Chapter 3

Three days later, Asher came back.

He was holding an exquisite wooden box filled with Morning Dew Berries, my favorite fruit during the pregnancy. They were a rare variety that only grew deep in the mountains, each one priceless and incredibly difficult to harvest.

"Aurora, I brought you your favorite berries," he said, his voice soft and tentative. It was a clear peace offering. "They're from the hundred-year-old tree, extra fresh."

I glanced up at him, then went back to sorting through my files.

"Thanks. Just leave them there."

He stiffened at my cold tone. He had obviously expected me to be thrilled, to throw myself into his arms and thank him for being so thoughtful, just like I used to.

"Aurora," he said, his patience already wearing thin, "I know you're still mad, but at least let me explain."

I didn't respond, just kept signing documents.

"I told you, there's nothing going on with Seraphina!" he said, launching into the same old speech. "She's the daughter of my mentor, Elder Marcus, who died saving my life. Now she's all alone with Leo. It's a hard life. As Alpha, shouldn't I take care of them?"

My pen paused for a second, but I didn't look up.

"It's an Alpha's duty!" his voice rose. "You should act with the grace of a Luna! Stop obsessing over Seraphina and focus on our heir!"

As he spoke, he walked toward me, reaching out to touch my stomach, where our pup had once been.

"Let me feel the little guy's heartbeat. How's he been the last few days?"

The moment his palm landed on my flat belly, he froze.

The emptiness was absolute. There was nothing.

"Where's our child?" his voice was sharp with panic. His hand scrambled over my belly, frantic, as if he couldn't believe what he was feeling. "Aurora, where is our child?!"

I put down my pen and looked at him coldly. "Gone."

"What do you mean, 'gone'?!" His pupils shrank. "Where did you hide him? Is this your way of getting back at me?"

"The pup is dead," I repeated.

"Impossible!" Asher staggered back. "You're lying! You hid him! Aurora, you vicious woman!"

He started tearing the room apart, yanking open cabinets, ripping sheets off the beds.

"Where is the baby?! Give him back!"

When he found nothing, he spun on me, his eyes filled with hate. "You're nothing like Seraphina! She never lets Leo out of her sight, but you? To get back at me, you'd hide your own newborn pup!"

That was the last straw. The rage I'd been suppressing exploded.

I shot to my feet, my eyes locked on his. "I told you! The pup is gone! He died on the day you were playing daddy to Seraphina's son!"

"Enough! It's always Seraphina! You're just jealous, aren't you?" Asher looked triumphant, as if he'd finally found the real issue. He grabbed my arm and yanked me forward. "By my authority as your Alpha, I command you to tell me where our son is!"

He pulled too hard, sending me stumbling. My stomach slammed into the sharp corner of the coffee table. A piercing pain shot through me, and I collapsed.

Asher froze, the anger draining from his face. He reached out a hand to help me, looking lost.

I pushed his hand away and took a deep, steadying breath, forcing myself to stand.

"Let's go see our son," I said, my voice eerily calm. "You wanted to see him, didn't you? I'll take you to him."