CHAPTER 1

Tonia's POV

Sweat rivered down my back as I ran around the kitchen. I had spent nearly the entire day here, trying to make sure the food was perfect.

Today wasn't just any other day. It was the final farewell rites for the late Alpha as well as the eve of the official crowning ceremony for my husband, Logan Scott, as the new Alpha of Phoenix Pack.

I really couldn't trust the pack maids to do a good job at preparing the meal of my husband's family on such a big day, so I did it myself.

Over the years, all my efforts to impress them had always gone unnoticed since they only saw me as the 'wolfless' omega who slithered her way into their prestigious family. However, today I wanted to blow their minds off.

At the beeping sound of my phone, I quickly brought down the chicken broth from the stove and went over to the counter to get my phone.

It was a message from my best friend, Olivia: [Are you pregnant?] it read and my mind emptied for a split second. The truth is, since my first miscarriage two years ago,  I haven't been able to conceive.

I had been going on several checkups together with Logan, but all the doctors we've met can't seem to point out what exactly was wrong with me. So, in a way, her message brought back some sad memories of when I'd been so ecstatic about getting pregnant.

However, years of trying hard had made me realize that hope was a dangerous thing. Plus, my mother-in-law had made a point to convince me that I was showing signs of barrenness, and since she was an experienced mother herself, I believed she knew better anyway.

I sighed deeply as I dialed Olivia. The call connected in the first ring. "What pranks are you pulling on me? Are you subtly trying to mock  me?"

I heard her swear under her breath.  "How could you say that to your friend? I asked that because I saw Alpha Logan leave the hospital five minutes ago, with a pregnant woman. I thought she was you!"

My heart clenched as she finished talking. Alpha Logan? My own husband and a pregnant woman? That was impossible because he wasn't even in town yet. He had gone for an official meeting at another pack and he wouldn't be back until two hours later.

At least that's what he had told me when I called him about an hour ago. Even though Logan had become a bit aloof towards me for the last two months, I knew he'd never lie to me.

And I also knew Olivia loved to exaggerate things. She probably didn't confirm what she saw before calling me.

I laughed. "Dear bestie, I would suggest you get yourself a pair of glasses. My husband's out of the pack."

"I knew you'd say that!" Her voice grew urgent. "There's no way I'd mistake another man for the Alpha. You should call him and confirm."

She didn't even let me say any more words before hanging up. Confusion slammed into my gut. There was no way Logan would lie to me, but what was this dread that was creeping up my spine as though something was wrong?

My hands trembled slightly as I dialed Logan. His ringtone sounded at the door, and I whipped my head up in surprise.

Taking my apron off, I went to get the door, plastering a smile on my face. However, the moment the door opened and Logan came in, my heart stopped.

Not because of him or how handsome he looked but because of the gorgeous woman beside him. My gaze trailed to her belly and my whole body went stiff with horror.

Her stomach was slightly protruding and nobody would've noticed ordinarily but since Olivia, who was a nurse already mentioned seeing Logan with a pregnant woman, I noticed.

I trailed my eyes to Logan's arm around her waist and I felt a pang of pain tug at my chest. Even as I raised my gaze to meet Logan's, he didn't withdraw his arm.

My pulse quickened and I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Hubby, you're back." I managed.

The lady's facial expression changed dramatically. "Oh, You're Luna Anthonia!" She exclaimed as she gave me a tight hug.

"I've heard a lot about you from Logan. How're you?"

Did she just call Logan by his first name? I withdrew her arms from around me, stepped an inch back, and gave Logan a raised eyebrow but he glanced away sharply.

"And you are?" I asked the lady.

A scowl formed on her face but it was soon gone in a second. "Oh! Logan didn't tell you about me? Well, I'm his fated mate, Lisa, and we found out about the mate's bond three months ago."

My heart sank to the pit of my belly and for some split second, I felt as though someone had just dumped a bucketful of ice over me.

Logan found his fated mate three months ago and he hid it from me? Lumps formed in my throat as I glanced at him. I glimpsed a flicker of guilt in his eyes.

At least, it would have been better if he had just told me about it than letting me find out this way. You see, I lost my wolf after an accident when I was much younger. Due to that, I couldn't find my mate but I had managed to capture the heart of the Alpha's son, Logan.

Even then, his family and pack's council had been against our union but he had stood by me. I had been very scared that he would still leave me when he found his fated mate but he had assured me with everything in him that he would never look for her which he didn't throw the three years of our marriage.

So, what was this all about? I understood that being barren had made our love grow a bit cold. Logan had distanced himself from me, but I had just assumed he was busy with all Alpha duties. But if he found her three months ago, then he'd always been with her all those times he didn't sleep at home.

I swallowed hard at the lump in my throat, forcing a smile for Lisa. "Oh, I see," I said, hoping that she hadn't noticed the hurt in my voice.

"Do have a nice time, then." I finished, then turned to leave but her hand on my shoulder stopped me.

She gave me that puppy-eyed smile that irked me to my bones. "Luna Tonia, please could I borrow your husband for some time?"