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.