Chapter 1

My mate, an Alpha named Jack, brought his pregnant ex-girlfriend Lily back to our packhouse.

All because she got knocked up and her deadbeat boyfriend dumped her.

Heartbroken, I went out for some fresh air.

That was when a strange, potent Alpha scent blocked my path.

"Emma, long time no see."

The man I’d secretly loved for years stood there, leaning heavily on a pair of crutches. He looked battered and worn, but his eyes were still as gentle as I remembered.

He told me his legs were badly injured, and his wolf was terribly weak.

Tears instantly stung my eyes.

At that exact moment, I suddenly understood how Jack felt.

Unable to stop myself, I grabbed the man’s hand. "Come home with me. I’ll take care of you."

In my haze, I completely forgot that he had never told me why he got kicked out of his pack in the first place.

"Why are you only coming home now? Get inside, quick. Don't let the cold wind blow in—Lily catches colds easily."

"Also, Lily has terrible morning sickness. Her diet has to be strictly monitored. I'm making special nutritional meals for her, so you can't eat those greasy..."

Jack, wearing an apron, froze in his tracks.

I didn't have time for him. I gently supported Tom.

"Careful. I'll have someone replace this door tomorrow. The steps are way too high."

Tom didn't move.

He let out a heavy sigh.

"Emma, I appreciate it, really. But it’s not right for me to stay in your place."

"I can manage on my own..."

Before he could finish, his left leg trembled violently.

I quickly pulled his weight onto me, my heart aching.

"How can you manage on your own?"

"Look at your legs! How could I possibly let you leave?"

Tom stubbornly remained at the doorway, refusing to step inside.

He kept his head down, moving cautiously. Where was the radiant, untouchable Alpha from my past?

Seeing him broken like this made it hard for me to breathe.

I followed his gaze and looked up. Jack's voice was dangerously low.

"You want a stray Alpha to move into our house?"

"Did you even think to ask me first?"

Tom’s legs gave out slightly, leaning heavier against me.

A sharp pain twisted in my chest. Anger flared up.

"What's wrong with him staying here?"

"Look at him! What could he possibly do to you?"

"He's crippled and suffering. Don't you have a shred of empathy?"

Jack let out a cold laugh.

"What does his misery have to do with me?"

"If word gets out that my mate brought another Alpha into my territory to live under my roof—the entire pack will laugh at me!"

"No way. I don't approve!"

Just as I opened my mouth to snap back, a delicate, whiny voice drifted from the hallway.

"Jack? Where did you go? My stomach hurts so much... come here, please!"

Relief washed over me, instantly replaced by sheer mockery.

"Oh? And what if the pack finds out that my Alpha brought a pregnant female from another pack into our home? Won't they gossip about you, too?"

Jack glared at me, his eyes blazing.

"How dare you? How dare you slander Lily like that?"

I fired back without hesitation, "Why wouldn't I dare?"

Inside, the woman started sobbing softly.

Panic crossed Jack's face. He ground his teeth.

"Don't upset Lily."

With that, he turned and rushed into the back room.

I knew that was his surrender. For Lily's sake, he let it slide.

I helped Tom inside. His legs were barely holding him up anymore.

Once in the living room, I guided him onto the plush sofa.

He whispered softly, "Emma... I really shouldn't have barged into your life."

"I just wanted to see you from afar, but... it's all my fault."

"I shouldn't drag you down with me."

A sneer echoed from the kitchen.

"If you know you're intruding, why the fake act?"

Ignoring Jack completely, I set Tom’s crutches against the wall and spoke gently.

"Ignore him. That's just how he is."

"Just stay here and recover in peace."

I didn't ask Tom how he got injured. He was already pitiful enough, and I didn't want to trigger him.

Besides, it didn't matter.

In this city, rogue shifters fought all the time.

We kept our lives hidden from humans, and the local human authorities turned a blind eye to our skirmishes. We maintained a silent, fragile balance.