Chapter 3: The Child I Chose to Lose

On the day of the procedure, the healer looked startled to see me arrive alone.

“Alpha Kane isn’t with you?”

I placed the dissolution certificate on her desk.

“We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

The healer’s eyes caught the moonstone seal, and she paused, a flicker of awkwardness on her face.

“Ms. Hart, you’ve wanted this pup for so long. A werewolf pregnancy is a precious thing. Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”

“I’m sure.”

I insisted on terminating the pregnancy.

This child would not become a chain Kane could use to control me, nor would it be born into a family where its father might sacrifice it at any moment.

The healer respected my decision and wrote up the order for my pre-op tests.

I had just walked into the lobby when I saw Kane with his arm around Vera’s waist, murmuring softly to calm her as she threw a tantrum.

Her scent was perfectly normal.

She was simply basking in the Alpha’s undivided attention.

Kane didn’t turn to pay the fees until she finally laughed.

Vera looked up and saw me. She immediately walked over.

I had no desire to deal with her, but she grabbed my wrist.

When she saw the pregnancy termination form in my hand, her pupils constricted.

“You’re carrying Kane’s pup?”

“Don’t think you can use a pup to guilt him into restoring your bond. I’m his mate now. The heir acknowledged by the council is in *my* belly.”

“If you show your face in front of him again, I’ll make sure the whole pack knows you’re chasing a taken man.”

I shook her hand off.

“If you want what I’ve thrown away, feel free to pick it up.”

“Just don’t mistake it for a prize.”

Color flooded Vera’s face.

When she saw Kane walking toward us, her anger vanished, replaced by a wounded look.

She leaned in close, her voice low. The hostility simmering beneath the surface soured her scent.

“I’ll let you in on a secret.”

“The pup in my belly *is* Kane’s. We’ve been together for a long time.”

“He said he doesn’t love you anymore. Every time he has to go back to you, he can’t stand it.”

Kane was getting closer.

When I didn’t give her the reaction she craved, she grew frantic and reached for me.

I’d seen her pull this stunt before. I stepped back immediately.

A triumphant smile flashed across Vera’s face as she let herself fall backward onto the floor.

The next second, a tremendous force slammed into me.

I hit the floor, a sharp pain shooting through my ankle.

Kane rushed past me without a single glance.

He dropped to his knees in front of Vera, checking for blood before helping her up with trembling hands.

“Where does it hurt? Does your stomach hurt? Is the pup okay?”

Vera just cried and shook her head.

Kane’s face went pale. He spun around and roared at me, “Evelyn, what did you do to her?”

“If anything happens to her or that pup, I’ll make you pay.”