---- I gently dodged his touch, wrapping a towel around myself. "Sorry, I'ma little tired today." Just as I turned, he grabbed my wrist tightly. His gaze locked onto me, while one brow arched arrogantly. "My wolf is already restless. Are you sure you want to deny your Alpha?" It was his usual way of seduction-one that assumed no matter my response, I'd eventually give in. When I pushed him away a second time, the amusement in his eyes deepened. "Are you jealous? Nothing's going on between me and her. She just reminds me of a younger you... If it bothers you, I'll keep my distance from her from now on. He spoke as he kissed right where he'd once marked me on my neck. His lips were burning, but all I felt was ice. "Ethan, please don't touch me." Amid the steam, his expression darkened. ---- "Victoria," he growled. "Don't test me while I'm still willing to coax you." As I stood frozen, I felt my blood turn to ice. When he saw that I still wouldn't give in, he picked me up and threw me roughly onto the bed. In the dark, he gritted out, "If you want peace in this house, stop being difficult." Icurled into myself, stiff and trembling as tears silently fell. The next morning, Joy excitedly ran to kiss my cheek. "Mom, Dad said he's taking me to the amusement park!" I was surprised. Ethan always hated crowded places, let alone going somewhere like that just for Joy. While leaning against the doorway, he smiled gently at his daughter. "Ready, my little princess?" Not long after they left, I went to the pack's medical wing. Last night's intense session had left me feeling unwell. ---- When the healer told me I was four weeks with pup, I stood frozen in shock. "The pregnancy isn't stable yet. You'll need to avoid intense activity and intimacy with the Alpha for the first trimester," the healer said calmly. "If you don't plan to keep the pup, it's best to decide soon. The longer you wait, the more harm it'll do to your body." To have a little angel come to me should've been a happy surprise. And yet, all I felt was overwhelming dread. Iclutched the report tightly as I sat in my car, staring into space for a long time.