word. “You promised me! You said it would always be us!”

His expression hardened. “Enough!” He grabbed my arm roughly. “You’re embarrassing yourself. Do you think I haven’t waited for you? Do you think I wanted this? I gave you years, Saoirse—years to prove yourself. And you failed me.”

Tears streamed down my face, but I refused to look at him. My voice wavered as I whispered, “Let me go.”

His grip loosened, and I ran—straight into the kitchen, where Evvie lounged, wearing one of the dresses Sebastian had gifted me.

“Oh, this old thing?” she said with a mocking grin, twirling for effect. “It’s cute, isn’t it? Fits me better, though.”

“That’s mine,” I spat, storming toward her. “You had no right—”

“Right?” She laughed, cutting me off. “I’m his Luna. I don’t need your permission, sweetheart.” Her eyes roamed over me, dripping with disdain. “Honestly, you should thank me. Sebastian only kept you around to warm his bed. A backup plan at best.”

“You bitch,” I hissed, raising my hand to strike her.

Before I could, Sebastian appeared, gripping my wrist in midair. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I yanked my arm away, glaring at him. “Are you seriously defending her? After everything?”

“Respect her,” he snapped, his tone icy. “She’s your Luna now.”

“My Luna?” I scoffed, breathless with disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? I owe her nothing!”

The slap came out of nowhere, sharp and stinging. My head snapped to the side, and I stumbled back, one hand instinctively covering my stomach.

“You’ll respect her,” he growled. “Or I’ll punish you. Do you hear me?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You forget I saved your life. Without me, you’d be dead—just another rogue corpse rotting in the dirt.”

I stared at him, every word cutting deeper than the last. This wasn’t the man I thought I knew. The boy who once swore to protect me, to cherish me, was gone. Or maybe he’d never existed.

But as I cradled the life growing inside me, I made a silent vow. You won’t touch them, Sebastian. You’ll never get your hands on my babies.

Because no matter what, I’d fight for them—even if it meant standing against the man I once loved.

“Help me leave this pack. Sebastian won’t let me go without punishing me,” I whispered urgently into the phone, my voice trembling with frustration. I didn’t even know where she was, but I knew she was far away.

“What the hell? Why would you leave? You two have the perfect relationship. He’s in love with you, and you’re—”

“He made me a fool,” I cut her off, a bitter edge in my voice. “I don’t have any more questions. Just help me get out.”

“Fine, you’re always welcome here,” she replied, her voice softening. “And he won’t touch you, I promise.” Then I heard her cough, a forced sound that immediately sent chills down my spine. I slammed the phone into my pocket and turned around to face Evvie.

“I need to apologize for the way things have been,” she said, stepping too close, her hand grasping mine like we were long-lost friends. “Dinner tonight with my family and his. You’ll stay quiet, act like his assistant, and obey him like a good little dog. Got it?” She ran her fingers through my hair like she had any right to touch me.

“I am his mate,” I growled under my breath, trying to pull away.

“Funny,” she purred, “because his family knows he’s only using you. They can’t stand you, never have. They barely even come here anymore, you know? But now they’re back—because they love me.”

I bit down hard on my lip, fighting the tears that burned my eyes. Her words sliced through me. It was true. His mother never liked me. She hadn’t even visited in years after meeting me for the first time, and Sebastian had always made excuses. They’re too important, Risey. They can’t be seen around us. But now they were back—because they loved Evvie.

“And I’m sorry,” Evvie laughed darkly, “but I spent the night in Sebastian’s bed.” She glanced at me with an air of superiority. “You can still sleep in it, though. Just make sure you take a shower first. We wouldn’t want you to stain the sheets with my scent. He’s obsessed with it, you know.”

I said nothing, just shot her a look of pure venom. And then Sebastian walked in.

“Risey…” His voice was a low murmur, but it was too late.

Evvie smiled sweetly. “We’ve already talked, but I’ll leave you two now. Enjoy your night.” She kissed his cheek in front of me—loudly, for emphasis—and I nearly choked on the taste of betrayal.

Sebastian turned to me, trying to sound reassuring. “Don’t mind her, okay? Just… go with the flow tonight, Risey. Sleep with me. Please.” He pulled me closer, but I stiffened.

“Hmm,” I muttered, offering him no emotion.

“I promise, the baby… it’s not mine,” he whispered, trying to soothe me. “It’s a way for her to get the Luna title. I never slept with her.”

I raised an eyebrow, mocking him. “So, it’s an artificial baby?”

He clicked his tongue in irritation, trying to hold onto his composure. “No. But I’m taking care of her because I don’t want her child to grow up without a father. Like me.”

I stared at him, a coldness creeping through me. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to understand or just keep my mouth shut.

“Okay,” I said flatly, though every fiber of my being wanted to scream.

“I’m glad,” he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He ran his hand over my waist, his fingers too familiar, and I fought to suppress my disgust. “Let’s have a sweet night later, yeah?”

That night, I didn’t want to go to dinner, but I had no choice. I sat at the table beside Baste, while Sebastian and Evvie sat across from each other, their chemistry palpable. I could see her foot inching up his leg under the table, making him gasp, and that familiar, smug smirk spread across her face.

“So why is she even here?” Sebastian’s mother asked, her voice dripping with venom.

Evvie smiled sweetly. “She’s Sebastian’s trusted companion,” she said, all fake innocence, while her foot kept working its way up Sebastian’s leg. “I didn’t want her to feel left out.”

Sebastian’s mother smiled at her, warmth in her voice. “Oh, Evvie, you’re so sweet. Sebastian never fails in choosing his Luna. I’m so glad he didn’t choose that… girl.” She emphasized the word “girl,” making it clear she was talking about me.

I couldn’t let it slide. “I can always leave,” I interjected, my voice cold and sharp.

Sebastian grabbed my arm before I could stand. “Sit the fuck down,” he mind-linked me, his words laced with warning.

Evvie’s mother chuckled softly, her gaze never leaving me. “It’s a shame, really,” she said, eyes glinting with cruelty. “I wanted to see the face of the girl the Alpha trusted. She looks just like an innocent, obedient omega.”

The sting of her words hit harder than I could have expected, but I didn’t flinch. I’d already made up my mind—I wasn’t just going to be the omega they all wanted me to be. I wasn’t going to let them break me.

But as I glanced at Sebastian—his eyes full of regret but also full of something darker—I knew. I wasn’t just fighting for myself anymore. I was fighting for the life growing inside me.

The tension in the air was thick, and every word from Sebastian’s family felt like another dagger in my chest. Their words, laced with venom, seemed to confirm everything I had feared—that I was nothing more than a placeholder in Sebastian’s life, a tool he used when it suited him, and a liability when it didn’t.

Evvie’s mother’s laugh echoed in my ears, her voice dripping with a sense of superiority. “You really did make the right choice, Sebastian,” she said, her eyes never leaving me as she added, “I’m just glad you didn’t end up with that pathetic woman.”

I could feel my hands shaking. The words were sharp, the cuts deeper than they seemed. My vision blurred as I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. I’m still his mate, I kept repeating in my mind. I shouldn’t be here, enduring this humiliation.

I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. I had to get out of there, away from them, away from all of it. “I need to go to the bathroom,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, but it was enough to make them stop talking.

The moment I stepped into the bathroom, the floodgates opened. I couldn’t stop the tears now. I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers tracing the curve of my belly. The life growing inside me was the only thing keeping me tethered to reality. I didn’t want my child to be part of this—part of the lies, part of the betrayal. I wanted something better for them.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and I heard his voice—Sebastian’s voice—filled with anger.

“You’re fucking disrespectful!” he spat, his words sharp and bitter.

I whipped around, my heart pounding in my chest. “They were the ones disrespecting me, Sebastian!” I shot back, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and hurt. “And I’m tired of pretending everything is fine when it’s not! I’m tired of pretending like I don’t know the truth. You’ve cheated on me!” My hands balled into fists, and I threw the necklace he had once given me to the floor, the sound of it hitting the tiles like the final nail in the coffin of everything we once were.

His eyes widened in fury, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. “Shit, bitch!” he groaned, stepping toward me, his hands raised as if to hurt me. But I was faster, pushing him away with all the strength I could muster.

“You think I’ll let you hurt me?” I spat, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “You’re a cheater, Sebastian. You’ve lied to me, and you know what? You’re not going to be a good father! You don’t deserve a child!”

His face twisted in rage, and I saw the flash of a familiar, darker side of him—the side that I thought I had escaped. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “You don’t get to tell me what I deserve. You think you’re so much better than me?”

I stood my ground, my heart racing, but my voice steady. “You’re not a good man, Sebastian. You never were. You think I’ll stay here, pretending this is all okay? That I’ll watch you drag me through the mud and then abandon me for her?” My finger jabbed in the direction of the door, where I knew Evvie was probably waiting. “You’ve already replaced me, but I won’t be your punching bag anymore. I won’t stay here, allowing you to destroy me.”

And I wanna say… “our child.” But I can’t.

“Well, you wanna leave!? Go ahead!” Sebastian’s voice boomed, his grip tightening on my wrist like a vice. “You really think our bond means nothing to you, huh? You think you can just walk away without consequences?”

I struggled against his hold, but he only yanked me closer, his breath hot on my face. “If you want to leave, I’ll drag your sorry ass out of this pack myself!” His voice was a low growl, almost savoring the thought of making me suffer. “And then I’ll sit back and laugh, watching you crawl back to me. You’re nothing without me, Saoirse! You think I’m afraid of losing you? You’re nothing but a stubborn woman who can’t follow orders!” He sneered, his eyes burning with anger.

I yanked my wrist free from his grasp, shoving him away with a force I didn’t know I had. “Sebastian, let go of me! You don’t get to control me!” My voice cracked, but I wasn’t going to let him see how much he was affecting me.

“You bitch,” he spat, stepping forward, his body language a storm of fury. “I’m so sick of you thinking you can do whatever you want. You can’t just walk away like this! Do you think you’re so damn important?”

Before I could retort, Evvie rushed in, her voice dripping with false concern as she laid a hand on his arm, trying to pull him off me. “Enough, Sebastian! Please!” Her voice was almost sweet, but I could see the manipulation behind her eyes.

Sebastian shook her off violently, growling under his breath. “Don’t try to play hero, Evvie. This doesn’t concern you. She disrespects you, my family, and yours.”

“It does now!” she snapped back, her eyes flashing as she took a step toward me, ignoring her fake concern for Sebastian. “You’re both out of your minds! This is ridiculous!”

“Don’t touch me, Evvie!” I screamed, pushing past her, but before I could regain control, Sebastian’s hand shot out, grabbing me again. I was done. I was done with this—this whole messed-up situation. I had to break free.

In the heat of the moment, I howled—loud, sharp, and unrestrained.

The sound echoed through the room, and Evvie froze in her tracks, her face turning pale. She took a stumbling step back, but I didn’t even realize what I had done until she hit the wall.

“AHH! What the hell did you—” Evvie screamed, her voice a pitch higher than I’d ever heard it.

I didn’t even touch her, didn’t lay a hand on her, but I knew what I’d done. The energy in the room had shifted. The air was thick with anger and confusion. My breath was ragged as I faced her, still trying to pull away from Sebastian’s suffocating grip.

“Help!” Evvie’s voice cracked as she crumpled to the floor. Her hands clutched at her stomach, her legs shaking beneath her. “What’s happening to me? What’s going to happen to my baby?!” Her scream cut through the tension like a knife.

Sebastian’s face drained of color as he dropped everything and rushed to her. “Evvie!” His voice was frantic as he scooped her into his arms, lifting her like a fragile doll, his expression filled with terror. “Shit, you’re bleeding! Damn it! We need to get you out of here—NOW.”

But his eyes didn’t leave me. The venom he shot in my direction burned, and I knew then that I’d just crossed a line that couldn’t be undone. “You better get ready, Saoirse,” he spat, his voice low and full of rage. “You won’t get away with this. You will pay for what you’ve done.”

I stood there, my heart pounding, barely able to breathe. I wanted to scream, to cry, to collapse from the weight of everything crashing down around me. I didn’t care about Evvie, didn’t care about her fake innocent act. I’d just made sure that everything between Sebastian and me—everything I thought was real—was over.

And yet, as I stood in that bathroom, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was the one who had just sealed his fate. I had no idea how far he would go now. How far any of them would go.