My father, Alpha Ezekiel Jenkins of the Moonstone Pack, had provided a substantial dowry of land and resources when I mate paired with Eden Richardson, a Delta warrior from a lesser pack. Yet, he spoke of Eden with such disdain, as if the man who shared my mate bond was beneath even the lowest Omega.

In defiance, I told Eden that my family had given nothing. Why should I share this with him? He’d done nothing to earn it.

But his reaction shocked me. The man who had always been gentle, who had once whispered sweet promises in my ear, now lashed out with a venom I’d never seen.

“I’ll tell you this,” he snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. “I’m sick of living like some whipped dog, constantly catering to you.”

“Now that you’re pregnant, you can’t run away. I don’t have to keep up the act anymore!”

I sneered, my wolf stirring in the back of my mind, growling low with anger. Using the pup as leverage against me? Not a chance. I turned on my heel and headed straight to the pack’s Healer, Dr. Dean, to terminate the pregnancy.

The morning sickness had been unbearable, a rare condition among werewolves, and I’d agreed with Eden to spend Thanksgiving at the Moonstone Pack’s territory so my parents, Alpha Ezekiel and Luna Alessandra, could care for me. My mother had already promised to prepare nutrient-rich meals to help me recover.

“Mother called,” I said, scrolling through my phone for remedies to ease the nausea during the trip. “She suggested we leave early to avoid getting sick on the way.”

Eden, however, seemed oblivious. He was devouring a greasy roast turkey, the smell of it so overpowering it made my stomach churn. At three months pregnant, the nausea was at its worst, and just the sight of that turkey made me queasy.

Before I could say anything, he spoke up, his mouth full. “Why go to your parents’ place? We’re going to my pack’s territory. My mom wants to see your belly!”

I glared at him, suppressing the urge to vomit. “We already decided. I’m pregnant, and my parents should be the ones looking after me.”

“Your mom prepared so many things to help me through this. How could you change your mind so suddenly?”

Eden tore into the turkey, the greasy, pungent smell filling the air. Ignoring my pale face, he took another large bite, bits of turkey skin spraying onto my sleeve.

I couldn’t stand it any longer. I staggered to the bathroom, vomiting until I was dry heaving.

Eden rolled his eyes, muttering, “Pregnant, and so dramatic! My mom went back to work the day after having me without all this fuss!”

My heart sank. His attitude had become unbearably indifferent, and I felt my wolf whimper in the back of my mind.

During the worst of my morning sickness, I could barely keep any food down. My mother-in-law, Yara Richardson, an Omega in her pack, insisted it was normal and I should just endure it.

My mother, Luna Alessandra, couldn’t bear to see me so sickly and sent over a jar of homemade jam from the Moonstone Pack’s territory. That jar got me through the month, but the jam lacked nutrition. I told Eden I wanted to spend the holidays with my parents this year.

He had easily agreed, wrapping his arms around me sweetly, lamenting the trouble caused by the little one. He joked that once our son was born, he’d give him a good talking-to for causing me so much misery.

So, why the sudden change?

Swallowing his mouthful, Eden said, “Elizabeth, are you wondering why I’m no longer tender and considerate?”

I looked up at him, my wolf growling low in warning.

He smirked at me condescendingly. “It was all an act! Just to get you to have my pup.”

“Now you’re pregnant, you’re not going anywhere, so why should I pretend?”

“I’m telling you, I’m done playing the doting mate, revolving around you like some devoted pet!”

His words cut deep, but my wolf’s growl grew louder, a fierce reminder of my strength. I stood tall, my eyes locked on his.

“I, Elizabeth Jenkins, Beta of the Moonstone Pack, reject you, Eden Richardson, as my mate.”

The words hung in the air, the bond between us burning with a searing pain. But I didn’t falter. My wolf and I were one, and we would not be broken.

I was so incensed by his words that I collapsed onto the floor. Oddly, I wasn’t even surprised. No wonder he’d become increasingly impatient with me lately, no wonder each time I asked him to accompany me to a prenatal check-up or help with picking up a package, he always had an excuse ready… It all added up now. The laughable thing was that I had been coming up with excuses for him, wondering if he was having a tough time in the pack.

All my illusions and self-deception came crashing down. I stood up angrily. “Eden, you’re repulsive!”

Eden wasn’t bothered by my insult; instead, he grinned with even more smugness. “Elizabeth, curse all you want. You’re already pregnant with my child. You’re tied to the Richardson family for life now.”

“Who’s going to trust you with pack responsibilities when you’re pregnant?”

His words took me back to the time I first found out I was pregnant. Eden and I were both warriors in the Moonstone Pack. He was a Delta, while I was the Beta, just waiting for my mate pairing with him to solidify my position as Gamma. But then, I found out I was a month pregnant.

Eden was elated when he found out and insisted that I should keep the pup. “Sweetheart, remember when we completed the mate bond? We said we’d definitely have a strong little one!”

“You’re still young. It’s the perfect time to have a pup, and you’ll bounce back quickly. If you’re worried, my mom can help take care of them. Don’t worry about it, just go ahead.”

“As for pack duties, I’ll always have your back, no matter what. You can leave the Gamma responsibilities to me, right?”

Back then, I thought, we’re mates, so it doesn’t matter who holds the position. Coupled with Eden’s sweet talk, I didn’t notice anything off. Before long, I stepped back from my Beta duties due to the pregnancy, while Eden was promoted to Gamma in my stead. Looking back now, how could I have been so gullible? Eden had been plotting all along—my pregnancy allowed him to gain a pup while effortlessly snagging my position in the pack hierarchy. What a win for him: triumph both in our bond and in his rank!

As this realization hit, my expression grew even darker. Eden, however, finished his meal, pushed the food container forward, and said, “I’m off to training now. Clean up the table! Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you get to slack off.”

“You think leading warriors is easy for me, unlike you, who just lounges around all day! Mate pairing with me is the best thing that ever happened to you!”

The door slammed shut with a loud bang, the sound reverberating through the small cabin Eden and I had called home since our mate pairing. I jumped, instinctively reaching up to touch my face, only to find it wet with tears. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, a low growl of disapproval echoing through our shared consciousness.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my mom’s number.

"Luna," I said, my voice trembling despite my efforts to steady it. "What are you and the Alpha up to?"

Her voice was tinged with frustration, but there was an underlying warmth that made my chest ache. "Your father’s busy preparing the ravioli stuffing! I’ve been telling him you’ll be home soon, but he insists on starting now!"

The dam broke, and tears streamed down my cheeks as I clutched the phone tighter.

When Eden and I first confirmed our mate bond, my parents hadn’t been thrilled.

The Alpha had been blunt, his alpha tone leaving no room for misunderstanding. "Eden comes from a low-ranking pack, Elizabeth. He’s a Delta, yes, but he’s what they term a 'self-made' man these days—someone who might rely on his mate for support."

The Luna had been gentler, but her concern was no less palpable. "Eden’s mother, Yara, she’s... challenging. I’ve heard things about her, Elizabeth. Think twice before you go through with this."

But I had been head over heels in love, my wolf howling in agreement every time Eden was near. I wouldn’t listen to my parents’ concerns. I was determined to mark him as my mate. The Alpha had been so stressed he’d fallen ill, his commanding aura dimming for the first time in my memory. But once he recovered, the first thing he did was set aside a generous portion of the Moonstone Pack’s land and resources for me.

"It’s yours," he’d said, his voice firm but kind. "A dowry, if you will. But it’s to remain untouched for two years. If Eden proves himself worthy, it can be used to strengthen your bond. If not... it’s your safety net."

Eden’s pack had been struggling, their resources dwindling with each passing season. He’d dropped hints more than once that they couldn’t contribute much to our mate pairing ceremony. The most they could offer was a small plot of barren land.

He’d been insistent, trying to find out what my family would provide. Recalling the Alpha’s words, I’d told Eden that the Moonstone Pack wouldn’t offer immediate resources but would return whatever his pack contributed.

Eden’s face had darkened then, his scent turning bitter with resentment. "Getting paired, and your father won’t contribute a thing? It’s like you’re being sold!"

Back then, guilt over keeping the truth hidden had clouded my judgment, and I’d missed the warning in his words.

People always say that if your parents disapprove of a mate, you should listen—they’ve seen too many heartbreaks.

Looking back, the Alpha had been right.

Had it not been for the land and resources he’d set aside, the best outcome would have been sharing it with Eden. The worst? He could have taken it all, leaving me with nothing.

I only regret not listening to them sooner.

The Luna’s voice pulled me back to the present. "Elizabeth? Are you crying?"

The Alpha’s voice cut in, sharp and commanding even through the phone. "Elizabeth? Did that rogue Eden mistreat you?"

Hearing their anxious, caring voices, my sense of injustice melted away. I couldn’t hold back my sobs any longer.

"Alpha, Luna," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I should have listened to you. I want to reject him."

The words hung heavy in the air, the weight of the mate bond burning in my chest. My wolf whimpered, a sound of both pain and relief.

"I, Elizabeth Jenkins, Beta of the Moonstone Pack, reject Eden Richardson, Delta of the Moonstone Pack, as my mate," I said, the vow spilling from my lips with a mix of sorrow and resolve.

For a moment, there was silence on the other end of the line. Then the Alpha’s voice, steady and strong, filled my ears.

"You’re coming home, Elizabeth. To the Moonstone Pack. Where you belong."

And for the first time in months, I felt a flicker of hope.