Chapter 6

Skye

Green Springs Resort sits nestled on the western slope of Frost Peak Mountain, accessible only by a winding road that cuts through dense pine forest before climbing into snow-dusted slopes. I've heard about it my entire life—the pack's private hot spring retreat, reserved for high-ranking families and special occasions. I’d hoped Jaxon would take me there for a romantic getaway one day, just the two of us. 

I never imagined my first visit would  be like this.

"I can drive myself," I tell Jaxon as we load luggage into the SUV Saturday morning. "There's no reason for us all to—"

"You're riding with me." He doesn't look at me, just hoists another suitcase—one of three Cassandra packed—into the back. "Cassandra and Liam will take the back seat."

Of course they will.

I stand there with my single overnight bag, watching two betas handle the heavy lifting—Cole and Everett, both loyal to Jaxon since childhood. This is supposed to be a quiet trip. Just family, Jaxon had said. No guards. No formality. Just the betas to help with luggage and keep an eye on Liam.

Just us.

"Shotgun it is," I murmur, and climb into the passenger seat before anyone can see the humiliation burning in my cheeks.

Cassandra settles into the back with Liam a few minutes later, her jasmine scent immediately filling the enclosed space. She's dressed in cream-colored cashmere, her hair falling in perfect waves. Even at seven in the morning, she looks like she stepped out of a magazine.

I'm wearing jeans and an oversized sweater. I didn't bother with makeup.

What's the point?

The first hour passes with Liam's excited chatter and Cassandra's indulgent responses. I lean my head against the window and close my eyes, trying to ignore the churning in my stomach.

"Do you remember that summer we went to the lake house?" Cassandra asks Jaxon, her voice pitched low and intimate. "You and I must have been sixteen."

"Seventeen," Jaxon corrects. "Right before I was named heir."

"That's right." She laughs softly. "You were so serious about everything. I had to practically drag you into the water."

I can hear the smile in Jaxon's voice. "You pushed me off the dock."

"You needed to loosen up."

They continue like that, trading memories I'm not part of. Inside jokes I don't understand. The car curves along the mountain road, and each turn makes my stomach lurch.

I keep my eyes closed and focus on breathing.

By hour three, the nausea is getting worse. The winding roads don't help—up and down, sharp curves that make the SUV sway. Cassandra's perfume is too strong. The heater is blasting. Everything feels wrong.

"Skye, you've been quiet." Jaxon's eyes flick to me, then back to the road. "What do you think about stopping at that overlook I mentioned?"

I don't remember him mentioning any overlook. "Whatever you want."

His jaw tightens. "Are you even listening?"

"I'm listening." I'm really not. I'm trying not to throw up.

Cassandra leans forward, resting her hand on the back of Jaxon's seat. "Maybe Skye's just tired from all her Luna duties. You work so hard, don't you?"

The false concern in her voice makes my skin crawl. I turn my face toward the window, watching the trees blur past.

"Skye." Jaxon's tone sharpens. "I asked you a question."

"And I answered it."

"You're being rude."

I almost laugh. I'm being rude. Not him for forcing me on this nightmare vacation. Not Cassandra for playing the devoted mother while stealing my husband. Me.

"Sorry," I mutter, even though I'm not.

The silence that follows is heavy with Jaxon's irritation. I can feel it radiating off him, that Alpha frustration when things don't go according to his perfect plan. He wanted me here to maintain appearances—the happy family unit, or at least the illusion of one. And I'm ruining it by refusing to play along.

"There's supposed to be a beautiful waterfall near the resort," he tries again, his voice deliberately casual. "Cassandra was just telling me about it. Right, Cassie?"

Cassie. He called her Cassie.

My stomach lurches again, but this time it has nothing to do with the winding roads.

"Oh yes," Cassandra says brightly. "It's supposed to be stunning this time of year. All frozen and crystalline. We should definitely go, don't you think, Skye?"

She wants me to engage. They both do. They want me to smile and nod and pretend everything is fine so they can feel better about this twisted situation.

"Sure," I say flatly.

"You don't sound very excited." Jaxon's hands tighten on the steering wheel. "I thought you liked nature."

"I do."

"Then why are you acting like this is torture?"

Because it is torture. Because I'm pregnant and nauseous and watching my husband fall back in love with my sister while I sit here like a prop in my own life.

"I'm just tired," I say instead.

"You're always tired lately." There's accusation in his voice now. "Maybe if you actually tried to engage instead of sulking—"

Another curve. My stomach flips violently, and I press my hand to my mouth.

"What do you think, Skye?" Cassandra asks. "Should we plan a big dinner our first night, or keep it casual?"

I can't answer. Can't think past the rising nausea.

"Skye?" Jaxon prompts, his irritation bleeding into every syllable. "Cassandra asked you something."

The world tilts. I close my eyes tighter, willing the nausea to pass. But it only gets worse with every curve, every mile that brings us closer to this resort where I'll have to watch them play happy family for an entire weekend.

I find myself wishing I'd fought harder. Driven my own car. Refused to come at all.

But I didn't. Because some pathetic part of me still wants to be chosen. Still hopes that maybe, somehow, Jaxon will look at me and remember why we're supposed to matter.

By the time we finally reach Green Springs, I can barely stand. My legs shake as I stumble out of the SUV, gripping the door for support. The resort is beautiful—all timber and stone, built into the mountainside with steam rising from natural pools—but I can barely focus on it through the haze of exhaustion and lingering nausea.

Cole is already unloading Cassandra's three massive suitcases while Everett lifts a drowsy Liam from the back seat. The boy wraps his arms around the Beta's neck, and I watch Jaxon's face soften as he looks at his son.

No one looks at me.

I grab my overnight bag, my hand trembling slightly. The nausea hasn't fully passed, and my head feels light, disconnected from my body.

"I've got it," I say to no one in particular. Not that anyone was offering to help.

I take a step and immediately regret it. The world tilts sideways, but I force myself to stay upright. I will not fall apart here. Not in front of them.

Behind me, I hear Cassandra's voice, soft and wounded. "She is the most fierce warrior in the pack. Of course she's acting weak because I wanted to come here. I told you she hates me..."

I freeze.

My head turns before I can stop myself, and I see it—Jaxon reaching up, his thumb brushing across Cassandra's cheek. Wiping away a tear I'm not sure is even real.

"She doesn't hate you," he murmurs, his voice gentle in a way it never is with me. "She's just... adjusting."

Adjusting. Like I'm a child throwing a tantrum instead of a wife watching her marriage crumble.

Cassandra leans into his touch for just a moment before pulling back, all graceful composure. "I know. I just wish there was something I could do to make this easier for her."

The performance is masterful. Even I almost believe her.

Almost.

I turn away before Jaxon can see me watching. Before he can read whatever expression is written across my face.

My bag feels like it weighs a hundred pounds as I force my legs to carry me toward the entrance. Each step is deliberate. Measured. Because if I let myself move too quickly, I'm not sure what will happen.

Behind me, I hear Liam's sleepy voice asking about hot chocolate, and Jaxon's warm response. Cassandra's gentle laughter.

The perfect family.

And me, stumbling through the snow toward a building that should feel like sanctuary but instead feels like another prison.