Chapter 2

The next morning, I drove to the pack hospital alone.

I needed to confirm the twins were okay. To hear their heartbeats one more time before I made my plans.

The corridor was quiet. I turned into the maternity wing—and froze.

Elias and Sophia. At the end of the hallway.

His hand rested on her lower back, guiding her with that same careful touch I’d seen at the hotel. She leaned into him, smiling up at him.

So that’s where he’d been all night.

My chest tightened. I pressed against a support pillar, shaking as I watched them disappear into an exam room.

A few minutes later, Zachary's voice drifted through the half-open door.

"Alpha Elias, you really want this pup?"

"Of course." Elias's voice was firm. "I'm the Alpha of Crimson Moon. I need an heir. This pup—I have to have it."

Silence, then: “And what about Luna Elena?”

A pause. Then Elias’s voice, colder this time.

“Elena can’t give me an heir. When Sophie delivers, we’ll claim her pup as an orphaned packmate’s child. That way no one asks questions.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

He'd planned it all out. Every detail.

He wanted me to raise his pup with her. To pretend everything was fine while I played mother to his child with another woman.

I clenched my jaw, forcing the sob back down. My eyes burned hot, but I refused to make a sound.

The door opened. Sophia came out, Zachary behind her.

"Eli, am I making things hard for you?" Her voice was small and shaky. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have told you about the pregnancy."

She touched her belly. "I thought about ending it. But if I do, I'll never have another pup."

Elias reached out and squeezed her shoulder.

"It's not your fault. She would've found out eventually."

Sophia looked down, her voice breaking. "I know Luna Elena won't like me. But I'll try to make her accept me."

She glanced up at him. "After the pup is born, I’ll move into your house. Babysit. Cook. Clean. Whatever you need. I’m just an Omega—I should serve you and Luna Elena. I won’t cause trouble. I promise."

Elias softened. "I'm sorry you have to deal with this."

My stomach churned. I pressed harder against the pillar.

Zachary said something about medication. Elias nodded and walked toward the pharmacy, leaving Sophia alone.

The second Elias was gone, she changed.

Tears vanished. She straightened, smoothed her dress, and smiled.

“Elena. Watching from the shadows? Cute.”

I moved to step past her. She shifted, blocking me. Elias’s scent clung to her—pine and earth. Too strong. Too familiar.

“You heard it all, didn’t you? Good.”

I inhaled, tried again to move. She followed, her smile sharpening.

“If you were smart, you’d leave now. I’m carrying his pup. The elders will back me. And you?” A soft laugh. “Your bond with Elias is fake. Which makes you the other woman.”

She leaned closer, almost gentle.

“You’ve always been temporary. Everyone knows… except you.”

My nails dug into my palms.

“Sophia, don’t—” But footsteps interrupted. Quick, steady. Elias was coming back.

Sophia’s gaze flicked down, checking her mark on the floor. Then her face transformed. Fear spilled in where the smirk had been.

She stumbled back, clutching her stomach.

“Luna Elena, I know you don’t like me,” she cried loud enough for Elias to hear. “But this pup is innocent. Please—don’t hurt him because of me…”

Then she dropped.

Her body hit the floor hard, hands cradling her belly, face twisted in pain.

I froze. What just happened?

“Sophie!” Elias’s shout thundered down the hall. He was by her side in seconds.

His eyes snapped to me, cold, furious.

"Elena Wells. What did you do to her?"

My mouth opened. Nothing came out. I hadn't—I didn't—

"Eli, it hurts—" Sophia sobbed. "The baby—"

"Don't blame Luna Elena," she gasped. "She's just upset. I understand..."

Elias's jaw clenched. He scooped Sophia into his arms.

"You'll be fine. Zachary will take care of you."

He stood and walked away. Didn't look back. Didn't wait for me to explain.

Just left.

I stood in the empty corridor. No defense. No explanation. Only the pups he’d never know.

Elias Gray—you chose her again.

My vision blurred, but inside, something froze solid.

Fine. Two days. I’ll be gone.

You can have what you really want.