His Apologies Came Too Late

CHAPTER 1

Reina gave Alpha Dominic everything, her heart, her loyalty, and five years of her life. But the moment she finally carried his child, she discovered the cruel truth. He never loved or wanted her. He had been secretly poisoning her, ensuring she would never bear his heir. And now, his mistress, Selena, is carrying his child instead.

Betrayed and broken, Reina refuses to be the weak Luna they all expect her to be. She won’t beg or cry. She will rise.

The only problem is that Dominic isn’t willing to let her go.

When he realizes the fire he thought he had extinguished is now burning hotter than ever, he does the one thing she never expected.

He begs.

But is it too late? Or will Reina destroy him before he gets the chance to ruin her again?

--

I held the pregnancy test in my hand, staring at the two pink lines as I walked out of the pack healer's cottage. After five years of marriage to Alpha Dominic, I was finally pregnant. My heart was filled with happiness as I placed the test into my purse.

I'd already stopped by the gift shop in town, picking up the watch he'd been eyeing for months. The saleswoman had wrapped it beautifully with a silver bow which was his favorite color.

As I pulled out my phone to text Dominic that I was coming to surprise him, it buzzed with a notification. An unknown number had sent me several videos. Curious, I pulled over and opened the first one.

There was Dominic, his arms wrapped around a beautiful golden-haired woman, Selena. His ex-girlfriend, the daughter of the neighboring Alpha. The woman he'd sworn meant nothing to him anymore.

He was smiling at her, looking at her the way he used to look at me.

With trembling fingers, I played the next video. They were kissing and his hands were tangled in her hair. The timestamp showed it was from yesterday.

I started the car in a daze and drove home. When I pulled into our driveway, I noticed an unfamiliar car parked near the side entrance, the one that led directly to our bedroom.

I slipped into the house quietly, following the sound of voices until I reached the hallway outside our bedroom. The door was slightly opened, and I could hear them clearly.

"So you mean Reina hasn't suspected anything?" Selena's voice came through the door.

"Not yet.” Dominic replied with a cruel chuckle. “She's too busy trying to get pregnant while I've been taking those fertility-suppressing herbs for the past five years."

"That's genius of you," Selena purred, "but how then did I get pregnant with your child if you've been taking herbs?"

My heart stopped immediately. Pregnant? Selena is pregnant?

"I stopped taking them when you came back," Dominic said proudly. "I wanted you to have my pup, not her. I could never bear having a child with her."

"Just as it should be," Selena said smugly. "We'll finally be together as true mates should."

“I'm going to dissolve our bond," Dominic declared. "Reina will understand it's for the best. The pack needs stronger heirs than she could ever provide."

"But what about her mother?" Selena asked. "Do you think she'll ever know the truth about her? That her mother was framed for betraying the pack?"

My head snapped up. My mother had been banished from the territory five years ago, accused of leaking territory maps to the rogues. I had never believed she was guilty.

"That you were the one who actually leaked our territory maps to the rogues?" Dominic laughed coldly. "No one would believe it. Her mother was banished years ago. Everyone's forgotten about her."

"It worked perfectly," Selena said. "With her mother gone, Reina had no family left. She was so desperate for love that she fell right into your arms."

The pregnancy test slipped from my fingers and clattered to the floor. A small burst escaped my lips before I could stop it.

The conversation inside immediately stopped. I scrambled to pick up the test and ran down the hallway to my private study, closing the door quietly behind me. My whole body trembled as I sank to the floor, tears falling down my face.

Everything had been a lie. Every touch, every kiss, every promise. The man I had given everything to had been plotting against me all along. He had taken my mother from me and now he planned to take my future as well.

I heard his footsteps in the hallway, coming closer. Quickly, I wiped my tears and straightened my clothes. I slipped the pregnancy test into my pocket just as he opened the door.

"Luna?" he called out. "Are you alright? I thought I heard something."

I forced a smile. "I'm fine," I said softly. "Just a bit tired."

Relief flooded his good-looking face. He crossed the room and pulled me into his arms, kissing my forehead tenderly. "You work too hard," he murmured against my skin. "You should rest."

I let him hold me, let him believe I was still his naive and trusting Luna.

"I love you," he whispered, and I wondered how many times he had practiced those words to make them sound so sincere.

"I love you too," I lied, my mind already racing with plans.

He kissed me once more before leaving, promising to check on me later. As soon as the door closed, I let the tears fall freely again. But these weren't tears of despair. These were tears of rage and of determination.

My hand moved protectively over my stomach. This child deserved better and mother deserved justice.

Alpha Dominic had taken everything from me but now I would take everything from him.

Starting from his precious Selena.

CHAPTER 2

I was walking toward the garden when I heard Dominic's voice from his study.

"I miss you too,"His tone was warm and intimate in a way it never was with me. "I can't wait to see you tonight."

My claws extended out but I forced them back. I took a deep breath, and pushed the door open with a bright smile pasted on my face.

Dominic turned quickly, his phone disappearing into his pocket. "Luna. I didn't hear you coming."

"Pack meeting reports," I said, holding up a folder I'd grabbed from my office. "Who was that?"

"Alpha Marcus from the Southern Ridge," he lied smoothly. "Pack alliance discussions."

I nodded as if I believed him. "How's it going?"

"Good," he said, coming closer to wrap his arms around me. "I need to head to their territory today for formal negotiations. I'll be back tomorrow night."

I leaned into his embrace and murmured. "Be safe."

"Always am." He kissed the top of my head. "I've got something worth coming back to."

After Dominic left, I waited exactly thirty minutes before making my move. I had to find evidence of the herbs he'd been taking, something concrete to prove his betrayal.

I entered our bedroom and went straight to his nightstand. Nothing in the drawers but books and a watch. His closet revealed nothing suspicious either. I moved to the bathroom, searching through his toiletries and medicine cabinet. Still nothing.

I returned to the bedroom and knelt beside the bed. There, underneath, was a small wooden box I'd never noticed before.

Inside were dozens of empty vials, each labeled with the same script: *Fertility Suppressant – Take Daily*. There was a single vial still half-full of liquid.

"Perfect," I whispered, slipping the half-empty vial into my pocket.

But I needed more than just this. The vial would prove his deception about our inability to conceive, but I needed evidence about my mother or Selena's betrayal of the pack.

As night fell, I got into my car and drove toward the outskirts of our territory, to a place I hadn't visited in years—the home of Mira, my mother's closest friend and the pack's former Beta female before my mother's banishment.

Before I could even knock, the door swung open.

"Reina," Mira exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took in my presence. "What happened?"

"I know the truth," I said simply. "About my mother. About what Dominic did. About everything."

She pulled me inside quickly, checking the darkness outside before locking the door behind us. "How much do you know?" she asked.

"Enough to destroy them," I replied. "But I need your help."

"You have it," she said. "I've been waiting for this day."

We spent hours huddled at her kitchen table. Mira still had connections—wolves loyal to my mother who had never believed the lies, warriors who had been forced out of the pack when they questioned my mother's banishment. She had names, locations and promises of support.

There's something else you should know," Mira said finally. "Your mother... she's alive."

"What?" I whispered. "But Dominic said—"

"Dominic lied," Mira cut in sharply. "After her banishment, she went to the Northern Crescent pack. They gave her sanctuary. She's been waiting and gathering support. Waiting for you to learn the truth."

Tears spilled down my cheeks—the first I'd allowed myself since discovering Dominic's betrayal. "Take me to her."

"Not yet," Mira cautioned, squeezing my hands. "It's too dangerous. Dominic has spies everywhere. But soon."

She released my hands and walked to a small drawer, extracting a sleek black phone. "Untraceable," she explained, handing it to me. "When you're ready, call the number saved in it. Your mother will answer."

I clutched it like a lifeline, this connection to the mother I'd thought lost forever.

Dawn was breaking when I left Mira's cabin with resources gathered and a network of allies at my disposal. But I made one more stop before returning home.

The pack healer's cottage stood silent in the early morning light. I didn't bother knocking. I pushed open the door to find Elena already awake, mixing herbs at her table.

“Luna Reina!" she exclaimed, nearly dropping her mortar and pestle.

"I know what you did," I said coldly. "The fertility suppressant herbs for Dominic and the treatments for him."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, but her hands shook.

I pulled the vial from my pocket. "This. You've been making this for years."

The healer's face paled. She set down her mortar and pestle with shaking hands. "I was merely following the Alpha's orders."

"And what about your oath to protect all pack members?" I stepped closer. "Did that mean nothing when you helped him keep me childless? When you helped Selena conceive his child?"

"What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," I said, raising my phone. "I just wanted you to admit it."

Her eyes widened as she realized I'd been recording our entire conversation.

"What will you do?" she whispered.

"That depends," I said. "Are you loyal to the Alpha... or to the mother of the true heir to Silver Moon pack?"

She blinked rapidly. "Wait—you're pregnant?"

"Apparently the Moon Goddess intervened," I replied coolly. "Or should I say, he got careless. So what's it going to be?"

She hesitated only briefly before kneeling. "I serve the true bloodline. Your child is the rightful heir."

"Then help me with a potion to mask my pregnancy from everyone—including Dominic until I'm ready for the truth to be known."

She moved to her shelves immediately, gathering ingredients. "It will be done, Luna."

I returned to the pack house just as the sun fully rose, hearing Dominic car in the driveway. He was back early. Perfect.

I smoothed my dress, applied fresh lipstick and positioned myself in the kitchen. The front door opened. "Luna?" he called out. "I'm home early. Missed you too much."

I smiled at my reflection in the kitchen window, watching the dangerous woman I was becoming.

"In here," I called back sweetly. "I've been waiting for you."

CHAPTER 3

Dominic appeared in the doorway, his face lighting up at the sight of me. In three long steps, he crossed the kitchen and wrapped his arms around me.

"I missed you so much," he whispered against my hair.

I returned his embrace, ignoring the way my wolf recoiled inside me. As he held me close, I caught the unmistakable scent of rosewood and jasmine perfume clinging to his skin. Selena's scent.

I pulled back while keeping my smile intact. "How was your trip? I thought you said you'd be back tomorrow night."

"The negotiations went faster than expected," he replied, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Alpha Marcus was very... accommodating."

I nodded, pretending to believe the lie. "That's wonderful. Are you hungry? I made your favorite."

His eyes brightened. "Starving."

I served him a plate of the venison stew I'd prepared earlier, watching as he devoured it with enthusiasm. I sat across from him, nursing a cup of tea and waiting.

"Speaking of news," Dominic said between bites, "we're going to have a guest staying with us for a while."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who?"

"Selena," he said. "Her father's territory is dealing with some rogue attacks near their borders. I offered our protection until things settle down."

I gripped my teacup tighter, the glass nearly cracking under my fingers. "You mean your ex will be staying here? In our home?"

"Former ex," he corrected. "Now she's just an ally. Her father is an important pack leader, Reina. We need their allegiance."

I took a sip of tea to hide my reaction. How much more would they infiltrate my life? How much longer would they mock me under my own roof?

I forced myself to take a deep breath. "When will she arrive?"

"In two days," he replied, pushing his empty plate away. "I need to head out for another pack meeting. Can you prepare the blue guest room for her?"

I nodded, watching as he stood, dropped a quick kiss on my forehead and left without another backward glance.

After Dominic left, I went to the guest bedroom at the far end of the house. If Selena was going to stay with us, I wanted her as far from our bedroom as possible. I changed the linens and placed fresh towels in the adjoining bathroom.

As I smoothed down the comforter, I pulled out the untraceable phone Mira had given me. My thumb hovered over the single number saved in its contacts. Not yet, I told myself. I needed more evidence and more allies. When I struck, it would be decisive.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and continued preparing for our unwelcome guest.

Two days later, I heard a car pull into the driveway. I stood at the top of the grand staircase, watching as the front door opened.

Selena entered and stood in the doorway, surveying our home like she already owned it. She was still the same as I remembered—beautiful, with her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders.

"Reina," she said. "It's been so long."

"Selena," I replied coolly. "Welcome to our home."

She glanced around with her calculative gazs. "Where's the Alpha? He said he would receive me personally."

The way she said "personally" made my blood boil, but I maintained my composure.

"He had an urgent matter to attend to," I lied. "He should be back soon. Would you like something to drink while you wait?"

"Water would be fine," she said dismissively, moving past me to enter the living room. She sat on the couch, my usual spot and crossed her legs, looking completely at home.

I brought her water, setting it on the coffee table without a word. Finally, the sound of Dominic's car broke the tension. The front door opened, and he appeared, his eyes immediately seeking out Selena.

I stood, intending to greet my husband as any dutiful Luna would, but he walked right past me. He crossed the room and pulled Selena into a tight embrace that lasted far too long.

"You made it safely," he said with genuine concern. "I was worried."

Selena smiled up at him. "The journey was fine. Though my hands are hurting from carrying my bags. They're still outside."

Only then did Dominic seem to notice me standing there, watching their reunion with anger. He had the decency to look slightly embarrassed.

"Reina," he said. "Could you help Selena bring her bags in? Put them in the blue guest room."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. My husband, the Alpha, was asking me,his Luna to act as a servant for his mistress.

CHAPTER 4

I forced a smile masking the rage burning through me.

"Of course," I said with a practiced smile. "I'd be happy to help our guest."

Selena smirked as I walked past her to the front door. Outside, three large suitcases sat by her car, as if she was planning to stay for months rather than weeks. I grabbed the smallest one first, not wanting to strain myself in my condition.

One by one, I carried the heavy suitcases up the stairs and down the hall to the blue guest room. My arms ached by the time I finished, but I refused to show weakness.

"Is there anything else you need?" I asked pleasantly as Selena entered the room.

"I think I can manage from here," she replied, making a dismissive gesture with her hand. "You can go now."

I nodded and closed the door behind me, but I didn't leave.There was something very suspicious in her bag,and I trust my Instinct.

Instead, I listened, hearing the click of the lock. Perfect. I waited in the hallway, counting seconds until I heard the shower turn on in the bathroom.

Silently, I unlocked the door using my master key and slipped back inside. I moved quickly to the largest suitcase and unzipped it carefully.

The zipper slid open silently, revealing neatly folded clothes on top.I pushed them aside and froze. There, carefully wrapped in cloth, was a large bundle of dried purple flowers—consecrated wolfsbane, the most potent form that could weaken even an Alpha. Beside it lay a silver dagger, its handle inscribed with ancient runes known to cause excruciating pain to our kind.

My hands trembled as I reached deeper into the suitcase. Underneath a layer of silk scarves, I found it,a folded map of our territory. I spread it open carefully. Red circles marked strategic points—our guard posts, patrol routes, and most alarming of all, the underground tunnels known only to pack leadership.

"What are you planning?" I whispered, quickly pulling out my phone to snap pictures of everything. I sent them to Mira with a simple text: Found these in Selena's luggage. She's planning something.It's worse than we thought.

Her response came seconds later: Not surprising. Keep watching. Stay safe.

From my pocket, I retrieved the tiny listening devices and cameras Mira had given me. I worked swiftly, placing one under the nightstand, another in the closet, and a third behind the mirror. Just as I finished, I heard the shower turn off.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. There was no time to reach the door. I dove under the bed, tucking myself into the shadows just as the bathroom door opened. Selena's bare feet padded across the hardwood floor. She moved to the suitcase I'd just searched, and I held my breath, certain I'd been discovered.

But she merely grabbed some clothes and returned to the bathroom. I didn't waste the opportunity. I slipped out from under the bed and out the door, closing it silently behind me.

My next stop was Dominic's study. I planted devices in the bookshelf, under his desk, and inside the small clock on the wall.As I finished, I heard footsteps approaching. I quickly positioned myself at the desk, pretending to organize papers as Dominic entered.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion.

I looked up innocently. "Just organizing your schedule for the week. I wanted to make sure you had time for the border patrol reports tomorrow."

He seemed to accept this, his posture relaxing. "Always so thoughtful," he murmured, but there was no warmth in his voice. "Dinner should be ready by seven,right?"

"Of course, Alpha," I replied.

Dinner was a masterclass in pretense. I sat at my usual place at the end of the table, while Dominic and Selena engaged in their conversation about pack politics, old friends, and shared memories. They barely acknowledged my presence except when they needed something passed to them.

"The venison is excellent, Reina," Selena commented, her tone suggesting surprise that I could accomplish something so basic.

"Thank you," I said, smiling. "It's Dominic's favorite."

"Oh, I know," she replied with a knowing look. "He always did prefer his meat rare and fresh."

The double meaning wasn't lost on me. I maintained my smile even as my wolf snarled within me.

"More wine, Selena?" I offered.

"Please," she replied, holding out her glass. As I poured, her free hand slipped beneath the table to rest on Dominic's thigh and he didn't move away.

After dinner, I excused myself, claiming a headache. Neither seemed particularly disappointed by my departure.

In our bedroom, I changed into my nightgown and sat at my vanity, brushing my hair with precise strokes. The door opened, and Dominic entered.

"Is your headache better?" he asked, not quite meeting my eyes.

"Much," I lied. "How is our guest settling in?"

"She's comfortable," he said, removing his watch. "I'll be working late in my study tonight. Don't wait up."

I nodded, watching him grab clothes from the dresser before disappearing into the bathroom. When he came closer, he kissed my forehead and left.

I waited thirty minutes before retrieving my tablet from its hiding place in my drawer. I connected my tablet to the hidden cameras, and hit play.

I was about to give up for the night when Selena's phone rang. She answered it immediately with her voice barely whispers.

"Yes, everything is in place," she said. "The Luna suspects nothing."

I leaned closer to my screen, straining to hear.

"He actually bought the lie about me being pregnant ," she continued with a laugh. "He believes it. Men are so easily fooled when they want something to be true."

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, where my own secret grew stronger each day.

"Once I'm officially announced as his new mate, we'll implement the next phase," Selena continued. "The pack will be ours by the full moon. My father's warriors are ready."

There was a pause as she listened to whoever was on the other line.

"And the Luna?" Selena's voice turned cold. "If she becomes a problem, I'll handle her personally. No one will question if she has an... unfortunate accident.

I turned off the tablet, my heart hammering in my chest. They weren't just planning to humiliate me or push me aside, they were planning to kill me if necessary. And they weren't just after my position,they wanted the entire pack.

As I set the tablet down, a floorboard creaked behind me. I whirled around to find Selen standing in the doorway, her eyes fixed on the screen showing her room.

"So," She said, her voice deadly calm as she closed the door behind her. "You've been spying on me."

CHAPTER 5

I slipped out of bed at dawn, leaving Dominic sleeping soundly. His arm had been across my body all night, though his dreams had called out Selena's name twice.

The kitchen had always been my sanctuary. I prepared a hearty breakfast—eggs, bacon, and fresh blueberry pancakes that Dominic loved. My hands worked automatically while my mind plotted.

"Playing housewife so early?" Selena's mocking voice broke the silence.

I didn't turn around. "Good morning, Selena." I said pleasantly, turning back to the gas cooker. "Sleep well?"

She came closer, wearing nothing but one of Dominic's shirts that barely reached mid-thigh. My claws threatened to emerge, but I forced them back.

"Terribly," she sighed dramatically. "The guest room bed is so uncomfortable. Maybe I should ask Dominic if I could sleep somewhere more... suitable."

My hand tightened around the spatula. "I'm sure we can find you a better mattress."

She moved closer, her rosewood scent invading my space. "Don't pretend you don't know what's happening, Reina. I've seen the way you look at us."

I kept my focus on the eggs. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Dominic doesn't love you," she said bluntly. "He never has. You were just convenient after I left."

The spatula clattered against the pan. "You need to stop."

"Why?" she challenged. "Because you can't handle the truth? That your marriage is a sham? That your mother was right to betray—"

The sound of my palm hitting her cheek echoed through the kitchen. Selena's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with malice.

"You little nuisance," she hissed, her hand flying to her reddening cheek just as heavy footsteps approached.

Dominic appeared in the doorway, his expression darkening as he took in the scene. "What the heck is going on?"

Before I could speak, Selena burst into tears. "I was just trying to be friendly," she sobbed. "I told her how much I appreciated her hospitality, and she attacked me!"

Dominic's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to me. "Is this how you treat our guests? Our allies?"

"She's lying," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite my racing heart. "She was insulting our marriage."

Selena hid her face in his chest, her body shaking with false sobs. "I thought we were friends, Reina. I don't understand why you hate me."

Dominic's arm tightened around her. "Apologize to Selena. Now."

I felt my wolf raging inside me, demanding we challenge them both. But the tiny life inside me needed protection more than my pride needed satisfaction.

"I'm sorry, Selena," I managed, the words tasting like ash. "I misunderstood the situation."

Dominic nodded curtly. "Finish breakfast. We have pack business to discuss."

He guided Selena to a seat at the table, his hand lingering on her lower back. I turned back to the stove, my hands trembling with rage.

Later that afternoon, I slipped away to Mira's cabin, passing through the woods unnoticed by Dominic's patrol guards.

"It's worse than we thought," Mira said after reviewing the photos I'd taken. "These marks on the map,they're planning an attack through the northern border."

"When?" I asked.

"A day after the full moon. Fifteen days from now." She pointed to a date marked on the map. "They need Dominic weakened before then."

"The wolfsbane," I realized. "She's poisoning him slowly."

Mira nodded. "You need to be careful. The dose that weakens him could kill your child."

I placed a protective hand over my stomach. "What should I do?"

"Continue gathering evidence," she advised. "But we need to make contact with Alpha Mark of the Northern Crescent. He's been sheltering your mother and he's also our strongest potential ally."

She handed me a small vial of clear liquid. "This will protect your baby from any wolfsbane that might find its way into your food."

As I left Mira's cabin, my phone buzzed with a text from the pack's Beta: Emergency meeting called. All council members required.

I hurried back to the pack house, slipping in through the kitchen entrance.

______

After the emergency meeting, I made my way to the pack archives housed in the basement of the main building. The elderly archivist, Joel, looked up in surprise as I entered.

"Luna Reina," he greeted me warmly. "What brings you here today?"

"Research," I replied. "I need information about pack law regarding Luna succession."

His eyebrows rose. "An unusual request. May I ask why?"

"Just refreshing my knowledge," I said smoothly. "Could you also pull the records from five years ago? Particularly regarding my mother's trial?"

Joel hesitated. "Those are sealed by Alpha's orders."

I leaned forward. "Joel, how long have you known my mother?"

"Twenty years," he replied softly. "She was a good woman,right?."

"Then help me now," I whispered. "Please."

He studied my face before nodding slowly. "Wait here."

Joel disappeared into the stacks then he returned, placing an ancient leather-bound book and a sealed folder before me. "Be careful, Luna," he murmured. "These are dangerous waters."

I opened the book to find the answer I needed—and something else entirely. Inside was a handwritten confession signed by Dominic, detailing exactly how he and Selena had framed my mother for treason.

CHAPTER 6

I woke up struggling for air, my hands clutching my stomach. Something was very wrong.

A sharp pain radiated through my abdomen.My nightgown was damp with sweat as I stumbled to the bathroom, careful not to wake Dominic who slept soundly, oblivious to my distress.

Once inside, I locked the door and sank to the floor, my vision blurring as another wave of pain hit me. Was I losing the baby? Panic surged through me as I fumbled for my phone.

"Healer Elena," I whispered when she answered, my voice strained. "Something's happening. The baby—"

"Where are you?" she asked sharply.

"Bathroom. Can't let Dominic see me like this."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes.I'll use the servants' entrance." She hung up without another word.

I managed to pull myself up, splashing cold water on my face. In the mirror, my reflection was frightening—pale skin, dark circles under my eyes. I changed into fresh clothes and slipped out of the bathroom.

Dominic hadn't moved. I crept past our bed and down the back stairs, each step sending fresh waves of pain through my body.

The night air was cold against my skin as I made my way to the servants' entrance. Elena was already waiting with a medical bag in hand.

"Inside," she whispered, helping me through the door. "The examination room. Quickly."

We moved through the silent house, pausing at every creak and shift of the old floorboards. Finally, we reached the small room where Elena treated minor pack injuries.

"Lie down," she instructed, closing the door behind us.

I obeyed, wincing as she pressed her hands against my abdomen. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked, mixing herbs and checking my vitals.

"What's happening?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Am I losing the baby?"

Elena's expression was grim. "Not naturally, no."

"What do you mean?"

"There's wolfsbane in your system," she said quietly. "Not enough to harm you significantly, but enough to threaten the ..." ,gesturing to my baby.

My blood ran cold. "Wolfsbane? How?"

"It was in your food or drink. Diluted and carefully administered." She mixed something in a small cup. "Drink this. It will counteract the effects."

As I took the bitter liquid, realization dawned. "Selena served us tea this afternoon. Said it was a special blend from her territory..."

Elena asked,. "Does she know you're ~?."

"No? I've been taking the concealment potion—"

Elena checked my pulse again. "The baby should be safe now, but you need to be more careful. Don't consume anything she offers you."

I closed my eyes, anger replacing fear. "She wants to kill my baby."

"Or she wants to expose your pregnancy before you're ready," Elena suggested. "Either way, you're in danger now."

A soft knock at the door made us both freeze. Elena motioned for me to stay silent as she approached the door cautiously.

"Who is it?" she called softly.

"It's Mira," came the whispered reply.

Elena opened the door just enough for Mira to slip inside. One look at my face told her everything.

"I saw your call,what happened?" she demanded.

Elena explained while I struggled to sit up. Mira's expression darkened with each word.

"This changes everything," she said once Elena finished. "We need to move up our timeline."

"I'm not ready," I protested weakly. "I don't have enough evidence against him yet."

"You don't have a choice anymore," Mira insisted

______________________________

DOMINIC POV

I wasn't asleep when Reina slipped out of bed.

My eyes remained closed, but every sense was alert as I tracked her movements through our bedroom. Her heartbeat was too rapid, her breathing shallow and pained. Something was wrong.

For weeks now, she'd been different. Subtle changes that most wouldn't notice, but I was her Alpha, her mate. How her smiles never quite reached her eyes anymore. The strange scent that sometimes clung to her clothes—someone outside our pack.

She locked the bathroom door. Unusual. In five years of marriage, she'd never once locked a door between us.

I strained to hear through the thick wood, catching fragments of a whispered conversation.

"...something's happening..."

I heard the shower turn on, but the water pattern sounded wrong. She wasn't standing under it,she was using it to mask her movements. A trick I'd taught her years ago.

When she emerged fifteen minutes later, I regulated my breathing to mimic deep sleep. Through barely-opened eyes, I watched her change clothes and slip out of our bedroom without a backward glance.

The moment the door closed, I was on my feet. I followed her scent through the house, staying far enough back that she wouldn't detect me. The servants' entrance? At this hour?

Outside, I caught another familiar scent that made my wolf bristle. Elena, our pack healer. What was she doing here in the middle of the night?

I circled around to the side of the house, finding a window where I could see into Elena's examination room without being spotted. Through the gap in the curtains, I watched as the healer pressed her hands against Reina's abdomen, her expression concerned.

Their voices were muffled, but I caught fragments that sent ice through my veins.

"...wolfsbane in your system..."

But wolfsbane? Who would dare poison my mate?

"...Selena served us tea this afternoon..."

My head snapped up at the mention of Selena's name. I moved closer to the window, desperate to hear more.

Then a new scent approached the room—Mira, my former Beta's mate. The woman who'd fallen from pack hierarchy after her mate questioned my leadership years ago. What was she doing with my Luna?

I heard footsteps approaching from inside the house and quickly retreated into the shadows. One of the night guards was making his rounds. I couldn't be discovered eavesdropping on my own mate.

I raced back to our bedroom, slipping between the sheets just minutes before Reina returned. I kept my breathing deep and even as she eased into bed beside me, careful not to wake me.

My mind raced with questions as she settled into an uneasy sleep beside me. Wolfsbane poisoning. Secret meetings with the pack healer and a former Beta's mate.

Whatever game she was playing, I needed to end it quickly. I grabbed my phone and spoke in a low tone. 'I need everything on Reina's activities for the past month. She's hiding something that could ruin us all. And if she is plotting against me... I want her eliminated. "

CHAPTER 7

The next morning, I woke before dawn with my stomach churning with nausea. I barely made it to the bathroom before emptying the contents of my stomach. This was the third morning in a row, and I knew my pregnancy was becoming harder to hide. Elena's potion had masked my scent changes so far, but the physical symptoms were another matter entirely.

I rinsed my mouth and splashed cold water on my face just as Dominic appeared in the doorway.

"Are you sick?" he asked, his brow furrowed with what might have passed for concern if I didn't know better.

"Just something I ate," I lied, avoiding his gaze in the mirror.

He stepped closer, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Maybe you should see Elena today."

I tensed under his touch. "I'm fine. I have too much to do today."

"What could be more important than your health?" he asked, his voice dropping to that tender tone he used when playing the role of caring husband.

"Pack business," I replied vaguely. "The winter festival preparations won't organize themselves."

His hand dropped from my shoulder. "Selena offered to help with that. She has excellent taste in these matters."

Of course she did. "How thoughtful of her," I said, forcing a smile. "But as Luna, it's my responsibility."

Before he could argue, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting subtly. "I need to handle this. We'll talk later."

The moment he left, I pulled out my phone and texted Mira: Meeting today?

Her response came moments later: Noon. The old hunting cabin. Come alone.

I dressed quickly, choosing loose clothes that wouldn't reveal the slight swell of my stomach. As I made my way downstairs, I heard voices from the kitchen—Dominic and Selena, laughing intimately over breakfast.

"I'll be out for a few hours," I announced from the doorway. "Pack errands."

Dominic barely looked up. "Take a guard with you."

"That won't be necessary," I said firmly. "I'm just going into town."

"It wasn't a suggestion, Luna," he replied, his Alpha voice slipping into the command. "Mason will accompany you."

Mason was Dominic's most loyal guard and his childhood friend. Having him shadow me would ruin everything.

"Fine," I conceded. "I'll find him on my way out."

As I turned to leave, Selena called out, "Oh, Reina? Could you pick up some jasmine tea while you're out? I seem to have run out."

The audacity of her request made my wolf snarl. "Of course," I said sweetly. "Anything else you need in my house?"

Her smile faltered just slightly. "That will be all. Thank you."

I found Mason waiting by my car, his broad shoulders and imposing height making him an intimidating figure. "Good morning, Luna," he greeted me with a respectful nod.

"Morning, Mason," I replied, getting into the driver's seat. "We're just making a few stops in town."

He slid into the passenger seat without comment, his dark eyes watchful as I started the car.

My mind raced as we drove. How could I lose him before meeting Mira? The hunting cabin was deep in the territory's western woods, in the opposite direction from town.

We reached the marketplace, and I began my charade of normal errands—picking up fresh bread, stopping at the bookstore, collecting Selena's precious tea. All the while, Mason shadowed me silently, reporting our movements to Dominic via brief text messages that he thought I didn't notice.

It was nearly eleven when disaster struck. As we walked past the pack clinic, Elena emerged, her eyes widening at the sight of me.

"Luna Reina!" she called out. "I was hoping to see you today. Your test results came back."

My blood ran cold. "Test results?"

Elena's confusion was evident. "Yes, from your appointment last week. About your—" She glanced at Mason and lowered her voice. "Your condition."

Mason's attention sharpened immediately. I could almost see his ears perk up at the whispered exchange.

"Right," I said quickly. "My... headaches. Can we discuss this inside?"

Once in the privacy of her office, I rounded on Elena. "What are you thinking? I never came in for any tests!"

Elena's face paled. "I'm sorry, Luna. Alpha Dominic came by this morning asking about your health. He mentioned you'd been sick, and I thought—"

"He sent you to trap me," I realized, my heart pounding. "He suspects something."

"I didn't tell him anything," Elena assured me hastily. "But Luna, you need to be careful. The potion masking your pregnancy won't work forever, especially as you enter your second month."

I ran a hand through my hair, calculating rapidly. "I need you to create a diversion. Something that will keep Mason occupied for at least two hours."

Elena hesitated. "What kind of diversion?"

"A pack emergency. Something that requires strength but isn't life-threatening."

She thought for a moment, then nodded. "I can do that."

I left the clinic with a fake prescription bottle filled with vitamins, telling Mason they were for my "headaches." We continued our errands until Elena's plan unfolded perfectly. A young warrior rushed up to Mason, panic in his eyes.

"Mason! Thank the Moon Goddess I found you. There's been an accident at the training grounds. Three warriors are trapped under collapsed equipment. We need your strength!"

Mason looked torn, glancing between me and the messenger.

"Go," I urged. "I'll head straight home. I'm done with my errands anyway."

After a moment's hesitation, he nodded and followed the warrior, leaving me alone.

I drove quickly to the hunting cabin, arriving just as Mira pulled up with another vehicle behind her. A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out,Beta Liam from the Northern Crescent pack.

"Luna Reina," he greeted me with a formal bow. "Your mother sends her regards."

Tears pricked my eyes at the mention of her. "Is she well?"

"Very," he assured me.

We entered the cabin, and Mira quickly secured the perimeter while Liam laid out maps on the table.

"We've gathered significant support," he explained. "Four neighboring packs are ready to stand with you when you challenge Dominic's leadership. But we must move carefully. Selena's presence complicates things."

"She's planning something," I said, showing them the photos I'd taken of the wolfsbane and weapons. "I think it's more than just Dominic's obsession with her. They may be planning to overthrow neighboring packs."

Liam's expression darkened. "This confirms our suspicions. Our scouts have reported unusual movements along your borders. Rogues gathering, but not attacking."

"They're building an army," Mira concluded grimly.

I placed a protective hand over my stomach. "We need to move faster. Once my pregnancy becomes obvious—"

A sudden howl cut through the air—the pack's alarm signal. All three of us froze.

"That's from the eastern border," Mira said, moving to the window. In the distance, smoke billowed into the sky.

My phone exploded with notifications. Messages from pack members, all saying the same thing: Attack on the eastern border. All warriors report immediately.

Then a text from Dominic: Where are you? Return to the pack house now.

Liam's phone buzzed as well. "It's my Alpha–Alpha Mark," he said grimly. "The Northern Crescent border patrol found three of our warriors dead. Throats slashed."

"This is no coincidence," I said.

My phone rang,Mason calling. I answered cautiously.

"Luna," his voice was tight with anger. "There was no accident at the training grounds. I've been searching for you for over half an hour "

Before I could respond, the cabin door burst open. Three masked warriors rushed in, their eyes glowing with fierce rage.

"Run!" Mira shouted, shifting instantly into her wolf form.

I turned to flee but my path was blocked by a fourth attacker. As I backed away, my foot caught on the edge of the rug. I fell backward, my head striking the corner of the table with a sickening crack.

The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Liam charging toward my attacker and Mira's wolf leaping through the air, jaws open and ready to kill.

My final conscious thought was of my unborn child, and a prayer to the Moon Goddess to protect the innocent life growing within me.