They tried to break her with their lies, so instead, she used the pieces of her shattered life to make herself strong.

Grace couldn't wait to tell her fated mate that she was pregnant and expecting their first child. But when she catches him in bed with her best friend, her life shatters. After rejecting her mate, Grace leaves her pack and everything that she ever knew. All alone in a brave new world, Grace must find the courage and strength to raise her baby by herself, and she vows never to return to place and pack that stole her happiness.

But when her father dies years later, Grace is forced to return and to face the rejected mate who broke her heart.

As unexpected truths are revealed, Grace must decide whether to go back to the life that she built for herself and her son. Or stay and find a way to forgive the man that almost ruined her for good.

One:

Grace's POV.

"I think I might head out soon."

Rhyder turned to face me, he immediately looked concerned.

"Why? What's wrong?"

I reached for his hands and held them in mine. I smiled sweetly up at him as I spoke.

"Nothing, I'm fine - really. I'm just tired and want to call it an early night."

Rhyder reached down and gently stroked my jaw with the very tip of his thumb. The concern in his velvety eyes turned to adoration.

"Okay, let me just grab my jacket real quick and we can go."

I stopped him before he could walk away. I was feeling tired and I did want to go to bed early, but I also had another very important reason for wanting to leave.

And it was something that I had to do alone.

"You don't have to come with me, I'll be fine, really. Stay - hang out with your friends, and have a good time. I'll see you again in the morning."

He looked hesitant as he wrapped his muscular, tattooted arms around my waist and pulled me into him.

"Are you sure, babe? I really don't mind going home with you."

"I know, and I love you for it. But I'll be fine. I'm going to take a hot shower and then crawl under the covers until the sun comes up."

"I could take that shower with you - it'll be way more fun."

Rhyder only half teased as he nuzzled my neck.

A delicious chill spider-walked down my spine and settled in my core.

I threw my arms around his neck and allowed myself a moment to breath in his scent and enjoy the warmth of his skin against mine.

I could feel his desire for me growing as he pressed his pelvis into my torso. He bit the base of my neck, sending my entire nervous system into over-drive.

A low growl echoed deep in his chest as I threw my head back and tilted my hips slightly toward him.

"As tempting as that sounds," I breathed, "we both know that I won't be getting much sleep if you're there."

He grunted his defeat softly at that moment as he stepped back just enough to look at me - his seductive eyes swimming with passion.

"Fine, I'll let you go. But you know that I won't have half as much fun when you're not here."

I stood up on my toes to give him a quick peck on the lips before winking teasingly.

"Oh, I'm counting on it."

It was at that moment that Alexis, my best friend, rounded the corner. She was a little unsteady on her feet with a drink in her hand and her long black hair flailing aimlessly behind her.

When she reached us, she threw her slender arms around both our necks and pulled us close.

"You guys are missing all the fun, standing over here alone like little love-sick puppies."

She slurred her words slightly, but her eyes sparkled with unrestrained joy.

Rhyder and I shared a quick glance and a hidden smile that stated how much we both cared for Alexis even though she could be exasperating at times.

Rhyder tucked his one arm under hers to keep her from swaying too much.

I stroked back a lock of dark hair from her face as I spoke.

"And I'm afraid I'm going to have to miss a lot more. I'm headed home."

Alexis straightened immediately and looked at me with a mixture of shock and disappointed.

"What!? Why!?"

"I'm just tired. But Rhyder is staying, so you have to promise to keep an eye on him. Okay?"

Alexis clicked her heels together and pretended to salute me.

"Yes ma'am. You have my word."

I rolled my eyes as Rhyder chuckled softly.

"Yeah, right. We all know who will be looking after who for the rest of the night."

Alexis pouted as I shook my head at her.

"See you tomorrow. And try to keep her out of trouble. Please?"

I gave Rhyder another quick kiss before turning to leave. I barely made it a step when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back.

He drew me into his embrace and closed his arms around me before seizing my mouth with his. Our kiss was deep and slow, and passionate.

I didn't want it to end.

"Oh, come on. That's enough already!"

Alexis's voice sliced through the moment.

Rhyder pulled away but rested his forehead against mine.

"I love you so much."

"I love you more." I said.

"I love you most."

He gave me another gentle kiss before heading back into the party with Alexis by his side.

A few moments later, I was sitting on the closed toilet with the hot water from the running shower steaming up the bathroom.

My hand trembled slightly as I waited for the tiny lines to appear.

I've suspected for a few days that I might be pregnant, but I wanted to be absolutely sure before I told Rhyder.

When the pink lines finally appeared, I couldn't help the massive smile spreading across my face or the warm feeling of absolute joy washing over me.

I stood up, wiped the mirror with my hand, and then placed it gently over my belly as I stared at my own reflection for a few seconds.

Tears welled up in my eyes - I was still smiling stupidly.

"Well, little one. This might be a little sooner than your daddy and I planned, but I'm so excited about you."

I had to swallow the lump that was forming in my throat as I was overcome with emotion.

"And I just know that he's going to feel the exact same way when we tell him tomorrow."

I ended up taking that hot shower and crawling under the covers.

'Sleep sweet, little one. Mommy loves you so much already. We're going to be the happiest little family."

I fell asleep with a full heart and a smile on my lips.

Two:

Grace's POV.

I could barely contain my excitement the next morning.

I could almost imagine the look on Rhyder's face when he found out that he was going to have a little pup of his own.

I got dressed in a mad rush and hurried across the yard to his room.

I stopped in front of the door and took a quick second to catch my breath and compose myself before knocking.

I waited, but there was no answer.

I knocked again, a little more loudly.

"Rhyder? Wake up. I've got something very exciting to tell you."

Still, no answer and no movement from inside.

I just couldn't wait any more. It felt like I was about to burst. I just had to tell him.

So, I tried the door and realized that it wasn't locked. I opened it only slightly - the scene inside made my brows furrow almost immediately.

Clothes were strewn haphazardly across the floor. I recognized Rhyder's boots first, then his shirt, and then his leather jacket tossed over the back of a chair.

I knew that I recognized the other pieces of clothing as well, but I didn't want to admit it to myself.

A feeling of absolute dread fell over me as my heart plumeted into the pit of my stomach. My pulse began to stutter and my mouth went completely dry.

I pushed the door open all the way and had to slap my hand to my mouth to catch the gasp of horror that was trying to escape.

Rhyder was lying on his back, completely exposed to the world. His unruly black hair was even more of a mess than usual and his jaw, neck, and chest was smeared with red lipstick.

Next to him...

I grabbed my stomach as I toppled over - I was sure that I was going to be sick. I could all but feel the colour draining from my face.

It was almost too awful to comprehend.

Next to him, lying on her stomach and only barely covered by the sheets, was my supposed best friend Alexis - as naked as the day she was born.

Anger, sorrow, disbelief, rage, and betrayal mixed inaide me before crashing like a tidal wave. My legs threatend to colapse beneath the weight of this awful reality.

It felt like the world had opened up to swallow me whole - there was a part of me that wished it would.

None of it felt real.

I stepped fully into the room and slammed the door behind me as loudly as I could.

Rhyder didn't even twitch - he was out cold. Alexis stirred and began to turn onto her back.

My breathing grew rapid and shallow as I waited for her to notice me. When she finally did, she gasped loudly, yanked the sheet up over her naked flesh and stared at me with wide eyes - the remnants of red still on her lips.

"Grace," she cried out, "you weren't supposed to see any of this."

"No shit, Alexis!"

My voice sounded surprisingly calm and even. But it felt like a bomb was about to go off inside me.

It was at that moment that Rhyder's eyes began to flutter. He slowly dragged his hand over his handsome face as he moved his head from side to side. Then, he slowly propped himself up on his elbows and looked at me - a smile beginning at the corners of his mouth.

"Hey, babe..."

He began but faltered when he saw the look on my face. That's when he slowly turned his head toward Alexis. He jumped out of bed when he saw her naked figure and clumsily tried to cover himself up.

"Alexis!" He breathed. "What the hell is going on here?"

"I'd like to know the same damn thing!"

Rhyder looked at me again - confusion etched into every curve of his face.

He took a step toward me.

I took one back.

"Grace, please. This isn't what it looks like."

"It's not!? Then what the hell is it, Rhyder?"

"Grace..."

Alexis began, rising to her feet. The sheet dropped, exposing her perfectly naked body once more. She flushed bright red and scurried to cover herself up again.

Rhyder looked mortified. He opened his mouth to speak, but I had seen enough - heard enough. I had no interest in his excuses or his explanation.

This was the absolute betrayal. My heart felt like it had been yanked from my chest.

I felt broken.

I lifted my hand to silence him.

There was only one thing that I could do.

"Rhyder Crimsonpaw, I, Grace Whitefang..."

Rhyder stepped toward me again.

"Grace, please? Don't do this? I beg you, please?"

I ignored his plea.

"Reject you as my fated mate and one true love. I hereby break our bond and set you free just as I set myself free."

I had to steady myself as I felt the bond snap inside. It was the worst pain I have ever felt - like I had just ripped my own soul from my body.

My wolf howled miserably before crawling up into a ball and whimpering like a lost child.

I knew the moment that Rhyder felt it as well. I could see the light dimming in his eyes.

There was a split-second of regret inside me, but I knew that I had no other choice.

Rhyder betrayed me - he betrayed our bond and my wolf. I could never forgive him and I could never trust him again.

He ruined us.

Alexis said nothing. She just watched us in horrified silence. Maybe it was better that way...

Rhyder took another step toward me with his hands reaching for me. He looked like a broken version of himself.

"Grace..."

"No, Rhyder! I'm done! We're done! It's over! I never want to see you again!"

"Please, Grace."

"No! I'm leaving and don't you dare follow me!"

I made it out of the room just in time to hide the tears that began streaming down my face.

I felt like I had been shattered. I just had to get away. I couldn't bare to look at them a second longer.

And I couldn't bare to let them see me break.

I had my pup to think of now and to me, that was the only thing that mattered - the only thing I still cared about.

Three:

Rhyder's POV.

"She told me that she's pregnant."

Silence filled the room as my mother stared at me in disbelief with a gaping mouth.

A second later, she regained her composure and closed her mouth, reclaiming her role as the stoic Luna of our pack.

"Is she sure?"

She asked cautiously while flattening an imaginary crease from her dress.

"She says that she took a few tests."

My voice remained flat, void of any real emotion.

"And you believe her?"

I stared at my mother for a few seconds, searching my mind for any possible reason that Alexis would have lied to me about something like that.

I came up empty.

"Why would she lie to me, mother?"

Another beat of tense silence fell as she also searched for a possible reason. A moment later, she sighed heavily, her delicate shoulders slumping slightly. A sombre shadow fell across her face.

"I'm not saying that she is, Rhyder. I just want to make sure that she's not - many have done far worse to get what they want."

I caught the hint of distrust in her voice. But it gave me little comfort.

For almost a month now, I've been wracking my brain for some sort of explanation - a reason. Anything that could help me make sense of the situation I landed myself in.

But sadly, I've had to accept that there was no rational explanation - no way that this entire thing was just one big misunderstanding. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was the only one to blame for what happened that night.

I did what I did.

I broke Grace's heart.

And I'm the reason that she left her pack, her family, and everything else that she knew.

"Believe me, mother," I finally said, "no one hates this more than I do, but there's nothing I can do to change any of it now. I've searched everywhere for Grace, but it's like she's vanished into thin air. And now... Alexis is pregnant with my pup."

My breath hitched as I choked out the last few words.

I couldn't bare to look at the disappointment in my mother's eyes any longer, so I turned my back to her and dragged my hands through my hair, exhaling a stammering breath of hopelesness.

My mother rose to her feet, crossed the room to where I was standing, and genlty lay one of her hands on my shoulder.

"I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you, Rhyder. Your father and I both know how much you love Grace and what she meant to you - we love her like she's our own..."

She hesitated for a second, taking a deep breath as if she was fighting back an ache in her chest.

"But perhaps the time has come to face the harsh reality of the situation."

"I just wish I could remember what happened that night - anything, the smallest detail that could help me understand all of this. But no matter how I try, all I can remember is saying goodbye to Grace and then I woke up next to Alexis... it just doesn't make any sense. I don't even remember having that much to drink."

"I know Rhyder. I know that you would never intentionally do anything to hurt Grace - your entire pack knows that. And we know how much Alexis cares about her as well. What happened was awful... but it was a mistake."

"A mistake that cost me everything. I never should have let her walk away that day. I should have gone after her. I should have made her stay. I should have fought for her - for us. And now I can't find her anywhere."

Another heavy sigh from my mother before she spoke again.

"Perhaps it's time to stop looking then."

I rounded on my mother. It was my turn to gape at her in disbelief.

"You can't be serious, mother?"

She turned her eyes to the floor. A tear slipped down her cheek.

"I want Grace back here almost as much as you do. But we can't always have what we want. You have other responsibilities as well, Rhyder - to this pack and to Alexis and your unborn pup."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. The fact that they were true didn't make them any easier to hear.

She went on without missing a beat.

"Your Alpha training starts in a week - you'll be the leader of this pack soon enough. And you have to do the right thing by Alexis. No matter how difficult it might be - no matter how much it might hurt you. But that's what a good Alpha would do. That's what a good man would do..."

She rested her hand gently on the curve of my jaw, a look of compasion in her eyes.

"And I know that you are both those things, Rhyder."

I nodded my head and leaned into her touch slightly. After, she turned and left me to be alone with my thoughts.

It felt like an iron fist was closing around my heart. I hated every minute of what was happening.

I hated myself for allowing it to happen in the first place.

But my mother was right.

I would give anything to have Grace back - to have the chance to tell her how sorry I am for breaking her heart and her trust. I want nothing more than to make things right with her.

But the sad reality is that I don't deserve that. And maybe Grace deserves better than me.

The only thing that I can do now is to focus on becoming the best Alpha this pack has ever had. And to be there for Alexis and our pup.

My pack deserves the best version of me.

So does Alexis and our unborn pup.

I might not be able to change the past, no matter how much I wish that I could. But I am in control of my future.

Four:

Grace's POV.

This was the absolute last place that I wanted to be.

I hated both of them for what they did to me - to our bond, our friendship. I hated them for ruining everything and there was a part of me that never wanted to see either of them again.

I just wanted to forget that they ever existed.

But there was another part of me that wanted to confront them. That wanted to tell them how much they hurt me and how much I hated them for it.

I wanted to make them look me in the eye. I wanted to make them face me.

And I needed closure. I needed to see them one more time just to convince myself that what I saw was real and that it really was over.

And despite everything else that's happened - what he's done. Rhyder still deserved to know that he was going to be a father.

Rhyder should be back from Alpha training by now. I had a plan: show up, confront them, and leave again without ever looking back.

"Grace... is that you, sweety?"

Her surprised voice stopped me dead in my tracks. I turned on my heel to face her and a small gasp escaped when she wraped me in her embrace and pulled me close.

"I'm so happy you came back. I thought I'd never see your beautiful face again."

She choked back tears on the last two words.

I released myself from her warm embrace and stepped back just enough to look at her. I tried a small smile.

"I'm not back. Agetha. Not really. I just came to see Rhyder. We need to talk."

Agetha looked disappointed. There was something else behind her eyes as well: pain, shame, anger, embarrassment - I wasn't quite sure.

"Oh, I'm sorry Grace. But Rhyder isn't back yet."

My pulse stuttered slightly and I hated myself for it.

"Why not? Did something happen?"

"No, dear. He's fine. They just decided to extend their training by a week. He'll be back in a few days."

I sighed heavily, my shoulders slumping. I had to muster up the courage to come back here and face them for what they did. I was ready to have a go at them now - I didn't know if I'd still feel the same way in a few day's time.

I didn't know if I would be able to convince myself to come back here a second time.

"Oh, I see."

It was all I could manage to say to Rhyder's mother.

Before I could walk away however, Agetha stopped me by taking one of my hands in hers.

"You could stay, you know," she saw the hesitation in my eyes and quickly added, "not forever, just until he gets back. I'd love to spend a little time with you, so would Ronin. And I bet your parents miss you just as much."

My first instinct was to say no immediately, turn around, and run away. But the way that Agetha was looking at me, with such imploring eyes, made me think twice.

Maybe it would be better if I just stayed until he got back - then at least I wouldn't have to work up the nerve to come back again. And I did miss my parents. I wouldn't mind spending a little time with them as well.

So, I nodded my head slowly, but didn't trust my voice not to betray me.

Agetha smiled, her eyes brightened a little.

"Perfect. You can all come over for dinner tonight. I'll talk to your mother about it."

She pulled me into another tight embrace before walking away. She only made it a few steps before she turned to look at me again.

"Grace..."

"Yes."

"I'm so sorry... for what they did... you deserved so much better."

Tears brimmed her eyes - they looked sad again. I had to fight to bite back my own as well. I didn't respond, I just turned and walked away as quickly as I could without actually running.

I couldn't wait to see my mother. I desperately needed a hug from her.

But there was one place that I wanted to stop first.

I knew that it was stupid and that it would only end up hurting, but I wanted to go anyway.

I tried the door - it was unlocked.

Logic should have told me not to go in. The last time that his door was unlocked ended horribly. But I was so caught up in the moment that I was barely paying any attention.

I just wanted to be close to him again. I just wanted a wiff of his scent. Maybe I was just punishing myself - making it worse. But in that moment I really didn't care.

My breath caught when I pushed the door open and found her sprawled across his bed.

At least she was wearing clothes this time.

"Alexis."

"Grace."

She breathed as she shot upright. Maybe I was just imagining it, but she actually looked disappointed to see me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

My words were sharp. My voice like ice.

She looked around his room sheepishly.

"I'm hiding, actually. I'm not very popular with the pack these days."

She looked sad. Maybe she was looking for a little sympathy - she was looking in the wrong place.

"I can't imagine why."

I crossed my arms as I said it. My face felt like it was on fire. It took everything in me not to lunge at her.

Alexis climbed to the floor, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin defiantly.

"Look, Grace..."

My blood began to boil instantly. Was she really about to lecture me?

"I know that what we did to you was awful and I really regret that you had to find out like that. The last thing that I wanted to do was hurt you..."

"And yet, you did it so skillfully."

She gaped at me for a split-second before continuing.

"But it wasn't just some drunken one-night stand. We're together now - Rhyder and me."

I wanted to scratch her eyes out with my claws. Like that was somehow supposed to make everything better. Like it was supposed to hurt less.

"Forgive me if I don't congratulate you."

Alexis took a step toward me, a slow smile started around her mouth.

"Oh, come on Grace. Please? I know that this isn't easy for you, but we're going to be a family."

"Wha... wh... what?"

I could barely choke out the word. It felt like my heart had stopped working completely. My head was spinning a little.

"I'm pregnant, Grace. Rhyder and I are having a baby."

I almost burst out laughing, but luckily I caught myself in time. It sounded so absolutely absurd - I didn't want to believe her.

I wanted to tell her that she was a lying, cheating bitch.

But the way that she rested her hand over her slightly protruding belly and smiled down at it told me that she was telling the truth.

I've done the same thing a hundred times.

Tears began to blur my vision as I spun round and headed for the door. Alexis called after me, but I ignored her.

All I wanted was to get as far away as possible.

If Rhyder was having a baby with Alexis, he didn't need one with me as well...

Five:

Rhyder's POV.

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to talk to Alexis as soon as I get back home - and then I'm going to find Grace and fix things with her."

Jackson, my future Beta, jerked his head in my direction and looked at me with cocked brows.

"That won't be easy for Alexis to hear, mate. You should know how she feels about you by now - all those letters she's sent these past months..."

"I know. And breaking another girl's heart is the last thing that I want to do, but I can't give her what she wants from me - my heart belongs to Grace, so does my wolf. It's not fair to Alexis to make her think otherwise."

Jackson nodded his head slowly and waited for me to continue.

"Of course, I'll do right by my child. But I have to do right by Grace and myself as well. I can't spend another day letting Grace think that I don't care about how much I hurt her. I have to find her. I have to tell her how sorry I am. And I have to prove to her how much she means to me."

"I'm on your side, mate. You know that I've always thought that you and Grace were the perfect couple and that you guys would do a great job at leading our pack one day..."

"But?"

I cocked my own brow at him.

"But your parents are going to be really disappointed when you tell them that you want to postpone becoming Alpha so that you can go after Grace. You know that they've been looking forward to you taking over leadership almost more than you."

I dragged my hands through my hair, exhaling sharply through my nose.

"I know, but they'll understand why I have to do this. They love Grace - and they want her back home just as much as I do."

Jackson rested his hand on my shoulder.

"I hope you find her. You haven't been yourself since she left - the two of you deserve to be happy more than anyone else that I know. And I really hope that you can find that happiness with each other again."

I gave him a grateful smile just as we reached the cars waiting to take us back to the pack.

A few hours later, we arrived back home. My parents were waiting to greet me as soon as I stepped out.

"We missed you so much."

My mother wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close.

"Welcome home, son. They were very impressed with you during your training - told me that you were one of the best candidates that they've ever had."

My father gave me a strong handshake, a look of pride in his eyes.

"Thanks. I knew that I had big shoes to fill - I wanted to make you proud. Both of you."

"You always have."

My mother gave me a quick kiss as a single tear rolled over her cheek.

"Can we talk, please? It's important."

My parents shared a loaded look before nodding their heads and following me away from the rest of the pack - they looked concerned.

"What's wrong, Rhyder? Did something happen?"

My mother barely waited for us to be out of earshot before she spoke.

"No. Well, yes. I've made a decision. I know that you won't be happy about it, but I really need you to support me on this because I'm going to do it anyway."

They shared another look, only this time, something different passed between them.

"What is it, son?"

My father's voice sounded strained.

"I won't be taking over as Alpha just yet. I need to find Grace first - I need to fix what I broke with her and I need to bring her back home. I have no interest in being Alpha if I can't have her as my Luna."

"Oh, sweety..."

My mother's voice faltered, her eyes filling with fresh tears. My father rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"What? What is it? Something happened, didn't it?"

An uneasy feeling settled over me like a heavy storm cloud.

"It's Grace..."

"Is she okay?"

"Yes, yes. It's nothing like that. She came back a few days ago. She wanted to see you -to talk to you. But you weren't back yet."

"So, what happened? Why didn't you tell her to wait for me to get back?"

"I did... we did. And she was going to, but then she ran into Alexis..."

"And Alexis told her about the pregnancy..."

The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water - the blood in my veins ran cold. I couldn't even imagine how Grace must have felt when she found out - the amount of betrayal and heartache that she must have experienced.

She must hate me.

I would.

I do.

"Why? Why would Alexis do something like that?"

"Was she supposed to hide it from Grace, son? Was she supposed to lie to her?"

I began to pace, suddenly feeling restless and agitated.

"No, no... of course not. But she could have waited for me to get back - given me a chance to talk to Grace first. And then we could have told her together."

"I don't think that it would have made a difference. Grace was shattered when she left."

My mother's voice was gentle. She was trying to disarm me, maybe even comfort me in a way, but all she managed to do was anger me.

And even though I knew that they weren't to blame for any of it - that this was all my fault, I still needed someone to blame. Even if it was just to lift some of the burden from my own shoulders.

"Why did you let her leave again?! Why didn't you make her stay?!"

"How were we supposed to do that, son? She didn't want to be here and we understood why."

His words felt like a slap to the face.

"You're her Alpha! You could have ordered her to stay!"

I lunged at my father, suddenly blinded by rage. My mother stepped between us just in time to stop me.

"Rhyder! That's enough! This is not who you are!"

Her eyes were filled with disappointed fear. So were my father's.

When the rage boiling inside me subsided, I was left with a feeling of complete emptiness.

"Who am I then, mother? Who am I without her?"