My Mate Put Me in Jail When I Was Pregnant

When I was eight months pregnant, my Beta mate's mistress offended the Alpha and was sentenced to three months in silver prison. Derek wanted me to serve her time.

After being tortured, I almost died during childbirth.

When I woke up again, I decided to break our mate bond.

Ethan's eyes flickered with hesitation and reluctance.

"Eliza, are you truly determined to leave? Why don't you..."

At that moment, a notification popped up on his phone screen.

It was a video I'd seen on social media—Derek taking Sophia to the Maldives for a vacation.

He had his arm wrapped around her shoulders, strolling along the beach at sunset.

Sophia wore a bikini, her skin marked with love bites from their mating.

"The Beta really went all out this time, booking the entire island for the celebration. He truly loves his mate so much," someone commented, adding a string of congratulatory emojis.

When Sophia heard the word "mate," her smile grew even brighter as she replied with a shy emoji.

Friends who recognized them joined in the teasing.

"Beta, give your mate a princess carry..."

Derek didn't bother clarifying the girl's identity. Instead, he scooped her up by the waist and spun her around for the camera.

Ethan looked at me, his face filled with shame.

He thought I would cry and pulled me into his embrace.

"Eliza, I was wrong. I knew you always loved Derek, but I shouldn't have encouraged you to accept the mate bond with him. I will help you to leave."

But I didn't cry.

All my tears had been shed when I was in jail.

"Do you want to see the baby before you leave?" he asked, his eyes betraying the feelings he'd always harbored for me.

At the mention of my child, my heart clenched painfully.

That precious little one I had nearly died bringing into this world.

To say I felt nothing would be a lie.

As my thoughts returned to the present, Ethan entered the room with the baby in his arms.

"Eliza, this child is so strong. The doctor said the baby would be a healthy and powerful Beta—"

"Enough! Don't say anymore!" I turned away, my claws digging into my palms.

Eliza, don't look back.

If you've decided to leave, you can't allow yourself any attachments.

Hearing my words, Ethan stopped in his tracks and didn't come any closer.

He handed the baby to the nurse before angrily calling Derek.

"Brother, didn't I tell you not to call me during this time? I'm on a business trip—"

"Videos of you vacationing with another woman are trending. I may be your younger brother, but I'm not blind."

On the other end of the line, Derek's playful tone turned annoyed.

"Brother, I thought you didn't follow the news. Did Eliza complain to you?"

"Let her take the phone. I'll talk to her myself!"

I took the phone from Ethan.

The sound of a woman's passionate moans came through from the other end.

Ethan's eyes grew wet with anger and something more—the pain of watching the woman he secretly loved suffer at Ethan's hands.

"Eliza, once the issue with the Alpha is resolved, you should leave. And I promise, I'll help you fight against Derek every step of the way."