Chapter 002: One Choice

Georgia:

It’s been three days since Anastasia moved into the packhouse.

Three days since I learned she wasn’t just some old friend of Evans... she was his first love.

The same first love everyone whispered about the moment I stepped into this pack as Evans’ wife.

If I had known then what I know now, I would’ve put my foot down and refused to let her stay. But now, it’s too late.

Evans spends almost all his time with her—inside the house, outside the house—always claiming it’s part of some research she’s doing. Research, right.

Even Emily, my mother-in-law who’s barely been civil to me—can’t seem to stop smiling at her like she’s already the Luna.

I spot Evans heading outside and quickly trail behind. He’s already halfway into the car, but thank the Moon Goddess…Anastasia isn’t with him.

“Evans! Where are you going?” I call out, breathless.

He glances back at me.

“Why do you ask?”

“Why do I ask?” I frown. “Because I’m your wife, Evans! Don’t I deserve to know?”

He rolls his eyes, like I’m just being dramatic again…but I press on anyway, refusing to let it slide.

“Anyway… could you maybe come with me to the hospital?”

“Hospital? For what? Why should I do that?”

I hesitate. Why should he? He barely even looks at me these days.

“I’ve been feeling these weird pains all over my body,” I say quietly, trying to keep my voice from shaking. “And I thought… maybe you could come with me for a checkup.”

“Oh,” he mutters, his tone flat. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to. I’ve got an important meeting. Can we push it to next week?”

“Next week?” I blink, stunned. My chest tightens as heat rushes to my face.

Seriously?

Like forgetting our wedding anniversary three days ago wasn’t enough. Now this?

I’m almost certain he wouldn’t bat an eye if I dropped dead right in front of him.

Still, I swallow the lump in my throat and ask, “Can’t you reschedule your meeting instead? This is important, Evans…”

“Come on, Georgia The pack duties and my business are more import—”

He doesn’t even get the chance to finish before a voice cuts through the air—sweet, soft, and utterly grating to my ears.

“Alpha Evans! I’m here!”

My heart lurches. I spin around, only to see Anastasia practically skipping toward us, a stack of documents clutched tightly in her arms.

She looks… flawless.

A sleek pencil skirt hugs her hips, and a cropped top shows off just enough to turn heads. Her hair is styled to perfection, not a strand out of place.

“Oh no, I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?” she purrs sweetly at him, batting her lashes. “I was just touching up my makeup.”

Evans chuckles lightly. “Oh no… You look stunning, by the way. That outfit fits you perfectly.”

Without even sparing me a glance, she brushes past…so close her shoulder nearly knocks into mine, then slips into the passenger side like she owns it.

Oh my God. I can’t breathe.

“Evans?!” I call out, my voice cracking. “The important meeting you can’t reschedule… is with Anastasia?!”

“And so what?”

I stare at him, stunned. “I told you..I said I was in pain. I asked you to come with me to the hospital… and this is more important?”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” he says, cutting me off like I’m some noisy background sound. “I’ll wire you some money. That’s what you want, isn’t it? Have a nice day.”

“What the hell, E—”

But I don’t even get to finish.

He pulls his door open. And without missing a beat, he slides into the passenger seat.

The engine revs.

And just like that—

They’re gone.

The car speeds off, vanishing from the garage while I’m still standing there, stunned and breathless.

“Did you really think he was going to follow you to the hospital, you gold digger?”

A sharp voice slices through the silence behind me.

I turn slowly, my chest still heaving…and there she is.

Emily.

My lovely mother-in-law.

Stalking toward me with her hands on her hips and that smug look on her face, like she’s been waiting for this exact moment.

“All you’ve ever done is consume my son’s wealth without having a damn thing to show for it!” She grits out. “I still don’t understand why you’re even Luna. But don’t worry..Evans will come to his senses soon enough and toss your ass out. Ana’s the better choice. We all know it.”

I don’t say a word.

I just stare at her—long and cold—then let out a soft hiss, the only sound I allow myself before turning on my heel and striding toward my car.

“Get back here, you bitch! I’m not done with you!”

I don’t stop.

Reaching my car, I yank open the door, dig out my keys, and slide behind the wheel. The engine roars to life..and for a brief second, I almost do run her over as I reverse out of the driveway, only for her voice to shriek after me:

“Trying to kill me, you disrespectful wench?!”

I keep driving, refusing to give her another second of my energy.

The truth?

I actually lied to Evans.

I said I was in pain. Said I needed a checkup. But there’s nothing wrong with me…

Not physically, anyway.

The head doctor had called me on our anniversary…just hours before Evans barged in with his oh-so-beloved first love…and told me my test results were out.

I’m pregnant.

I couldn’t believe it. I had been glowing that day, ready to share the news with Evans. Ready to watch his face light up, maybe for once, see real joy in his eyes.

But instead?

He gave me Anastasia.

And now, after trying to convince him to come with me to the hospital just so we could receive the pregnancy test result together, he tossed me aside like I was nothing.

All for some stupid meeting with Anastasia.

By the time I pull up at the hospital, my emotions are a mess, but the moment I collect the result, a tiny smile tugs at my lips.

I’m pregnant.

I’m really pregnant!

At least now, Emily will have one less insult to throw my way. No more whispers about me being barren.

The doctor spends a few minutes walking me through the early-stage precautions. What to eat, what to avoid, how much rest I need. I'm barely listening, still imagining what it would’ve been like if Evans had heard the news with me.

Eventually, I leave her office, the envelope clutched tightly in my bag, and head back home.

As I turn into the driveway, my eyes land on Evans’ car parked in the garage.

My heart jumps.

Wait…he’s back?

His meeting was supposed to last for hours.

Is… is he here for me?

Did he regret walking away?

Hope floods my chest before I can stop it.

I rush out of the car, heading straight inside with my bag clutched tightly on my shoulder. I take the stairs two at a time, heading straight for our room, my pulse racing with nervous excitement.

But then—

“What the hell, Anastasia?!” I gasp, stumbling back a step as someone blocks my path.

Anastasia

“Where are you headed?” she asks, blocking my path like she owns the damn hallway.

I scoff. “And how’s that any of your freaking business? Move. Now.”

“No. Do you seriously think your husband loves you?”

I blink. “W-What?”

“Do you really think Evans loves you?” She steps closer. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m his first love. And soon enough, he’s going to divorce you and give me back what’s rightfully mine… the Luna position.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Anastasia.” I can’t help burst into laughter. “.Evans loves me. He married me. You’re just a memory.”

“Oh yeah?” Her smirk widens. “Then let’s put that love to the test.”

“W..what are you talking about?”

She leans in slightly, her gaze glinting with challenge. “Let’s see who he’d choose if it came down to the two of us. Life or death. One choice. Who do you think he’d save?”

I blink, thrown. “What the-”

I’m just about to speak..my lips parting..when it happens.

A hand.

Suddenly, without warning, I feel a strong shove to my shoulders. So hard. So fast. The world tilts beneath me.

My feet lose their grip.

And then—

I’m falling.

Tumbling violently down the stairs.

Each step pounds against my body like a hammer, pain slicing through me with every bounce, until I land with a thud that knocks the air from my lungs.

My stomach seizes. A sharp pain jolts through it.

Oh no.

My baby.

My vision spins as I try to lift my head, only to catch sight of her.

Anastasia.

Smiling.

Then, with terrifying calm, she throws herself down too. Rolling slowly, carefully, before collapsing at the top step. And then she lets out a wail so loud it rattles my bones.

“Oh my God! My head!”

What… the hell?

I try to sit up.

But before I can move, I hear the door fly open. Heavy footsteps pound down the stairs.

Evans.

He rushes out, frantic. “What happened?!”

“G-Georgia…” Anastasia moans, eyes glistening with fake pain. “She pushed me down the stairs.”

Liar.

I open my mouth to speak. To defend myself. To scream.

But I can’t.

Because I feel it.

A warm trickle down my legs. Wet. Sticky.

Blood.

No. No, no, no. Not now. Not my baby.

“Evans,” I croak, reaching out, struggling to breathe through the panic. “Please, I—”

But he doesn’t even look at me.

Not once.

His eyes are fixed on her.

And before the darkness takes me completely, I watch him run straight to Anastasia…falling to his knees, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

He didn’t choose me.

He chose her.

His first love.