CHAPTER ONE: RUNNING OUT OF LOVE

Elena stared at the ultrasound images clutched in her trembling hands, her heart racing with a mixture of joy and fear. Three tiny heartbeats. Triplets. After three years of silent devotion, she finally had something that might make Gabriel see her as more than just a contract obligation.

The study door swung open, and Alpha Gabriel Thorne strode in, his powerful frame still radiating heat from his recent shift. His phone buzzed before Elena could speak, and he answered without looking at her.

"Gabriel, I need to tell you something important," Elena said softly, rising from her chair.

He pressed the phone against his shoulder, his emerald eyes flashing with irritation. "Not now. The northern accounts are hemorrhaging resources. We're hours from collapse."

Elena's stomach twisted. "Financial trouble? Let me help, I can…"

"You?" Gabriel scoffed, already turning away. "What could you possibly do?"

She grabbed a tray of food she'd prepared earlier, hurrying after him. "At least eat something. You haven't slept in two days."

Gabriel spun around sharply, his sudden movement catching the edge of the tray. Food and dishes exploded across the marble floor, and Elena stumbled backward, landing hard among the debris. A shard of porcelain sliced into her palm, blood welling instantly.

For a heartbeat, Gabriel froze, guilt flashing across his features. He started to reach for her…

"Gabriel!" Vanessa Cross swept into the room, her timing impeccable as always. "The crisis is over. I secured emergency funding from the Moonstone investors. They're waiting in the conference room."

Gabriel straightened immediately, his concern for Elena evaporating. "Excellent work. Let's go."

He left without a backward glance.

Vanessa lingered, her jade eyes gleaming as she approached Elena's crumpled form. She crouched down, her manicured fingers gripping Elena's chin roughly.

"Look at you," Vanessa purred, her voice dripping with mockery. "Playing house and failing spectacularly."

Elena's eyes burned with unshed tears.

"Gabriel is the most powerful Alpha in three generations," Vanessa continued, releasing Elena's face with a dismissive push. "And you? You're just a nobody omega he picked up out of pity." Her gaze dropped to Elena's neck, where a small medical patch covered her scent glands. "What's that? Some pathetic attempt to hide how weak you really are?"

Elena touched the patch instinctively, her hand shaking.

Vanessa stood, smoothing her skirt. "You're nothing but dead weight, Elena. The only thing you're good at is dragging him down." She stepped over the broken dishes and walked out, leaving Elena bleeding and broken on the floor.

It was their third anniversary. Gabriel hadn't even remembered.

Outside, Vanessa caught up with Gabriel just as he reached his vehicle. Her expression shifted instantly to one of sweet concern.

"Gabriel, I'm so sorry about what happened in there. I think Elena might have misunderstood our working relationship. I didn't mean to…"

"Stop apologizing," Gabriel cut her off firmly. "You're doing your job brilliantly. I promised your father I'd look after you when he passed, and you've proven invaluable as my secretary. If Elena has a problem with that, it's her issue to resolve."

His phone vibrated. A message notification appeared on the screen. Gabriel's jaw clenched as he opened it, revealing photos of Elena with an unfamiliar man, laughing together outside a café.

His fingers tightened around the phone until the screen cracked slightly. How dare she? After everything I've provided, she betrays me like this?

Without a word, he climbed into his car and slammed the door, driving away with barely controlled fury.

Vanessa watched him go, her concerned expression melting into a satisfied smile. She pulled out her own phone, confirming the photos had been delivered successfully. Those images hadn't come from some concerned pack member; she'd staged every single one, hiring actors and manipulating angles to create the perfect illusion of infidelity.

Her plan was working perfectly.

Meanwhile, Elena had her own secrets. That evening, she slipped out of the pack manor quietly, her heart hammering as she made her way across the city to an upscale private lounge.

"Little cousin!" Nathaniel Sterling swept her into a fierce hug the moment she entered. His gray-green eyes were warm, but a hurt flickered in them. "You vanish for three years after getting married, and we're supposed to just accept that? Do you have any idea how much we've missed you?"

Elena's throat tightened. "I've missed you all,, too," she whispered.

Nathaniel pulled back, his expression brightening. "Well, I brought you presents."

He gestured to the security team behind him. They stepped forward carrying elegant boxes, opening them to reveal luxury jewelry, designer accessories, and neat stacks of currency.

Nathaniel held up an exquisite handbag. "That's Birkin. Only three in the world. I had to outbid a Saudi princess to get it."

Elena's eyes widened. "You know... that's exactly not what I wanted."

"Fine." Nathaniel snapped his fingers, and his team revealed the final case, filled with precisely arranged bills. "And here, a billion. Every cent of it. Just like you asked."

Elena gazed at the money, relief flooding through her. "Thank you, Nathaniel. This means everything, for Gabriel and the pack."

Nathaniel's smile faded, replaced by a hard frown. "Elena... why don't you just tell them who you really are? You're the rightful heir of the Sterling Alpha bloodline, pretending to be some obedient little trophy wife. Do you realize how ridiculous that is? You're a born Alpha hiding behind that inhibitor patch, pretending to be a meek omega. Why?"

Elena looked away. "Because he said the pack only needed one Alpha. I didn't want to stress him out. And... he was nice to me."

"Was?" Nathaniel caught the past tense immediately. His expression sharpened. "What do you mean, was?"

Elena's throat tightened. "It's just... I mean, he's been a little distant the past few months. But it's probably just the pack work. Now that the baby's coming and the money issues are fixed, everything will go back to normal." She forced a smile. "Can you send the money under the Shadowmere name? I don't want him to know it's from me."

Nathaniel hesitated, then nodded slowly.

Elena touched her stomach gently, her heart aching with hope. "I'm going to tell him about the baby."

She returned to the pack manor, her hand still resting protectively over her belly. The ultrasound images were tucked safely in her pocket as she made her way to Gabriel's office.

But when she opened the door, her entire world shattered.

Vanessa sat perched on Gabriel's lap, her arms wrapped around his neck, kissing him deeply.

The ultrasound images slipped from Elena's frozen fingers, fluttering to the floor.