Chapter 8

Alpha Henry’s POV

I paced back and forth in the grand hall, my boots echoing against the marble floors. Every step felt heavier with the weight of my thoughts.

“Tesla’s pregnant,” I muttered under my breath, the words tasting bitter.

With my child. The realization churned in my stomach. I didn’t even want her—never did. And yet, here we are. She tried to run, but she should’ve known better.

“She really thought she could escape,” I said aloud, scoffing. “As if I wouldn’t find out.”

The doctor had been quick to inform me, thank the Moon Goddess. Otherwise, Tesla would’ve disappeared into thin air by now, and with her, my heir. No one escapes me—not when it comes to my bloodline.

I stopped pacing and looked out the massive windows, the moonlight spilling into the room. Keeping Tesla locked up was easy. That wasn’t the problem. The real challenge was Katherine.

Katherine.

I dragged a hand down my face. My mate. My Luna. My everything. She trusted me, believed in me. I had promised her—sworn, in fact—that Tesla was out of our lives. I told her I’d banish Tesla after the last fiasco. But now?

“If she finds out…” I shook my head, the thought too dangerous to finish.

Katherine wasn’t one to forgive betrayal. Hell, she’d burn this entire mansion to the ground if she even suspected it. But the child… that’s all I wanted.

I stood staring out into the darkness, lost in my thoughts, when the soft click of the door pulled me back to reality. Her scent, lavender and vanilla, reached me first, calming the storm inside me.

“Katherine,” I said softly without turning around.

She didn’t reply right away. Instead, I felt her arms wrap around me from behind, her cheek pressing against my back. For a moment, I let her warmth ease the weight on my chest.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

I turned to face her, my eyes locking with hers. “I’ve missed you too,” I said, trying to sound convincing.

Her smile was radiant as she rested her hands on my chest. “With Tesla gone, we can finally focus on us,” she said, her voice filled with hope. “The way the Moon Goddess always intended.”

I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. “Yes, we can.”

Her expression shifted slightly, her smile fading as her eyes searched mine. “Henry,” she said carefully, “I need you to promise me something.”

“What is it?” I asked, my voice steady despite the dread pooling in my stomach.

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke with quiet determination. “Promise me you won’t hide anything from me. No secrets. No lies. I need to know I can trust you completely.”

My heart raced, but I kept my face neutral. Her gaze bore into me, unwavering. “I promise,” I said firmly, even though the words felt heavy on my tongue.

Relief washed over her face as her smile returned. She leaned up and kissed me softly. “Good,” she said. “Because secrets destroy bonds, and I don’t want anything to come between us.”

I held Katherine close, trying to push down the suffocating guilt that threatened to consume me. But before I could fully gather my thoughts, there was a knock at the door.

Katherine pulled back slightly, her brows knitting together. “Who could that be this late?”

“Probably nothing important,” I said, forcing calm into my voice.

The door creaked open, and one of my men stepped in—a tall, broad-shouldered wolf with a tense expression. His presence immediately set my nerves on edge. It was Greg, the one I’d assigned to track and capture Tesla.

“Alpha,” Greg said with a curt nod. His tone was respectful, but there was an urgency in his eyes.

I held up a hand, cutting him off before he could say more. “Not now,” I said firmly, giving him a subtle signal to leave.

Katherine’s gaze flicked between Greg and me, suspicion sparking in her eyes. “What’s this about, Henry?” she asked, her tone sharp.

“It’s nothing,” I said smoothly, stepping in front of her as if to shield her from Greg’s presence. “Just pack business.”

“Pack business?” she repeated, her voice laced with doubt. Her gaze shifted back to Greg, narrowing slightly.

Greg hesitated at the door, clearly uncertain whether to stay or leave. The moment dragged uncomfortably, and I could feel Katherine’s suspicion growing by the second.

“Why does he smell like…” she trailed off, her nose twitching slightly. Her eyes widened, and she stepped past me toward Greg, her movements deliberate.

“Katherine,” I began, my voice edged with warning.

She ignored me, her focus entirely on Greg. “You,” she said, her voice colder now. “Why do you smell like Tesla?”

Greg stiffened, his eyes darting to me for guidance. I clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure.

“Katherine,” I said, stepping forward to place a hand on her arm. “It’s not what you think.”

“Then tell me what it is,” she shot back, shrugging off my touch. Her eyes burned with a mix of hurt and anger.

I opened my mouth to respond, but she turned back to Greg. “Answer me,” she demanded. “Why do you smell like her? What were you doing?”

Greg looked at me again, clearly struggling with whether to speak or remain silent. “I was—”

“He was handling a routine matter,” I cut in quickly, my voice firm. “That’s all.”

“Routine?” Katherine’s laugh was sharp and humorless. “You expect me to believe that? You swore there were no more secrets, Henry. No more lies.”

“I’m not lying,” I insisted, my voice low but steady.

“Then explain,” she challenged, crossing her arms as she glared at me. “Because it doesn’t smell like routine to me.”

The room felt like it was closing in on me, Katherine’s stare pinning me in place.