Chapter four

Liora's POV

The scent of pregnancy clung to her like a curse.

I lingered in the shadows of the corridor, watching as that pathetic human made her way back to her quarters under Ryan’s watchful escort. Even from here, I could smell the change in her the sickly sweet aroma of new life, of Kael’s child growing inside her fragile body.

His child. The thought made my wolf snarl with envious rage. It should have been mine.

For three years, I’d been patient. For three years, I’d played the obedient mistress, the convenient release for an Alpha’s desires while his purchased bride played house. I’d endured the humiliation of being second to a weak human, telling myself it was temporary, that eventually Kael would see reason and choose a proper mate.

But now she was carrying his heir, and everything had shifted.

My fingers tightened around the small vial in my pocket the same herbs Dr. Caldwell had been administering to the precious Luna, but altered with my own modifications. Wolfsbane mixed with nightshade, carefully measured to provoke enough distress to threaten a pregnancy without being immediately lethal.

If I couldn’t have Kael’s child, neither could she.

The soft sound of approaching footsteps made me slip deeper into the shadows. Two pack members walked by, their voices low but audible to my sharpened senses.

" can’t believe she’s actually pregnant," one whispered. "After all this time." "The Alpha must be pleased," the other replied. "Finally, an heir for the pack." "If she can carry it to term. Human pregnancies are so delicate, especially under stress."

They passed, oblivious to my presence. But their words sparked a plan that made my lips curve into a cold, cruel smile. Human pregnancies were delicate. And this particular human was under extraordinary strain.

All I had to do was amplify that stress. Make her life so unbearable that her body would reject the baby naturally. Then, when Kael grieved the loss of his child, I would be there to console him, to remind him that a true she-wolf never falters, never fails.

I moved silently toward the Alpha’s office, my steps muted against the thick carpet. The door was slightly ajar, voices drifting out Kael’s commanding tone and Selene’s surprisingly steady responses. Good. Let them argue. Let her provoke him into one of his rages.

It would make my work so much simpler.

Selene’s POV

"You will be moved to the secured wing tonight," Kael said, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority. "The room is ready, stocked with everything you’ll need."

I kept my expression neutral, though my heart pounded. The secured wing was essentially a prison no windows, reinforced doors, guards at every entrance. Escape would be nearly impossible.

"I’m comfortable where I am," I replied evenly.

"Your comfort is not my concern. Your safety is." He moved around his desk, coming to stand directly in front of me. So close I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands clenched and unclenched. "You’re carrying my child, Selene. The heir of the Shadowridge Pack. Do you understand the weight of that?"

"It means you’re going to make my life even more miserable than it already is."

The words slipped out, fueled by three years of pent-up rage and hormones coursing through my pregnant body. Kael’s eyes flashed dangerously, but instead of anger, he surprised me with laughter a bitter, hollow sound that carried no warmth.

"Miserable," he repeated. "You think I enjoy this? You think I want to lock you away like some fragile artifact?"

"Then don’t."

"It’s not that simple." He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "You have no idea what’s out there, the lengths other packs would go to for you and that child."

"Other packs?"

He stayed quiet for a long moment, staring out at the pack grounds. "Word spreads quickly. Every Alpha within a hundred miles knows the Shadowridge Luna is pregnant. Some will seek alliance. Others..." He paused, shoulders tense.

"Others will see a target," I finished.

Yes.

For the first time, I understood his protectiveness wasn’t control it was fear. Fear of losing another mate, another child. But understanding didn’t mean forgiveness, and it didn’t mean I’d spend the rest of my life a prisoner.

"There has to be another way," I said softly.

"There isn’t." He turned to me, raw emotion flickering in his gray eyes. "I failed once before. I won’t fail again."

Her. Elena. The ghost that haunted every shadow of our lives.

"I’m not her," I whispered.

"No," he said. "You’re not. Elena was strong, a born Luna. You’re..." He searched for words. "You’re fragile. Human. You need protection whether you want it or not."

The dismissal of my strength ignited something fierce. "You think I’m weak?"

"I think you’re pregnant, vulnerable, and too stubborn to admit it."

"And I think you’re a coward."

The words hung like a gauntlet. Kael’s expression hardened, his Alpha energy radiating in waves.

"What did you say?"

"I said you’re a coward." I stepped closer, three years of suppressed fury fueling me. "You’re so terrified of losing control, of facing your failures, that you’d rather destroy everything good than risk pain again."

His hand shot out, gripping my wrist just enough to make me gasp. "Be careful, Selene. I may be the father of your child, but I’m still your Alpha."

"No," I met his gaze evenly. "You’re my jailer. There’s a difference."

For a moment, I thought he might strike me. Then something shifted surprise, perhaps, or respect.

"You have fire," he murmured. "I wondered if I’d broken it completely."

"You tried," I said. "But some things survive cruelty."

He released my wrist, but we remained inches apart, the air charged with three years of unspoken tension.

"The secured wing," he said finally. "Tonight."

"I won’t go willingly."

"I know."

The gentle admission threw me off. I had expected threats, cold authority, perhaps violence but not this quiet resignation.

"Kael "

"Don’t." He stepped back, shutting down the moment.

A knock at the door cut the fragile tension. Kael’s head snapped toward it, irritation flickering across his face.

"Enter."

Liora. Her auburn hair gleamed, emerald dress clinging to her curves. She moved like a predator, her green eyes drinking in the scene with satisfaction.

"Alpha," she purred. "I heard raised voices. Wanted to ensure all is well."

"Everything is fine," Kael said, clipped. "What do you need, Liora?"

She moved closer, deliberate, seductive. "I just wanted to congratulate you on the news. An heir for the pack so exciting."

The emphasis on “heir” made my skin crawl. The child mattered, not the mother.

"Thank you," I said. "It is exciting to bring life into this pack."

Her smile stayed fixed, but her eyes flicked to me. "Though pregnancy must be stressful for someone of your... background."

"My background?"

"Human. So fragile. So many ways it can go wrong." She stood beside Kael, hand lightly brushing his arm. "Perhaps Dr. Caldwell should monitor you closely. Safety first."

My instincts screamed. Threat masked as concern.

"I’ll consider it," I said carefully.

"You should." Her predatory smile didn’t waver. "After all, losing a child is tragic especially when preventable."

Kael’s POV

Something’s off. Liora’s scent had shifted subtly, her posture masking hidden agendas. I’d known her for three years, read every calculated move, every manipulation.

This felt different. Dangerous.

"Liora," I said, warning in my voice. "Return to your duties."

"Of course, Alpha." Her touch lingered, once comforting, now tainted. "I only wished to support you during this… challenging time."

She paused by Selene. "Luna, if you ever need advice, aid, or counsel, do not hesitate. We’re here to help."

Her offer sounded genuine but I knew better. Selene stiffened, aware.

After Liora left, silence stretched. Selene stood, hands instinctively cradling her stomach, twisting something in my chest.

"She’s planning," Selene whispered. "Not reacting."

"Wrong." Selene turned, certainty in her voice. "She’s been planning for years. The pregnancy gave her the chance."

"Chance for what?"

"To eliminate me. Permanently."

The words hit like steel. I hadn’t considered it Liora manipulative, yes, but murderous?

My wolf stirred uneasily, recalling her sudden arrival months after Elena’s death, her eagerness to fill the void left by my mate, the subtle poisoning of my thoughts against Selene.

"She wouldn’t dare," I muttered but doubted it.

"Three years, Alpha. Watching, waiting. Now the human carries your child the thing she wants most." Selene’s gaze was steady, fear beneath. "What will she do?"

The rage ignited. Primal, protective, ruthless. This was no longer about power it was about keeping my mate and child alive.

"The secured wing," I said, voice rough. "Tonight. Non-negotiable."

"Kael "

"This isn’t control, Selene. It’s survival."

"You really believe she’d harm me?"

"I believe she’d do anything for what she thinks is hers."

I pressed the intercom. "Call Ryan. Office. Now."

Seconds later, he appeared. "Alpha?"

"Full security for the Luna. Round-the-clock. Rotating shifts. Armed guards. And Liora Sterling under discreet surveillance."

His brows lifted but he nodded. "May I "

"You may not." I turned to Selene. "Secured wing within the hour. Guards will escort you."

"What about Liora?"

"Leave her to me."

Some lines, once crossed, carried consequences. And I was an expert at enforcing them.

Liora’s POV

The sound of increased security echoed as I returned to my quarters. Guards reassigned, schedules shuffled, the Alpha’s attentiveness obvious.

Good. Let him waste his resources protecting the fragile human. It makes my plan sweeter.

I opened my hidden safe, retrieving the collection I’d amassed: Wolfsbane, nightshade, mistletoe extract, and a powder from a witch in the neutral territories enough to cause a miscarriage, disguised as natural complications.

She thought herself clever, brave but she had no idea.

I had planned this longer than she’d imagined. By tomorrow night, Kael would be free to choose a proper mate.

A she-wolf. Strong. Worthy. His children, real wolf children, not fragile humans.

The curve of my lips held no warmth. Mercy didn’t exist here. Security detail or not, I’d been inside these walls for three years.

The game was starting. And I intended to win.