I couldn’t wait to tell Sebastian.

After seven years together—seven long, complicated years—I was finally bearing his children. Not one, but three. Triplets! Today, of all days, seemed perfect for the news. It marked our seventh anniversary as mates. It would also mark the day I’d officially become his Luna.

Everything felt like it was aligning. For years, the pack insisted Sebastian couldn’t finalize my position without an heir, and now, I had three growing inside me. My gift to him.

The packhouse buzzed with activity. Decorations, whispers, and glances—it all hinted at something big. Our big day, I assumed. Finally. But then, snippets of conversation drifted my way, harsh and cutting like blades.

“I heard the Alpha will announce his future Luna today,” someone muttered.

“Oh, you mean the King’s brat? Why bother? Everyone knows he’ll pick her,” another replied, dismissive.

“Don’t be stupid! Didn’t you hear? Evvie Smith’s back. They were making out last night!”

I froze. My blood ran cold.

“Making out?” someone else scoffed. “You mean he finally came to his senses? Good. Anyone but Saoirse. She’s a stuck-up, infertile bitch. I don’t care how pretty she thinks she is. She’s useless to the pack—and to him.”

Laughter. Loud, sharp, and cruel.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep walking, head high, spine straight. They didn’t know Sebastian like I did. They didn’t know about the nights we shared, the whispered promises beneath the moonlight, the life we dreamed of building together.

And Evvie Smith? So what if she was back? She was his childhood love—childhood, emphasis on the past. She was nothing but a ghost of a memory.

I shook off the unease, telling myself it was nothing. Just talk. Just rumors.

Standing in front of the mirror in my room, I placed a protective hand over my stomach and whispered, “Tonight, they’ll know you. Our babies, our future.”

A loud voice boomed through the packhouse, cutting through my thoughts.

“Everyone, the ceremony is about to begin. The Alpha will make his announcement shortly. Please gather in the hall.”

Excitement surged through me. I smoothed down my dress and took a deep breath. This was it.

The hall was packed, the energy electric. My heart pounded as I stepped inside, scanning the room until I found him. Sebastian stood tall in the center, his Beta flanking him. He looked powerful, commanding, everything an Alpha should be.

But he didn’t look at me.

I lifted my hand slightly, hoping he’d glance my way. Acknowledge me. Something.

He didn’t.

The unease crept back, slithering up my spine.

Then he spoke. His voice was steady, confident.

“Today, I make an announcement that will change the future of our pack.”

I smiled. Here it comes.

“I would like to introduce our Luna, the woman who will rule by my side—”

I inhaled sharply, my heart ready to burst with joy.

“—Evvie Smith.”

The room erupted in applause.

My heart didn’t just break—it shattered into jagged pieces.

I heard it wrong. I had to have heard it wrong.

But then I saw her. Her. Evvie. Smiling like she’d won some twisted game, walking toward him with practiced grace.

“No…” The word barely made it past my lips, a choked whisper swallowed by the cheers.

And then—

Sebastian wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

A kiss. A deep, claiming, passionate kiss.

In front of the entire pack.

Pain lanced through my chest, sharp and unforgiving. My breath hitched as my hands trembled at my sides.

Then, the final blow—

“And,” Sebastian continued, his voice booming with pride, “she’s carrying my child—a son, the future heir of this pack!”

The world spun. I felt sick.

“No…” I whispered again, my stomach twisting in ways I couldn’t blame on the pregnancy.

Sebastian finally looked at me. But it wasn’t the way I had hoped. His gaze wasn’t filled with love, with warmth, with excitement.

It was cold. Detached.

Like I was nothing.

I stumbled back, my vision blurring, the sounds of celebration warping into a nauseating hum. Tears spilled freely as I turned and ran, my feet barely carrying me through the doors and into the cold night air.

I gasped, desperate for breath, for understanding, for something—anything—to make this make sense.

How could he?

How could he do this to me? To us?

The babies in my womb felt like a cruel joke now. My gift to him—our future—meant nothing.

All those years. All those promises.

Lies.

And as I ran, the truth settled deep into my bones, heavy and undeniable.

I had been replaced.

I had no choice but to endure the humiliation Sebastian had thrust upon me. The betrayal burned, but what cut deeper was the realization that I had trusted him blindly. I had ignored every warning, dismissed every rumor. But now, the truth stood like an open wound I couldn’t ignore.

Earlier that morning, I returned to the packhouse, determined to retrieve my belongings from the master bedroom Sebastian and I once shared. But as I reached the door, voices inside made me pause.

“Where’s Saoirse, anyway?” A woman’s voice—Evvie.

“Probably off sulking, like the pathetic stray she is,” Sebastian’s laugh followed, deep and cruel.

My fists clenched.

“Don’t worry about her,” he continued. “She knows the consequences of failing me. She couldn’t even give me a child, and now she’s useless. A delusional little bitch who thought I ever loved her.”

Their laughter echoed in my ears, sharp and mocking.

“Come here,” he said. “Let me kiss you again.”

The disgusting sound of their lips meeting sent bile rising in my throat. I staggered away, covering my mouth, and barely made it to the bathroom before I vomited. The sheer revulsion of it all overwhelmed me.

“Risey?” His voice came from behind me, soft, almost concerned.

I didn’t turn around.

“Are you okay?” He knelt beside me, brushing my hair away from my face as if he cared.

“Don’t touch me!” I snarled, jerking away from him. Rage boiled in my veins. “You’ve made a fool of me, Sebastian!”

He sighed, rolling his eyes as if I were the problem. “Risey, you know the Council demanded I name a Luna. You’re not ready. You’re weak, you’re not pregnant, and you can’t even defend yourself properly. What choice did I have?”

“What choice?” My voice cracked. “So you made her pregnant? You made her Luna? After everything we’ve been through?” My knees gave out as I sobbed, trembling. “I thought you loved me.”

“I do love you,” he said, pulling me into his arms. His touch felt like acid on my skin. “Her title means nothing, Risey. You’re my mate. You always will be. She’s just—”

“Stop it!” I shoved him away, my voice rising with every word. “You promised me! You said it would always be us!”

His expression hardened. “Enough!” He grabbed my arm roughly. “You’re embarrassing yourself. Do you think I haven’t waited for you? Do you think I wanted this? I gave you years, Saoirse—years to prove yourself. And you failed me.”

Tears streamed down my face, but I refused to look at him. My voice wavered as I whispered, “Let me go.”

His grip loosened, and I ran—straight into the kitchen, where Evvie lounged, wearing one of the dresses Sebastian had gifted me.

“Oh, this old thing?” she said with a mocking grin, twirling for effect. “It’s cute, isn’t it? Fits me better, though.”

“That’s mine,” I spat, storming toward her. “You had no right—”

“Right?” She laughed, cutting me off. “I’m his Luna. I don’t need your permission, sweetheart.” Her eyes roamed over me, dripping with disdain. “Honestly, you should thank me. Sebastian only kept you around to warm his bed. A backup plan at best.”

“You bitch,” I hissed, raising my hand to strike her.

Before I could, Sebastian appeared, gripping my wrist in midair. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I yanked my arm away, glaring at him. “Are you seriously defending her? After everything?”

“Respect her,” he snapped, his tone icy. “She’s your Luna now.”

“My Luna?” I scoffed, breathless with disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? I owe her nothing!”

The slap came out of nowhere, sharp and stinging. My head snapped to the side, and I stumbled back, one hand instinctively covering my stomach.

“You’ll respect her,” he growled. “Or I’ll punish you. Do you hear me?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You forget I saved your life. Without me, you’d be dead—just another rogue corpse rotting in the dirt.”

I stared at him, every word cutting deeper than the last. This wasn’t the man I thought I knew. The boy who once swore to protect me, to cherish me, was gone. Or maybe he’d never existed.

But as I cradled the life growing inside me, I made a silent vow. You won’t touch them, Sebastian. You’ll never get your hands on my babies.

Because no matter what, I’d fight for them—even if it meant standing against the man I once loved.

“Help me leave this pack. Sebastian won’t let me go without punishing me,” I whispered urgently into the phone, my voice trembling with frustration. I didn’t even know where she was, but I knew she was far away.

“What the hell? Why would you leave? You two have the perfect relationship. He’s in love with you, and you’re—”

“He made me a fool,” I cut her off, a bitter edge in my voice. “I don’t have any more questions. Just help me get out.”

“Fine, you’re always welcome here,” she replied, her voice softening. “And he won’t touch you, I promise.” Then I heard her cough, a forced sound that immediately sent chills down my spine. I slammed the phone into my pocket and turned around to face Evvie.

“I need to apologize for the way things have been,” she said, stepping too close, her hand grasping mine like we were long-lost friends. “Dinner tonight with my family and his. You’ll stay quiet, act like his assistant, and obey him like a good little dog. Got it?” She ran her fingers through my hair like she had any right to touch me.

“I am his mate,” I growled under my breath, trying to pull away.

“Funny,” she purred, “because his family knows he’s only using you. They can’t stand you, never have. They barely even come here anymore, you know? But now they’re back—because they love me.”

I bit down hard on my lip, fighting the tears that burned my eyes. Her words sliced through me. It was true. His mother never liked me. She hadn’t even visited in years after meeting me for the first time, and Sebastian had always made excuses. They’re too important, Risey. They can’t be seen around us. But now they were back—because they loved Evvie.

“And I’m sorry,” Evvie laughed darkly, “but I spent the night in Sebastian’s bed.” She glanced at me with an air of superiority. “You can still sleep in it, though. Just make sure you take a shower first. We wouldn’t want you to stain the sheets with my scent. He’s obsessed with it, you know.”

I said nothing, just shot her a look of pure venom. And then Sebastian walked in.

“Risey…” His voice was a low murmur, but it was too late.

Evvie smiled sweetly. “We’ve already talked, but I’ll leave you two now. Enjoy your night.” She kissed his cheek in front of me—loudly, for emphasis—and I nearly choked on the taste of betrayal.

Sebastian turned to me, trying to sound reassuring. “Don’t mind her, okay? Just… go with the flow tonight, Risey. Sleep with me. Please.” He pulled me closer, but I stiffened.

“Hmm,” I muttered, offering him no emotion.

“I promise, the baby… it’s not mine,” he whispered, trying to soothe me. “It’s a way for her to get the Luna title. I never slept with her.”

I raised an eyebrow, mocking him. “So, it’s an artificial baby?”

He clicked his tongue in irritation, trying to hold onto his composure. “No. But I’m taking care of her because I don’t want her child to grow up without a father. Like me.”

I stared at him, a coldness creeping through me. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to understand or just keep my mouth shut.

“Okay,” I said flatly, though every fiber of my being wanted to scream.

“I’m glad,” he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He ran his hand over my waist, his fingers too familiar, and I fought to suppress my disgust. “Let’s have a sweet night later, yeah?”

That night, I didn’t want to go to dinner, but I had no choice. I sat at the table beside Baste, while Sebastian and Evvie sat across from each other, their chemistry palpable. I could see her foot inching up his leg under the table, making him gasp, and that familiar, smug smirk spread across her face.

“So why is she even here?” Sebastian’s mother asked, her voice dripping with venom.

Evvie smiled sweetly. “She’s Sebastian’s trusted companion,” she said, all fake innocence, while her foot kept working its way up Sebastian’s leg. “I didn’t want her to feel left out.”

Sebastian’s mother smiled at her, warmth in her voice. “Oh, Evvie, you’re so sweet. Sebastian never fails in choosing his Luna. I’m so glad he didn’t choose that… girl.” She emphasized the word “girl,” making it clear she was talking about me.

I couldn’t let it slide. “I can always leave,” I interjected, my voice cold and sharp.

Sebastian grabbed my arm before I could stand. “Sit the fuck down,” he mind-linked me, his words laced with warning.

Evvie’s mother chuckled softly, her gaze never leaving me. “It’s a shame, really,” she said, eyes glinting with cruelty. “I wanted to see the face of the girl the Alpha trusted. She looks just like an innocent, obedient omega.”

The sting of her words hit harder than I could have expected, but I didn’t flinch. I’d already made up my mind—I wasn’t just going to be the omega they all wanted me to be. I wasn’t going to let them break me.

But as I glanced at Sebastian—his eyes full of regret but also full of something darker—I knew. I wasn’t just fighting for myself anymore. I was fighting for the life growing inside me.