Chapter 4

Marcus's grip was so tight my knuckles turned white.

Ignoring my struggles, he shoved me into his car and locked the doors.

We drove back in agonizing silence.

The moment we entered our house in the Redwood Pack territory, I felt like I couldn't breathe.

In the corner of the living room sat the wooden crib I had assembled with my own hands.

On the sofa was the hospital bag I had meticulously packed.

Marcus took off his coat and stepped forward to hug me, but I stepped aside, avoiding his touch.

His hand froze in mid-air. He let out a heavy sigh.

"Elena, what happened today was my fault."

"But I had no choice. Sophia’s delivery was high-risk. I had to be there."

His voice was calm, devoid of any guilt for being caught.

"She just gave birth and can't handle any stress. A newborn needs a father."

"You are the Luna of the Redwood Pack. No one can ever take that away from you. Sophia is just a human. She is no threat to you."

"Your pup will be the official heir. Don't ruin your own future over a moment of impulse."

I stared at his arrogant, righteous face.

"Marcus, do you honestly believe that as long as you throw me a few crumbs of affection, I'll just fall in line and be your good little girl?"

His brow furrowed.

"Elena, I will provide the best resources for you and our pup. Just focus on your pregnancy. Leave everything else to me."

He packaged his control as a blessing.

He wanted to keep two women, and two pups, firmly under his thumb.

I didn't argue. I turned around and walked into the bedroom.

Pulling open the drawer, I unearthed a thick, old photo album.

Five years ago, he told me he was patrolling the borders. But in the corner of one photo, there was a sliver of a pink dress.

Three years ago, on his Amazon purchase history, he bought two identical pregnancy pillows.

One was shipped to Sophia’s address three days before mine.

During my early pregnancy, he sent me a playlist of prenatal music. In the description, there was a small letter "S".

At the time, I thought it stood for "Special."

With every page I turned, the nausea inside me grew.

Marcus walked in carrying a glass of warm milk, placing it on the nightstand.

"Elena, stop overthinking."

"Your unstable emotions are bad for the pup."

"For the sake of the heir's health, stop causing trouble."

He was so sure I could never leave him.

He was certain that the title of Luna and the future of my unborn child would keep me bound to him forever.

I stared at him, refusing to utter a single word.

That night, Marcus slept in his study.

As I lay in bed, my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. It was a video.

I tapped it open.

In the video, Marcus was cradle-rocking the newborn, cooing softly.

"Hush, sweet boy. Daddy's here."

Off-camera, Sophia’s smug voice drifted in.

"Elena, Marcus loves me. Even if your pup is born, he might not become the Alpha."

"Do you really think Marcus will hand the pack over to the child of a woman he doesn't love?"

The video cut off.

My hands clenched the bedsheets in a white-knuckled grip.

Suddenly, a sharp, stabbing pain flared in my abdomen.

I gasped, clutching my stomach as cold sweat drenched my nightgown.