Chapter 1

I was the lowest of the low in the werewolf pack, an outcast born on the wrong side of the tracks. Since childhood, I had been bullied and ostracized by my own kind.

When my food was stolen once again and the clansmen cornered me, kicking and punching until I was ready to end my life, Jake Coolidge, the Alpha's Advisor, suddenly appeared.

The wolves who had been beating me were forced to the ground by stronger werewolves. Jake stooped and spoke to me respectfully.

He said, "Ms. Mackey, guided by the Goddess, I've come to escort you to the palace for the mate ceremony with the Alpha King."

Brandon Hancock, the Alpha King, was the leader of the werewolf pack. If I became his fated mate, no one would ever dare to bully me again.

It was like grabbing onto a lifeline. I went to the palace and became the mate of that drop-dead gorgeous werewolf I never even dared to dream of.

After the wedding, I was cautious and tried to please Brandon in every way, terrified of making him dislike me.

But when Brandon noticed, he looked at me seriously and said, "The Luna doesn't have to please anyone, Holly. Just do whatever makes you happy."

His strength and reliability gave me the confidence to be myself. I started smiling more, and with his indulgent gaze, I even dared to ask for all sorts of things.

But there was one thing that always weighed on me. Because of my health, I had miscarried twice in a row, and every time, Brandon had to take care of me for a long time before I recovered.

When I got pregnant for the third time, I waited until the pregnancy was stable and then snuck off to tell Brandon.

But as I got close, I overheard him talking to Jake. "This is the third one. After this, Jessica's body will fully recover.

"This is what I owe her. As for Holly, she's still young. She can have more children later."

*****

I froze on the spot, like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. All my happiness vanished in an instant.

What did he mean?

Wasn't it my health that made me lose the babies?

Why did Brandon's words sound like he had never intended for the babies to survive in the first place?

My mind went blank. I couldn't handle the shock, and my knees buckled beneath me.

I pressed my hand against the wall to steady myself, my face drained of color as I hid behind the door, listening in on their conversation.

Jake said, "Alpha, the Luna has lived a hard life since childhood. Her health is already poor. If she has another miscarriage, she may have difficulty conceiving in the future."

Jake had obviously wanted to say this for a long time. He hesitated for a moment and then finally spoke up, his voice solemn.

He added, "This concerns the bloodline inheritance of the pack. Please think carefully, Alpha."

Jake wasn't saying this out of concern for me.

The werewolf pack valued bloodline above all else. Every Alpha was expected to have strong pups as soon as they found their fated mate.

It had been two years since I married Brandon.

After two miscarriages in a row, not only was I heartbroken and anxious, but the rest of the pack was getting desperate too.

At a critical time like this, Jake, Brandon's right-hand man, had to step in and try to stop him.

Brandon sat at the head of the table, his features cold and stern, exuding an intimidating presence even without saying a word.

He shot a sharp look at Jake. "Are you questioning my decision?"

"I wouldn't dare, Alpha," Jake replied, dropping to one knee, his fist pressed to his chest, sweat breaking out across his forehead.

The tension in the room was thick. Brandon's furrowed brow relaxed as he thought of something. A look of love and longing I had never seen before flashed in his eyes.

He said, "Jessica saved my life. If it weren't for her, I'd be dead.

"She fell into a coma trying to save me. There's no way I could turn my back on her."

Brandon stood up. When he mentioned me, his expression returned to calm, with no trace of emotion in his eyes. It was as if I were nothing more than a throwaway pawn to him.

He continued, "Cut the dosage in half this time. And remember, keep it quiet. Don't let Holly find out.

"After this, I'll have the pack doctor do everything he can to help her recover. She'll give birth to strong pups."

I clapped a hand over my mouth in shock. My legs went weak, and all my strength drained away in an instant.

Tears fell silently. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying out.

My babies had really died because of Brandon.

How could he do this to me?

He knew how much I loved pups and how I dreamed of having a healthy, cute one of my own.

How could Brandon cruelly take my babies' lives and then pretend to grieve with me as if nothing had happened?

The grief and rage were so overwhelming that my whole body trembled uncontrollably. I wanted to rush out and scream at Brandon, but a sharp pain spread rapidly from my abdomen.