Chapter 3

Sabrina stared at Kylie in disbelief before reaching for her phone. "What the hell! You are the Luna of this pack! I'm calling Alpha Richard right now. He had no right to throw you out while you're six months pregnant and freeze all your accounts just to force an apology!"

Kylie immediately stopped her, gently pushing the phone back down. "Don't call him, Sabrina. I don't want you begging my mate to take me back, and I don't want Alpha Richard thinking I need someone to fight my battles for me."

Sabrina's face softened as she looked at Kylie's tired expression. "Then stay here as long as you need. I'll pay for everything until you can get back on your feet, and you don't have to feel guilty about accepting help from me."

Kylie looked down at her belly and quietly shook her head. "I'm grateful, Sabrina, but I need to find my own way. Alpha Richard can take away his money, but he doesn't get to decide whether I can build a life without him."

Sabrina leaned forward and thought for a moment. "Then come work at Carpio Corporation. I can get you a position immediately, and you won't have to deal with strangers judging you because you're pregnant."

Kylie gave her a grateful smile but firmly refused. "No, Sabrina. I don't want Alpha Richard turning his anger toward you or your family just because you helped me. I need to solve this without dragging anyone into my problems."

Sabrina sighed, clearly unhappy with the answer. "You're stubborn, Kylie, but I understand. Just promise me you'll tell me if things get worse."

"I promise," Kylie replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "For now, I just need a chance to stand on my own."

For the next week, Kylie searched everywhere for work across the city surrounding Crest Moon Pack. She sat through interviews, handed out resumes, and tried to hide how exhausted she felt whenever another employer glanced at her swollen belly.

Most of the interviewers became hesitant as soon as they realized she was six months pregnant. Some politely rejected her on the spot, while others promised to call later and never did.

One afternoon, a manager studied her resume for several seconds before clearing his throat. "Luna, the truth is Alpha Richard call every company and said do not accept if you ever apply for job. One more thing, we actually love to have you here but you are pregnant we are worry something will happened to you and the heir pup, the alpha will kill us."

Kylie kept her expression polite even though disappointment filled her chest. "I understand. Thank you for being honest with me and for giving me the chance to interview."

She stepped outside and checked her phone, hoping to see at least one message from Alpha Richard.

There was nothing.

A week had passed since he threw her out, and her Alpha mate had not once asked whether she was safe, whether she had eaten, or whether their unborn child was doing well.

Kylie pressed a hand over her belly and whispered, "So this is really what you want, Alpha Richard? You can go seven days without even asking about your own family?"

Aira stirred quietly inside her, her voice filled with sadness. Stop waiting for him.

Kylie took a slow breath and nodded. "You're right. He made his choice."

She started walking down the street, but a familiar scent suddenly reached her.

Kylie stopped and turned toward a luxury boutique.

Cassandra Smith was standing outside with several women from the pack, dressed in an expensive outfit that made her look every inch like a future Alpha's chosen woman.

The instant Cassandra spotted Kylie, her expression changed.

She lowered her eyes, pulled her shoulders inward, and gave Kylie a nervous smile. "Oh Kylie... I mean Luna, I didn't know you would be here. Please don't be angry with me."

Kylie barely heard her.

Her attention had fallen on the necklace hanging around Cassandra's neck.

Her stomach dropped.

Kylie knew that necklace immediately.

Richard had designed it himself for their anniversary and had once told her he wanted every detail to remind her that she was his Luna and mate.

Now it was resting against Cassandra's chest.

Kylie slowly raised her eyes. "Where did you get that necklace?"

Cassandra touched it nervously and glanced away. "Richard gave it to me. I didn't ask for it. He said he wanted me to have it."

Kylie's face tightened. "He gave you something he designed for me?"

Cassandra immediately shook her head. "Please don't misunderstand. I know it belonged to you, but Richard said it wasn't being used anymore. I thought maybe it no longer had any meaning."

Kylie stared at the necklace, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Cassandra nervously touched the pendant again. "If you want it back, I can return it. I really don't want you to be angry with me."

Kylie felt Aira's anger rising inside her.

She wants you to react.

Kylie knew it, but the sight of that necklace around Cassandra's neck was more than she could bear.

She reached forward and ripped the necklace right off Cassandra's neck.

The chain snapped against Cassandra's skin, leaving a red line across her neck. Cassandra screamed and stumbled backward, immediately covering the injury with both hands.

"What the hell is your problem?" Cassandra screamed.

Kylie stood frozen for a second, the broken necklace clenched tightly in her hand. Her chest heaved as she looked at the pendant that had once meant something precious to her.

"You knew exactly what you were doing," Kylie said angrily. "You knew this necklace was mine, yet you still wore it in front of me."

Cassandra shook her head desperately. "I didn't steal it! Richard gave it to me, and I never asked him for anything!"

Kylie opened her mouth to respond, but a powerful Alpha scent suddenly swept across the street.

Richard appeared at exactly that moment.

His eyes immediately went to Cassandra.

He rushed toward her, his expression changing when he saw the scratch on her neck. "Cassandra, are you hurt?"

Cassandra quickly shook her head while tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm okay, Richard. Please don't blame Kylie. She was just angry."

Richard gently moved her hand away from the wound and inspected the scratch.

Kylie stood several feet away, staring at him in disbelief.

He hadn't even looked at her.

Not once.

His entire attention was on Cassandra.

Richard finally turned toward Kylie, and his face became cold.

"You did this?" he asked, his voice filled with anger.

Kylie lifted the broken necklace. "Ask Cassandra why she's wearing the necklace you designed for your mate."

Richard's eyes moved toward the necklace before returning to Kylie.

Cassandra immediately spoke in a soft voice. "Richard, please don't fight with Kylie because of me. I know she's angry, and I don't want things to become worse."

Richard stepped closer to Cassandra, protecting her with his body.

Kylie felt her heart sink as she watched him do it again.

He had chosen Cassandra before.

And once again, he was choosing her.

Richard stared at Kylie with his icy eyes. "I've told you already, I'm just trying to make it up to Cassandra. Why can't you just let it go? Why do you always have to go after her?"

Kylie looked at the broken necklace in her hand, then at Richard and Cassandra standing together.

For once, she had nothing left to say.