Twice Betrayed

My sister Emma and I were mated to the most powerful Alpha twins in the North—Evan and Lucas.

After the marking ceremony, they spoiled us rotten. Every she-wolf in the Pack was jealous.

But they didn't know the truth. In my past life, while rogues were tearing my unborn five-month-old pup and three-year-old nephew apart, those "devoted" Alphas were peeling apples for the murderer.

When I opened my eyes, I was back. One hour before the rogue attack.

...

"Baby, I'm sorry. I can't go to the prenatal checkup with you today." Evan's voice rang in my ear.

I looked up at his handsome face. He was adjusting my collar, looking apologetic.

"Sophia just fainted. She over-drafted her seer abilities to protect the Pack. As the Alpha, I have to go check on her. Can you go to the hospital by yourself? Be a good girl, don't make a scene."

The exact same words.

In my past life, I believed his act. I kissed him goodbye and went to the hospital alone.

Halfway there, over a dozen rogues ambushed me.

The memories of my death played out before my eyes.

Because of my pregnancy, my wolf was dormant. I couldn't shift or fight. A rogue slashed my stomach, dying my dress red with blood.

I mind-linked Evan repeatedly. No answer.

One time... two times... three times...

Finally, on the tenth try, he picked up. But his tone was pure annoyance.

"Aria, are you done yet?"

"I told you, I'll be home tonight," Evan said through the link. "I'm transferring spiritual energy to Sophia. She fainted after predicting the rogue movements this morning. Can't you be more understanding?"

"Rogues..." I gasped for air as a rogue pounced, sinking his teeth into my calf.

I screamed in pain, protecting my belly. "Evan! Help! I'm on the way to the checkup... They're attacking me!"

"Enough!"

Evan's roar through the mind-link made my head throb.

"Aria, how long are you going to keep this up? Sophia confirmed the area is safe for a hundred miles! Are you calling our Seer a liar?"

"It's true... Evan, the baby..."

"Sophia is coughing up blood because of her visions, and you're just jealous? Aria, I'm so disappointed in you. I'll be home tonight. Stop acting out."

He cut the link.

The next second, a rogue lunged and pierced my thigh with his fangs.

"Ahhh-!!"

My body seized in agony. Blood soaked the dirt.

Another wolf stared at my baby bump and opened its bloody jaws.

"Shit! Get away from her!"

My sister Emma!

She had just picked up my three-year-old nephew, Noah, from training and saw the ambush.

She threw herself in front of me in human form. Her back was instantly shredded by claws.

"Run, Aria!"

"Mommy!" Noah stumbled after her, crying in terror.

Emma shifted, threw Noah and me on her back, and ran. She frantically mind-linked her mate, Lucas.

"Lucas! Save Noah! Rogues are attacking us! Help!"

Lucas sounded just as impatient as his brother.

"Emma, are you lying now too? Following Aria's lead? You're using my son as a prop?"

"Daddy! It's real!" Noah cried through the link.

Lucas's voice turned ice cold. "You sisters are sick. Teaching a three-year-old to lie just to force us home?"

He severed the bond.

Emma ran for her life, but carrying two of us slowed her down. The rogues caught up.

A silver dagger plunged into Emma's abdomen. The pack tore at her limbs.

"Grab the pup! Alpha blood is nutritious!" The rogue leader howled.

"No! Noah!"

Emma tried to crawl to him, but three wolves pinned her down.

I tried to block them, but the leader swatted me aside. I coughed up blood.

The huge black wolf bit Noah's neck right in front of Emma.

My nephew's small body was thrown against a tree like a rag doll.

Silence.

"Noah—!!!"

Emma screamed like a banshee. She lost her mind and threw herself at the leader, only to be slaughtered.

Blood. Everywhere.

Emma was dead. Noah was dead.

The leader dragged me across the ground, ripping my fingernails off as I clawed the dirt. He stepped on my stomach.

"Five-month-old fetus. The tenderest meat."

Teeth tore my skin. My womb ripped open.

I watched him pull my unformed child out.

"My baby..."

I hated them. God, I hated them.

"Aria? Are you listening?" Evan's voice snapped me back to reality.

I shuddered, digging my nails into my palm. The pain meant I was alive.

My baby was still inside me. Noah was alive. Emma was alive.

I looked at Evan, suppressing the urge to rip his throat out. I bit my tongue. Now wasn't the time to fight.

If I didn't change the script, Emma and Noah would run into the rogues in an hour.

"Since she did it for the Pack, you should go." I forced the stiffest smile of my life. "Go, Evan. Don't keep her waiting."

Evan looked surprised, then relieved. He stepped closer to kiss my forehead. "Aria, you've finally grown up. You're acting like a true Luna. I'm glad you're being sensible."

He turned and walked away.

As the door clicked shut, my mask crumbled. Pure, murderous intent took over.

Sensible? Go to hell.

This time, I would save my child, my sister, and Noah.

I would make those Alpha twins pay.

I dialed a number I hadn't used in years. "Lycan King. You owe me a favor. Does that offer still stand?"