After my sister-in-law Amelie’s miscarriage, the entire Dunn pack revolved around her.

Even my mate, Marcellus, was no exception.

At the dinner table, I couldn’t hold back a wave of nausea, and the room fell into an uneasy silence.

Marcellus pulled me aside, his tone hesitant.

“Lilah, you’re not… pregnant at a time like this, are you?”

His mother, Maryam, followed us out, her voice soft but firm as she took my hand.

“If you are, we’ll arrange for you to stay at the estate on the outskirts. It’s best to keep you away from Amelie while she’s fragile.”

I didn’t argue, smiling instead. “Of course. I’ll leave tomorrow.”

I had already bought land and a house in Yanzhou.

This mate and his pack were no longer what I wanted.

Marcellus seemed taken aback by how quickly I agreed.

“You’re usually so clingy,” he muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. “Fine, I’ll visit when I can. But don’t make this about yourself. Amelie needs our support right now.”

I looked down, my fingers tracing the rough silver bracelet on my wrist.

I had no pack to back me, no one to protest when they sent a pregnant she-wolf away to the outskirts.

Maryam patted my shoulder, her smile warm but distant.

“You understand, don’t you, dear? Amelie was raised delicately, her constitution is weak. You’re… different.”

“Farmers’ wives work the fields even while pregnant. Staying at the estate might even do you good. The fresh air, the simplicity—it’ll be better for the pup.”

Marcellus frowned.

“Enough, Mother,” he said curtly.

He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close.

“Come on, I’ll take you to our room.”

Once inside, I told Remi to start packing.

Marcellus watched us move about, his expression growing puzzled.

“Why does it seem like you can’t wait to leave?”

I paused, then walked to the desk and picked up a blank sheet of paper.

“Write your name here,” I said softly, holding it out to him. “That way, when I miss you, I can look at it and feel closer to you.”

He chuckled, pulling me onto his lap.

Without suspicion, he scrawled his name in the corner.

“If you miss me, write to me. I’ll visit when I can. Once the pup is born and Amelie’s feeling better, I’ll bring you back.”

Even though my heart had long grown cold, my smile faltered for a moment.

“You’re sending me to the outskirts to give birth? Aren’t you worried something might happen to me there?”

Marcellus laughed.

“You’re strong, Lilah. What could possibly happen? You’re not like Amelie.”

I nodded, the truth settling heavily in my chest.

Of course.

I had been abandoned in the woods as a child, found by a rogue who raised me.

I had endured countless hardships, worked harder than anyone in this pack. A birth? That was nothing to me.

Marcellus’s fingers brushed my cheek, his touch light but cold.

“If it weren’t for your scent—so much like Amelie’s—your pack would’ve never found you. You could’ve been mated off to some rogue, living a simple life. Isn’t this better? Staying at the estate, living comfortably?”

He smirked, as if he loved me for my scent alone, and leaned in to kiss me.

I didn’t react, just carefully folded the paper and tucked it into my pocket.

The next morning, Marcellus was already gone from the room.

I heard he had left early to pick up freshly baked pastries from Sweet Haven, the bakery that had become my only comfort since the miscarriage.

"The Alpha is so thoughtful," one of the Omegas murmured as she passed by, her voice tinged with admiration. "He goes every morning to wait in line, just to make sure you get them fresh."

"Not many mates would go to such lengths," another added, though her voice trailed off awkwardly as she caught sight of me.

Remi, standing beside me, shot them a sharp glare. I didn’t respond, instead focusing on checking our luggage one last time. Everything was in order, and I directed the pack’s Omegas to start loading the SUVs. We’d arranged for them the day before.

Remi helped with the last of the bags before turning to me, her expression hesitant.

"Shouldn’t we wait for the Alpha?" she asked softly.

"No," I said firmly. "Let’s go."

But fate seemed to have other plans. Halfway through the city, we ran into Marcellus.

He was in his black SUV, his tall, muscular frame unmistakable even from a distance. His white shirt hugged his broad shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. He looked every bit the commanding Alpha, his aura dominating the street.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he signaled the driver to stop. The driver, recognizing him immediately, pulled over gently, and we came to a halt.

Marcellus leaned out of the window, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he peered through the SUV’s tinted glass.

"So it is you," he said, his voice smooth but laced with a subtle Alpha tone that demanded attention. "Why not use the pack’s vehicles?"

I forced a polite smile. "I won’t be needing them anymore, so it’s best not to rely on the pack’s resources."

His brow furrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "That’s nonsense. Wait here—these pastries will go cold if I don’t get them back soon. I’ll come see you off once I’ve dropped them off."

Without waiting for a response, he sped off, the powerful engine roaring back toward the pack estate.

I let the window roll up and signaled the driver to continue.

The SUV rolled out of the city, and I didn’t look back.

No one followed.