Chapter 2

Heavy, hurried footsteps sounded in the hallway.

When Kayden pushed the door open, a powerful pressure weighed down on me, making it hard to breathe.

Upon spotting the suitcase on the bed, his golden pupils instantly narrowed into slits.

He crossed the room in large strides and grabbed my wrist. His grip was so strong that it almost crushed my bones.

"What, are you in that much of a hurry to take the bastard in your belly to its real father? Or are you throwing a tantrum because of last night?"

I didn't struggle because in the face of an Alpha's strength, a human's resistance was futile.

Kayden grew even more furious when met with my silence.

"Speak! Vera was kind enough to let you off, and you dare push your luck? She's the pack's tracker! Were you trying to cripple her when you pushed her down?"

I looked up at this stranger of a man.

"Why did you share that video with the whole pack?" I asked. My voice was hoarse and shaky.

Kayden was stunned for a moment. Then, he impatiently let go of my hand. "They're all my buddies. So what if they watched it? Did it cost you anything?

"Understand your place. You're just my toy, inside and out. If I want to strip you naked for someone to see, you'll smile while I do it!"

His toy, huh?

I laughed, causing salty tears to slip into my mouth.

I was trying to close the suitcase when Kayden's phone suddenly rang. He answered and put it on speakerphone.

Vera's weak, tearful voice came through. "Alpha… I was wrong… I'm kneeling in the snow to apologize. Please, don't blame Ella. She's carrying a pup and not feeling well.

"Ella said she'll report me to the Elders. Since she insists on driving me away, I have no choice but to kneel.

"Alpha, you gave me everything I have, so I must listen to her. If Ella truly can't stand me, I'll pull out my own fangs right now to apologize to her!"

Immediately after, Kayden received a screenshot. It was a threatening text from an unknown number to Vera that said, "Get out of the pack, or I'll tear you to pieces."

As Kayden stared at the screen, his eyes turned bloodshot. He suddenly threw his phone at me.

The corner of the phone hit my collarbone, and a sharp pain shot through me.

"Ella, my patience has a limit! Vera is my right hand, yet you dare force her to kneel? You dare threaten to tear her to pieces?

"I think I've spoiled you too much. Do you really think being with pup gives you power over werewolves?"

I held my collarbone and stared at this raging beast. "I don't have a phone. You confiscated my phone long ago. How could I send a text?"

Kayden wasn't listening at all. He grabbed my hair and dragged me off the bed.

"You're still lying! Who else hates her besides you?

"Come with me! You will apologize to Vera! You'll keep apologizing until she forgives you!"

I protected my belly and desperately grabbed the door frame. "I'm not going! I need to rest… My stomach hurts!"

Kayden pried my hand off the door frame. "That mutt is better off dead! It saves me the embarrassment of it being born."

He dragged me out of the room and shoved me into the back seat of an SUV.

The vehicle sped wildly across the snowy plains, and the rough ride sent waves of cramps through my belly.

I curled up on the seat, with cold sweat soaking through my clothes.

Kayden watched me coldly through the rearview mirror from the front seat, not slowing down at all.

"Drop the pitiful act. A little bumpy ride, and you act like you're dying? Who are you fooling? Vera does patrols for the pack with two broken ribs, and you're crying over a car ride."

The car stopped at the entrance of the pack's infirmary.

Vera lay on the bed. Her arm was wrapped in thick bandages. Her cheeks were rosy, and she showed no sign of fragility.

When she saw Kayden dragging me in, she immediately struggled to sit up. Instantly, tears appeared in her eyes.

"Alpha, it's not Ella's fault. It's all mine. She's with pup and should be treated with care."

Kayden pressed her back down gently, then turned to look at me as if I were garbage.

"Kneel."

I didn't move, so Kayden kicked the back of my knee.

The sharp pain instantly forced me to my knees. My kneecaps slammed hard onto the cold floor tiles.

"Apologize," he commanded.

The hallway was crowded with werewolves watching the drama. As they pointed at me and whispered, their lustful gazes shamelessly scanned my body.

"So, that's the human who dances? She doesn't look that special."

"I hear she's very wild in bed. She'd do any position to seduce the Alpha."

"Hey, since he doesn't want her anymore, why not let us have some fun too? The Alpha wouldn't be that petty, right?"