Chapter 1

The agony of childbirth was just beginning to fade. Then the door to my top-floor suite in the medical center slammed open.

My mate, Cade, stood there, his anger barely contained.

"That's enough, Evelyn." His voice was low and cold. "You’re threatening to reject our bond just because I missed our anniversary dinner? And you dragged Kenna into this?"

I lay on the bed, so weak I could barely lift my head.

Three days.

I hadn't seen my Alpha in three days, not since that nightmare of a night.

"Why can't you be more understanding, like Lilah?" Cade walked toward the bed, completely ignoring my pale face. "The pack is facing challenges on all fronts. The mines, the biotech firm... You have no idea the pressure I'm under."

Tears streamed down my face.

Understanding? He wanted me to be understanding? He abandoned me while I was dying to play vet to Lilah's damn dog.

"Crying again." Cade turned away, annoyed. "Evelyn, can't you be more mature? I've already sent the guards to investigate the package. It was just a prank. Some low-life Rogue trying to get a rise out of us. As Luna, you shouldn't fall apart like this. Or faking a premature birth just for attention."

I closed my eyes, the horror of that night washing over me again.

Just before our anniversary dinner, the bloody package arrived. The feral Rogue scent hit me like a physical blow. The pup inside me sensed the threat. He began to thrash violently.

The pain nearly tore me in two.

I screamed for Cade through our mind-link. "Cade… help me… the baby…"

His only reply was a furious snarl. "You’re faking this just because I missed our anniversary? Lilah’s rare silver hound is giving birth, and it’s dangerous. Don’t cause trouble for me now!"

He cut the mind-link.

Completely.

By the time Kenna burst in, I was already unconscious in a pool of my own blood.

She exhausted her wolf’s spirit to stabilize me.

I lived. But my child…

"Kenna contacted Rhys," I whispered, my voice trembling. "The baby needed 'Moonflower Dew'…"

"Lilah's hound is weak after giving birth. I’m busy making a special formula for it." Rhys's voice came through the phone, cold and impatient. "You and Evelyn are two of a kind. First her drama, now yours. Can you two do anything besides stir up trouble for us?"

My child died.

The prophesied heir—destined to be the strongest Alpha—was dead. All because his own father didn't care.

"Are you even listening to me?" Cade’s voice pulled me back. He was clearly furious at my tears.

"I'm not here to listen to you cry. I'm here to tell you this childish threat ends now."

"That silver hound's bloodline is priceless," he went on, his tone hardening. "There are only three pure-bloods in all of North America. I had to be there. This is about the future of our entire race!"

I stared at him.

The future of our race. But not our son.

"Faking Moon Eclipse Sickness to get me to stay with you is one thing, but pulling this stunt at the medical center? This little act won't work on me." Cade turned away in disgust. "Do you have any idea how exhausted Lilah is? She hasn't slept in three days taking care of that hound. Meanwhile, you're lounging in the best suite in the medical center."

He paused, his voice turning to ice. "Pack your things and get out. This suite is for someone who actually needs it."

Cade was the Alpha. He ran this medical center.

All he had to do was ask a single healer, and he’d know I was telling the truth.

But he wouldn't even waste one minute on me. He’d already decided I was a liar.

I stared at him silently as my tears flowed freely.

The next second, Kenna appeared in the doorway. She had been with me for days.

She radiated the power of a warrior, her eyes burning with rage.

Kenna strode right to my bed and ripped the thin blanket off me.

My flat stomach was exposed to the cold air. The place that once held our hope.

"An act?" Her voice cracked like a whip. "What is there for a mother who just lost her child to act about?"

She turned on Cade, her gaze like a knife. "Your heir is dead. Are you happy now, Cade?!"