Chapter 1

Loretta's POV

When I was twenty-five weeks pregnant, my world shattered—I spotted my mate, Zane Sterling, at the hospital with another woman.

He stood there in a black coat, a sweet, charming woman beside him.

She was wrapped in a white fox-fur coat, her cheeks flushed with a soft pink glow, a plush wool scarf framing her delicate, doll-like features.

Head lowered, Zane was speaking to her with a tenderness I had never seen on his face.

My fingers tightened around my prenatal checkup report. The biting wind cut against my face, but the sight before me cut straight to my heart.

I could smell them—her sickly-sweet gardenia perfume and Zane's heavy scent of cedar and cold steel.

The two scents were mingled together.

Catching sight of me, the woman cast a puzzled glance my way, then murmured something to Zane.

Most of her words never reached my ears, but her lips formed two distinct ones: "older woman."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

I was only twenty-four, yet I looked decades older.

I had always been plain and plump, and pregnancy had ravaged my looks. My body was swollen and heavy, my face haggard—and my black puffer jacket and black beanie only made me look more of a mess.

Zane opened the car door for her.

Then he got in after her without sparing me even a glance.

I stood there frozen, watching the car disappear down the road.

Zane and I had only been mated for six months.

And the only reason he had agreed to this union was that I was carrying his pup.

He saw this as a permanent stain on his life. For any werewolf, let alone a powerful alpha, nothing was more humiliating than being forced into a bond by an omega's pregnancy.

He hated me to the core.

But I had secretly loved him for eight years.

I first saw him as a teenager during the Blade Pack's selection trials. He was a young alpha then, defeating ten opponents all by himself and ending the match covered in blood. That was the moment I fell for him.

But I knew I wasn't good enough for him, so I worked myself to the bone, just trying to get near him.

I fought my way into the same university he had attended. I trained my combat skills day and night, even though I had been born with an average constitution.

I learned to suppress my omega scent, to keep my composure around alphas.

Eventually, my dream came true. I earned my place as his assistant—finally close enough to breathe the same air as him.

I never imagined I'd become his mate like that.

But that night didn't just destroy Zane—it destroyed me, too.

It was the Blade Pack's full moon celebration.

Zane's rut hit early, completely without warning.

He locked himself inside his room, but his uncontrollable alpha aura engulfed the entire floor.

I happened to be right next door, organizing documents, when that overwhelming cedarwood scent hit me—thick, stifling, and savagely aggressive.

I should have run. I should have called for help.

But I stayed.

The moment the door locked behind me, I saw the gold flaring in his eyes—proof that his wolf was in control now. And I instantly knew I was nothing more than a cure for his rut.

When it was finally over, I collapsed to my knees, desperately trying to explain.

"I didn't mean for this to happen. I just—"

"Get out." Zane's voice was colder than ice.

He looked at me like I was something disgusting. "If I ever see your revolting face again, I'll make you regret it."

I would never forget that look.

It was filled with disgust, cold fury, and pure hatred.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

Then a sharp pain twisted in my lower abdomen—the pup was stirring restlessly inside me. Instinctively, I clamped a hand over my belly, holding onto the nearby stone pillar to keep from collapsing.

A passing nurse noticed and rushed me to the examination room.

Her words left me stunned. "Stress and emotional distress can affect the pup directly. Luna, for the baby's sake, you need to stay calm."

Even my emotions were no longer under my control.

As soon as I could move again, I dragged my exhausted body back to Deepwater Manor, the Blade Pack's estate.

Margaret Summers, Zane's grandmother and the former luna, had arranged for experienced omegas to look after me.

But I knew they were actually there to keep an eye on me.

At this moment, the two omegas were lounging in the living room, enjoying food and chatting happily.

Most omegas in the Blade Pack were stunning and proud—the opposite of me.

When they heard me come in, they turned around. Omega Susie got up and walked over, her tone dismissive. "How did your checkup go?"

She didn't even call me Luna.

I shot her a cold look, ignored her, and headed straight toward the stairs.

Susie frowned in displeasure and snapped, "Hey, I'm talking to you!"

I kept walking, offering no response.

She turned to Ivy and let out a mocking laugh. "A fat sow like her really thinks she's worthy of being the luna of the Blade Pack?"

Once, her words would have pierced me. But now, I felt nothing at all.

I closed the bedroom door behind me, hollow and lost.

Margaret had only pushed the mating through because I was pregnant—she wanted the Blade Pack bloodline to continue.

That was why the rest of the pack treated me like dirt, without an ounce of respect.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

The caller ID made me pause—Professor Winslow.

"There's an opening for advanced study at Cambridge. Are you interested?" Brody Winslow cut to the chase, his voice warm.

I sat there in stunned silence for a long moment.

Brody added, "If you're not—"

"I'll take it." I snapped back to myself, the words coming out firm.

There was a brief pause. Then Brody said, "Come to my office tomorrow at ten."

"Okay."

After he hung up, I put down my phone and let out a breath. For the first time in months, I felt a genuine spark of hope—there was a way out.

My pup gave a tiny kick in my belly, as if asking what was going on.

I lowered my head, placed my palm over my swollen belly, and whispered, "Baby, Mommy is going to live her own life now."

A moment later, Margaret called, telling me to come to the packhouse.

I took a shower and sat in front of the vanity, looking at myself in the mirror.

My face was swollen and round and covered in spots, with dark circles and deep bags under my eyes.

Pregnancy could alter one's appearance due to hormonal fluctuations, but the changes in me had been especially brutal.

I put on some makeup, pulled on a pink puffer jacket, and placed a white round hat over my hair. I looked much more refreshed.

Just as I stepped out the door, my phone rang—it was Zane calling.

"Come out." His voice was as cold and detached as ever.