Chapter 1

After three years of secretly being together, I got pregnant by accident. My usually cold Alpha boyfriend was so happy he got down on one knee and proposed to mark me on the spot.

I thought that after secretly loving Alpha Damien for ten years, I had finally received his love in return.

But five months into my pregnancy, when I went to the Blackmoon Pack headquarters to handle some business, I caught him fooling around with his secretary.

Alpha Damien's familiar voice was thick with desire as he said words that made my blood run cold:

"Clarissa, once she gives birth to the pup, we'll hold our Mating Ceremony, okay? You're the only person I want to spend the rest of my life with."

It turned out that Clarissa had broken up with Alpha Damien because she didn't want to have pups. She said she'd rather be a stepmother than give birth herself.

So Alpha Damien turned to me, who had been infatuated with him, just so I could give him an heir. Then he could reunite with Clarissa.

I thought ten years could open a man's heart. But all I got was being used as a breeding vessel.

Heartbroken, I didn't hesitate to book an appointment with the pack's Healer to reject the pup. I called a number I hadn't contacted in ages:

"If I break the bond with him, would you mark me?"

"I'd be delighted to."

...

After I hung up, the heavy breathing inside the room gradually stopped.

My fingers were ice cold as I struggled to turn around and walk toward the conference room.

I couldn't make a scene at the pack headquarters.

I forced myself to sit down, handling documents with my assistant while fighting back waves of nausea.

I don't know how much time passed before the door was pushed open.

Alpha Damien and Clarissa walked out one after the other.

He had changed his suit jacket but not his shirt. I could still see the trace of lipstick on his collar.

Clarissa had touched up her makeup, but the flush on her face couldn't fool anyone.

I stood up to leave, but Clarissa suddenly walked over to me with a gentle smile: "Seraphina, what brings you to the pack headquarters? Today's my first day at work. What a coincidence."

I didn't want to deal with her. But as she walked toward me carrying hot tea, she suddenly stumbled and fell straight toward me.

"Ah!"

The cup shattered on the floor. I staggered back to avoid her, but she collapsed softly onto the table.

Her voice was pitiful and wronged: "What did I do to offend you? Why did you suddenly trip me?"

Such terrible acting. I didn't even want to respond.

But Alpha Damien had already rushed over, helping Clarissa up with a worried expression: "Clarissa, are you hurt?"

Then he stood up and turned to look at me. His brow was deeply furrowed, his voice ice cold:

"Seraphina, you're carrying a pup now. Your condition is special, so don't come running around the pack headquarters. Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you can bully new pack members!"

He didn't hesitate to scold me. He had already decided I was guilty.

"I didn't try to trip her," I said weakly.

But he didn't believe me at all: "Are you saying she fell down on purpose?"

Every word was like a silver blade stabbing into my chest.

Looking at their intimate behavior, I couldn't say another word. I just covered my mouth and stumbled toward the restroom.

I couldn't hold back the churning in my stomach anymore.

I gripped the sink and threw up until tears came out.

"Bang—"

The door was pushed open. Alpha Damien walked in.

He frowned: "Baby, I wasn't being mean to you just now. It's because there were pack members around. I couldn't appear to favor you too much. And you did trip Clarissa, which was wrong. But I know you didn't do it on purpose."

His voice was low and gentle as he reached out to help me.

"Just go home and rest. Don't tire yourself and the pup. I'll come home tonight to keep you company, okay?"

I straightened up and forced a smile, saying softly: "I understand, Alpha Damien."

His movement froze.

I had never called him that before.

I had always liked to act cute, clinging to him and calling him "Damien" or "my Alpha."

I never wanted to call him Alpha because I thought it was too distant.

Alpha Damien's eyes went blank, as if I had caught him completely off guard.

But just then, the sound of high heels came from outside, followed by a pack member entering.

He reacted quickly, jerking his hand away from mine. His voice turned cold again:

"Seraphina, you need to know your place. This is the pack headquarters, not your home. You can act cute with your mate, but not with me."

"Your mate."

"Know your place."

I felt like someone had poured ice water over me.

After saying this, he didn't look at me again. He turned and hurried away, afraid that any pack member might notice something unusual between us.

I held my belly and stood there for a long time, unable to even cry.