Chapter 2

Maybe because of the alcohol, he was especially worked up tonight.

I stayed silent, letting him do whatever he wanted, until right before the final step. Then, I stopped him.

"You're not wearing a condom."

Caleb murmured in my ear, "I suppose I can give you a chance to bear an Alpha's pup. Consider it compensation for tonight."

His hot breath brushed against my neck, but it sent a shiver down my spine.

When I first moved in years ago, I got pregnant once.

Before I could even process it, he coldly ordered, "Get rid of it."

"I will only ever love Stella, and Jax is my only heir."

He warned me not to try and use a baby to secure a place here.

For the next eight years, Caleb was strict about birth control every single time.

Today, faced with this so-called "blessing" from him, I should have been crying tears of gratitude and eagerly catering to him.

But for the first time, I pushed him away.

"Caleb, my eight-year nanny contract is up. Tomorrow, I'm leaving."

The intimate vibe in the air vanished instantly.

Caleb's tone grew heavy with the unquestionable anger of an Alpha.

"Jax is just a pup!"

"It's your fault for lacking the patience to guide him. I'm already being lenient by not holding you accountable, what right do you have to throw a tantrum?"

Right?

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

He was right. I didn't have the right.

Years ago, Caleb fell in love with my adoptive sister Stella at first sight, instantly claiming her as his fated mate.

They naturally became mates, and he threw her the grandest bonding ceremony.

Everyone knew how much he spoiled her.

Tragically, Stella died in childbirth.

To ensure no other woman would take Stella's place in Caleb's heart and to have someone care for Jax, my adoptive family sent me here.

Heartbroken over his mate and pitying his motherless pup, Caleb agreed.

They signed an eight-year contract for me to move into the estate as a high-end nanny.

Nanny in name, "temporary" bedmate in reality. But I was never his true mate, nor was I accepted by the pack.

A piece of paper tied down eight years of my youth.

It was funny. I had played Jax's "mother" for eight years.

But at the end of the day, I was still just an outsider.

I gathered my thoughts and said calmly,

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. The contract is just over."

"Staying here without a proper status will only invite gossip."

Caleb's frown eased a bit.

He looked at me with a questioning, assessing gaze.

His tone actually softened.

"If you give birth to a pup, I'll make your status public..."

"There's no need."

I didn't want my child to repeat my life of living under someone else's roof.

I pulled out the estate's access card and the black card Caleb gave me as my "salary."

"Except for my rightful wages as a nanny, I haven't touched a dime of the extra money. It's all in here."

"Jax is getting older; he needs elite, professional tutors. I have nothing left to teach him."

Caleb waved his hand dismissively.

The two cards hit the floor with a sharp clatter.

He got dressed, stood up, and glared down at me.

"Freya, don't be ungrateful."

"Since you're clearly unstable, stay in your room and cool off for a few days."

Bang.

The smart door locked automatically, separating us into two different worlds.

I looked out the window at the fireworks blooming brilliantly over the city and smiled bitterly.

I knew why Caleb was acting so out of character today.

Because today was the anniversary of the day he and Stella first met.