---- She shoved me hard, and I stumbled across the dirt, nearly blacking out as agony flared in my shoulder. I fell again, panting. Something inside me cracked-but not my bones. My spirit. My faith. "You'll all regret this," I swore, voice like thunder beneath a stormy sky. I barely managed to haul my box to the road before my ride arrived. "Apologies, Miss," the driver said, startled by the sight of me. "It's fine," I muttered, collapsing into the backseat, the scent of blood saturating the leather. He glanced back at me nervously. "Still heading to the airport?" I shook my head. "Hospital first." The pain dragged me into darkness soon after. ---- I woke to the rhythmic beeping of machines, the antiseptic scent of healing salves stinging my nose. My arm throbbed like it had been gnawed by a wild animal-which, ironically, wouldn't be the worst thing I'd endured today. My suitcase sat dutifully near the hospital bed. The pack doctor walked in, clipboard in hand. "Miss Becky, how are you feeling?" I groaned. "Last thing I remember, I was in a car. Then nothing." "The driver said you passed out en route. He brought you here just in time. You'd lost quite a bit of blood." I checked my phone-one missed flight, one unread message. I replied quickly: "Emergency. Reschedule my flight. Now." "Miss Becky?" the pack doctor prompted gently. ---- "yes?" "You've stabilized. With a bit of rest, we'll discharge you soon." "Perfect. Thank you." He gave a short bow and exited. I slid out of bed slowly, grabbing my suitcase. No missed calls. Not even one from Alpha David. The father of the pup who shot me had no interest in how the target was doing. The door opened. And in floated Kiera, her limp magically gone. Irolled my eyes. "Shouldn't you be nursing a twisted ankle?" She giggled-that grating, sugary sound that made my wolf bare her teeth. "Oh, I'm fine now. I only wanted to see who he'd save. Me or you." She twirled a strand of hair. " ---- And he chose me. Isn't that romantic?" I turned my back on her. "Congrats. I'm leaving." But she blocked the door with the smugness of someone about to deliver a death sentence. "There's something you should know," she whispered, honey-sweet and venomous. "Tm pregnant with Alpha David's pup." The world stopped. I felt the ground vanish beneath me, my heart split wide open. But I refused to show her weakness. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction. Eight years. Eight damn years I stood beside him. Training his son. Healing his wounds. Sharing his bed when the moon called us together. And every time, he made sure I took the pills. He wanted another heir. Just never from me.