Chapter 1

Georgia’s POV

As I rummaged through the top drawer of my bedroom, my fingers brushed against cold glass bottles and blister packs of pills. My hand hesitated before grabbing the familiar blue packet—the one I had hidden behind my skincare products. It was the contraceptive my husband, Damien, insisted I take whenever he makes love to me and most of the time, I take these pills daily.

Damien. My husband, my mate, my Alpha. The man the Moon Goddess herself had chosen for me. He was everything a woman could dream of; strong, protective, and devastatingly handsome. With his storm-gray eyes and jet-black hair, he commanded attention effortlessly. He had a way of making me feel cherished, adored even. Every time he looked at me, it was like I was the only thing that mattered in the world. I have spent two years with him in this marriage.

But as much as I loved him, there were cracks in our perfect marriage. Damien didn’t want children. He’d been clear about it from the start, even though I had always dreamed of being a mother. He’d smile that charming smile of his and say, “Pups will tie us down, my love. You’re so beautiful and vibrant and pregnancy would change that. I want you to stay just as you are.”

I told myself it was out of love. He didn’t want me to suffer through the challenges of carrying and raising children. He wanted to protect me. I could remember the day i misplaced the pills and couldn’t find it, he went berserk and warned me never to be that careless next time. 

The truth was more bitter. He loved his freedom, our freedom and the thought of children disrupting that seemed intolerable to him. He didn’t want late nights with crying pups or the chaos of toys scattered across the packhouse. And worse, he feared how pregnancy might affect my body and that I understand.

Not only that. He also got me a strange kind of syrup. He made sure I drank it before we were intimate, claiming it was a blend of herbs to keep my skin radiant. “You’re my Luna,” he’d say, his fingers tracing my jawline. “I need you glowing, shining, like the queen you are.”

I swallowed hard as I picked up the packet, my reflection staring back at me in the mirror. My long, golden hair framed a face that was admired by everyone in the pack. I was the Luna they all respected and envied.

I glanced back at the bed through the open bathroom door. Damien was sprawled across the silken sheet.The sight of him made my heart clench. He was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I couldn’t deny that.

Before Damien, my life had been ordinary, unremarkable. He’d swept me off my feet, introduced me to a world of luxury and adoration. He’d taught me what it meant to be loved.

***

It’s finally today, the day we planned to celebrate our marriage anniversary. Two years of marriage deserved nothing less.

I had just finished arranging the silverware when I heard a knock on the door. Turning, I found the pack’s Beta, Patricia standing there, her dark eyes steady, her expression unreadable. Beside her stood a small boy, no older than four, clutching her hand. He is one of the bastards in our pack. He is Patrica's son and even though she made everyone believe she doesn’t know who the father was, my husband and I have taken care of this little boy. Even celebrated his 4 years old birthday some days ago.

“Luna,” she greeted, dipping her head respectfully.

“Patricia,” I said, smiling warmly. “What brings you here? I wasn’t expecting anyone this early.” 

“I need to speak with you,” Patricia said, her voice calm but firm. “It’s important.”

“Not now, I need to set this up before my husband’s arrival,” I replied.

Patricia’s gaze bore into mine. “There’s something you need to know, Luna. Something I’ve kept hidden for a long time.”

My stomach twisted. The seriousness in her tone sent a chill down my spine. “What is it?”

She hesitated, her grip on the little boy, Liam tightening. “Liam is Damien’s son.”

The words hit me like a slap. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. I stared at her, then at the boy, my mind reeling and shortly. I began to laugh which I expected her to join me because it sounded like a joke to me.

“What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I stared at the boy again. 

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. 

My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the table. The room seemed to spin, my happy marriage crumbling around me. Damien, the man who had sworn he didn’t want children, the man who had told me they would ruin us… had already fathered a child?