Chapter 1

[Rose's POV]

I watched Wade Rizzotto's car slowly pull out of the underground garage and immediately told my driver to follow at a distance.

Wade's car finally stopped in front of a secluded villa. He got out first, circled to the other side, and opened the door like a perfect gentleman.

A sexy she-wolf took his hand as she stepped out. The moment I saw her profile clearly, I clapped a hand over my mouth in disbelief.

It was Nina Scarlatti! She'd grown up with Wade and was the daughter of the pack's Beta, Vincenzo Scarletti.

She pulled Wade's hand to rest it on her belly, which was round from the pup she carried. Her expression turned coy and sugary as she said, "Feel this, Wade. The pup just kicked again."

Wade, who was usually cold and distant, let her move his hand however she pleased, his face soft with tenderness. They looked exactly like a couple about to welcome a new life together.

I felt like a complete joke. A whole week of comforting myself, every last shred of wishful thinking, along with all my loyalty and trust in my mate, were ripped to pieces in that moment.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I threw the car door open and jumped out, my voice shaking with rage as I shouted, "Wade Rizzotto!"

He and Nina turned at the same time. His body went rigid, like he'd been nailed to the spot. She, on the other hand, looked like she'd been expecting this. She clung to Wade's arm, looking every inch the victor.

"Rose? What are you doing here?" Nina's lazy drawl stretched over my name, the tail end laced with open provocation. "Oh, I get it. You must've followed Wade's scent here, huh?"

I stared at her baby bump, which was slightly smaller than mine, then glared at Wade. The instant his eyes met mine, there was a flicker of panic there. But it vanished quickly, replaced by composure.

My wolf, Poppy, finally woke under the weight of my roiling emotions and let out a furious snarl. "Rose, our mate really is up to no good!"

I forced myself to shut out her howls, choking back the urge to shift. My anger was a living, breathing thing under my skin as my words scraped out through clenched teeth. "Wade, I need an explanation."

His expression stayed calm, and his tone was steady. "Rose, it's not what you think."

There was no guilt or denial. All I saw was an Alpha who was used to being in control of everything. I stared him down, doing everything I could to keep my temper in check and keep Poppy from breaking free.

Seeing that I was about to explode, Nina immediately stepped forward and said shrilly, "I'm the one carrying Wade's pup. Come at me if you're mad!"

Her words confirmed what I'd feared. The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over.

Wade scowled, evidently furious at Nina's outburst. He snapped, "Nina, shut up!"

Then, he turned to me, his voice softening like he was trying to soothe me. "Rose, don't overthink this. It was just an accident."

Nina pouted, as if she'd been gravely wronged. "You promised you'd make me your Luna. How can you call it an accident now?"

He shot her a sharp look, his gaze icy. "Rose is my Luna now. She has every right to know the truth."

As soon as the words left his mouth, she cast a meaningful glance at the back of my neck and gave a strange little smile.

"Oh? Then I guess she still doesn't know. She's been pregnant for six months, yet her pup hasn't moved once. The Elders already said that the pup isn't going to make it. My pup, on the other hand, will be Alpha Wade's heir," she said snidely.

Her words hit me like a lightning strike, leaving my whole body numb.

In the Bloodmoon pack, bloodline meant everything. A she-wolf who couldn't bring a pup into this world had absolutely no chance of becoming Luna under pack law. And right now, Nina was twisting that iron law like a knife, driving it straight into me.

"You're lying!" I screamed, my voice cracking. "My pup is fine. I'm going to bring it into the world safe and sound!"

"Safe and sound?" Nina let out a mocking laugh and slid her hand lovingly over her own belly. "Since when have the Elders been wrong? Wade, you can't afford to get sentimental about this. An Alpha's bloodline is not something you gamble with."

Wade's expression darkened. Instead of refuting Nina's words, he looked at me and said heavily, "Rose… the pup Nina is carrying is my blood. I can't just walk away from that."

After he spoke, his gaze dropped to my rounded belly and lingered there, something complicated and unreadable flickering in his eyes.

That strange look cut into me like a blade.

In my head, Poppy howled in fury and heartbreak. "Rose! Our mate didn't just betray us. He actually believed Nina's and the Elders' lies! How infuriating. What he did is unforgivable!"

My eyes burned with tears, and my voice shook as I asked, "Wade… you really don't believe me? You don't believe our pup can survive?"