Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Menu Selene The dream felt intensely real. I moaned softly as his hands traced my skin, breaking our kiss. His touch was electric, sending waves of desire through my body. When his lips found that sensitive spot on my neck, I closed my eyes, silently begging him not to stop.

His hot breath teased my ear, making me shiver. Then, in an ice–cold voice, he whispered, “Never.”

I jolted awake with a gasp, alone in my room.

Two years had passed since I’d married Kane Thorne, the future Alpha of the Nightfall Pack. Throughout our marriage, I’d tried countless times to win his love, but failed at every turn. Despite being his wife, he hadn’t even marked me as his mate –

something every werewolf yearns for from their Alpha. Kane hadn’t been home in months, and I ached for his touch.

Sighing heavily, I sat up and stretched, then glanced at the clock. My heart stopped.

“Shit, I’m late!” I rushed to shower and get ready for my monthly appointment with Dr. Nathan Winters at the pack clinic. After throwing myself together, I hurried downstairs toward the main entrance, my troubled marriage weighing heavily on my mind.

Despite our problems, I loved Kane deeply. I’d always hoped having a child might bring us closer, maybe even make him want to come home more often.

*****

At the clinic, anxiety gnawed at me while Dr. Winters finished the examination and drew blood for testing. He left, promising to return soon with the results.

While waiting, I made a silent vow: if I wasn’t pregnant this time, I’d file for divorce and end this loveless marriage.

When Dr. Winters returned smiling, my heart skipped. “Congratulations!” he announced.

“Really?” I touched my stomach. “There’s really a baby?”

“Babies,” he corrected.

My eyes widened. “What?”

“Twins,” he confirmed.

Joy–filled tears streamed down my face.

“But I need to warn you,” Dr. Winters added, his expression turning serious. “Your uterine walls are extremely thin.”

His words sobered me instantly. A protective instinct kicked in, and fear for my unborn children gripped me. I knew right then I’d do anything to keep them safe.

“I’ll be careful,” I promised before leaving the clinic, still wearing a smile – at least until I got home.

There, I froze in the doorway. Kane sat in the living room with his mistress, Ruby, who was crying while he comforted her tenderly. The sight felt like a knife to my heart. I clenched my fists, fighting back tears.

Kane’s eyes blazed with anger when he saw me. “How dare you show your face here! After what you 08:43 0.8%

did to Ruby!*

“What? What are you talking about?”

His face contorted with rage. “Don’t play innocent. You disgust me.”

Csecnos Menu Unable to take any more humiliation, especially in front of another woman, I covered my mouth and fled to my bedroom. There, I pulled out the divorce papers I’d prepared months ago, after Kane first started mistreating me because of Ruby. I’d held onto hope then, thinking a baby might change things.

How wrong I’d been. Running my thumb over the bold text of the divorce agreement, I whispered, “Hell never mark me as his mate. He’ll always choose her over me, which means he won’t accept our babies either. For their sake, I have to do this.”

Wiping away tears, I signed the papers and sat on the bed, trying to process what I’d just done.

Suddenly, Kane burst through the door.

I quickly shoved the papers into the drawer and stood. “Kane-” I started, watching him lock the door.

Before I could finish, he pushed me onto the bed. “You really think you’ll be Luna of this pack?”

I tried to wiggle free, but he pinned my hands above my head.

‘Don’t forget how you trapped me into this marriage.” He started pulling at my clothes.

Despite his iron grip, I fought back, screaming, “No! Stop!”

He roughly kissed my neck. “You stop! Stop pretending! This is what you wanted when you ruined my life!*

His accusation stung, but I met his gaze steadily. “Then let’s get a divorce.”

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Menu Unable to take any more humiliation, especially in front of another woman, I covered my mouth and fled to my bedroom. There, I pulled out the divorce papers I’d prepared months ago, after Kane first started mistreating me because of Ruby. I’d held onto hope then, thinking a baby might change things. How wrong I’d been. Running my thumb over the bold text of the divorce agreement, I whispered, “He’ll never mark me as his mate. He’ll always choose her over me, which means he won’t accept our babies either. For their sake, I have to do this.”

Wiping away tears, I signed the papers and sat on the bed, trying to process what I’d just done. Suddenly, Kane burst through the door.

I quickly shoved the papers into the drawer and stood. “Kane-” I started, watching him lock the door. Before I could finish, he pushed me onto the bed. “You really think you’ll be Luna of this pack?” I tried to wiggle free, but he pinned my hands above my head.

“Don’t forget how you trapped me into this marriage.” He started pulling at my clothes. Despite his iron grip, I fought back, screaming, “No! Stop!”

wanted when you ruined my He roughly kissed my neck. “You stop! Stop pretending! This is what you wanted when life!”

His accusation stung, but I met his gaze steadily. “Then let’s get a divorce.”

< The Alpha’s Hidden Heirs