Chapter 2

Tammy’s words hit me like a dagger straight to the heart.

I jerked my head up, staring hard at Toby, desperate to find an answer in his eyes and his expression.

However, he looked away, guilty and ashamed. He would not even meet my gaze.

That told me everything I needed to know.

My vision blurred with tears, but I forced myself not to cry. Still, I could not hold back the heartbreak as I demanded, “You bonded with her. What about me? What am I supposed to do? I’m carrying your pup. Are you really going to abandon your own child to raise someone else’s, one who doesn’t even know who their father is?”

I had not even finished before Tammy snapped, screaming at me,

“Don’t you dare insult my child! He’s not an illegitimate child! He has a father!”

She burst into tears, wiping at her face, playing the helpless victim.

Toby immediately panicked and shoved me away, his eyes turning cold.

“Stacy! Have you no manners? No decency? Do you even realize how much damage your words could cause?

“You could destroy Tammy emotionally!”

Staggering back from his shove, I just stood there in stunned silence.

Was what I said not the truth?

I looked at them and all I felt was despair.

“My mate bonded with someone else and wants to be the father of her pup. And I’m not even allowed to confront him? Would it make you feel better if I just pretended like nothing happened and congratulated you both to your faces?”

Despite everything, the tears I had fought so hard to hold back finally spilled over.

Toby’s expression softened when he saw my tears. Guilt flickered in his eyes.

He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. His voice was low, almost gentle.

“Stacy, please try to understand. Tammy isn’t like you. You’re only a little over a month along. She is three months pregnant. Her belly’s already starting to show. If the pack elders find out she’s pregnant without a mate bond, they’ll exile her. She has no one else but me…

“Don’t be mad. I promise you—once she gives birth and things settle down, I’ll come back. I’ll bond with you, take care of you and our pup. Okay?”

I did not respond. Toby reached up to wipe my tears, but before his hand could touch my face, Tammy tugged on his sleeve.

“Toby, I can’t breathe very well. Maybe I’m just too upset…”

Toby froze for a second, then dropped his hand. Instead, he lightly patted the top of my head like a child.

“Tammy’s really emotional right now. I need to calm her down.

“And it’s not good for you to be here either. Just head home, alright? Please.”

He sounded like I was the problem, and I might upset her. He let go of me, turned around and gently consoled Tammy.

In that moment, as I watched how effortlessly he left me behind, I finally understood Toby’s love and concern came with priorities.

Unfortunately, I was never his first.

I wiped my tears, turned around, and walked out of the hospital without looking back.

When I got home, I saw a message from a friend, asking again if I would consider joining their pack as a tracker.

I had the best nose and the fastest reflexes. I would be an asset.

However, in my condition, I would only slow them down during early pregnancy.

Back then, I would have declined without hesitation. I would have told her I was pregnant.

Yet, now… for the first time, I wavered.

Right then, Toby came home.

He saw me sitting silently in the dark, the lights still off, and pulled me into his arms. His hands gently moved to my stomach.

“What are you thinking about? Still upset?”

When I did not answer, he rubbed my belly softly and said,

“I already promised you. Once Tammy and her pup are taken care of, I’ll come back and bond with you. Being upset like this isn’t good for our baby, you know.”

Toby knew me too well. He knew I cared about family, and that I loved children. He used that against me, counting on it to win my forgiveness.

He also knew how to sway me.

Just the heat of his breath against my neck made me tremble, unwillingly.

“Stacy, you’re my precious mate. You know that, don’t you?”

I looked into his passionate, tender eyes, and a final glimmer of hope sparked in my heart.

“What if I don’t understand? What if I don’t agree? My belly’s going to grow too. Aren’t you worried I’ll get kicked out of the pack?”

Toby’s voice suddenly dropped, low and firm.

“I’m not asking for your permission, Stacy. I’m telling you what I’ve decided.”

I froze, every muscle in my body going stiff in the darkness. Toby let out a sigh and kissed the top of my head.

“No one will find out. I believe you’ll hide your belly well and take care of yourself. Tammy can’t do that. She only has me. I can’t turn my back on her.”

He stepped away, walked into the bedroom.

A few minutes later, he came back with a packed bag.

He walked to the door, turned around and looked at me, still sitting there in silence, and said, “Tammy’s really upset about what you said today. I’m worried it’ll affect her health. I’m going to stay with her for a few days. If you need anything, call me.”

So that was why he came back.

He did not even see my shoulders trembling in the dark as I cried. Without hesitation, he closed the door behind him.

I was alone—with nothing but heartbreak and silence.

Toby knew he was all I had. He knew my belly would grow. He knew my emotions could hurt our pup too.

He just did not care.

To him, my pain and our child never mattered as much as Tammy.

I wiped my tears and called my friend.

“I’m not bonding with Toby anymore. I accept your offer. I’ll leave in a month.”