Chapter 3

Daniel frowned, pondering her words for a moment before speaking:

"Even if she is, it doesn't matter. Samantha is already carrying my pup, and that pup will carry the Silver Creek Pack bloodline."

"As long as you behave yourself and treat Samantha and the baby well, I'll even let the pup call you godmother once it's born."

Instead of getting angry, I let out a light laugh.

Did Daniel seriously think he was the center of the universe?

Once I finished laughing, I looked at them both, articulating every single syllable clearly:

"I went to the clinic for a prenatal checkup."

The smug expression on Daniel's face froze instantly.

A second later, he burst out laughing:

"Summer, could you at least try to make your lies believable? Who do you think you're fooling? As if you'd ever let another man put a pup in you!"

Samantha nodded in agreement, looking at me with undisguised condescension:

"Summer, I know you're upset about Daniel and me, but making up a pregnancy just to make him jealous is a little childish, don't you think?"

The smile vanished from my face. Fine. It was time to clear the air once and for all.

Harrison had quite the possessive streak. If he found out what was happening right now, he'd lose his mind with jealousy.

I took a breath and spoke calmly:

"Daniel, the day you boarded that flight with Samantha, our betrothal was over."

"Furthermore, I'm already marked. My mate gets extremely jealous, so stay the hell away from me."

"Besides, didn't you already mark Samantha? I wish you two a long, miserable life together. Keep your nonsense to yourselves from now on. I'm not interested."

Without another glance, I turned toward the stairs.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down hard on my wrist.

Fury twisted Daniel's face:

"You're really doing this, aren't you, Summer?"

"Samantha and I have been giving you an out ever since we got back! We've been trying to appease you, and you just keep throwing it in our faces!"

"Fine! If that's how you want to play it, get out. Get the hell out of the Silver Creek Pack territory!"

Samantha hurried over, pretending to hold Daniel back while the triumph in her eyes practically danced. She pleaded in a sugary-sweet voice:

"Daniel, please don't be mad! Summer is just confused. Don't banish her! If she gets kicked out of the pack, she'll become a rogue with nothing to her name. Please, just forgive her one more time!"

Her words acted like gasoline on Daniel's temper.

Instead of letting go, his grip tightened violently:

"A rogue? That's what she deserves for acting so high and mighty! Let her starve out there!"

He yanked my arm, trying to drag me down the stairs.

Panic hit me. I immediately covered my lower belly with my free hand and shouted:

"Let go of me, Daniel! Let go!"

Daniel acted deaf to my cries, his fingers digging like iron claws into my skin as he dragged me toward the front door:

"Weren't you acting tough a minute ago?! What are you doing clinging to pack grounds now?!"

Right then, the kitchen door swung open. Martha, the head cook, walked out carrying a tray of dishes and immediately took in the scene.

Her face drained of color. The platter crashed onto a nearby side table with a loud clatter as she rushed over, screaming at the top of her lungs:

"Release Mrs. Grace this instant! She's pregnant! She can't be handled like that! Let go of her before you hurt her and the pup!"