Chapter 2

Leah POV

"Don't be nervous, Leah," Robert said with a wide grin. "Your marking ceremony's going to be the most magnificent this pack has ever seen. Just relax."

My wolf let out a low rumble.

"Don't buy it. He's panicking. He's worried about how messy things will get if Jace marks Elena instead.. "

So Robert knew, too.

I smiled back, pulling out a guest list.

"Mind checking this over to make sure I didn't forget anyone?"

He took it, eyes flicking down the names.

The smile froze when he hit the name "Elena", but he quickly handed the list back.

"Everyone's here. Looks perfect."

His grin remained bright.

I'd put Elena's name there on purpose.

That flicker of panic in his eyes told me more than words.

My wolf whispered, "Elena isn't just a guest. She's the star tomorrow. The one Jace is going to mark. Robert's trying to keep you in the dark."

My chest tightened. And then the rest hit me hard.

Elena was pregnant. Jace planned to mark her so her pup would be accepted by the pack.

Without it, the pup would be an outsider for life.

And Elena would be shamed for bearing a pup without a mate.

Jace had taken care of her like she was made of glass.

He'd set her up in a luxury apartment, stocked a nursery with a crib, clothes, toys... everything.

He drove her everywhere himself, not trusting anyone else.

It felt like something had ripped me open inside.

If he marked her, what would happen to me? To my pup?

Back home, I pulled the pregnancy test from my purse. Two red lines stared back.

I shoved it into the drawer.

Jace had always wanted a pup.

When I found out I was pregnant, I'd been dying to tell him.

But I decided to wait—to give him the happiest surprise on the happiest day: our marking ceremony.

I'd counted down the days, holding onto that joy... only to have it ripped away at the last second.

He already had another woman, another pup.

He probably wouldn't want mine.

Tears blurred my vision.

A tiny flutter inside reminded me I wasn't alone.

Was our pup already mourning a father it hadn't even met?

I wiped my eyes. I'd give Jace one chance to explain.

Maybe this was all a terrible mistake.

The phone rang and rang before he answered.

"Jace, you haven't been home in a while. Can you come stay with me tonight?"

His voice sounded tired.

"Leah, you'll be Luna tomorrow. You have to understand, my time isn't just for you. A lot of people need me right now."

My throat tightened. Didn't I need him just as much?

I was pregnant, and I'd just heard something devastating.

Since when was it wrong to want your husband's comfort?

My voice caught in my throat.

"Jace... tomorrow, are you going to—"

A woman's voice cut me off on his end.

"Jace, I don't feel well..."