Lila

"What are you doing here?" I hissed, my voice sharp with fury, though I could feel the tremble beneath it.

Sheldon pushed himself up from my bed with a lazy, predatory smirk. "Came to see my little omega humbled, finally realizing she can't escape me or this engagement."

"I already have," I shot back, my tone biting as I folded my arms across my chest. "You forfeited any claim the moment you cheated on me."

My words were steel, but inside, my heart thudded unevenly. I couldn't afford to let him see the cracks-the pain he'd caused me would only fuel his sick power play.

Sheldon chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. His eyes raked over me with a disgusting sense of ownership.

"You're so naive," he sneered, stepping closer. His Alpha aura pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating. "You think you can break the engagement? You think you have that kind of power?"

I stayed silent, my fists clenching at my sides as he loomed over me.

"Didn't your father teach you anything?" His voice dripped with venom. "Like how to apologize when you've made a mistake?"

The words stung, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

Suddenly, his hand snaked around my waist, and before I could push him away, he shoved me onto the bed. His weight pinned me, his hot breath grazing my ear as he hissed, "What did you think? That you could disrespect me, humiliate me, and get away with it? You're just an omega."

My stomach twisted with disgust, but I wouldn't let it consume me. "Get off me!" I snarled, my voice raw as I thrashed beneath him.

"Did you forget your place? I was doing you a favor by agreeing to marry you," he snapped, his hand striking my cheek with a sharp slap.

Pain bloomed across my face, but I bit down on the inside of my cheek, refusing to cry out.

"I thought omegas were taught to be submissive," he sneered. "Obedient. But you, you dared to rebel." His eyes darkened as they fell to my neck, landing on the faint mark left behind from last night. A low, guttural growl rumbled through his chest.

"You think you can disgrace me?" he seethed, his fury uncontained. "I own you, Lila. I bought you from your father. How dare you let someone else-"

Before he could finish, he forced his lips onto mine, the vile act sending bile rising in my throat.

Adrenaline surged through my veins, and instinct took over. I brought my knee up with all my strength, driving it into his groin.

Sheldon let out a strangled groan, his grip loosening as he staggered back, clutching himself.

"You little bitch," he spat, his face twisting in a mix of rage and pain.

I didn't waste a second. Grabbing the nearest object-a heavy vase from the nightstand-I swung it with all my might, the impact cracking against the back of his head.

The sound was sickening, but I didn't hesitate. Blood trickled down his scalp as his body crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

Panting, I crouched beside him, my hands trembling as I checked for a pulse. Relief washed over me when I felt the faint, steady rhythm beneath my fingertips.

Thank Goddess he wasn't dead.

But the relief was fleeting. Cold, stark reality set in as I stared at his body. Sheldon wasn't going to let this slide when he woke up. And my father? He wouldn't take a stand for me, he had made it clear earlier.

I was utterly alone.

I searched frantically for my phone, only to find out that it was dead and I didn't have enough time to put it on charge. My options dwindled to nothing, and desperation clawed at my chest.

Elena's words echoed in my mind, her voice from last night clear as if she were standing beside me. "Live life on your own terms, Lila."

She was right. I had to run away from this hellhole.

One Month Later

The dizzy spell hit me again as I swayed on my feet, rocking little John to sleep in my arms. Exhaustion clung to me like a second skin, so I eased down onto the couch, patting his back gently. His eyelids fluttered closed, his soft breathing finally evening out.

His parents would be home soon. Then, I could clock out and head to the club, where I worked nights as a waitress. Babysitting during the day and hustling through chaotic club shifts at night-it wasn't easy, but it kept food on my plate and a roof over my head.

Sheldon and my father had launched a massive search for me. Their influence stretched farther than I could've imagined, forcing me to stay in the shadows, always looking over my shoulder.

I liked kids but taking care of them wasn't as easy as I'd assumed. John was sweet, but the constant juggling between work and sleep was grinding me down. Most nights, I barely managed a few hours of rest. Weekends were the only time I could exhale, but even then, it never felt like enough.

The front door creaked open, and Emily stepped in, her cold expression slicing through the dim light of the living room. She strode toward me, taking John from my arms with the same detached air she always carried.

"We're home," she said curtly. "And you don't need to come from tomorrow."

Her words hit like a slap. "What? Why?"

Emily didn't even blink, her tone clipped and final. "Do you think I owe you an explanation?"

My mouth opened, but no words came out. I just nodded stiffly, grabbed my worn-out bag, and left.

The cool night air stung my cheeks as I stepped outside. My shift at the club wasn't for a few hours, and without the babysitting gig, I had extra time. A part of me wanted to collapse into bed and sleep for days, but I didn't have that luxury.

With no money for a cab, I started the twenty-minute walk back to the tiny dorm room I'd managed to rent. The streets were quiet, lit by dim streetlights casting long, eerie shadows.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling my attention. I fished it out, and my heart skipped a beat at the name flashing on the screen.

Sophia.

It had been so long since I'd heard from her. My fingers trembled as I opened the message, excitement and relief flooding me all at once. For a moment, it felt like I could breathe again. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed her until now.

I was so lost in the euphoria that I didn't hear the sound of tires screeching behind me until it was too late.

The impact came like a freight train, the world spinning wildly before everything faded into black.

Elliot

Sunlight streamed through the windows, piercing my eyelids and dragging me out of sleep. Groaning, I rubbed my face and turned toward the other side of the bed. My lips curved into a lazy smirk, expecting to find her there, tangled in the sheets, as breathtaking in the morning light as she had been last night.

But the bed was empty.

My heart kicked up its pace. I sat up, scanning the room. The faint scent of her still lingered in the air-a mix of jasmine and plum that had driven my wolf wild. But she was gone.

"Damn it," I muttered, raking a hand through my hair. I hadn't even learned her name.

It wasn't like me to stay after a night like that. I was the one who disappeared before dawn, leaving no room for attachments or awkward conversations. But last night had been...different. I'd stayed, letting my guard down for the first time in years. And she'd vanished.

My wolf paced restlessly in the back of my mind, his frustration mirroring mine. Where is she?

Then I saw it. A crisp hundred-dollar bill on the nightstand.

A growl rumbled low in my chest as I grabbed the bill, crushing it in my fist.

"What the hell?" I hissed. "Did she mistake me for a damn sex worker?"

My wolf snorted, clearly amused by my outrage. The humiliation burned hotter with every second. Not only had she left before I woke up, but she'd left a tip.

And to add insult to injury, it was only a hundred dollars.

"Unbelievable," I muttered. "If I were in this business, women would be paying me thousands, not this insult."

The memory of her touch, the way her body had responded to mine, flashed through my mind. It only fueled my anger. She'd left, and worse-she'd made me want more.

I yanked out my phone and texted Kai, my Beta.

"Bring the car around. Now."

Minutes later, I was sliding into the back seat of the sleek black SUV. Kai, ever the wise ass, was already grinning as he glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

"Morning, Alpha. Rough night?"

"Drive," I snapped.

Kai arched a brow but obeyed, though his smirk didn't falter. "You actually stayed the night. That's a first. She must've been something special."

"Shut the fuck up," I growled.

He chuckled but didn't push further, sensing the thin thread of my patience.

I dialed the club manager. "I need information on the woman I was with last night," I ordered. "Who is she?"

"Alpha Sinclair," the manager stammered, clearly panicked. "I...I don't know. She wasn't a regular. I've never seen her before."

My jaw tightened. That wasn't the answer I wanted.

"Kai," I barked, ending the call. "I need her found. Now. Put the best trackers on it. I want to know who she is, where she's from, and why she disappeared before sunrise. I want answers before I finish my breakfast."

Kai's jaw dropped as he met my gaze in the mirror. "Seriously? Before breakfast?"

I shot him a glare. "Do it. Or you'll be skipping lunch, too."

Grumbling under his breath, Kai pulled out his phone to relay my orders. But he couldn't resist one last jab. "You're really going all in on this, huh? Never thought I'd see the day. The great Alpha Elliot Sinclair, the notorious fuckboy, brought to his knees by one night with a mystery woman."

I ignored him, leaning back in the seat. My wolf growled low in my chest, restless and agitated, but I shoved him down.

Her scent was still burned into my senses, her touch a phantom memory that wouldn't fade. No one had ever done this to me, consumed me so completely.

Whoever she was, she wouldn't stay a mystery for long.

"One more thing," Kai added, his smirk returning. "You should take a shower."

***********

Later that afternoon

By the time I returned to my office, the scent of coffee and leather greeted me like an old friend. Breakfast had done little to curb my frustration, so I dove into work, poring over reports of rogue attacks on an ally pack.

The details were...peculiar. No traces left behind. No scent trails, no witnesses. It was as if the rogues had materialized from thin air, wreaked havoc, and vanished without a trace.

I drummed my fingers against the desk, my thoughts racing, when Kai walked in. His usual cocky demeanor was gone, replaced with a grim determination. He held a set of photographs in his hands.

"Alpha," he started, his tone heavy, "I've found her."

My heart kicked up, but I kept my expression impassive. "And?"

Kai laid three pictures on my desk. My eyes immediately locked onto her. My mystery woman.

Beside her was Sophia, my cousin, and another woman I didn't recognize.

"This is Lila Emerson," Kai said, his voice careful. Too careful.

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "And?"

Kai exhaled, the tension rolling off him in waves. "Alpha, Lila Emerson is the only woman you can't have."

The growl that tore from my throat echoed through the room. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Kai hesitated, but he knew better than to keep me waiting. "She's the daughter of Alpha Andrew Emerson. Your father's sworn enemy. The man who's been a thorn in the Blue Moon pack's side for years. The Alpha King will never approve of this...connection. He will make your stepbrother the King if you defy him."

His words hit like a punch to the gut. The room fell silent, my mind spinning with the weight of his revelation. My mate, yes, she was my fucking mate-the woman my wolf and I craved-was the daughter of the one man I had vowed to destroy and make him suffer till he would beg for his death.

Fate wasn't cruel; it was a sadistic game master. The Moon Goddess wasn't just mocking me-she was throwing down a challenge. My wolf bristled, snarling in my mind, but his desire for her burned hotter than any hatred we'd carried for her bloodline.

"And? Tell me everything that you have found about her," I demanded, my voice low, dangerous.

Kai rubbed the back of his neck. "There was a party in the Mystic Shadow pack. A celebration of her engagement to Alpha Sheldon. But she didn't show up."

My lips curled into a smirk. "Instead, she was in the club. With me."

Kai nodded. "Yes, Alpha. The next day, she fled the arranged marriage. She's currently in hiding. Her father and Sheldon's men are searching for her."

A laugh, dark and twisted, bubbled from my chest. "She ran away for me. She must have felt the mate bond, even if she didn't show it."

Kai frowned. "Mate bond? If she is your fated mate, it's worse than I had assumed it already was."

But I wasn't listening. The image of her emerald eyes, filled with shock and recognition when she learned who I was, burned in my mind.

"Kai," I said, leaning forward, my smirk widening, "find her, before they do. I want her here. I want her to know exactly who she chose that night."

"Alpha..." Kai hesitated. "You're playing with fire. Your father will not-"

"Will love it," I cut him off, my voice sharp. "When the daughter of an enemy falls for you, the war is already half-won. And as for the Moon Goddess?" I chuckled darkly, my wolf stirring with unease, showing his disapproval for my plan. "She started a game. I'll show her how to win."

Lila

A sharp sting in the back of my hand pulled me from the haze of unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered, heavy and sluggish, as I blinked against the sterile light of the hospital room. An IV drip was attached to the back of my hand, and the faint beeping of machines filled the silence.

"She's awake-call the doctor," a nurse's voice cut through the fog.

I turned my head slightly, finding a kind-eyed nurse rushing to my side. She was middle-aged, with a warm smile that somehow managed to put me at ease, even amidst the confusion clawing at my chest.

"Are you feeling okay, sweetie?" She asked, gently taking my blood pressure.

I nodded weakly, my throat too dry to form words. She handed me a glass of water, her gaze softening with pity.

"You need to be extra careful now," She said, her tone firm but caring. "I know life can get hectic, especially for someone your age, but you have to prioritize your health first. In your condition, it's critical."

Her words didn't make sense, but before I could respond, the door opened, and the doctor walked in, his face stern as he reviewed a file handed to him by another nurse.

"As expected..." he muttered.

The weight of his disappointment sent a ripple of unease through me. My pulse quickened as his eyes met mine, his expression softening into a practiced smile.

"Miss," he began gently, "I understand that many women worry about their weight these days, but skipping meals can be harmful-especially to your baby's health. Malnutrition affects development during pregnancy, and..."

"Baby?" The word slipped from my lips, my voice barely a whisper.

The room seemed to tilt, and my heart stopped in my chest.

Pregnant?

My hands trembled as realization dawned. I'd missed my period this month, but I'd attributed it to stress, the chaos of my life. Not once had it occurred to me that...

My mind raced back to that night at the club, to the stranger who had left an imprint on my body and soul. My hands instinctively moved to my stomach. "Doctor..." My voice cracked, trembling with fear and hope. "Is my baby okay?"

"Yes, he's fine," the doctor reassured me with a small smile. "But you must take better care of yourself. For your sake and the baby's."

I exhaled shakily, my emotions a chaotic storm. Relief that the baby was unharmed mingled with dread at the road ahead.

The door opened again, and a man I didn't recognize stepped into the room. His jaw was tense, his amber eyes scanning the scene as he moved toward the doctor. "Is she okay? Is she out of danger?" He asked, his voice filled with urgency.

The doctor's smile widened, and he glanced between the stranger and me. "Ah, you must be her husband. Congratulations-you're going to be a father soon."

My mouth fell open, but before I could correct him, the man stepped forward, his lips curving into a charming, confident smile. "Thank you, Doctor. I'll make sure to take care of them both," he said smoothly, his eyes meeting mine with a tad of relief.

The doctor began rattling off dietary recommendations and prescriptions, speaking as though this man were truly my partner. My thoughts spiraled, returning to the reality I'd been avoiding.

The father of my baby wasn't this stranger. It was the man from that night-the one whose name I didn't even know but had dreamed of a lot since the night I spent with him.

How could I have been so reckless? I'd ruined everything. If I hadn't run from the engagement, my father and Sheldon would've forced me to terminate this pregnancy. But now...now I had a choice. I would raise this child alone, far from their toxicity and control.

"Hey," the stranger's voice broke through my thoughts, his hand waving casually in front of my face.

I blinked, meeting his curious gaze, my confusion giving way to irritation.

"Care to tell me what's going on? Why didn't you correct the doctor when he assumed you're the father of my baby?" I demanded, my tone light but threaded with annoyance.

His lips twitched into a small smile as he perched himself on the edge of my bed. "Calm down. You need to stay relaxed-for the sake of our baby," he said jokingly, his voice thick with mock concern.

I shot him a glare so cold it could've frozen the air between us. "Don't joke about this."

He raised his hands in surrender, his smile faltering. "Fine. I get it. You're not in the mood for humor. My bad." His expression sobered, his gaze steady on mine. "I had to lie to the doctor."

"Why?" My arms crossed over my chest, my face set in an unreadable mask.

"You were accidentally hit by my car," he admitted, his tone low, as if saying the words aloud might make it worse.

My jaw dropped, and I stared at him in stunned disbelief. "That was your car? You could've killed my baby!" I shrieked, my voice rising as a rush of anger bubbled in my chest.

He winced but didn't back down. "No, I wouldn't have. Look at you-you don't have a scratch on you. I pulled the brakes the moment I saw you, but by the time the car stopped, you'd already fainted. I swear, it wasn't as bad as it sounds," he explained quickly, his words tumbling over each other. "If I were a bad person, would I have brought you to the hospital? Would I have stayed here to make sure you were okay?"

His words, however maddening, had a thread of truth to them.

"I'm here to make amends," he added, his tone softer now.

I narrowed my eyes, weighing his sincerity.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek card, holding it out to me. "Look, I know you're going to raise this baby on your own, and when I brought you here, it was clear you weren't doing great. I want to help you-whatever you need. Consider it my way of making things right."

Hesitantly, I took the card, my eyes scanning the embossed name: Julian. Beneath it, the title Manager glinted. He worked for one of the most powerful companies in the country.

The weight of my predicament pressed down on me like an anchor. I couldn't keep this baby on a waitress's salary, not while hiding from Sheldon, my father, and their search parties.

"Can you really help me?" My voice wavered, the vulnerability in it foreign even to my own ears. "I need a job-and a way to hide my identity."

Julian's lips curved into an easy, reassuring smile. "Consider it done. But..." He cocked an eyebrow, his curiosity apparent. "Mind telling me who you're running from?"

I stiffened, the question a crack in the fragile trust I was trying to have. "If you want to help me," I said firmly, "don't ask me any questions."

His brows lifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Then, he shrugged, his grin returning. "Fair enough. Deal."