Chapter 1

The moment I discovered my pregnancy, my partner, Alpha Hunter, shared an image on the pack's social media. It showed him embracing my close friend, Katherine, her exposed, rounded stomach pressed against him as they posed before a warm hearth. The caption stated: "Nothing surpasses the strength of pack... and family ties." His hand, bearing the same mate's mark I wore, was spread across her abdomen. It was undeniable.

I tensely set my jaw, struggling to breathe as I quickly typed, "Best wishes."

Moments later, my phone vibrated. Katherine's voice, trembling and faint, came through. "Ava, I'm deeply sorry. I only shared it to retaliate against Kade after our disagreement! I promise it wasn't meant to be significant!"

My heart was pounding, but before I could respond, Hunter's voice cut in, icy and severe. "Ava, I know you're misinterpreting this. Your obsession with motherhood is causing jealousy to distort your perception. It's no wonder you haven't been able to conceive."

The call ended abruptly, but I barely registered it. I was in shock.

Shortly after, another notification appeared. Katherine had posted again. "Eagerly anticipating the day when two powerful alphas will protect me." Hunter had already approved it.

It felt like a knife twisting in my heart. Wordlessly, I removed my mate's band, tossed it into the nearby forest, and returned to the healer's quarters to cancel my fertility assessment appointment.

That evening, unusually, Hunter arrived home before moonrise. He discovered the untouched herbal remedies and supplements discarded in the trash and frowned. We had chosen herbs since the hospital medications were ineffective. To Hunter, I'm merely an infertile spouse.

"Are you having a fit over nothing?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow. "How childish."

My tone was calm, almost detached. "I'm not upset."

He chuckled, a low, mocking sound. "You discarded the fertility herbs, but claim you're not angry. Do as you please. But remember, you're the desperate one, Ava. Not me."

I was gripping the counter's edge for stability when he handed me a small, dark container. "This is from Jen. She feels remorseful, okay? She's young, inexperienced... She wanted to make amends with you."

Inside was a crystal bead. Katherine's favorite. She adores it so much she wears it daily, causing it to be worn and scratched. I could see the deep marks around the beads. They weren't new, far from it. But the fact she'd given them to him as a 'gift' felt like an insult.

"Take them," Hunter insisted, his voice tinged with irritation. "She's been struggling lately, Ava. She doesn't have much, and she knows this means a lot to her, so it should to you."

Just hours earlier, Katherine had shared a picture wearing brand-new jade beads, captioned– "To the finest alpha ever. When favoritism feels like affection."

When I didn't reach for the box, Hunter's expression hardened. "Ava, really? You're nearly twenty-five, behaving like a jealous pup. You know Katherine has no family, nothing but this pack, and still you treat her this way?"

His voice rose in frustration as he threw the box onto the table, hard enough to make it clatter. I flinched as it grazed past my head, hitting my temple.

Hunter's eyes widened, realizing what he'd done. "Ava, I didn't intend—let me see it."

I moved away from his hand, fighting back tears. "I'm alright."

Ignoring my objections, he pushed my hand aside, examining the bump beginning to form. His expression shifted from anger to something almost like concern. "That's not alright. Wait, I'll get some ice."

He was halfway across the room when his phone buzzed, and I watched as his face softened at the name on the screen– "Peckels"

"Hunter!" Katherine's voice came through, fragile and breaking.

He tensed, holding the phone close. "Jen, what's wrong?"

"I... I'm frightened," she whimpered. "It's just... My stomach hurts. I'm not sure if it's the baby or..."

Hunter's tone softened, and his eyes clouded with worry. "Jen, why didn't you call me earlier? You're supposed to inform me immediately if anything's amiss."

Her voice was quiet, uncertain. "I... I didn't want to interfere between you and Ava. I thought you might need to be with her tonight."

Hunter chuckled, warm and reassuring. "Silly girl, there's nothing Ava needs from me that can't wait. Your well-being comes first. Send your location. I'm on my way."

He ended the call, turning back to me, irritation flashing again in his eyes. "Did you hear that? Katherine's concerned about you, and here you are, acting unreasonably. I'm taking her to the healer. I'll bring ice for you when I return."

"Hunter," I murmured, just as he was reaching for his jacket.

He turned, clearly exasperated. "Ava, stop being so... needy. This involves two lives—hers and the pup's! Don't make this about your own insecurities."

I watched him, knowing better than to argue. Instead, I calmly walked to the coat closet, retrieved the worn leather satchel where he kept his belongings, and took out a small card. "Katherine's medical records. You'll need it if the healer inquires."

Hunter looked taken aback for a moment, then he reached out and took it from my hand. "Thanks," he murmured, almost reluctantly.

His gaze lingered on me, as if he might say something, but I forced a small smile, tilting my head. "Drive carefully."

I reached up, my hand brushing his collar, straightening it as I always did. His expression softened slightly, his hand reaching up to touch my shoulder.

"I'll return soon. Wait for me."

I nodded, not trusting my voice, as he walked out the door and vanished into the night. I stood alone in the quietness of the house, the fire slowly dying down to embers. I could still hear Katherine's laughter echoing in my mind, her voice intertwined with his...