Chapter 2

I was calmer this time.

“Yeah, I just found out.”

“You saw his post? We were all freaking out! He never posts, and now suddenly there’s a whole album! We all thought you were the future Luna! But…”

I didn’t want to hear it. I cut her off.

“Want to hear something even crazier?”

Maya was all ears. “What?”

My eyes softened. “I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a godmother.”

“WHAT?!”

“I’m not kidding. Twelve weeks along.”

I sent her the pregnancy report. She sounded like she was about to cry.

“I thought you were stuck on Declan for life! I was just about to tell you to give up on him, but you’re one step ahead, with a pup on the way! This is amazing!”

“Quick, tell me! Who’s the dad?”

I was coy. “In a few days. He’s busy right now. When he comes to get me, you’ll be the first to meet him.”

She agreed instantly. We chatted about baby stuff, and then hung up.

I had just sat down at my desk when Maya posted.

[Thank the Moon Goddess. Thank my girl Maeve. I’m a godmother!]

I was about to tell her to be discreet.

A second later, a comment appeared from the long-silent Declan.

[? You’re in on this act too?]

Maya clapped back instantly: [Jealous much? Are you blind? Read the clinic's official stamp!]

A bit of the anger I’d been holding in finally eased. Thanks, Maya.

I hummed a little tune and worked all afternoon.

Later, I took a picture of the flowers he sent me, the ones meant to calm my pregnancy hormones. I posted it.

[It’s nice to be cared for.]

Declan, breaking his own rule, replied:

[Does deluding yourself actually help? Don’t go spreading rumors that I sent you those.]

In his eyes, I was worthless.

I didn’t reply.

After work, I was waiting for my ride when a familiar car pulled up.

Declan, looking annoyed, rolled down the window. “Get in.”

I didn’t move. “I already called a car.”

“This isn’t a discussion. Get in.”

I sighed. I texted my guy and told him not to send the bodyguard.

I instinctively walked to the passenger side. He shot me a cold look.

I obediently got in the back.

Declan drove fast. Too fast. The wind felt like knives on my face.

At a red light, he reached for a cigarette.

Then his eyes flickered to my flat stomach. He crushed the cigarette in his hand.

“You can’t keep this pup. I can compensate you for that night. But my pack will not have a bastard child in its ranks.”

My hand went to my stomach. My heart clenched.

“You say that like I forced you. I’ll say it again. I don’t need you to take responsibility. The child isn’t yours.”

Declan cursed under his breath and slammed on the horn.

“You’re still pretending, even now? I don’t see what’s so special about you that another male would even look your way.”

He watched me in the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with scorn.

My own pale face reflected in the window. I couldn’t argue with him.

Since we were kids, Declan had been the golden boy of our pack. Tall, handsome, a powerful fighter, good at everything.

Later, we went to the Shifter Academy together. She-wolves lined up for miles just to get his attention.

Some of them even tried to get close to me, knowing we were from the same pack.

I was plain. They knew I wasn't a threat.

The first time I passed a love letter to him for one of them, Declan was shocked.

“Hey, why are you giving me a love letter? I don’t like you. Stop it.”

I told him the truth.

“I didn’t write it. Someone asked me to give it to you.”

“Oh, good.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “Just so we’re clear, don’t get any ideas about me. It’s never going to happen between us.”