Chapter 1

Alpha Domenico's phone buzzed, drawing his attention to an unexpected text.

Madeline: Meet me in the woods. It's important. The text said.

Domenico frowned. Why would she mate call for an early-morning meeting? He glanced at the clock—7:25 AM. Something felt… off. Normally, she would have called.

"What is she up to?" he muttered, pushing aside a nagging sense of unease.

Before he could dwell on it, the door burst open.

"Alpha… Alpha!" A maid gasped, panic written all over her face. "Your father—he's been found dead in his chambers!"

Domenico froze. The words struck him like a thunderclap.

No.

It couldn't be.

Without hesitation, he shoved past the maid, running toward his father's quarters. As he stormed inside, the stench of blood hit him first.

 Then, his gaze landed on the lifeless body across the bed, crimson soaking the sheets.

His father—his king—murdered?

A painful growl rumbled in Domenico's chest.

Chloe rushed in behind him, gasping at the sight. She placed a hesitant hand on his arm. "Domenico, I—" She choked on a sob before whispering, "So, Madeline finally did it."

Domenico's eyes snapped toward her. "What did you just say?"

Chloe hesitated, then swallowed hard. "Madeline hated your father. She always said she'd kill him for standing in the way of your relationship. I didn't believe her, but…"

The world tilted.

Madeline? My mate? The woman I trusted?

Had she truly done this?

Domenico clenched his jaw. His fingers curled into Chloe's dress, eyes dark with rage. "If you're lying, I swear—"

"I'm not." Chloe sniffed, eyes glistening. "You need to be smart about this. If you confront her now, she'll just run and cover her tracks.

 Instead… humiliate her. Expose her in front of the pack. That way, her ego will be destroyed." Chloe suggested.

Domenico's hands trembled. He wanted to storm out, to demand the truth. But Chloe's plan made sense.

He would wait. He would make her suffer.

---

Domenico's car screeched to a halt at Sinclair Avenue. He stepped into the woods, his senses alert.

Madeline's scent lingered in the air—fresh, intoxicating. But something was wrong.

He called her name. No response.

Panic clawed at him. Was she in danger? Or… was this guilt?

He was about to leave when footsteps crunched against the earth. His head snapped up, and there she was—Madeline.

Radiant. Smiling. Completely oblivious.

The sight of her boiled his blood. How dare she look so happy after murdering my father? He yelled.

"Control yourself. Don't let her suspect you know." He whispered.

"Why did you take so long? I thought something happened to you." His voice was cold.

Madeline laughed lightly. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

"Liar."

He folded his arms. "Then tell me. Why are we here?"

A playful grin spread across her lips. "You're not going to believe this… but I'm pregnant!"

The words hit Domenico like a punch to the gut.

Pregnant?

His jaw tightened. My child? Or another lie?

 "Isn't it wonderful? We're going to be a family! I can't wait to tell your father—" She said.

His patience snapped.

"Don't you dare say his name."

Madeline blinked. "What?"

"I know what you did." His voice was laced with venom. "You killed my father."

The blood drained from her face. "What? Domenico, I—"

"Spare me your lies!" He took a menacing step forward. "I will NEVER make you my Luna. You're nothing but a murderer. And that bastard you're carrying? I doubt it's even mine. Terminate it." He sounded.

Tears filled her eyes. "You think I'd kill your father? You think I'd betray you?"

Domenico laughed bitterly. "You played me, Madeline. But I see the truth now."

"I loved you!" she screamed, voice shaking with devastation. "How could you believe I would do something so horrible?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he turned to his guards. "Get rid of her. I never want to see her again."

Madeline gasped. "Domenico, please don't do this—"

Cold. Detached. He watched as she was dragged away, her cries echoing through the woods.

He told himself it's justice. That he's doing the right thing.

But deep down, something in his chest twisted.

And it wouldn't stop.

---

A few months later, Madeline sat alone in her apartment, one hand resting on her swollen belly.

Not once had Domenico called.

Not once had he checked if she had kept the baby… or if she had died trying to get rid of it.

She had tried. So many times. Dialing his number, hoping he would answer.

But he never did.

Her fingers clenched around her phone. "I curse the day I met you, Domenico." She said.

A tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away.

No. She wouldn't cry over him anymore.

I had survived losing my parents. I would survive this, too.

For my child?

A decision solidified in her heart.

The child would leave.

Domenico didn't deserve to know about our baby. And ny son would never grow up in a world where he was unwanted.

"We're going to Michigan, baby. We're starting over."

The months passed, and soon, she welcomed a beautiful baby boy. Ivan.

She had wanted a daughter. Someone who wouldn't remind her of him.

But when she looked at her son—his eyes, his smile, his presence—she saw Domenico.

At first, it broke her.

But over time, she realized—Ivan was her greatest blessing.

Domenico would never know what he lost.

And by the time he did… it would be too late.

---

Years later, Ivan started school. "Ivan! You're going to be late for school!" His mother said.

Madeline stood in the kitchen, pouring coffee as her son—her everything—bounced into the room.

"Good morning, Mom!" He grinned.

She smiled back. Her life had now changed.

She had a good job. A new home in Michigan. Stability.

She had survived.

And if Domenico ever came looking for us… he'd regret ever letting us go.