Ava’s POV

I didn’t expect Hunter and Katherine to follow me to the pack dining hall.

The pack’s elders had invited me for a meeting, likely out of courtesy as Hunter’s “official” mate. I barely had time to sit down when Hunter and Katherine strolled in, taking seats across from me as if it were perfectly normal.

I glanced at them, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I was invited to discuss trade routes with the elders,” I explained, hinting at a need for privacy.

Hunter smirked, leaning back. “And did they say they didn’t want their alpha involved?”

I said nothing, knowing there was no winning with him in public. My role here was nothing more than a formality.

The conversation began, with elder Logan praising Hunter’s recent decision to expand alliances with neighboring packs. As the meal continued, Logan raised his glass, signaling a toast. A server approached with a glass of wine for each of us.

Just as I was about to decline politely, Katherine’s honeyed voice interrupted. “Ava’s a powerhouse. I heard she can hold her liquor better than any omega!” She grinned, her wide eyes filled with false innocence.

I froze, my throat tightening. It was the same little games Katherine had been playing for months.

“Who told you that?” I asked coolly.

Katherine ’s smile wavered, but she quickly turned to Hunter, feigning hurt. “Did I say something wrong?”

Hunter placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression darkening. “Ava, it’s just a toast. Stop making things difficult.”

I swallowed, feeling a surge of anger but kept my voice calm. “I can’t drink, Hunter. I’m pregnant.”

The room went silent, every pair of eyes locking on me. The elders looked at each other, and even Katherine ’s mask slipped momentarily.

After a heartbeat of stunned silence, Katherine stood, raising her glass. “Congratulations, Ava!” Her voice was bright and high-pitched, like this was just another harmless joke.

She raised the glass to her lips, but Hunter stopped her. “Kath, you shouldn’t drink either,” he said. “Not in your condition.”

Ignoring him, Katherine gave a mocking smile and took a sip, choking a bit as she forced it down. “No, I have to,” she insisted. “This is my apology for every time I’ve hurt Ava.” Her face flushed pink as she coughed, tears gathering in her eyes.

Hunter sprang up, glaring at me. “Look at what you’ve done, Ava. Only someone as naive as Katherine would believe your lies.”

His anger poured out, filling the room. “You know what? If you can’t get along with her, maybe we should just reject this bond. Maybe we should get a divorce!”

The sting of his words cut deep, but I held my head high. “Fine,” I said evenly. “Let’s.”

Without looking back, I rose and walked out of the hall, holding my composure until I was outside. I barely noticed the cool night air as I pulled out my phone, dialing my lawyer. Midway through explaining my decision to go through with the bond separation, headlights suddenly blinded me.

I looked up, freezing as a sleek black car came hurtling towards me at an alarming speed, tires screeching against the gravel. My heart pounded. I had just enough time to jump out of the way, collapsing onto the ground as the car swerved, sped past, and disappeared into the night.

I sat there, dazed and trembling, as a faint metallic scent filled the air.

“Are you alright?” A pack member’s voice broke through my haze. She knelt beside me, her eyes wide with concern.

I looked down, finally noticing the sticky warmth spreading across my thigh. Blood pooled around me, soaking into the earth.

The woman helped me up and rushed me to the infirmary.

At the infirmary, the pack healer glanced at my blood-stained clothes with a frown. “Ava, you should call your mate. This injury could be serious.”

I clutched my phone, staring at Hunter’s number. For a long moment, I considered calling him, hoping he might care enough to show up.

But memories of his cold indifference came rushing back. His words echoed in my head: Maybe we should get a divorce.

I sighed, letting the phone drop back into my lap.

Ava’s POV

The quiet in the packhouse had become something I relied on to keep myself sane, a rare escape from Alpha Hunter’s scrutiny and Katherine ’s constant presence. So, when the silence shattered with a sharp knock at my infirmary door, I knew it couldn’t be good.

I sat up carefully, ignoring the ache in my side from the wound that nearly cost me my life and my baby. With a deep breath, I composed myself as best I could and called out, "Come in."

A nurse entered first, holding a small phone. “You’ve got a call, Luna,” she murmured before handing it to me with a cautious look, clearly aware of the strained relationship I had with our Alpha.

Hunter’s voice was clipped, impatience clear even before I said anything. "Ava, where are you? Katherine’s staying with me for a few days because of some plumbing issue. I expect you back by evening.”

The words sliced through me, but I steadied my voice. “I’ll be home when I’m discharged, Alpha.”

As I ended the call, I closed my eyes, feeling the urge to crumble. This wasn’t the life I’d wanted, but it was the one I’d been forced into. Being his omega mate hadn’t brought the respect or care I’d once hoped it would. Instead, I was reminded constantly of Katherine’s place in his heart—and my own status as nothing more than a duty, an obligation.

The next day, the nurse cleared me for discharge. I made my way back to the packhouse with heavy steps, dreading what I might find. And when I got there, I wasn’t surprised to see Katherine standing by the door with a smug smile.

“Oh, Ava! You’re back,” she chirped, her tone dripping with insincerity. "Hunter changed the entry code, but I’m sure he just forgot to tell you.”

Without missing a beat, she held the door open wider, gesturing grandly like she was welcoming me into her home. “You know, he changed it to my birthday. It’s so much easier for us to remember.”

I swallowed back a bitter retort, unwilling to play into her game. As I moved past her, I caught the faintest scent of lavender—my own signature scent, which Katherine had apparently taken to wearing. It was too much.

"Hunter?" I called out, walking through the entryway into the kitchen where the smell of roasting meat filled the air. I wasn’t surprised to see him standing over the stove in an apron—my apron, the one I’d carefully embroidered with his initials when we’d first been married. Back then, I thought it meant something.

"Ah, Ava," he said coolly, barely glancing my way. "Since you’re here, go freshen up. It’s Katherine’s birthday tonight, and we’re hosting a small celebration at the packhouse lounge. Nothing too extravagant, just… casual."

I took a breath, forcing my voice to stay calm. “I don’t think I’m feeling up to it.”

He turned, and his eyes narrowed. "Come on, Ava, it’s Katherine ’s birthday. She invited the whole pack to celebrate with us. You don’t want to embarrass her in front of everyone, do you?”

I held his gaze, feeling the rage simmer in my chest. "I’m recovering, Hunter. The doctor told me to take it easy."

"Katherine went through the same thing," he retorted, "but she's not using it as an excuse. She’s been helping around here nonstop. Why can’t you do the same?"

Just as I was about to answer, Katherine walked in, giving me a wide-eyed, innocent look. “Oh, Ava, don’t worry about the party. If you’re too tired, it’s alright,” she said sweetly. “But it would mean a lot if you could at least stop by, you know, just for a bit. Maybe just a drink or two?”

Her words dripped with mock kindness, and I felt something inside me snap. I managed a thin smile, masking my fury. "Of course, Katherine . I’ll be there."

That evening, I dressed in a simple gown, nothing too fancy. I wasn’t about to put on a show for her. As I entered the lounge, the room buzzed with energy, pack members laughing, drinks flowing. Katherine stood in the center, radiant in her crimson dress, glowing under the dim lights.

“Luna!” one of the younger pack members called, and I forced a smile, nodding politely. Katherine sauntered over, her arm slipping through Hunter’s, her head resting on his shoulder as if she owned him.

“Oh, Ava!” she squealed. “I’m so glad you came. I was just telling everyone how much I admire your resilience. Truly, I don’t know how you do it.” She raised her glass, looking at me with a saccharine smile. “To Ava! The strongest omega I know!”

I took a steady breath. "Thank you, Katherine ," I replied, my tone neutral. "And congratulations to you… for everything."

Her eyes sparkled, and she lifted her glass, clearly savoring the moment.

"Hunter,” she giggled, “maybe one day, I’ll be Luna of this pack too, alongside Ava."

The comment hung in the air, thick and heavy. Hunter stiffened, glancing quickly at me before laughing it off. “Alright, let’s keep the peace tonight, ladies.”

But then, Katherine clinked her glass against mine, a little too hard, her eyes gleaming with something darker. “By the way, Ava,” she began in an overly sweet tone, “I had a little... accident with your mail. Something about a doctor's appointment?”

The color drained from my face as I remembered the letter—my post-abortion care instructions. That was what she had.

In a flash, she pulled it from her clutch, waving it around like a trophy. "Hunter, dear, isn’t this interesting?”

Hunter’s gaze locked onto the paper, his face paling as he read. “Ava,” he began, his voice low and accusatory. “Is this… true?”

My throat tightened, but I lifted my chin, refusing to break under his glare. "Yes, Hunter. It’s true. I was pregnant.”

Hunter’s eyes darkened, and he stepped closer, his voice laced with fury. "You kept this from me?”