Chapter 3

“I’m pregnant,” I sob like a prayer. “Please… please don’t hurt me. Please don’t hurt our baby.”

My hands tremble as I clutch my stomach, like I can somehow shield the tiny life inside me just by touching myself. My chest aches so badly it feels like my heart is tearing apart.

Anna gasps and turns to Donald. “Do you know what this means?” she asks.

Donald doesn’t answer right away. His face looks frozen, like his mind is struggling to catch up with reality. Then his lips part, and he whispers, “I have… an heir. We are going to have a child”

The word makes my breath hitch.

For a split second...just one stupid, fragile second...I think maybe this will change something and bring my husband back.

But Anna’s expression hardens. “No,” she snaps sharply. “You don’t have an heir. You have a competitor for your position as Alpha.”

Donald frowns slightly. “What..."

“She could use that child against you one day,” Anna cuts in. “She could come back and reclaim the pack through him.”

My blood runs cold.

“Anna, what are you talking about?” Donald whispers.

Anna crosses her arms and glares at me. “Women can’t rule this pack alone. Everyone knows that. Not without a husband.”

She steps closer and glares at my tummy. “But a woman can rule through a son,” she continues. “A male heir changes everything and she can force you out of your seat as Alpha.”

Donald stiffens.

“That child,” Anna says coldly, “is a threat. To both of us. To everything we deserve.”

I stare at her, horrified.

“What… what do you mean?” I ask, my voice barely holding together.

Anna doesn’t hesitate. “We’ll have to get rid of it.”

The world tilts.

“No!” the sound tears out of my throat. “No..don’t say that! Please!”

I scramble to my feet, shaking violently. “You can’t...you can’t do that!”

I rush toward them, trying to shove past and get away, but Donald moves faster.

He grabs me roughly and throws me back down.

I hit the floor hard, pain exploding through my knees and hands.

“Enough,” he snarls.

I try to push myself up, desperation fueling me, but he presses me down easily, like I weigh nothing.

“You really think you can fight me?” he mocks. “Or run away from me?”

He laughs coldly. “You’ve always been weak. Everyone knows it. The fragile wolfless Luna. The one people pity.”

The words slice deep. Because they’re true.

I’ve heard the whispers my whole life. Too weak. Too spineless. Too gentle to rule.

My heart breaks as I realize that no matter how much it hurts, I know what he’s saying isn’t a lie.

But still...I lift my head, tears streaming.

“I’ll do anything,” I choke. “Anything you want.”

Donald pauses.

“Please,” I beg, my voice cracking. “Just Let our baby live.”

He looks at me but his expression is unreadable.

“I’ll leave,” I rush on desperately. “I’ll leave forever. I won’t come back. I swear it. I’ll never try to reclaim the pack. Please—just let my child live.”

Anna scoffs. “You think we can trust you?”

I shake my head frantically. “I won’t even tell him who his father is. I swear. I’ll disappear. You’ll never see me again.”

Anna’s eyes narrow. “She’s lying.”

“I’m not!” I cry. “I swear on my life..

“Your word means nothing,” Anna snaps.

Panic floods me.

“Then...then kill me,” I blurt out. “Kill me if you want. But please… please let me have my baby first.”

The room goes silent.

Donald stares at me like I’ve said something ridiculous.

“No,” he says flatly. “I can’t risk it. I want everything.”

My heart sinks.

“The pack,” he continues. “The land. The inheritance your father left behind. All of it.”

He crouches down, meeting my eyes.

“And I won’t risk anything threatening that.”

I scramble backward suddenly, terror taking over. I turn and try to run but I don’t make it far before Pain explodes at the back of my head, and everything goes black.

…

When I wake up, the first thing I notice is that I can’t move.

My arms are strapped down. My legs too.

I gasp, panic rushing through me as I realize I’m tied to a chair.

“No...no, please,” I whisper.

A doctor stands nearby, avoiding my eyes.

Donald stands in front of me.

“Do it,” he orders calmly. “Get rid of the child.”

The doctor hesitates. “Alpha… she’s conscious..."

“Do it,” Donald repeats sharply.

I turn to the doctor, tears streaming. “Please,” I beg. “Please don’t do this.”

The doctor swallows hard. “I.....I don’t—”

“She’s carrying my child,” Donald snaps. “And I said no. I don’t want to have a child from a woman as pathetic as her.”

The doctor’s hand shakes as he reaches for a needle.

I thrash against the restraints, panic overwhelming me.

“Please!” I scream. “I know I don’t have a wolf...and yes I’m weak, but please don’t punish my baby for that! pleeaassee”

I wish—gods, I wish—I had an inner wolf. Something strong enough to protect my innocent baby. But I don’t.

I’m wolfless. Weak. Pathetic and now my child would pay the price for that.

Hatred burns through me at the thought...hatred for Donald, for Anna, and for myself.

The needle pierces my skin and I let out a piercing scream… then everything fades to black.