I crouched in the shadows of the grand Alpha's estate, heart pounding, as I clutched a silver key and a letter that would change my life. My breath came in shallow bursts as I strained to hear through the crack in the door. Tonight was supposed to be a surprise. I had prepared a heartfelt letter to announce my pregnancy to my mate, Alpha Lucien Blackthorne, during his birthday celebration.

Instead, I stumbled upon the truth that shattered my world.

"You didn't invite Sienna?" A familiar voice spoke.

Lucien's deep, commanding tone sent a chill down my spine. "She'd ruin the mood. My mate? She's a naïve omega. Weak and useless."

I gripped the frame of the door so hard my knuckles turned white. The mate bond that had once burned with passion now felt like a noose tightening around my neck.

"She's good for appearances," another voice sneered. "But how long do you plan to keep her?"

Lucien chuckled darkly. "Sienna was a temporary arrangement, a pretty little pawn to keep my pack loyal. She'd die for me if I asked."

My breath hitched, and the fragile hope I had carried inside me crumbled. The mate bond—the one thing I thought was sacred—was a lie.

"What about Rosalie?" The voice turned playful. "The true heir's daughter, the one with royal blood. Will you finally take her as your Luna?"

The very mention of her name sent a blade of icy fury through my chest. Rosalie. My adopted sister. My rival since the day I was brought into the Blackthorne pack as an orphaned wolf.

"She's always been my choice," Lucien said, his words filled with certainty. "I'll claim her at the next full moon. Sienna will serve her final purpose."

The letter slipped from my trembling hands. My knees buckled, and I bit my lip to stifle the sobs threatening to escape. How could he do this? After everything, after—

I felt the smallest flutter in my belly.

My pup.

I had been prepared to tell him tonight. Now, I only had one thought—I had to run.

The sharp clang of something hitting the floor echoed behind me. My breath froze as I realized the key I had carried had slipped and landed in plain sight.

"What was that?" Lucien's voice turned cold. The door creaked open.

---

I bolted into the dark.

The wind lashed against my face as I sprinted through the forest. Branches clawed at my skin, but I didn't slow. My only chance was to get away before Lucien's wolves tracked my scent. I had one advantage—the moon was waning, and my mate's strength was weakened.

"Run all you like, Sienna," his voice growled behind me. "You're mine!"

The mate bond burned as if a chain were pulling me back. My legs moved faster.

"Alpha!" A voice called. "She's heading for the river!"

Good. The river would mask my scent. I leaped over fallen logs, my bare feet pounding the earth. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, giving me strength I didn't know I had.

When I reached the water's edge, I didn't hesitate. The icy current swallowed me whole.

---

I resurfaced gasping, my teeth chattering as the cold seeped into my bones. The full force of despair hit me as I floated down the stream.

My mate had betrayed me.

But I wasn't just fighting for my own life anymore.

I placed a hand on my belly, where the faint heartbeat of my pup echoed with a fragile promise.

"Mommy will protect you," I whispered. "No matter what."

---

I reached the riverbank and hauled myself onto solid ground, shivering and soaked to the skin. The forest was silent, but I knew better than to trust the stillness. Lucien's wolves were relentless trackers.

Suddenly, a low growl broke the night.

I froze. Yellow eyes glinted in the shadows. A massive wolf with sleek black fur stepped forward, his fangs bared. It wasn't Lucien.

"Who are you?" I whispered, backing away.

The wolf didn't answer. His gaze held mine, fierce and… curious? He sniffed the air, his posture shifting from aggression to something more guarded.

The wolf shifted, and before me stood a man. His silver eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

"I smelled fear," he said. His voice was deep, steady. Dangerous.

I stumbled backward. "Stay away!"

He raised his hands, palms open. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. I'm not here to hurt you." His gaze flicked to my belly, and something softened. "You're carrying a life."

A snarl ripped from my throat. "Don't touch me!"

"I'm not your enemy." His voice lowered. "But your mate is."

My heart stopped.

"How do you know—"

A howl echoed through the forest, piercing the night with deadly intent. Lucien's wolves were close.

The stranger's eyes darkened. "They'll kill you if they find you."

"I'll handle it!" I spun, ready to run again.

"Not alone."

His hand shot out, gripping my arm with surprising gentleness. "You need a pack. A real one."

I tore free, but his words lingered like a promise. "Who are you?"

The stranger gave me a small, grim smile. "Someone who hates traitors."

Before I could reply, the sound of snapping branches filled the air. I turned toward the noise—and my heart seized.

Lucien stepped from the shadows, his eyes glowing with savage fury.

"You can't run from me, Sienna," he growled. "Not when I own you."