Chapter Three

Ruth's POV

"You need to eat something."

Marcus pushed a plate of toast toward me, but the smell made my stomach turn. Morning sickness had hit hard in the two weeks since Langmore's visit, though I suspected stress made it worse.

"I can't," I mumbled, pushing the plate away.

"The pup needs—"

"Don't," I snapped. "Don't talk to me about what the pup needs. Everyone suddenly thinks they're an expert on my pregnancy."

Marcus sighed. "I'm just worried about you. You barely leave your room, you won't see the pack healer, and Dad says you've been refusing visitors."

"What visitors?" I asked, though I already knew.

"Langmore has sent representatives three times. He's also sent gifts—jewelry, flowers, baby clothes."

"Send them back."

"Ruth—"

"I said send them back!" I stood up too quickly and immediately regretted it as the room spun. Marcus caught my arm before I could fall.

"That's it," he said firmly. "You're seeing the healer. Now."

"I'm fine—"

"You're not fine. You're pale, you're not eating, and you just almost fainted. Either you come willingly, or I carry you."

I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right. "Fine."

An hour later, I sat on the examination table while Dr. Sarah Chen, our pack healer, ran her tests. She was a small woman with kind eyes and gentle hands.

"The pup is healthy," she said finally. "Strong heartbeat, developing normally. But you're not taking care of yourself, Princess."

"I'm trying—"

"No, you're not," she said bluntly. "You're severely dehydrated, underweight, and your stress levels are affecting your wolf. If you keep this up, you could lose the pup."

The words hit me like a physical blow. "What?"

"Your body is under extreme stress. The partial rejection of the mate bond, combined with your refusal to eat or rest properly, is putting both you and the pup at risk."

"Partial rejection?" I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Dr. Chen looked uncomfortable. "Didn't you know? The rejection wasn't completed. Your mate never accepted it."

My blood ran cold. "That's not possible. He threw me out. He chose someone else."

"But did he ever formally accept your rejection?" she asked gently. "Did he say the words?"

I thought back to that horrible night. I'd rejected him, yes, but he'd never... he'd never said he accepted. He'd just demanded I come back.

"No," I whispered. "He didn't."

"Then the bond is still there. Damaged, strained, but still there. And it's pulling at both of you."

That explained the constant ache in my chest, the dreams where I could feel his emotions, the way my wolf cried for him every night.

"What do I do?" I asked.

"You have two options," Dr. Chen said. "Force him to accept the rejection, which will be painful but will free you both. Or... reconcile."

"That's not happening," I said immediately.

"Then you need to prepare yourself. Breaking a mate bond while pregnant... it's going to be incredibly difficult. Your wolf will fight you every step of the way."

As I walked back to my room, my mind was spinning. The bond was still there. We were still connected. Which meant...

I stopped in the hallway, pressing my hand to my chest. If the bond was still active, I could feel him. I could...

Before I could stop myself, I reached out through the bond. Just a tiny touch, just to see—

Pain. Rage. Desperation. Longing.

The emotions hit me so hard I gasped. But underneath them, I felt something else. Regret. Deep, bone-crushing regret.

"Ruth?"

I spun around to find my father standing there with a strange man. Tall, dark-haired, with green eyes and a friendly smile.

"Dad?"

"This is Alpha James Morrison from the Moonrise Pack," my father said. "He's here to discuss an alliance."

James stepped forward, offering his hand. "Princess Ruth. It's an honor to finally meet you."

I shook his hand politely, but my wolf immediately bristled. Something about him felt... off.

"I'll leave you two to get acquainted," my father said, giving me a meaningful look before walking away.

"Would you like to take a walk?" James asked. "I find negotiations go better with fresh air."

I didn't want to, but refusing would be rude. "Sure."

We walked through the gardens in silence for a moment before he spoke.

"Your father told me about your situation," he said carefully. "About your mate troubles."

I stiffened. "That's none of your business."

"Actually, it might be," he said. "I'm here to offer you a solution."

"What kind of solution?"

"Marry me."

I stopped walking, staring at him in shock. "Excuse me?"

"Think about it," he said calmly. "You need protection from your former mate. I need a strong Luna to help run my pack. We could help each other."

"I'm pregnant with another man's child," I said bluntly.

"I know. I don't care. I'll raise the pup as my own. Give it my name, my protection."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because I need this alliance with the Silver Crown Pack," he said honestly. "And because I think you're worth it."

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough. I know you're strong, intelligent, capable. I know you ran the Bloodmoon Pack practically single-handedly for three years. I know you're the kind of Luna any Alpha would be lucky to have."

"I can't," I said. "I'm still bonded to—"

"Bonds can be broken," he interrupted. "It's painful, but it can be done. I could help you through it."

"Why are you really here?" I asked suspiciously. "What aren't you telling me?"

He smiled. "You're sharp. I like that." He paused. "Langmore Stone has been making threats. He says if your father doesn't return you, he'll go to the Werewolf Council. Claim you kidnapped his heir."

"That's ridiculous—"

"Is it? You're carrying his pup and refusing to return. In the eyes of traditional pack law, he might have a case."

My blood ran cold. "He wouldn't."

"He's desperate. A desperate Alpha is dangerous." James stepped closer. "But if you were married to me, under my protection, he'd have no claim. The pup would be legally mine."

"This is insane," I muttered.

"Think about it," James said. "I'm not asking for love. I'm offering partnership. Protection. A chance to start over without looking over your shoulder."

"I need time to think."

"Of course. I'll be here for three days." He turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Ruth? Langmore is on his way here. With the Council."

"What?"

"My sources say he'll be here by tomorrow night. With official documentation claiming parental rights to your pup." He gave me a sympathetic look. "You might want to make a decision quickly."

As he walked away, I stood frozen in the garden. Langmore was coming. With the Council. He was going to try to force me back.

My phone buzzed. Unknown number.

"Stop running from me. We need to talk about our pup. - L"

Our pup. He knew. He'd known all along.

Another text: "I'm sorry. For everything. Please, just give me a chance to explain."

Then another: "I love you."

I threw my phone against the nearest tree, watching it shatter. Love? He loved me? He had a funny way of showing it.

But even as anger coursed through me, that traitorous bond hummed with his emotions. And I could feel it—the truth behind his words. He did love me. Or at least, he thought he did.

But love wasn't enough. Not anymore.

I walked back inside, my mind made up. I found James in the library, reading.

"I'll do it," I said.

He looked up, surprised. "Really?"

"On one condition. We break the bond first. Completely. I won't marry you while tied to another."

"That's going to be painful."

"I know."

"And dangerous, considering your pregnancy."

"I know."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. When?"

"Tonight. Before Langmore arrives."

"Ruth, are you sure? Once we do this—"

"I'm sure," I lied. I wasn't sure about anything anymore. But I knew I couldn't let Langmore take my baby. I couldn't go back to being the weak omega he'd discarded.

As James made preparations for the bond-breaking ceremony, I stood at my window, watching the sun set. Somewhere out there, Langmore was coming for me. Coming for our pup.

My hand went to my stomach. "I'm sorry," I whispered to the life growing inside me. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you the family you deserve."

But I'd give my pup something better. Freedom. A life without the shadow of betrayal hanging over it.

Even if it killed me in the process.