Chapter 1– Three Surprises

Lori's POV

"I'm pregnant, Lori." Janie's voice was barely above a whisper, and I spun around in shock, my heart already swelling with joy for my best friend.

"Janie! Oh my goddess!" I rushed across the VIP suite and threw my arms around her, squeezing tight. "That's incredible! I'm so happy for you!"

She chuckled, but it didn't sound as exciting as I thought it would be. My eyebrows pulled together in a frown as I pulled back to look at her face. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"When did you find out? How far along are you? Wait—who's the father?" I grabbed her hands and pulled her toward the couch, practically bouncing. "Tell me everything. Don't leave out a single detail. And please... Tell me that it is for your mate!"

"Two months." Janie smoothed her emerald dress and settled beside me. "And the father…" She tilted her head, a strange little smirk playing on her lips. "You'll find out later tonight. And yeah he's my mate."

"What does that mean?" I laughed, a little bit confused. "Is it someone I know? Is it someone on the team?"

"Something like that." She looked away, toward the massive window overlooking the ice rink. The arena was already filling up the forty thousand seats, and everyone would be occupied before the game even started. There were millions more that were watching from home, and I felt the strange swell of pride filling my chest. This was Silas's night too. The night he would be awarded a championship medal because he would win. We were all certain about that.

"Well, I have news too," I said, my hand unconsciously moving up to touch my tummy, but I paused midway and let it hover. I didn't want her suspecting yet. But I was desperate to tell her because she was my best friend, the closest person I had to a family after Silas. "But I can't tell you yet. I want it to be a surprise for Silas first. After the game, when he's holding that trophy, I'm going to announce it to everyone."

Janie's head snapped toward me, and she tilted it slightly. "Announce what?"

"I said I can't tell you!" I giggled cheekily, "Trust me, it's going to be the best night of our lives. Double the celebration."

"Double," she repeated slowly. "Yes. I suppose it will be." Then, she gave me a once over, and a smile that looked genuine came over her face.

"You look beautiful tonight," Janie said, her eyes traveling over my silver gown. "Silas won't be able to take his eyes off you."

"You think so?" I turned back to the mirror, adjusting the neckline. "I wanted to look perfect for him. This is his biggest night."

"It's going to be a night no one forgets." Janie stood, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her dress. "I should get to my seat. The game's about to start."

*

The game was beautiful as I watched from the owner's box, the privilege of being the Captain's wife, as Silas and everyone was roaring his name as if he was a god on the ice rink. Which he was, if you'd ask me.

 Crane! Crane! Crane! 

I screamed with them too until my throat was raw, and my hands pressed against the glass. When the final buzzer sounded and the scoreboard blazed with our victory, I was already crying. Happy and proud tears for my husband. Tears for the secret I was about to share with the world.

I made my way down to the ice level, my heart hammering as staff members ushered me toward the stage where the trophy presentation would happen. Silas was still on the ice, accepting congratulations from teammates and reporters. Our eyes met across the distance and I smiled widely, waving at him.

"Lori." He came towards me, towards the stage and he didn't' kiss me. He didn't even touch me. "You shouldn't be down here yet."

"I wanted to be close to you. You won, baby." I reached for his hand, but he pulled away before I could hold him. "Silas? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." His blue eyes, usually so warm when they looked at me, were cold right now. "Just stay out of the way until I'm done with the ceremony. Can you do that?"

The words stung, but I nodded. "Of course. Whatever you need."

Did something happen? Did anyone make him mad? This was supposed to be his night and nothing was supposed to take this victory from him... then, what?

*

"Thank you to everyone who made this night possible," Silas said, his voice echoing through the arena after he had been presented with a medal and was given the microphone to make a speech. "My teammates, my coach, and my pack." He paused, and the crowd erupted again. "This season wasn't easy. There were obstacles, distractions, and even people who claimed to support me while working against me behind my back."

I frowned. That was new. I stared at his side profile from the little distance between us, forcing a smile on my face because I was worried. Did something really happen?

"But tonight isn't just about hockey." Silas turned, and his eyes found me. "Tonight is about the truth. About exposing the lies that have been rotting the Glendale Pack from the inside."

"What are you doing?" I mouthed to him, but his eyes only grew colder.

"Our Luna," Silas continued, and every word dripped with venom. "Lori here, the woman who stands before you, wearing my mark, living in my house, eating my food." He took a step toward me. "She's been lying to all of us."

Everywhere went silent at once, so silent that I could hear my heart racing.

"Silas, what are you..."

He laughed as he turned back to the crowd. "This woman... this Omega I took pity on and raised up... has been spreading her legs for half the pack. Before our mating, she sold herself to pack members for money like a common whore. And after our mating?" His jaw tightened. "She continued. Because one man was never enough for damaged goods like her."

"No!" The word ripped out of me before I could even stop it. "That's a lie! I never... Silas, I would never—"

"Then explain this." He pointed to the massive screen above the ice.

And I felt my spine go rigid at once as I stared at the screen. I was naked, tangled in sheets with a man whose face was on me as he was fucking me. The video wasn't of good quality, but it was unmistakably me... my auburn hair, my curves, my voice moaning so hard the same way I did anytime Silas and I made love. Picture after picture flashed across the screen, each one more explicit than the last, but I didn't remember any of it.

"Silas, that's not... I don't remember..." I was shaking so hard I could barely stand. "Someone set me up."

"Someone set you up?" Silas's laugh was cruel. "The same excuse every cheater uses. You're pathetic."

He turned his back on me and faced the crowd. "I, Silas Crane, Alpha of Glendale Pack, captain of this team, publicly reject Lori Crane as my mate and Luna. She is stripped of her title, her position, and a place in my pack."

The pain came instantly and my knees buckled, and I found myself sinking to the ground. "Silas… please…" I couldn't form words.

Instead, he reached out a hand toward the side of the stage, and Janie stepped forward. She took Silas's hand, and he pulled her against his chest.

"There is one more announcement," Silas said in a triumphant voice. "Tonight, I claim my true mate. My destined mate, Janie Sims. And we are expecting our first child."

Janie smiled at me.

"Congratulations, Lori," she mouthed silently. "You finally got what you deserved.”