They always whispered when they saw me — Serena, the weak Omega who didn’t shift on her 18th birthday. The girl without a wolf. The maid who dared to dream.

But today, the whispers carried something sharper than usual.

I didn’t want to listen, but the words floated right into the servant’s hallway.

“He finally picked a Luna…”

“It’s her. Talia.”

“The Alpha’s fiancée is Talia Moonshade.”

The vase in my hand slipped.

Glass shattered across the floor, sending white lilies scattering at my feet. My heart thudded hard in my chest, louder than the gasps around me.

No.

It couldn’t be.

I forced myself to move. My legs were trembling, but I walked toward the pack common room like I was being pulled by some invisible string.

The room was filled with celebration — laughter, music, and the sharp smell of wine. My stepsister, Talia, stood at the center of it all, glowing in a red silk dress, her blonde curls falling over her shoulders like she was born to be royalty.

And beside her…

Alpha Damon.

My mate.

My fated mate.

Standing tall and proud with his hand on Talia’s waist, a silver ring glittering on her finger.

My stomach twisted. I felt like I was going to vomit right there on the marble floor.

He didn’t even glance at me.

He didn’t need to.

Because three weeks ago, under the full moon, he had found me behind the training grounds, pinned me to the wall, and whispered, “Mine.”

He had claimed me.

Kissed me like I was the only thing holding his world together.

We had spent the night in his quarters, hidden from the pack, tangled in heat and desperation. It was secret, stolen, and sacred. Or so I thought.

Now, as I watched him press a kiss to Talia’s cheek, I realized just how much of a fool I had been.

“Serena?” Talia’s voice rang out like a dagger dipped in sugar. She saw me.

Everyone did.

The room fell silent as she stepped forward, her smile all teeth.

“Did you come to congratulate us? Or are you still hoping Damon will remember you’re alive?”

A few chuckles rang out. Damon said nothing.

Not a word.

I stared at him, my lips trembling.

Say something.

Tell them it’s a mistake.

Tell them I’m yours.

But he wouldn’t even look at me.

Instead, he lifted a glass and said, “To my Luna.”

That was the moment my heart broke.

I turned and ran.

⸻

The hallway blurred around me as tears streamed down my face. I reached the servant’s wing and slammed the door behind me, pressing a hand to my stomach as I doubled over in silent sobs.

I couldn’t breathe.

How could he do this?

He was my mate.

The Moon Goddess herself had chosen us. Our bond had snapped into place the moment our eyes met. I had felt it in every inch of my soul.

But he had thrown it away for a title. For status. For her.

Talia had always hated me. Ever since my father married her mother, she made it her mission to make my life hell. She called me a mutt. A burden. A mistake.

And now she was marrying the one person I thought would love me beyond everything.

The worst part?

I had no one to tell.

My father had died when I was ten. My mother died giving birth to me. I had no siblings. No friends. No pack allies. Just Damon.

Just Damon.

I collapsed onto the bed and cried myself to sleep.

⸻

The next morning, I woke up nauseous.

It wasn’t just the crying or the emotional hangover.

It was the kind of nausea that clung to your bones.

The kind that didn’t go away.

For days, I was too tired to eat. My body ached, my heart heavier than ever. It wasn’t until I missed my heat cycle that a terrifying thought entered my mind.

No.

It couldn’t be.

But deep down, I knew.

I took a sample to the infirmary when no one was around. I waited until midnight to check the results.

Two pink lines.

Pregnant.

I clutched the sink to keep from collapsing.

I was pregnant.

With the Alpha’s child.

No — children. The scan showed two faint heartbeats.

Twins.

My hands trembled as I stared at the screen. My heart was racing, and tears pooled in my eyes.

What was I going to do?

Tell Damon?

He had already chosen Talia. He didn’t even acknowledge me at the engagement party. What would he do if he found out I was carrying his pups?

Would he accuse me of lying? Of trying to trap him?

Would he reject them the way he rejected me?

I didn’t want to find out.

⸻

That night, I packed my things.

I only had one small bag. I didn’t own much. A few changes of clothes, my mother’s old locket, and the scan photo tucked into a hidden pocket.

I left a single letter on my pillow:

“I’m sorry. I can’t stay here. I wish things were different.”

And with that, I slipped out of the pack house and into the night.

I didn’t know where I was going.

I didn’t have a car or any money.

But I had something more important than either of those things.

I had two lives growing inside me.

And I was going to protect them with everything I had.

Even if it meant losing everything else.

⸻

The forest was cold, the wind sharp against my skin as I ran under the moonlight. My legs burned, but I didn’t stop.

I didn’t look back.

Because if I did, I might turn around and beg for scraps.

And I promised myself that I would never beg again.

Not for love.

Not for family.

Not for him.