Chapter 3

Tricia's POV

Maxwell didn't even wait for silence to settle before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick roll of bills and threw them on the floor.

"Pick that up," he said coldly. "Run to the pack store and get what my baby wants."

The words hit me like something physically impossible to process.

For a second, I just stood there, staring at him, wondering if something had completely snapped in his mind because there was no other explanation for what I was witnessing.

"You want me," I finally said, my voice trembling but rising anyway, "your Luna, to go and buy coconut water for your little witch?"

Before I could say anything else, Laura gasped dramatically and clutched her chest.

"Baby!" she cried out. "Did you hear what this oversized balloon just called me? Alpha, do something right now!"

Maxwell didn't hesitate. 

He jumped down the stairs like a man who had no fear of breaking his own neck, landing heavily in front of me with burning eyes.

"Are you out of your mind, Tricia?" he snapped.

I didn't even flinch.

"I should be asking you that question, Alpha Maxwell," I shot back immediately.

He blinked once. "What?"

"You heard me," I said, my voice shaking but firm now.

"Have you lost your mind, Maxwell? You went behind my back for years, humiliated me publicly, brought another she-wolf in as your chosen mate while I'm still your bonded Luna, and now you expect me to serve her?"

Maxwell let out a short, cold laugh like I had said something ridiculous.

"Isn't that the only thing you're good at?" he said. "Running pack errands so you can eat and get even more fat?"

My breath caught, but he didn't stop.

"So what if I got another she-wolf pregnant?" he continued. "Do you want me to die without an heir just because you're barren?"

"I am not barren, Maxwell!" I yelled instantly.

"How am I supposed to carry your pup when you haven't touched me in almost a year?"

"I would rather get struck by lightning," he said slowly, each word deliberate, "than touch a she-wolf like you."

Immediately Maxwell finished speaking, Laura, Vanessa, and his mother burst into laughter.

My fists clenched and unclenched at my sides as I turned toward Laura.

"Hey you," I said, my voice low and shaking with control I was barely holding onto. "Little witch. What's so funny?"

Laura tilted her head slightly, like she was studying something amusing.

"Oh, you're talking to me?" she said softly as she smirked.

Then she let out a small laugh, her eyes dragging over me from head to toe.

"Well, I just find your situation really funny. Not only are you overweight, you're also sex-starved by your own mate. That's honestly so sad. Pick a struggle, sis."

I took one step closer.

"At least being fat and sex-starved is better than being a pregnant whore carrying a bonded Alpha's pup out of wedlock," I said, my voice colder than I expected.

The room went silent for half a beat, then Laura's face changed.

Her hand flew to her chest as if I had physically struck her, and her eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Baby!" she cried, turning sharply toward Maxwell. "Did you hear what she just called me? This is all your fault! I shouldn't have come here to be disrespected like this!"

"I'm leaving," she said through tears, grabbing his sleeve. "I'm going back to the States. I'll raise this pup alone. You'll never see us again, and I'll tell him his father was a coward who couldn't even protect his own mate."

Maxwell immediately dropped to his knees right there in front of everyone, his hands wrapped around Laura's leg as he looked up at her like his entire world depended on her breathing the next second.

"Please," he begged, his voice cracking completely. "Don't leave me. I can't lose you. You're the only she-wolf I've ever loved."

Then, almost like something inside him broke, he dropped forward and gripped at her dress, refusing to let go.

"I'm sorry," he kept saying, over and over again. "Please don't go. I'll do anything. Anything you want."

His mother followed immediately, rushing forward and grabbing Laura's hand with both of hers.

"Daughter-in-law, please," she said desperately, her voice softer now, almost pleading. "Don't do this. You know you're carrying my grandpup," she added gently.

"You're not supposed to be stressing yourself over irrelevant people like her."

His sister was next, stepping in quickly.

"Sister-in-law, please," she added urgently. "Don't let her ruin this. She doesn't matter. You're the one we accept. You're the one we choose."

Laura wiped her eyes dramatically, but her expression had already shifted again.

"No," she said firmly, pulling away from Maxwell's grip. "I don't take disrespect lightly.

She straightened slowly, her voice sharpening.

"In fact, I should call my father."

A few heads in the room shifted instantly.

"Does she even know who my father is?" She continued, her tone rising with pride.

"My father is Adams Sinclair, Beta to the Crestwood Alpha. One of the most powerful wolves in this region."

She stepped forward slightly, pointing at me now.

"She owes me an apology," she said sharply. "Right now. Or I'm leaving, and you all will lose me."

I let out a cold laugh through gritted teeth.

"I'd rather die than apologize to my husband's mistress."

The room went still.

"Everyone," I snapped, turning sharply, "get out of my pack house right now!"

Then I looked at Maxwell's mother and Vanessa.

"You both are despicable."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked toward the stairs.

But the moment my foot touched the first step 

Everything happened too fast.

A sudden scream tore through the room.

I turned back sharply to see Laura on the floor, writhing in pain.

"She pushed me!" she screamed. "I'm losing the pup! Please help me!"