Chapter 1

"Nancy's got Argentosis, with just a year to live. She got sick saving my life, and I can't let her die holding onto regrets. She just wants to leave behind a pup—her own child—her final wish."

Zack Carter had said those lines more times than I could count.

I am Maggie Blake, his supposed Luna. Every time, he acted like it was his righteous duty, as if my refusal made me heartless. Still, could having a child really settle a debt?

I said no, yet he would not drop the matter. He would hound me day in and day out.

What started as sweet-talking had turned into full-blown fights.

Our love was hanging by a thread.

"We're supposed to bond next month, and you want to have a kid with someone else? What am I supposed to be?"

The fights were draining me.

I looked at the Alpha I had loved for five years with nothing but disappointment in my eyes.

Zack was the hotshot Alpha pharmacist at Central City Medical College, the youngest they had ever seen. We had pored over hundreds of herbs together, and he had even promised to bond with me under the watchful eye of the Moon Goddess.

Here he was, backing out and granting another Omega's plea right before our Bonding Ceremony. I could not hide the hurt. Tears streamed down my face, and the wolf within me wailed with grief.

The agony was intense, a bitter gift from the man I loved.

Zack fell silent, his stern features slowly softening. In a hushed tone, he said, "It's just this once. You're still the one I love the most, the only one meant to be my Luna.

"Maggie, I can't turn down her final request.

"You love me, so you'll bend, won't you?"

Despair washed over me like briny waves, overwhelming and suffocating.

Did Zack really think my love meant I had to accept his betrayal?

I fought to steady my shaking frame, but it was no use.

That was when it hit me. Zack had made up his mind to have a child with Nancy, and my feelings did not count for much.

My anguish threw Zack off balance, and he wrapped his arms around me, concern etched on his face.

He was about to say more when a shrill ring cut him off.

Nancy's call. He shot me a hesitant look, then brushed a quick kiss on my cheek. "Sweetheart, I need to grab this call. Nancy's condition..." He did not finish, rushing off to the balcony. I stared after him, a bitter laugh escaping me.

10 years since college, and that was where we ended up.

For a decade, I have been his shadow, loving him from a distance without ever stepping over the line.

I believed he would trust me.

Alas, Zack's phone was a no-go zone for me.

There was a time when Zack was doubled over in bed with a stomach ache, not sleeping off the pain until late into the night.

I tried to mute his constantly buzzing phone to keep the noise from waking him, but I ended up getting a harsh kick from a groggy Zack.

He glared at me, annoyance written all over his face.

"Maggie, dear, who gave you the right to touch my phone?"

His voice had never been so sharp with me in all our five years.

I spent that night curled up on the hard, cold floor, nursing my hurt.

After that, I swore off ever touching his phone again.

However, today, I felt compelled to break that rule.

I got up, aiming for the balcony, but collided with Zack on his way out.

"What are you up to?" Zack's wary look sent a chill down my spine.

Luckily, he let it slide and said with a grin.

"I'll be out to sort out some details for the Bonding Ceremony. Just hang tight at home."

I watched him leave, a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

It did not take long to figure out why I was so uneasy.

Nancy had sent me a text.

At first glance, my heart sank, and a wave of pain washed over me.