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."

LAYLA'S POV

Zeke studied my face for a long moment while I forced myself to hold his gaze without flinching. Finally he stepped back while running a hand through his hair. "This

conversation isn't over," he said while pulling out his phone again. "Marcus, I want a full background check on every Robert who's worked for any neighboring pack in the last five years. Also, pull security footage from Layla's residence for the past six months."

"You're going to spy on me now?" I demanded while actual anger flared because security footage would show Robert's visits. "That's a complete invasion of privacy."

"You lost your right to privacy when you started letting strangers around my son," Zeke said coldly. "Either you're telling the truth and the footage will prove it, or you're lying and we're going to have a much bigger problem."

My mind raced while trying to remember if Robert's face would be clear on any of the cameras. He usually wore a baseball cap and

kept his head down, which might work in my favor if the footage was grainy enough. "Fine, check the footage," I said while lifting my chin. "You won't find anything

suspicious."

"We'll see about that," Zeke replied while turning to address the other pack members who'd been sitting

silently through this whole exchange. "Dinner is over. Everyone can leave except Layla."

The room cleared quickly while Cecelia hesitated before standing. "Do you want me to stay?" she asked Zeke while her hand touched his arm.

"No, go check on Cameron and make sure he's okay," Zeke said, his voice softening slightly when speaking to her. "I'll handle this."

Cecelia left while throwing me a look that promised this wasn't over. The door closed behind her, leaving

me alone with Zeke, who looked angrier than I'd seen him in years.

"I want the truth, Layla," he said while moving closer. "Who is Robert really, and why is he interested in Cameron?"

"I already told you the truth," I said while standing my ground. "Robert is an old friend who cares about Cameron. That's all there is to it."

"An old friend who you can't name properly or contact or explain beyond vague details about sales jobs?

" Zeke's voice rose slightly. "Do you hear how insane that

sounds?"

"Maybe it sounds insane because you're looking for problems where there aren't any," I countered, my voice also rising. "Not everything is a conspiracy, Zeke. Sometimes people are just kind without ulterior motives."

"People don't risk coming back to pack territory where they could be questioned or detained just to give candy to someone else's kid," Zeke said, his Alpha authority bleeding into his tone. "There's more to this story, and I will find out what it is even if you won't tell me."

"Then waste your time investigating nothing," I said while turning toward the door. "I have nothing to hide, and eventually you'll realize that."

"Layla." Zeke's command froze me in place before I could reach the door. "If I find out you've been lying about this or putting Cameron in

any kind of danger, the consequences will be severe. Do you understand?"

"I understand perfectly," I said while forcing myself not to show how terrified I actually was. "But you won't find anything because there's nothing to find."

I left before he could stop me again, my legs shaking so badly I could barely walk straight. Cameron was in the playroom with Marcus, building something with blocks, and he looked up when I entered.

"Is Dad mad at me?" Cameron

asked, his little face showing worry.

"No, baby, Dad's not mad at you at all," I said while pulling him into a hug. "He just wants to make sure you're safe."

"Is Uncle Robert bad?" Cameron's voice was muffled against my shoulder.

"No, sweetheart, Uncle Robert isn't bad," I assured him while my mind raced with how to handle this. "But maybe he shouldn't visit anymore because it makes Dad worried."

"Okay," Cameron said while going back to his blocks like the

conversation had already been forgotten.

I watched him play while my thoughts spiraled because Zeke had security footage and resources and determination to find the truth. Robert needed to disappear permanently before anyone connected him to Cameron's birth, which meant I

had to contact him tonight and make sure he understood how serious this had become.

My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number that made my blood run cold. "We need to talk

about Zeke's questions. Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight."

Robert had somehow heard about dinner already, which meant he had eyes on the pack house or someone was feeding him information. Either way, this was spiraling out of control faster than I could manage while everything I'd

worked so hard to build threatened to collapse around me.

I deleted the text while making sure Cameron was settled with Marcus before heading back to my quarters. The

medical files were already destroyed, but there might

be other evidence I'd overlooked, and Zeke's investigation would be thorough and relentless.

My reflection in the mirror showed a woman who looked calm and collected, but inside I was screaming because one slip-up would expose everything. Cameron wasn't Zeke's son-Robert was his biological father-and if that truth came

out, I would lose everything, including possibly my life if Zeke decided the deception warranted that level of punishment.

I had to fix this before the investigation found something I

couldn't explain away while keeping Robert quiet and Cameron innocent of the whole mess. The warehouse meeting at midnight would give me a chance to make sure Robert understood the stakes while also figuring out if he'd

left any evidence behind that could connect him to Cameron.

My phone buzzed again with another message from Zeke. "Security footage is being pulled now. Expect questions tomorrow."

Tomorrow felt too soon, and I didn't have enough time to prepare for what they might find. The footage

would show Robert's visits, but hopefully not clearly enough to identify him, which might buy me more time to craft a better story.

I sat on my bed staring at the ceiling, trying to calculate my next moves, because one wrong step would destroy everything I'd built over the past three years. Robert had to disappear permanently, the footage had to be too grainy to help, and I had to convince Zeke that his paranoia was creating problems where none existed.

But most importantly, I had to make sure no one ever discovered that

Cameron wasn't Zeke's biological son, because that truth would be the end of everything.