Chapter 2

Daphne's p o v

I was repeatedly thankful that I was pregnant at last. Barely after two months, I was beginning to set the cahbge in me. From my behavior to my body, I could feel what it was like to Carey a child.

I woke up feeling sick with Rosie always on my side. I kist my appetite and lost interest in almost anything. I let my beta take over most of my duties for me because I wanted to relax as much as I needed to to make me and my baby healthy.

I was standing in front of my mirror sideways almost every morning to see the growth of my belly.

My wolf would mention my innocent impatience and I would laugh with joy.

After rubbing my belly I decided to take a stroll out of the pack house. As soon as I stepped into the corridor, I was faced with Stephen and Rosie facing each other at a strange distance from the other. They were speaking in hushed tones while Rosie folded her arms.

Immediately they saw me, they both draw away from each other and Stephen calls out to me.

"Daphne, where are you headed?" He is coming to meet me while Rosie still remains where she is.

"I got tired of staying indoor. I just want to take a slow stroll out till I get tired."

"Isn't it safer for you to stay inside?" Rosie quickly asked. "You know stressing yourself want be healthy for the baby at all."

"Thanks for your concern, Rosie but it's alright. I am not intending to walk too far." I say bede walking on.

"Do you sense anything suspicious?" My wolf asked as I draw nearer to the walkway.

"There's really nothing to be suspicious about. They're just talking about the house probably."

I was about five years older than Rosie and had taken her in when I becane the alpha at barely eighteen years. Just like me she had lost her parents and had been a school mate so Stephen suggested it would be nice if me to take her in since we had all of the rooms to spare.

Rosie was hardworking as she took to earning her space in the pack house. I wanted us to be friends but she was straight and bent on serving me instead. So I made her the head of the pack servants where she did a great job by conducting them at their quarters.

One day I was shocked when she suddenly suggested that she should like to become a breeder someday.

The breeders helped other women carry their babies before and after birth through surrogacy. And the fact that she had suddenly mentioned that while Stephen and I were talking about our childlessness shocked me. But brushed it all off. She never spoke of such again.

And now that I was pregnant, I couldn't help but notice how she was becoming more frequent at my quarters.

I could not help but see the way Stephen and Rosie had grown closer over the past few months. They seemed to be spending more and more time together, often huddled together in hushed conversation.

The way she was regularly having discussions with my husband as well always made me suspicious. When I asked Stephen, he would say it had something to do with the quarter management that he didn't want me to worry about it.

But something didnt feel right. My spirit was unsettled and my wolf was always trying to give me hints but I didn't want to start staring up unnecessary assumptions.

My pregnancy should have been a time of joy and celebration, but instead, it was marred by a growing sense of unease.

And Rosie herself had become increasingly clingy, on me as well. Always hovering around me and offering to help with even the smallest tasks.

At first, I had brushed it off as nothing more than an overeager attempt to be helpful. But the more I thought about it, the more my suspicions grew. Why was Rosie so interested in helping me and having a say in anything that had to do with my baby? Why was she so full of anticipation. It was almost like she was more desperate to see the baby than me. Her enthusiasm was becoming irritating.

I decided it was high time I started becoming more watchful.

Not until that evening when I finally got the story. The secret my husband and my acquaintance were both hiding from me.

That evening I was supposed to be away at the meeting then I remembered I hadn't taken my lips that helped me with stress management so I hurried back to our bedroom to get them.

But while I was doing my search, I started hearing Stephen's voice mixed with Rosie's.

Quickly I climbed into my closer and closed the door. Making the smell peephole my source of sight.

I watched as Rosie and my husband walked into the bedroom with Stephen all over her.

Chapter 3

Daphne's p o v

"You think it's easy for me either having to watch another woman carry my child?" Rosie asked as they stopped in the middle of the room facing each other.

"Our baby!" Stephen corrected.

Rosie chuckles. "You know, I have been thinking what Daphne would do if she finds out that the baby in her womb is actually our fertilized egg, she might get so mad and depressed that she’d kill herself, don’t you think?" Rosie said and laughed quietly.

"It would have been better if she died. That way, the pack would become mine. That would save us a lot of trouble. Maybe we'll just make our own baby in here then." Stephen says coldly, while pressing his index finger into her belly. I could not believe what I was hearing.

"As of that would be easy." Rosie added.

"And I'm not a murderer so this is our best option. The only thing to worry about is she rejecting me before then. That's why we have to be careful because if she suspects anything she may reject me and then divorce me. That’s why we need to keep this secret. Once our child inherits the pack, we’ll deliver her a crushing blow."

"Of course." Rosie says and leans closer her hands now latched on Stephen's shoulder. "There's nothing you would do that will make her reject you. You know that. Aside the fact that she is a fool easy to manipulate, she can't resist you." I watch when finger trailing through his beard.

"The same way you can't resist me huh?" Stephen asks grabbing her waist.

I let the tears pour freely but bite back my cry as I watched them. Rosie and Stephen on his aback while they kissed passionately like pure lovers. Right in my bedroom.

I had received the two biggest blows of my life at the same time. My husband was cheating on me and the child that I have been carrying for six months, that has been giving me so much joy wasn't even mine.

How could I be strong enough to handle this betrayal?

I almost fainted as I watched Rosie sleeping with my husband right on top of my own matrimonial bed. It was too much for me to bear.

I ended up cancelling the meeting that day as I was too weak to carry on with it.

Even after a whole month, I won't be able to get over this shock. A lifetime would not even be enough for me to heal.

After that they went out together and I was left pondering on what to do next. If this was really true then I was more than doomed. Could I believe the words that came out of their mouths? Could I afford not to believe it?

There was only one way to confirm all of this.

I told myself before making my way to the doctor's house. The same one who had done the IVF for me and Stephen. Or so he had claimed.

I knocked on the door twice before he answered. He flicked the curtain off and appeared behind the hands door.

"Hello doctor." I greeted with my hands pulling down the pockets of the coat I was wearing.

He casually outs on his glass before jerking closer to the door to look at me more clearly.

"Alpha Daphne! To what do I owe this late visit?"

"Open the door, doctor. You and I need to talk."

Noticing the tension in my voice as expression, he stands straight.

"What about, alpha?"

"Are you going to let me in or not?"

"Eerhn ... It's quite late, alpha Daphne ... Why don't we reschedule the meeting ... "

But before he could finish, I raised my leg high and landed a kick on the door. He draws back at once in shock.

I kick the side again with all my might.

"Daphne! Stop!" I could hear the fight in his voice as he could see my rage.

"You're gonna break it down ..."

As of I didn't hear him, I sent another kick which sends the handle flying off the door.

"Hold on! Hold on, alpha Daphne. I'll open the door for you."

He pushes his glasses closer to his eyes before opening the door with trembling hands.

"Thank you." I say as I walk in. "Sir down!" I order him and he falls into his seat.

"Now I'm going to ask you a question and you're either honest with me or you lose your teeth as your job!"

He stares up at me with awe, my alpha aura spreading over him.

"The baby I'm carrying. Of who's eggs is it?"

"Y ... Yours of course. It's yours and your husband's."

Before he could say another word, I sent a kick that landed on his mouth.

The kick sends him off his seat and he lands on the floor. But I don't stop. I continued kicking and tramping on him. My wolf churned in excitement as I did what she wanted. Kicking his ass. I continued kicking till his face was covered in blood and I could see two of his teeth on the floor beside him.

"I'll tell you the truth." He calls out in pain and step back away from him panting heavily. It was hard work having to tramp on him like that with the baby. I could barely catch my breath now as my face covered in sweat but I didn't show any form of tiredness. "Go on." I tell him.

"That day. I harvested the egg from Rosie not yours and made it with Stephen's sperm. He made me do it. He offered me a lot and I couldn't resist. I'm sorry."

"Are my eggs damaged?" I asked while keeping a straight face.

"No. But the chance of your eggs being fertilized was just ten per cent. It was very low so Stephen was sure it wouldn't work anyway so I suggested I used Rosie's eggs instead. But ... But after having this child it may be impossible for you to carry another baby. the IVF wouldn't work on you again. You have a case of OHSS. An ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome that would make it hard for you to carry the baby.."

"So you and my husband knew this was my only chance of carrying my own child and you made me carry someone else's baby?" It took a lot of strength to hold myself from crying in front of him. What if that ten percent chance that my eggs were good could have been effective? Just what if?

"I am sorry alpha. But Stephen and made me a lot of offers that I couldn't resist. Forgive me."

"Now I am going to make you a better offer." He looks up at me as I say that. "I am going to offer you a life rather than take it. Because that is what I want to do right now. I will give you just a week to get your things and get our of my pack. And if Stephen ever finds out that I know about his little secret, I would know that no one else told him but you. Then I would have to kill you and I wouldn't hesitate to snap the life out of you. Is that clear?"

"Yes!" He nods. "Yes, alpha!"

After leaving his house. I stopped at another pharmacy store. "I need the most effective abortion pills that you have."

When I got home, I stood before the mirror, staring at my image with the abaya in front of me. I could feel its unsettled movement as it was trying to settle down from the shock and discomfort it went through while I was kicking at the doctor. Now I was going to get rid of you. I clench the abortion pills in my fist.

"See you sure you want to do this?" My wolf asked as stood like a statue.

Of course I was sure. It was not too late to get rid of it.

Having told myself this, I throw the pills in my mouth and swallow!

Chapter 4

Daphne's p o v

What have I done? I asked myself. I had told myself that there was no way I would help those traitors carry their own baby. But the moment, I swallowed those pills, I felt being brought back to my senses.

Immediately, I rushed to the bathroom and filled my stomach with water from the faucet. Then I dipped my middle and index finger deep down my throat until I feel like purging everything out.

I continued until I couldn't hold the nausea and threw up into the wash basin. I looked at the liquid mess in the sink and saw the red pills that I had swallowed. It was back out.

I couldn't! I could not hurt the baby. I could not hurt my baby. I cried.

It was at that moment that I realized that I could not harm the child.

Determined, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. "They think they can get away with using me?" I muttered to my wolf who was full of supportive energy. "Well, let's wait and see who plays this this game better. I'll keep this baby and turn their plan against them. Stephen and Rosie will regret the day they crossed me."

"We'll make sure of it." My wolf added.

With resolve now strengthened, I turned away from the mirror, a fire burning in my eyes. I was ready for revenge.

As I prepared for the meeting which had been earlier postponed because of me, I was filled with a new kind of confidence.

The meeting hall fell silent as I walked in, my head held high and my back straight. I moved with an elegance that commanded attention, the way I always have, my every step filled with purpose.

I showcased my growing baby bump with a sleek, body- hugging dress that radiated more of my confidence.

The other alpha and the rest of my pack that were present in the hall watched her with a mix of admiration and surprise. The person that was most taken aback was my mate Stephen who I could see was open mouthed. This wasn't the same woman that had suddenly gone lazy and shabby because of her pregnancy.

As I made my way to the head of the table, I could feel his eyes following me and taking in my powerful presence. Yes! This is exactly how I wanted to feel. No more pain or regret!

"I got the report of the a marked increase of rogues from my pack that have been seen trespassing on our territory lately." The alpha from another pack spoke.

"Certainly. I thought it necessary to being this to your notice before taking any further actions."

"We've reached out, but they've been eager for a fight. We may have to resort to a more violent measures." One of my elders spoke.

"You need not worry. " The huge alpha spoke. "I would send guess myself to guard your borders as it would be easier for them to recognize them."

"Thank you. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation."

"It's my pleasure, alpha Daphne."

So it was this lower that Stephen envied so much?

"We should also explore potential alliance with your pack. Remember this has always been my dream. Together, we could present a united front against these threats." I suggested with a smile.

"Agreed. We must put this approach to activity. The strength of our packs depends on it." The alpha agreed.

I smiled back in appreciation and the meeting continued with the discussion of other matters.

In the end, Stephen asked concerning the doctor that packed out of Green Crest pack all of a sudden.

"He's one of the really good doctors in this pack with a experienced healers under him. You know, he is the one that helped with I and my wife's pregnancy."

"We will replace him with another!" I declare firmly before addressing the next question.

After the meeting, I go home Stephen riding beside me. We didn't exchange any words through out the ride.

When we walked into the bedroom, I felt like I was with a stranger. That is what he had became to me. A stranger.

Each time, I looked at that bed I could still see Rosie on it with him.

I faced the mirror and pulled down my earrings after the other.

I was still doing so when he appeared behind me pulling his neck tie.

The next thing I feel is his hands on my shoulder massaging them. I only chuckle and and wipe the make up off of my face.

Suddenly his arms wrap around my waist his fingers extending to my belly. I feel my back against his chest and he draws closer planting a kiss on my neck. As soon as I feel him, I draw away from his arms and smiled at him.

"I'm tired." I say calmly and leave the mirror.

"You've been a little distant lately." He mumbles. "Is everything ok?"

How was he so good at pretending to care.

"Usual works you know. Running the pack is really taking on me these days and in the end, I am left beat. Plus the baby, I'm just so tired these days. I can't help it."

I sit on the bed.

"I totally understand." He says and I smile back.

Lying fully on the bed, I turn to my side and face the wall. Away from him.