Chapter 1: The Invisible Shadow

I rubbed my sore eyes and looked back at the computer screen. The numbers on the spreadsheets were starting to blur. It was three o'clock in the morning, and I had been sitting at this small desk in my basement room for over sixteen hours straight, fixing the financial mess that Alpha Liam Zenith’s pack accounts had become.

Everyone in Silver City thought Liam was a financial genius, but the truth was simple. I wrote every single one of his public speeches, and I planned every single investment that made him richer. But to the rest of the pack, I was just Maya, the fat, quiet girl who lived in the dark basement and wore oversized clothes.

"Maya! Get up here right now!"

My aunt Clara’s sharp voice rang out from the top of the stairs. I stood up and pulled down the huge, faded gray sweater that made me feel hidden.

Upstairs, the living room floor was covered in spilled drinks and trash. My adoptive sister, Seraphina, had thrown a huge party last night to celebrate her upcoming title as the future Luna of the pack.

Aunt Clara looked at me with deep disgust. "Look at you, just standing there like a lazy lump. You are lucky we didn't throw you out into the streets when your parents died. Clean all of this up before Liam comes over."

"I was up all night working on Liam's financial reports, Aunt Clara," I said softly, keeping my eyes on the floor. "I only slept for two hours."

"I don't care about your excuses," Seraphina cut in sharply, walking into the room looking perfect in a bright dress. "You're too big to fit into anything normal anyway. Just hurry up and scrub the floors. Liam is coming to see me, and I don't want him looking at your messy face."

"Yes, Seraphina," I whispered.

I didn't argue. I grabbed a bucket of hot water, got down on my knees, and started wiping the floor. I endured it because I believed it was my only choice. More than that, I endured it because of Liam.

An hour later, Liam walked in. He looked handsome and confident, but he didn't even look at me as I crouched near the wall.

"Liam, babe! You're here!" Seraphina squealed, running into his arms.

Liam smiled and kissed her cheek. "Hey, beautiful. I came to drop off some notes for the big speech tonight. Is it ready?"

"Of course it is," Seraphina lied with a sweet smile.

My heart twisted as I watched them. Seraphina took credit for everything I did, and I was forced to let her. But as Liam turned to walk toward the office, his eyes briefly met mine. For a split second, something softened in his expression. It was the look that kept me holding on.

Later that afternoon, after Liam left and my aunt and sister went out to buy new gala dresses, the house finally became quiet. I went back to my basement room, feeling completely drained. My body felt strange today. I was exhausted, and my stomach had been turning all morning.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Liam: Come to the office upstairs. The house is empty.

My heart fluttered. I hurried up to the second floor.

When I stepped into the quiet office, Liam stood up, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me deeply. For three years, we had been secret lovers.

"I missed you," I murmured against his lips.

"I missed you too, Maya," Liam whispered, holding me tight. "You did an amazing job on the speech."

"Then tell them the truth, Liam," I pleaded softly, looking up into his dark eyes. "Tell them that we are mates. Why do we have to pretend you want Seraphina?"

Liam sighed, looking frustrated. "Maya, you know how my pack council is. They want a Luna who fits the elite image. If I tell them I want you right now, they will question my leadership. Just trust me, okay? Keep helping me with the business, and once I have full control, I will claim you publicly. I promise."

I wanted to believe him. I nodded slowly, burying my face in his chest. "Okay. I trust you."

He kissed the top of my head, held me for a few more minutes, and then told me to leave before anyone came back.

I went back down to the basement, but the strange, nauseous feeling in my stomach returned, stronger this time. I sat on the edge of my small bed, shivering. My period was late. It was never late. A sudden, wild thought popped into my head, making my heart race so fast I could hear it in my ears.

I got up, opened my drawer, and pulled out a small plastic box I had secretly bought at the store days ago but had been too afraid to use.

I went into my tiny, dim basement bathroom. My hands shook so badly I almost dropped the plastic stick. I followed the instructions, set it down on the sink, and sat on the closed toilet seat, counting the minutes. My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe.

Please, I prayed in my mind. Please let this be the thing that changes everything.

If I was carrying his child, Liam wouldn't care about the pack council anymore. A baby changed everything. A baby would mean he would finally have to claim me. He would see that my devotion was real, and he would finally take me out of this dark basement.

The five minutes passed. I stood up on weak legs and walked over to the sink.

I looked down.

There, staring back at me in the dim light of the bathroom, were two bright, solid pink lines.

I gasped, my hand flying over my mouth as hot tears instantly spilled down my cheeks. I was pregnant. I was carrying the Alpha's baby. I clutched the test tight against my chest, sobbing softly as a wave of pure hope rushed through my body.

He was going to love this baby. He was going to love me. I didn't care about the chores, the insults, or the cold floors anymore. I was going to be a mother, and Liam was going to finally bring me into the light.

I quickly washed my face, put on the simple blue dress I had saved for special occasions, and tucked the positive test into my pocket. I needed to tell him right now.

I ran up the basement stairs, my heart full of joy for the first time in my life. I walked down the grand hallway toward Liam's office, my feet moving fast. But as I drew closer to the heavy door, I noticed it was already slightly open.

I stopped, ready to knock, but the sound of voices inside made me freeze completely.

"You did so well, Liam," Seraphina’s voice purred from inside the room. "The council is already talking about how amazing you will be as full Alpha once we marry next month."

"It's all going according to plan," Liam’s voice replied, sounding cold, proud, and completely different from the sweet tone he used with me in the dark. "Once the wedding is over and the papers are signed, her family's wealth will belong to the Zenith pack."

"And what about that fat freak in the basement?" Seraphina laughed nastily. "Are you going to keep her around?"

"Maya?" Liam let out a cruel, dry chuckle that broke something deep inside my chest. "She’s useful for now. Her little brain keeps my books clean and my speeches perfect. But once I have full control, I’ll discard her. Did you really think I’d ever want someone like her? She’s a burden, Seraphina. She’s nothing to me."

I stood in the hallway, the positive pregnancy test still warm in my pocket, as my entire world turned to nothing.