“Pregnant?” His voice thundered, his brows furrowed, and his eyes burned with unfiltered rage.

“I forgot my pills one time—”

“—and now you’re pregnant?!” he cut me off, glaring at me as if I had committed a crime.

I nodded, lowering my head. If I didn’t know the truth, I would defend myself. I knew he wouldn’t listen because he's the man who kept me only for the wealth tied to my father’s name.

He couldn’t access it yet—my signature was required, and I had refused to sign. Doubt lingered despite his reassurances that he’d never leave me. And yet…

"Shit!" he cursed under his breath, again and again, while I sat in silence, crying.

A month had passed since I uncovered his plan—another month without him coming home. Now, at four months pregnant, my condition was undeniable.

I couldn’t hold back a sob. He heard it, turned away, and left—fully aware I had prepared dinner for us, despite everything he had done.

I knew I’d still do everything for him, hoping he’d love me. But now I am alone, forcing myself to eat through my tears. If Simond didn’t need me, our baby did. I have to eat, To pretend everything will be fine.

Then, amid the silence—heels clicking against the floor. A whistle followed.

“Another misery, my dear sister?” Tati’s voice rang out.

I averted my gaze. She clicked her tongue, clearly mocking me.

“Fix your face. You’re already ugly, and now your makeup is smeared all over. You look even worse,” she sneered, taking the seat meant for Simond. “Maybe stop using makeup altogether. You’re terrifying to look at.”

“R-really?”

She huffed. “Yes. Did he leave because he found you ugly? Or did he just not show up? Maybe he’s already with someone else. I told you to find someone on your level. Stop reaching for ours. Men like him will never take you seriously.”

Her words cut deep. My heart had already shattered, but somehow, it still bled more. Ever since Dad died, no one had truly loved me. Tati only came around when she needed something, and I was sure there was a reason she was here now.

I wiped my tears and tried to put up a strong front. She rolled her eyes.

“Y-you need something?” I asked.

“Well…” A smirk curled her lips before she dropped three things on the table: a card, a bottle of wine, and a small packet. “An invitation to the alpha’s birthday tomorrow. Simond won’t bring you, for sure, but I am inviting you myself because I love you, you know,” she said, feigning sincerity.

I grimaced. Everyone pretended to care about me only because they needed me for their own benefit. No one was ever genuine.

“You’re up to something, Tati.”

She sighed, dropping her pretense immediately. Twirling her hair, she flashed a grin.

“I want to get married. Unlike you, I want a secured future.”

“To whom? The Alpha?!”

“You sound shocked,” she said, smug. “I have to surpass you, after all. If not the beta, then the alpha himself.”

My eyes flicked to the bottle and the packet. “And those? What are they for?”

“Hello? I just told you I need to marry him. And to do that, I need to bed him on his 27th birthday. That’s the time he finds his mate, and it should be me.”

At first, I didn’t understand what she meant. I wasn’t close to the ruling family. Simond never introduced me to them, nor did he ever take me to these parties. But when she pushed the items closer to me, it hit me.

“Is that a drug?” I asked, furious.

She remained unfazed. “Yes. And once we’re done mating and I marry him, I’ll give you thirty percent of my share in Dad’s company.”

I shook my head. I didn’t want any part of this. I turned to leave, but she grabbed me. My eyes widened when I saw the blade in her hand.

“T-Tati…” I stuttered.

She smirked and pressed it to her throat. “Fine. Don’t help me. But just know, I’ll take it as jealousy. That you don’t want me to be happy. So I’ll kill myself.”

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. I didn’t want her to get hurt—but I couldn’t let myself get dragged into this either.

“If anyone finds out what we did, we’ll be punished! Even you know that—”

“—How will he know? You won’t speak!” She dared me. “And I’ll make him fall crazy in love with me and that’s enough to protect you, I promise!”

She clasped her hands together in mock sincerity. But I knew the truth. If I got involved, my baby and I would be scrutinized. The entire pack would turn against us. And if that happened, I didn’t think Simond would save me.

He would finally have the excuse he needed to be free of me.

Tears spilled from my eyes.

“Please, Tati, stop this,” I begged.

I was already broken—ruined—drowning in loneliness. And now, even she wanted to drag me deeper.

But Tati had always been cruel to me. Always.

She grinned.

“Then if not the alpha… should I go for your husband instead?” she taunted.

My throat went dry. Her smirk deepened as she leaned in closer.

“Do it, Tasha. Help me drug the alpha to make him bed me… or else I’ll bed your husband and take him away from you.”

“Where’s Tati?” I murmured to myself while I made my way to the alpha.

He’s smiling, engaged in conversation with guests, his red tailored suit setting him apart as the man of the night. Young, handsome, and completely unaware of what’s coming. Just to be certain, I confirmed with the servants—yes, he’s the alpha.

I’m pretending to introduce myself, playing the role of a neglected wife who had no choice but to make her presence known. In my hand, the wine glistens under the chandelier’s glow, laced with the drug Tati gave me.

A veil hides my scars, a feeble attempt to mask what might repulse him. If he rejects me, I’ll be cast out before fulfilling my purpose—or worse, humiliate myself.

“Good evening, Alpha,” I say as I stop in front of him.

The crowd fades, leaving us alone. His gaze lingers, unsettled. My stomach knots, but I pushed through because this is for Tati’s threats. She’s beautiful, the kind men like Simond crave. If Nalla stole my husband, Tati could do far more.

“Happy birthday, Alpha Rome. I am…” My voice falters.

To my surprise, he smiles and extends his hand. Most people avoid touching me, as if my mere existence is contagious.

“You are?” he asks, already reaching for the wine. No hesitation, no suspicion.

I swallow hard. “Tasha Colonel. Simond’s wife.”

The last part comes out in a whisper.

His lips part slightly, whether in shock or disbelief, I don’t know. How could I, of all people, be the Beta’s wife?

I force a smile. “I’m sorry I haven’t attended your gatherings before. Please accept my gift… and my gratitude for your time.”

I start to bow, ready to turn and leave, but he catches my wrist.

“Are you sure… you’re Simond’s wife?” The doubt in his voice stings. Is it that hard to believe because I’m—ugly? I manage a stiff nod.

“Yes. Please, enjoy your night, Alpha.”

I spin on my heels, rushing away before I embarrass myself further. Before Simond sees me and makes a scene. I can feel the Alpha’s eyes on my back, lingering, assessing. Is he suspicious? It doesn’t matter. I did what Tati asked.

I leave the mansion in haste and send Tati a message: It’s done.

I force myself into bed, but sleep refuses to come. Guilt gnaws at me, twisting my stomach. Something feels off, as if telling me something bad is coming.

Midnight strikes. Just as I reach for a sleeping pill, a commotion outside startles me. Heavy footsteps. Voices. Before I can react, my door bursts open.

A swarm of councilmen floods in, led by a man with a deep scar across his cheek. His presence alone sends a chill down my spine. He screams danger.

“What do you want?” My voice cracks as he grabs me roughly.

“The Alpha is dead!” he bellows. “You killed him. You killed my brother!”

My vision blurs. What? No! this isn’t happening.

“I didn’t—” My words die on my tongue when I see them.

Simond. Nalla. And Tati.

They stand at the threshold, faces void of any emotion as if all of them joined hands on betraying me.

Tati comes to me to taint me more. “I told her not to go. But she insisted. She even threatened to take her own life if I didn’t give her an invitation—”

“No!” My voice cracks as I turn to her. “You told me to drug him for you—”

A sharp slap cuts me off.

Alpha’s brother glares down at me. He was once a man who refused the throne, but now, with Alpha Rome dead, he is next in line.

I fall to my knees to beg more.

“I didn’t kill him, please,” I whisper. My trembling hand points at Tati. “She planned this—”

A slow, deliberate cough intervened.

Simond.

He steps forward, gaze void of warmth. I plead with my eyes, silently begging for him to save me. But then—

“I know my wife resents me but I never thought she’d go this far to ruin my reputation. Please, my lord, forgive me… and punish her for her crime.”

He pinned me more so I’d be punished death.

Pain shoots through me as hands seize me, dragging me away. My body scrapes against the ground, and I feel a searing pain in my stomach—something tearing inside me.

“No! My baby!” I cry out, clutching my abdomen. “Please, help my baby!”

They didn’t care at all.

They shove me into a cage and toss me to the ground. Darkness eats me, the air reeking of rot and blood. This prison, abandoned at the mansion’s edge, is where traitors die, and rogue looms. I curl up, hands trembling over my belly, shielding the fragile life within. But then I felt a presence.

Powerful. Overwhelming.

The air shifts, a force pressing against my skin. My breath catches as golden eyes pierce through the dark. My body tenses, instincts screaming at me to shield myself. But there is nowhere to go.

“Shh…” A calm, almost amused voice cuts through the silence.

My eyes snap open, and for the first time, I see him clearly. My vision sharpens unnaturally, my own eyes glowing in response.

I gasp. No. It can’t be.

“Alpha Rome? How come you’re here w-when…” My voice is barely a whisper. “...you’re already d-dead?”

He smirks. “Well… I faked my death.”

I freeze.

He what?

He faked his death?

But why?