Chapter 3

"Why would you do that?"

My voice was shaking, from rage or shock, I couldn't tell.

Sadie slowly got up from the bed, fixing her messy hair.

"Why?" She scoffed. "To survive, of course. Where was an Omega with a child supposed to go? Only an Alpha like Xander can protect us."

She said it so matter-of-factly, as if betrayal and deceit were the most natural things in the world.

"But it's not his child!" I couldn't stop my voice from rising.

"So what?" Sadie looked at me with a cold smile. "Regina, do you really think he'd believe you?"

She walked over to the vanity and started touching up her makeup in the mirror.

"He feels so guilty about Ryan. He'll do anything to protect me, no matter what I say. Even if you tell him the truth, you think he'll believe you over me?"

My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Because I knew she was right.

It was the same in my last life.

Even when I told Xander that Sadie had framed me, he chose to believe the weeping, pitiful woman.

A wave of crushing sadness washed over me.

My fated mate. For a child that wasn't his, for a venomous woman, he had hurt me.

He had hurt our real child.

The innocent life that died in agony inside my womb.

"Looks like you get it now," Sadie said, turning from the mirror with a smug look. "Be smart, Regina. Get out of here."

"Or else..." She stroked her belly, a cruel glint in her eyes. "You'll regret it."

I looked at her fake, twisted face, and the embers of my anger roared into a fire.

If she wanted to play games, I'd play.

"Then I'll go tell Xander the truth right now," I said with a cold smile. "Let's see who he believes."

The color drained from Sadie's face.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Why not?" I walked toward the door. "You said he wouldn't believe me. So what are you afraid of?"

"Regina! Don't push me!"

I reached for the doorknob.

Just then, the door was pushed open from the outside.

Xander walked in, carrying a bowl of soup.

"Sadie, the healer said you need to drink more of this calming soup..."

Before he could finish, Sadie burst into tears.

"Xander! I don't want to stay here anymore!"

She threw herself at him, tears streaming down her face.

"Regina threatened me! She said she'd make sure my baby and I die!"

"What?" Xander's face changed. He quickly put down the soup to hold her.

"That's not what happened," I said immediately. "Xander, the baby in her belly is because she drugged..."

"Enough!" Sadie shrieked. "Regina, how far are you going to push me?"

She shoved Xander away, clutching her stomach.

"I've already lost everything! If I lose this baby too, I can't go on living!"

"Sadie, calm down!" Xander scrambled to hold her.

"I don't want to live!" Sadie lunged toward the wall as if to bash her head in. "If Regina won't have me, then I'll just die with my baby!"

"No!" Xander grabbed her, his eyes wild with fear. "Sadie, don't do anything stupid!"

He looked back at me, and the disappointment in his eyes was a physical blow.

"Regina, why can't you just give her a break? She lost her mate, she's already in so much pain. She's finally moving on, having a child with me..."

"Xander, listen to me, the baby isn't yours..."

"Regina!" he cut me off, his voice sharper than I'd ever heard it. "I don't want to hear another word of this! It's my duty to protect them!"

Every word was a hammer blow to my heart.

I watched him hold Sadie so tightly, in the embrace that used to be only for me.

My heart felt like it was being shredded.

Without another word, I turned and left.

I hadn't gone far before I heard his voice again.

"Regina! Wait!"

I didn't stop.

"Regina!"

He caught up, grabbing my arm.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice softer. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

I looked at him coldly. "Let go of me."

"Let me explain," he pleaded. "What happened with Sadie... it was a mistake. A rival pack drugged me during a territory dispute. That's how..." He trailed off, unable to meet my eyes.

His voice got smaller, as if even he knew how pathetic the excuse sounded.

"Regina, I'm just asking you to be patient with her. For a little while. I promise, after the baby is born, I'll send her away."

His grip on my arm was tight, like he was afraid I'd run.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to the best dress shop in the city. Our mating anniversary is in seven days. I'll throw the biggest party."

The light returned to his eyes.

"You'll wear a gown that puts our mating ceremony to shame. Regina, I'm going to make you the most dazzling Luna in the world."

I just looked at him, a dull ache spreading through my chest.

A promise like that used to make me dizzy with joy.

But now, it was too late.

"Okay," I said, looking down. My voice was hollow.

Xander let out a breath of relief and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Regina, I knew you were the kindest. We'll start over, I promise."

I closed my eyes in his embrace.

But my decision was already made.

In seven days, after the anniversary, our mate bond would be severed.

He chose his lie. Now he could drown in it.