Layla's POV

I stood outside Zeke's office three years ago, pounding on the door until my knuckles turned red while tears streamed down my face in what I hoped looked like genuine grief. "Zeke, please," I called through the wood while making my voice shake just right. "We need to grieve together, please let me in."

No response came from inside, though I could hear him moving around in there, which meant he was alive at least. Part of me had

worried he might actually hurt himself over Cecelia's death, which would ruin everything I'd worked so hard to accomplish.

"Alpha, please," I tried again while pressing my forehead against the door. "I need you right now, we both loved her, and we need each other to get through this."

Still nothing, while I felt my patience wearing thin because playing the concerned friend was exhausting when what I really wanted to do was celebrate.

Cecelia was finally gone, which meant Zeke was free, and I could have what should have

been mine from the beginning.

I heard footsteps approaching from down the hallway, so I made sure to look appropriately devastated when Marcus appeared with a crowbar in his hands. "He won't answer?" Marcus asked while his face showed real concern, unlike my

fake version.

"He hasn't said a word in two days," I said while wiping at my tears. "I'm worried about him, Marcus. What if he does something we can't fix?"

Marcus moved past me to examine the door while testing the lock.

"Step back," he ordered before wedging the crowbar into the frame. The wood splintered with a loud crack while the door swung open to reveal Zeke sitting behind his desk, looking like he hadn't slept or eaten since hearing the news.

I started to move forward, but Zeke's voice stopped me cold. "Get out, Layla."

"What?" I froze in the doorway while genuine shock replaced my fake tears. "Zeke, I just want to help you through this."

"I said get out." His voice came out

flat and dead while he stared at his desk instead of looking at me. "I can't stand to look at you right now, knowing that choosing you over her drove Cecelia away

in the first place."

The words hit me like a physical blow while Marcus shifted uncomfortably beside the broken door.

"Alpha, maybe you should reconsider because Layla cares about you, and shutting people out won't help anyone."

"I don't care what will help," Zeke said while finally looking up at us with eyes that looked completely

empty. "I want to be alone, and I want Layla to leave because seeing her face reminds me of every mistake I made that led to Cecelia being dead."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Marcus grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the hallway. "Give him space," he said quietly while guiding me away from the office. "He's not thinking clearly right now, and pushing him will only make things worse."

I let Marcus lead me down the hall while my mind raced because this wasn't how things were supposed

to go. Zeke was supposed to turn to me for comfort while we grieved together, and that grief would eventually turn into something else that would finally make us official mates like we should have been all along.

Instead, he'd looked at me like I was the cause of all his problems, which technically I was, but he wasn't supposed to realize that part.

I went back to my quarters while slamming the door hard enough to make the frame shake. My reflection in the mirror showed tear-streaked makeup and red eyes

that came from actual frustration instead of fake sadness. Three years of waiting for Cecelia to be gone, and now that she finally was, Zeke wanted nothing to do with me.

My hand moved to my stomach, which had just started showing the smallest bump beneath my loose shirt. The pregnancy test I'd taken two weeks ago had shown positive,

which should have been perfect timing except for one major problem that made my blood run cold every time I thought about it.

The baby wasn't Zeke's.

I sank onto my bed while panic clawed at my throat because I'd been so careful about timing everything perfectly. The night I'd slept with Zeke had been planned down to the

minute while I'd made sure we were both drunk enough that he wouldn't question it later. But that had been three months ago, and I'd gotten my period two weeks after, which meant the pregnancy couldn't be from him.

The real father was Derek, one of the guards who worked night shifts and had caught me in a weak moment four weeks ago when I'd

been frustrated about Zeke still refusing to see me as more than a friend. We'd hooked up once in a storage room, and I'd thought nothing of it because I was careful about

protection, except apparently not careful enough.

Derek had fled the territory two days after I'd told him about the pregnancy while taking nothing but a backpack and

whatever cash he had saved. Smart man, while I wished I could run away from this mess too,

but I was stuck here trying to figure out how to convince everyone, including Zeke, that this

baby was his.

A sharp pain stabbed through my lower abdomen while I doubled over on the bed, gasping. Something felt wrong while warmth spread between my legs that shouldn't be

there. I managed to stumble to the bathroom before looking down to see blood soaking through my pants.

"No, no, no," I whispered while more pain ripped through me. The baby couldn't survive if I was bleeding this much,

which meant all my careful planning had been for nothing.

I don't know how long I sat on the bathroom floor bleeding while the reality of what was happening slowly sank in.

The baby was gone, which solved my paternity problem but created a whole new issue because I'd already started telling people I was pregnant, and now I'd have to explain why I wasn't anymore.

The pack doctor found me there an hour later after I'd finally called for help. She took one look at the situation and called for assistance while her face stayed carefully neutral. "How far along were you?"

she asked while helping me onto a stretcher.

"About six weeks," I lied while knowing it was actually closer to four. "Is the baby okay?"

Her expression told me everything I needed to know before she even spoke. "I'm sorry, Layla, but you've had a complete miscarriage, and there's nothing we can do to save the pregnancy at this stage."

I let tears fall while these ones were actually real because even though the baby had been a problem, it had also been my ticket to having Zeke

permanently. Now that ticket was gone, and I was back to square one with an Alpha who couldn't even stand to look at me.

chapter 31

Layla's POV

The pack doctor sedated me while I drifted in and out of consciousness for the next day. When I finally woke up properly, the doctor was there with a clipboard checking my vitals. "How are you feeling?" she asked while her tone stayed professional.

"Empty," I said honestly while one hand moved to my now flat stomach. "Did anyone tell Zeke?"

"He knows you're in the medical wing, but he hasn't come to visit yet," she said carefully while

avoiding my eyes. "He's still processing Cecelia's death and probably doesn't have the emotional capacity to deal with anything else right now."

Translation: he didn't care enough about me or the baby to even check if I was okay. The knowledge burned worse than the physical pain while I turned my face toward the wall so the doctor wouldn't see how much that hurt.

"The father," the doctor said quietly while moving closer to my bed. "Derek, I assume, based on the timeline and some things the other

guards mentioned about you two."

My blood went cold while I turned back to look at her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Layla, I'm not stupid, and I'm not blind," she said while setting down her clipboard. "The timeline doesn't match up with when you could have conceived with Zeke, and Derek disappeared right after you found out you were pregnant, which tells me everything I need to know."

"You can't tell anyone," I said while panic made my voice sharp. "If Zeke finds out the baby wasn't his,

it will ruin everything."

"The baby is gone, so there's nothing to tell," she pointed out while her expression stayed neutral. "But if you get pregnant again, I strongly suggest you be honest about paternity

because lying about something like that never ends well."

She left while I stared at the ceiling trying to figure out my next move. The doctor was right that the miscarriage had

eliminated my immediate problem, but it also meant I'd lost my best chance at securing my place with Zeke

permanently

One year later, I found myself in almost the exact same situation, except this time I was smarter about it. The father was a pack member named Robert, who I'd been seeing casually for a few months while making sure Zeke never found out. When the pregnancy test came back positive, I'd already worked out my entire story.

I would tell everyone the baby came early, even though he was actually right on time, which would make the timeline work for Zeke being the

father. Robert had already agreed to keep quiet in exchange for a generous payment and a transfer to a territory three states away where no one would ask questions.

Cameron was born healthy and screaming while I held him and felt actual love for the first time in years. He had dark hair like me and Zeke, which made the lie easier, while his eyes were blue like Robert's, but babies' eyes changed color all the time, so no one questioned it.

"He's beautiful," the pack doctor said while the same woman who'd

delivered my miscarriage news helped clean up the baby. Her eyes met mine over Cameron's head with a look that said she knew exactly what I was doing but wouldn't say anything.

"Thank you," I said while holding my son closer. "Does Zeke know?"

"He's waiting outside," she confirmed while wrapping Cameron in a soft blanket. "He wanted to be here for the birth, but you said you preferred privacy."

Which was true because I couldn't risk Zeke noticing that Cameron

came out looking way too developed for a supposedly premature baby. "Send him in now," I said while arranging myself to look appropriately exhausted.

Zeke entered slowly while his face showed concern but not the joy I'd hoped to see. He looked at Cameron with interest but not the overwhelming love a father should feel for his newborn son, which told me he suspected something even if he couldn't prove it.

"He's healthy?" Zeke asked while staying near the door instead of coming closer.

"Perfectly healthy, despite coming early," I said while the lie tasted bitter. "Don't you want to hold him?"

Zeke moved forward reluctantly while taking Cameron from my arms with the careful grip of someone who had no idea what to do with babies. He studied Cameron's face for a long moment while I held my breath, waiting for him to say

something about how the baby didn't look premature, or how the features didn't match, or anything that would expose my lie.

"He's beautiful," Zeke finally said while handing Cameron back to me

quickly. "I'm glad you're both okay, but I should let you rest."

He left before I could respond while the door closed behind him with a soft click. I looked down at Cameron, who was already starting to fuss while tears burned in my eyes

because this wasn't how it was supposed to be either.

Three years later, in present day, I sat in my quarters reviewing medical files I'd stolen from the pack doctor's

office. The records from Cameron's birth showed his actual gestational age, which proved he hadn't been premature at

all. If anyone compared these records with the timeline of when I'd supposedly gotten pregnant with Zeke, it would be obvious the baby couldn't be his.

I pulled out my lighter while holding the papers over my trash can. The flame caught quickly while I watched years of evidence turn to ash. The pack doctor who delivered

Cameron had retired six months ago, which was convenient timing, while I'd already paid her generously to forget anything suspicious about that birth.

My phone buzzed with a text from

Marcus saying Zeke wanted everyone at the pack house for dinner tonight, including Cameron. I stared at the message while dread settled in my stomach because family dinners always made me nervous with how closely Zeke watched

Cameron, looking for similarities that didn't exist.

I dressed carefully that evening while making sure Cameron looked presentable in clean clothes with his hair combed neatly. He bounced excitedly beside me on the walk to the main dining room because he loved these dinners even though

they made me want to throw up from stress.

Zeke was already there when we arrived, along with Marcus and several other high-ranking pack members. Cecelia sat beside Zeke, which made my jaw clench because she was supposed to be dead, but instead she was here taking my place like she'd never left.

"Layla, Cameron, glad you could make it," Zeke said while gesturing to empty seats across from him. His tone was polite but cold, while there was none of the warmth he used to have when looking at me

years ago.

We sat down while Cameron immediately started chattering about his day at school. I tried to follow the conversation while keeping one eye on Zeke's face,

watching for any signs that he suspected the truth about Cameron's paternity.

"And then my special uncle brought me candy," Cameron said excitedly while reaching for his juice. "He always brings the best treats when he visits."

The entire table went silent while

Zeke's expression shifted from polite interest to sharp focus. "What uncle?" he asked while his voice dropped into that Alpha tone that demanded answers.

My heart stopped while my hand froze halfway to my water glass. Cameron looked confused by the sudden attention while glancing between Zeke and me like he didn't understand what he'd said wrong.

"Cameron, sweetie, why don't you tell everyone about your art project," I said quickly while trying to redirect the conversation away from dangerous territory.

"No, I want to hear about this uncle," Zeke said while his eyes never left Cameron's face. "What's his name, buddy?"

Cameron squirmed in his seat.

LAYLA'S POV

Cameron squirmed in his seat while looking to me for guidance, but I couldn't help him without making things worse. "Uncle Robert," he finally said, his voice getting quieter. "He said it's a secret though, and I'm not supposed to tell."

The name hit me like a freight train, and I felt all the blood drain from my face. Robert was supposed to be three states away keeping his mouth shut, but apparently he'd

been visiting my son behind my back, which meant everything was about to fall apart

Zeke's eyes moved from Cameron to me while his expression promised consequences I couldn't even imagine. "Layla," he said quietly while everyone else at the table pretended to be very interested in their food. "Who is Robert?"

My mouth opened, but no sound came out because what could I possibly say that wouldn't expose everything? Robert was Cameron's biological father, who I'd paid to

disappear, but instead he'd been sneaking around seeing our son, which meant he'd broken our agreement and now I was trapped.

"Just a friend," I managed to say, my voice coming out too high and too fast. "An old pack member who moved away but sometimes visits when he's in the area."

"And this old pack member brings my son candy behind my back?" Zeke's tone stayed calm, but I could see the Alpha rising in his eyes. "What else does Uncle Robert do when he visits?"

Cameron looked between us while confusion spread across his little face because he didn't understand why everyone suddenly seemed angry. "He just talks to me and asks about school and stuff," Cameron said while shrinking down in his chair. "Did I do something bad?"

"No, buddy, you didn't do anything bad," Zeke said, his voice gentling for Cameron even though his eyes stayed hard when they flicked back to me.

"But I need to talk to your mom alone for a minute, so why don't you go play in the other room with Marcus."

Marcus stood immediately and held out his hand to Cameron. "Come on, little man, let's go see if we can find those new toys your dad ordered."

They left quickly while Marcus threw me a look that said I was in serious trouble.

The moment the door closed behind them, Zeke's entire demeanor changed from patient father to furious Alpha. "You have exactly ten seconds to tell me who Robert really is before I have my trackers hunt him down and drag him here myself."

I forced myself to take a breath

while smoothing down my dress to buy time to think. "He's exactly who I said he is," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "Robert Davies. He worked in the eastern patrol unit about four years ago before transferring to another territory for better opportunities."

"Robert Davies," Zeke repeated while pulling out his phone. "Marcus, pull up the records for anyone named Robert Davies who worked eastern patrol four years ago." He kept his eyes on me while waiting for the response.

My heart hammered because there

actually had been a Robert Davies in eastern patrol, which was why I'd chosen that name when setting up the fake

identity. The real Robert Davies had died in a training accident two years ago, which made him perfect for my purposes since dead men couldn't contradict my story.

"Found him," Marcus said from the other room where he must have stepped away to search. "Robert Davies,

transferred out three and a half years ago to the Clearwater Pack, died in a training accident eighteen months later."

Zeke's eyes narrowed while he processed this information. "So you're telling me a dead man has been visiting Cameron and bringing him candy?"

"No, of course not," I said quickly while acting confused. "That can't be the same Robert because the man I know is very much alive. Maybe there were two pack members with that name, or maybe I'm remembering his last name wrong since we only dated briefly."

"Convenient that you can't remember his full name," Cecelia said from her seat, her tone

dripping with suspicion. "Almost like you're making this up as you go."

"I'm not making anything up," I snapped while turning to face her. "You've been gone for three years, so you don't get to sit there and judge my life or who I choose to have around my son."

"Our son," Zeke corrected, his voice going dangerously quiet. "Cameron is my son, which means I absolutely get to judge who you're allowing around him, especially when it's someone you can't even properly identify."

I bit back the automatic response that Cameron wasn't actually his son because that would destroy everything. "You're right, I'm sorry," I said while forcing my voice to sound apologetic. "I should have told you Robert was

visiting, but honestly it's been so innocent that I didn't think it mattered. He just stops by maybe once every few months when he's passing through for work.

"What kind of work?" Zeke demanded.

"Sales, I think? Or maybe logistics?" I waved my hand vaguely. "We don't

really talk about his job. He mostly just plays with Cameron for an hour, then leaves."

"You let a man whose job you don't even know spend unsupervised time with my three-year-old son?" The disbelief in Zeke's voice was clear. "What exactly were you thinking, Layla?"

"I was thinking that Cameron doesn't have many positive male role models in his life since you're always so busy with pack business," I shot back while letting some real frustration bleed into my tone. "Robert is kind to him, and

Cameron lights up when he visits, so I didn't see the harm in letting them spend time together."

Zeke's jaw clenched while I could see him fighting to keep his temper under control. "That ends now," he said flatly. "No more visits from Robert or anyone else unless I've personally vetted them and approved the contact. Do you understand?"

"You can't just dictate who I allow around my son," I

protested while knowing I was on thin ice but needing to push back enough that my surrender would seem reluctant

instead of suspicious.

"Yes, I can, because he's my son too and his safety is my responsibility." Zeke moved around the table toward me. "If this Robert contacts you again, I want to know immediately so I can meet him myself and verify he is who you say he is."

"Fine," I agreed, crossing my arms. "But you're overreacting. Robert is harmless."

"Then he won't mind coming here and introducing himself properly," Zeke countered. "In fact, I want his

full name, current location, and contact information by tomorrow morning, or I'm having my trackers find him the hard way."

Panic clawed at my throat while I scrambled for a response. "I don't have his contact information anymore," I said, making it sound annoyed. "He just shows up sometimes. I never know when he's coming."

"How convenient," Cecelia muttered while Zeke's expression showed he didn't believe me either.

"It's the truth," I insisted while

looking between them. "Robert values his privacy and didn't want to give out his number. He said he'd just stop by when he was in the area, and that was fine with me."

"So a man with no phone number and a job you can't identify just randomly appears at your house to see a child who isn't his, and you saw nothing wrong with this arrangement?"

Zeke's tone made it clear how ridiculous he found my story.

"When you say it like that it sounds bad, but it wasn't like that at all," I said while trying to inject sincerity

into my voice. "Robert is a good person who cares about Cameron. There's nothing sinister going on."

"Then prove it," Zeke challenged. "Next time he visits, you call me immediately, and we'll all have a nice chat about his intentions."

"I will," I lied while knowing Robert would never risk showing his face here now that Zeke was looking for him. "But I think you're going to feel silly when you meet him and realize he's exactly what I said he was."