Maree POV I look down at the baby girl in my mother's arms, and she goes to hand her to me; I shudder. I am not interested in nursing her. “He forced me, mother; why can't you believe me?” “I believe you, Maree, but we could have done something about it if you had told us sooner.” “So he gets away with it, and I have to raise the pup myself. Is that what you are saying?” “You won't be alone, Maree; your father and I will always be here to help you.” “Where is my father now?” “He has gone to speak to Alpha Leon.” I was disgusted with my mother; I was supposed to be Michaels, mate, not my fucking sister. My mother is supposed to love me unconditionally. How dare she humiliate me like this. Now I have a fucking daughter to raise; while Nicole lives the life of my dreams, I will make sure she suffers for all the hurt she has caused. I glare at my mother when she asks, “What are you going to call her, Maree.” “I don't care, mother; you bloody name her if you want.” My mother's

Nicole POV I turned my back on Layla for one minute this morning, and she went straight to her father. She has just turned one; she is a clever little girl; she knows Michael is her father. I watch Layla playing. There is no way I will take my eyes off her again. I can't risk her being near Michael; Malaki is never far from the surface. I can see him rippling under Michael’s skin more often than not. I still share a room with Layla. I have set it up as a nursery. I keep the king-size bed in the room for my use. The only time I have to share a room with Michael is when we have other packs visiting. I don't get involved in pack business as Michael has made it clear that the Red River pack is his alone. Michael spends most of his nights with Rose; our pack is aware they have a relationship. I do not attend the gatherings or runs anymore; listening to the whispers about Rose and Michael became too humiliating for me. Michael's dominating behavior towards me has become worse. He only allo

Nicole POVThe years fly when you have a child to look after, but Michael still treats Layla with contempt. I never leave them alone together. He spends most of his time at Roses, coming home when he thinks I need to be put back in my place. I still can't help responding to his advances; he normally gloats continuously the next day, making me feel cheap and even more disgusted with myself. I moved back into Michael's room when Layla started school. Michael did not want to risk the pack hearing that their magnificent Alpha didn't share a bed with his so-called mate. I groan, rolling over; I need to get my ass out of bed; it's the first day back at school for Layla. We have a new principal at the school. I have not met him, but what I have heard from Marian does not impress me much. I feel Layla’s excitement through our bond. I quickly get dressed and go downstairs to make her breakfast.Layla povI woke up so happy. I turned eight years old yesterday, and it's my first day back at sch

Layla POV Mum wakes me up early, “Layla, wake up the Alpha and Luna of the Dark Moon pack will be here shortly.” Sitting in the kitchen, I watch mum and some other females prepare food for our visitors; I can smell bacon, eggs, and toast, and my stomach growls. Laughing, mum hands me a plate piled with food; as I start to eat, she says, “They have a daughter your age. How would you like to share your room with her?” I nod yes. I am so excited. We rarely have children my age at the packhouse, and it will be nice to have someone who will play with me. Hearing the Dark moon pack arriving, my mother and Beta Grayson go out to meet them. Grayson takes Alpha Jonah and his Beta Jeremy to dad as he is waiting in his office for them. Their Alphas name is Jonah, Luna's name is Bethany, and another lady with them is called Diana. They have two boys with them and the girl, my mum said, was coming. Her name is Amy. Not wanting to wait any longer, I grab Amy's hand and race her up the stairs

Layla POV When I woke up this morning, it took me a while to remember where I was and what had happened. Marian walks into my room, smiling at me, “I have made pancakes for breakfast if you want to join me, Layla.” I climbed out of bed, picking my clothes up to get changed. Marian takes my clothes from me, saying, “We are having a pajama day, Layla, no getting dressed for us today.” I looked at her properly, laughing when I saw the pajamas she was wearing; they were pink with little owls all over them. “What's wrong with my pajama Layla? I love pink it is my favorite color?” I don't answer her, following her to the kitchen. She hands me a plate; there are piles of pancakes on the table with strawberries, ice cream, and maple syrup. “Eat up, my love, and ask me anything you like; we can get to know each other better.” “What did you do when you were younger, Marian?” “I was a Delta before your father, and his father became Alpha; things were very different then.” We had bee