We were celebrating our bonding anniversary with our son, Logan. As always, my mate, Alpha Levi Thorne, carefully picked out the green peppers-our mutual dislike-from both our plates. After dinner, we headed home. He gave Logan a bath, tucked him into bed, and then finally joined me in our bedroom.​

Just as he pressed his body against mine, his phone suddenly vibrated. Usually, he'd turn it into part of our intimate play, whispering, "Quiet now, don't let anyone hear." But this time, as soon as he saw the caller ID, he quickly rolled off the bed.​

I followed him to the balcony, wanting to wrap my arms around him, but I froze when I saw the indulgent smile spreading across his lips as he spoke on the phone. In the stillness of the night, a soft, melodious female voice reached my sensitive werewolf ears.​

"I was worried you might need it urgently..." Her tone was coquettish, almost flirtatious, yet masked as concern for him.​

Alpha Levi's smile vanished instantly. His face returned to its usual calm as he hung up. Turning to see me, he said flatly, "Got something to handle. Heading downstairs." He left in a hurry, leaving me standing there in my thin nightgown, feeling exposed and ignored.​

I went back inside and sat on the bed, waiting. Hours passed, and he still didn't return. Finally, I couldn't sit still any longer. I threw on a coat and went downstairs.​

At the bottom of the stairs, I saw Alpha Levi facing a young she-wolf. Dressed in a spotless white dress, she seemed to glow under the moonlight. She looked up, noticed me, and flashed a bright smile. "Hi, Mrs. Thorne! I'm Violet, Alpha Levi's new intern at the company."​

Violet's delicate figure was almost dazzling. She held up an item, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Alpha Levi, your electric shaver. You said it was a gift from your mate, so I knew it must mean a lot to you. I kept it safe after you left it at my place during that last business trip."​

I let out a cold laugh, cutting her off. "Personal stuff touched by someone else? Might as well throw it away."​

"Luna Nadia," Alpha Levi snapped, his brows furrowing. "Don't talk like that."​

Violet just pouted, unfazed. Then, she held out a gift bag with cartoon patterns, her smile sickeningly innocent. "This is a tablet I helped Alpha Levi pick out for Logan. Early happy birthday to him!"​

My hands clenched into fists. I had no intention of taking it. But then Alpha Levi's commanding voice broke the silence. "Take it." Reluctantly, I grabbed the bag and muttered, "Thanks."​

I didn't want to cause a scene in public, so I turned and headed upstairs. Alpha Levi followed a while later. When we got into bed, he put his arm around my waist. "Already asleep?"​

I stayed silent. He chuckled and his hand brushed against my shoulder. "She's just an intern, Nat. Don't make a big deal out of it. Why lower yourself to her level?"​

I pushed his arm away. "I'm tired." His tone turned cold. "Luna Nadia, don't go too far." With that, he rolled over and turned his back to me.​

Shortly after, I heard him slip out to the balcony to make a call. Through the slightly open door, I faintly heard, "Good, you made it home safe." When he came back and saw me watching, he explained, "She's a young she-wolf, out alone at night. I was just making sure she got home okay." "She's kind of clumsy," he added, his voice carrying a hint of fondness he didn't even seem to realize.​

Before I could respond, a clap of thunder roared, and Logan's cries echoed from the next room.

Alpha Levi bolted past me, his werewolf speed kicking in as he reached Logan's room first.

By the time I entered, he was already grabbing the tablet Violet had given, waving it in front of Logan to hush his cries. The glowing screen cast an eerie light on their faces.​

"Too much screen time," I snapped, lunging for the device.

"His developing senses don't need that digital junk."​

Levi jerked it out of reach, his body blocking mine. The stale remnants of Violet's peach - scented pheromones clung to him, making my stomach churn. "Ten minutes won't kill him! He's scared, and this is the only thing that'll work. Stop being so difficult!"​

His harsh tone sliced through the room, louder than the thunder crashing outside.

After Logan finally drifted off, Levi stalked back to our bedroom. "I've got an early meeting tomorrow. Stay with him tonight," he ordered, his back rigid. "Skip making my breakfast. Your priority should be our son, not me."​

I wasn't always a stay-at-home mom. Back when Alpha Levi and I were in college, we were equals. Our pheromones matched perfectly, and we climbed the corporate ladder together. We bonded, had Logan, and life seemed perfect. But as our careers grew, I was the one always making sacrifices.​

I quit my job, trading my ambition for the smell of diapers and laundry. While I managed the household, Levi's scent grew stronger. Now, he runs the pack, and I... I'm just the Luna at home.​

This morning, he left without our usual goodbye. No lingering touch, no shared pheromone - infused hug. Still, I cooked dinner, waiting for him like every other night.​

At 8 p.m., my phone buzzed.​

Levi: Last - minute trip. Pack my stuff. I'll pick it up in 30.​

His text was cold, like a stranger's command. I was used to it. For years, I'd sorted his clothes, making sure his shirts carried my faint scent to calm his nerves.​

When I dragged the suitcase outside, Violet was in the passenger seat of Levi's car.

"Hey, Nadia!" she chirped. "I'm so new at this. Alpha Levi said I could tag along to learn about report - writing."​

"An intern on a business trip?" I hissed, my grip on the suitcase handle tightening.​

Levi rolled down the window. "It's on the way. She needs to learn how we track business scents." His fingers drummed on the wheel, a happy rhythm I hadn't heard in ages.​

I remembered when he'd stay up all night, his own exhaustion forgotten, just to soothe my sickened senses with warm soup.

At first, I fought. But for Logan, for our family's image, I gave in. And now, with Violet... it was different.​

The second day of his trip, Violet added me on WhatsApp.​

Violet: Nadia, does Alpha Levi wear XL clothes?​

A photo followed: a messy hotel room, Levi's shirt damp and discarded.​

She typed on: He got drunk, spilled his drink. I'm buying him new stuff.​

Her messages oozed fake innocence.​

Days passed, and her social posts were all about Levi.

Photos of them watching the sunrise, her wrapped in his jacket, their mingled scents practically jumping off the screen. A video showed him peeling shrimp for her, just like he used to do for me.

A few days later, Alpha Levi called. "Pick me up from the airport."​

The rain lashed down. I waited outside, getting drenched, my clothes clinging to me. The flight was delayed. I stood at the arrivals gate, umbrella in hand, until finally, I saw them-Levi and Violet.​

His jacket was still draped over her shoulders, reeking of her overpowering peach - scented pheromones.​

Violet grinned at me first. "Nadia! The driver bailed last minute. Thanks for coming!"​

My eyes fixed on the jacket. "If lying makes you feel better, go ahead."​

Her smile faded.​

Levi climbed into the backseat.

"Drop her off first. Cloudtop Gardens."​

That address rang a bell. Last week, while sorting his clothes, I'd found a concert ticket stub with that same address scribbled on the back.​

Violet slid in next to Levi, all smiles. "Thanks for the ride, Nadia."​

In the rear - view mirror, I watched them.

Even though they didn't touch, the mix of their scents was like a slap in the face.​

It was late when we got home. I headed straight for the shower. As I was dressing, the bathroom door opened.​

Levi stepped in, wrapping his arms around me. "Missed me?" A diamond necklace dangled in front of me. "Saw it at an auction. Thought it'd suit you. Like it?" His breath was hot on my neck.​

But I caught Violet's perfume on him. I pushed him away hard. In the mirror, I recognized the pendant-it was the same one Violet had posted on X.​

Her caption had said: "Too expensive, not my style."

Translation: I was getting her rejects.​

I pulled up Violet's post on my phone and shoved it in Levi's face.

"Care to explain this?"

Alpha Levi froze, his warm breath fanning my neck, then let out a low laugh. "She's just a young she-wolf joking around, Nat. Why freak out? She's just an intern."​

Despite Violet flaunting herself, he kept defending her.​

My frustration spiked. I shoved him away again.​

His expression turned icy. "Are you trying to piss me off? Still throwing a fit?"​

"Luna Nadia, I thought staying home would have made you smarter," he sneered. "Guess I was wrong."​

Before I could retort, he lifted me onto the bathroom counter, wedging himself between my legs. "Do I need to remind you of your mate duties?"​

That night, there was no affection. Just raw anger in his actions.​

The next morning, I woke up burning up.

By afternoon, I could barely stand and dragged myself to the hospital.​

Levi called while I was hooked to an IV.

When he heard where I was, he said he'd come get me.​

After the IV, I walked out to see his car.

As I headed for the passenger seat, Violet popped up, munching on snacks.

"Hey, Nadia! I'm meeting a friend. Alpha Levi's giving me a ride."​

Exhaustion washed over me.

I didn't even have the energy to argue.

I climbed into the backseat and closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.​

Even knowing I was sick, Levi dropped Violet at the mall first. As she hopped out, she waved cheerfully at me. I stared back coldly and rolled up the window.​

In the car, Levi snapped, "She's just a newbie. Stop acting jealous. It's embarrassing."​

I stayed silent, eyes shut. The IV didn't help; my fever lingered.​

Later, his tone softened a bit. "Still feeling crappy?" I ignored him, and he didn't push.​

At home, he helped me out of the car. "Was I too rough last night?" he said, his voice gentler. "Sorry, Luna Nadia. I'll be more careful."​

I mumbled about being tired and went to bed.​

The next day, I had the nanny take Logan to school.

I only started feeling better in the afternoon.

That evening, I went to pick up Logan from kindergarten, but the teacher said a she-wolf had already taken him. Levi had approved it.​

Panic set in.

I called Levi, hands shaking. He didn't answer.

Just as I was about to call the cops, he picked up.​

In the background, I heard a loud birthday song and glasses clinking. "It's a friend's birthday," Levi shouted over the noise. "Brought Logan along for the party."​

I exploded. "Why didn't you tell me? Do you know how worried-"​

Logan's voice cut in. "Mommy, Violet's here!" Then the line went dead.​

I stood alone on the street, feeling colder than ever.​

Late at night, I was on the couch when I heard laughter at the door. Logan ran to me, holding a fancy cake box. "Mommy! Violet's cake was awesome! She taught me to decorate!"​

The sweet smell of strawberry frosting mixed with Violet's strong perfume hit me. I felt sick and rushed to the bathroom, gagging.​

Levi followed.

"You okay?" He handed me a towel, then asked casually, "Luna Nadia, when was your last heat cycle?"​

I looked up sharply. He leaned in, excited. "Could you be pregnant?"​

His eager expression stung, making my eyes water. He'd always wanted another pup.​

That night, I couldn't sleep. The next morning, I took a pregnancy test. Two bold red lines stared back.​

I was pregnant.