Snow blanketed the Obsidian Moon territory as I stared out the window, my hand resting protectively over my growing belly. The winter estate in the Hamptons loomed ahead—a sprawling mansion that would soon host the annual Mate Ceremony Gala. My prison would be moving for the season.

"The SUV is ready," Jayson announced from the doorway, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Everyone's waiting."

I turned to face him, gathering my courage. "I'm not feeling well. The baby—"

"The baby will be fine," he cut me off, his silver eyes narrowing. "Dr. Chen already cleared you for travel."

Of course she had. Jayson's influence extended to every corner of our lives.

"I'd prefer to stay in New York," I said quietly. "The city is more comfortable for me right now."

Jayson stepped closer, his Alpha aura pressing against me like a physical weight. "You're my Luna. Your place is by my side at the gala."

Kira snarled inside me. *He won't let us go.*

"Fine," I conceded, reaching for my coat.

Jayson's hand shot out, gripping my wrist with bruising force. "You'll ride with me. Not with the staff."

The drive to the Hamptons was torture. Jayson's hand remained possessively on my thigh, his thumb tracing small circles that once would have comforted me. Now they felt like brands of ownership.

"You're quiet," he observed, glancing sideways.

"Just tired," I lied, watching snowflakes dance in our headlights.

His phone buzzed, and I caught Francesca's name on the screen before he quickly tucked it away.

"She's probably nervous about the move," he said defensively.

I said nothing, focusing instead on the life growing inside me. *We'll find a way out,* I promised my unborn pup. *I swear it.*

---

The Hamptons estate was even more opulent than I remembered. Crystal chandeliers cast prismatic light across marble floors as pack members bustled about, preparing for our arrival.

"Careful on the stairs," Jayson warned as we entered the grand foyer. "They're slippery."

I nodded, taking slow steps up the sweeping staircase. Behind us, Francesca lingered in the entrance hall, her golden hair catching the light.

"Oh!" Her cry pierced the air as she stumbled dramatically on the first step.

Jayson was at her side instantly, his face transformed with concern. "Francesca!"

She clutched her ankle, tears welling in her eyes. "I think I twisted it."

Without hesitation, Jayson swept her into his arms. "I'll take you to your room."

"My room?" she asked innocently. "Isn't that in the east wing?"

"The east wing is being prepared for the gala," Jayson replied, already carrying her up the stairs. "You'll stay in the main house."

I watched them disappear down the corridor, Francesca's arms wrapped around my mate's neck, her lips curved in a satisfied smile only I could see.

*She planned this,* Kira growled.

"I know," I whispered.

With Jayson occupied, I slipped into the library and locked the door behind me. My hands trembled as I dialed the number I'd memorized weeks ago.

"Lawson & Associates," a crisp voice answered.

"This is Luna Elle Hayes," I said quietly. "I need to speak with Attorney Lawson about the foundation paperwork."

Twenty minutes later, I had everything in place. The She-Wolf Advocacy Foundation would be registered by week's end, funded by my secret investments and operating independently of pack control.

---

Later that evening, I passed the guest wing on my way to dinner. Voices drifted from behind a partially open door—Francesca's room.

"Another fifty thousand by Friday," she was saying, her voice entirely different from the fragile whisper she used around Jayson. "Or I release the photos to your wife."

I froze, pressing myself against the wall.

"You can't do this forever," a male voice responded through her phone's speaker. "Ross will find out eventually."

Francesca laughed, the sound cold and calculating. "Jayson? He's wrapped around my finger. You should see how he carries me around like some precious treasure while his pregnant Luna watches."

My blood ran cold as she continued.

"That stupid mate ceremony is next week. Once I'm officially introduced to New York's elite, my price goes up. Either you pay, or I make sure everyone knows what you did to that omega she-wolf."

*She's lying about everything,* Kira snarled. *The abuse, the fear—all lies.*

---

I found Jayson in his office, papers spread across his mahogany desk. Without preamble, I placed my phone before him, playing the recording I'd made of Francesca's conversation.

"She's blackmailing her ex-mate," I said calmly. "There was never any abuse. She's using you—using us—for money and status."

Jayson's eyes flashed dangerously, his wolf rising to the surface. "You recorded her privately?"

"Jayson, listen to me—"

"You're spying on a guest in our home?" he roared, standing so abruptly his chair toppled backward. "You're jealous and paranoid!"

His Alpha aura crashed against me like a physical blow, forcing me to my knees. "I, Alpha Jayson Ross, command you to stay away from Francesca. You will not speak to her, record her, or interfere with her in any way."

The Alpha command settled into my bones, heavy and inescapable. As I knelt there, gasping for breath, I realized the truth: Jayson would never choose me over her.

And that made my decision all the easier.

The steam from the shower enveloped me as I tried to wash away the stress of the past few days. With Jayson occupied in meetings with the pack elders, I'd finally found a moment of peace. My hands instinctively moved to my belly, caressing the small bump that had become my only source of comfort.

"We'll be okay," I whispered, though Kira remained restless within me.

*Something's wrong,* she insisted. *I can feel it.*

I ignored her warning, allowing myself to relax under the hot water. The baby was all that mattered now. Everything else—Jayson's betrayal, Francesca's manipulations—would fade once I secured our freedom.

---

I didn't hear the door open.

When I stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, I froze. Francesca stood by my dresser, her manicured fingers clutching something small and white.

"Looking for these?" she asked, her voice no longer carrying the fragile tremor she used around Jayson.

My prenatal vitamins. The ones I'd hidden in the back of my drawer, behind old journals and unused cosmetics.

"Those are mine," I said, reaching for them.

Francesca's eyes narrowed as she examined the label. "Prenatal. How... interesting."

She tossed them onto the dresser, her movements deliberate and controlled—nothing like the helpless victim she portrayed to others.

"You're pregnant," she stated flatly. "Carrying the next Alpha heir."

I straightened my spine, refusing to show fear. "Yes."

"Jayson didn't mention it." Her lips curved into a cold smile. "Though I suppose that makes sense, considering."

"Considering what?"

Her eyes flashed with genuine malice now, all pretense gone. "Considering he never wanted you or your spawn in the first place."

Kira surged forward, my eyes flashing amber as my wolf responded to the threat. "Get out of my room."

"Your room?" Francesca laughed, the sound sharp and brittle. "Nothing here is yours, Elle. Not the title, not the pack, and certainly not Jayson."

She moved toward the door, then paused. "You know what happens to obstacles in our world, don't you?"

The threat hung in the air long after she left.

---

The next afternoon, the winter sun cast long shadows across the snow-covered grounds. I paced the library, unable to concentrate on the foundation paperwork spread before me.

My phone buzzed with a text message.

*Meet me by the lake. I want to talk. Please. I think we got off on the wrong foot.*

Francesca's name appeared on the screen. I stared at the message, suspicion flaring.

*It's a trap,* Kira growled immediately. *Don't go.*

"I know," I murmured, my finger hovering over the delete button.

But then another message appeared: *I'm leaving tomorrow. Just want to apologize before I go.*

I hesitated. If Francesca was truly leaving, it would solve everything. No more manipulation, no more watching Jayson fawn over her while I carried his child.

*She's lying,* Kira insisted. *Can't you smell it?*

I closed my eyes, trying to sense the truth through our bond. There was something off about the message—too convenient, too timely.

Yet hope persisted. What if she really was leaving? What if this was my chance to restore peace to the pack house?

"I need to do this," I decided, grabbing my coat.

---

The lake glittered under the winter sun, its surface frozen solid. I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck as I approached the small wooden dock that extended into the ice.

Francesca stood at the end of the dock, her golden hair catching the sunlight. She wore a simple white dress that contrasted starkly with the snow, her bare arms showing no sign of cold.

"Thank you for coming," she called as I approached. "I wasn't sure you would."

I stopped at the edge of the dock, unwilling to venture further. "You said you wanted to apologize."

"Did I?" Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "I think there's been a misunderstanding."

Kira's warning grew louder, her growl reverberating through my mind. *Turn around. Now.*

"Where's Jayson?" I asked, suddenly aware of how isolated we were. The main house was visible in the distance, but no one would hear if I called out.

"Busy with pack business." Francesca took a step closer. "He doesn't need to be part of this conversation."

The wind shifted, bringing her scent to me—French perfume mixed with something else. Something metallic and cold.

"You're not leaving, are you?" I asked, my hand instinctively moving to protect my belly.

Francesca's eyes followed the movement, her expression hardening. "No. I'm not."

She took another step forward, her bare feet making no sound on the wooden planks. "You see, I've been doing some research on pack inheritance laws."

My heart pounded as I realized how completely alone we were. The lake stretched behind her, frozen and vast. No witnesses. No help.

"And what I discovered," she continued, "is that an Alpha heir changes everything."