Chapter 3

Alexander’s POV

Camila breathes softly as she sleeps.

Sighing, I move to the other side of the bed, but before I can sit, something catches my eye from outside the window.

Layla’s familiar, lithe form walks away from the hospital.

I watch her as she leaves, her form drawing my eye and my attention. At the same time, Steve’s question comes back to mind.

I hadn’t thought of why Layla was here.She’s always been the strongest female around, never needing to be coddled or taken care of… but the idea of her needing to come to the hospital stirs a bit of worry within me.

Is she sick? Injured?

I nearly laugh at the idea and shake my head. Layla has never needed my concern. I haven’t seen her sick or injured for a while— a perk that comes with being strong. Like me, Layla rarely needs anyone to worry about her health.

In the five years we’ve been married, aside from the time we spend in bed together, there has always been a cold distance between us. Usually, there is very little warmth between us, which also begs the question—why is Layla seeking me out now?

Perhaps Camila makes her feel threatened. I rub at my chin as I think and glance back at the girl in the bed. She is so different than Layla. Layla is hard, strong, and obsessed with chasing power.

The first time I met her in the Capital, her eyes were filled with unwavering ambition. It’s what drew me to her.

Then, five years ago, she was a key partner in suppressing the rebellion and aiding me in ascending to the throne. As a reward for her work and loyalty, I wanted to reward her.

“What reward would you ask of me?” I’d asked her as she knelt before me.

“To be your mate.”

I hadn’t expected it, but then again, she’d been chasing power since I met her. Being a chosen mate was not suitable to become a Luna, but even as I told her this, Layla didn’t back down. Instead, she claimed the title of Head Delta.

It seemed that she wanted more than to be my partner; she cared only about attaining higher status. I could have given her power. I had even considered breaking the longstanding Kingdom law to make her my Luna because her bravery, loyalty, and competence earned her many supporters throughout the kingdom.

I’m glad I didn’t follow my earlier desires. I’d forced myself to maintain control, even in our underground affair, by insisting on strict contraception. Our relationship was stable and distant; an illegitimate child would make everything turn into a nightmare.

However, I don’t have to worry about her anymore. Now that I’ve found my fated mate, I will finally have a real family.

Layla’s POV

The mark on my collarbone throbs as I stumble into my home. The burning ache is wrong, something that I can’t decipher as real or imagined. Could Alexander truly be betraying our mate bond?

The stale air in the house feels cold, a feeling I should be used to since Alexander hasn’t been home in a long time.

But then again, this is our normal. We’ve never functioned as a normal couple.

My heart squeezes. How will he cherish our child if he doesn’t feel anything for me anymore?

He won’t. I clearly heard what he said to Beta Steve. He would wish for this child’s death before claiming it, and now I can’t risk telling him about the pregnancy. If I do, both the baby and I will be in danger.

I fall onto my bed and blink back tears as I gently stroke my lower belly. My other hand finds the necklace hanging from my neck. I trace the strange, yet comforting pattern on the pendant. It’s the only thing I have left of my mother—who died protecting me— and the only reminder of her love.

Following her lead, I make a vow to my child.

“I will protect you.”

***

Instead of going to meet Alexander, I go straight to my office. Though, I received no call or question from my husband about my absence. Yet another clue that he’s detaching; it’s likely that he forgot the matter entirely.

Sighing, I sit down at my computer and open the Rogue Registry. To be inducted into the pack, rogues must start with bottom-tier labor jobs, so one-by-one I assign positions. I move quickly through my work until I come to the last name on the list.

Camila.

It’s a rare name for a rogue and instantly stands out.

It also sends a pang of nausea through me. Bolting from my desk, I rush to the restroom. I rip my good sweater over my head, taking my necklace with it, and set them aside as I double over to release the contents of my stomach.

I stay doubled over until I finally stop dry heaving. As I clean up and pull my sweater back on, I study my reflection. Long brown hair with a slight wave to it, bright green eyes, and a slightly curvy body. I’ve been told multiple times that I’m beautiful, but I’ve also been told my experience as Delta has turned my once soft features into something sharp and formidable. I’m exactly as Alexander once wanted.

Is that what he still wants?

Lately, it seems less and less.

“What’s wrong?”

I spin around to find Alexander in the doorway, watching me. Like a fool, my heart leaps and races with a flicker of hope. He’s here. He still cares. This could mean it’s not too late or us.

“Actually, I—”

“Hi.”

Camila leans around Alexander’s form, peeking out at me with a look of concern as she asks, “Morning sickness?”

Instantly, my blood runs cold, and I can’t stop the words from flying out, “I’m fine. Just ate something bad.”

I stand there, unsure what to do as they stare at me. I try to fight back the annoyance at Camila’s hand on Alexander’s bicep. She shouldn’t be—

“I’m appointing Camila as our newest Delta,” Alexander says, pulling my full attention back to Alexander.

“What?” Rage flies through me at his words. I must’ve heard him wrong.

“Camila is a new Delta, and you will train her personally.”

I look at the frail girl as shock fills me. Becoming a Delta requires rigorous testing and training that only the strong can make it through. I would know, since I went through it myself.

“Alexander, the rules state—”

“As the Alpha, I have the right and authority to assign duties,” he snaps, and I step back. My back hits the edge of the sink, but I don’t register the slight pain.

“I’ll be an obedient student,” Camila pipes up, smiling sweetly.

I look between the two, realizing I have no say in this. If I said anything, Alexander wouldn’t listen, and when Camila reaches out to me, I notice her eyes move to something behind me. I glance back to where my necklace still lays on the sink counter.

“This is beautiful,” Camila whispers, staring at the necklace longingly.

Does she want to take everything from me?

“That was my mother’s necklace. You can’t—”

“You’ll give it to her,” Alexander snaps. The weight of his Alpha command crashes over me, slamming my jaws shut and paralyzing my will. My heart shatters as I feel my own hands, now slaves to his power, beginning to reach for the clasp against my soul's screaming protest.

Ignoring my silent agony, he looks at Camila, saying, “Consider it a welcome gift from the Head Delta.”