Prologue
“We’re pregnant.“Alexa’s words cut through Ember like a lightning strike. Her wolf’s voice, usually calm and grounding, trembled with something she had never heard before, panic, disbelief, terror.Pregnant? Impossible. It couldn’t be.“No... no, this can’t be,” Ember whispered, horror twisting in her chest.“It’s true,” Alexa insisted, her tone firm but urgent. “One hundred percent certain.“Ember staggered backward. Her hands shook.
“Pregnant... with a stranger’s child? No. No. No!“She bolted from the house, feet pounding against the forest floor, heart racing. Human territory. Just one stop, a pregnancy test. Any shred of hope clung to her like a fragile flame.The walk back to the pack house felt endless, each step heavier than the last. She burst into her bedroom, slammed the door, and with trembling fingers, checked the result.Positive.Her world tilted. “No... this can’t be... Alpha will kill me,” she sobbed, collapsing onto the floor, tears burning her cheeks.
“We can keep it hidden for now,” Alexa murmured gently, wrapping around her consciousness. “But only for a week. After that, they’ll hear the heartbeat. We need a plan.“Ember shook violently, panic clawing at her throat.“Relax,” Alexa urged, almost tenderly. “Stress will hurt the pup. You have to stay calm.“”And Alpha,” Ember whispered, voice cracking. “If he finds out we, that night in the woods, it would ruin everything. He’ll kill us.
"“No,” Alexa growled softly, but firmly. “We leave. Tonight. If we want our pups to survive, we leave this pack.“A long silence stretched. Then, knock. Ember’s breath hitched.“Relax,” Alexa whispered. “They can’t hear yet. Not now.“Steeling herself, Ember rose and opened the door.Selena, her best friend and upcoming Beta, stood there, concern etched across her face.“Hey,” Ember said, trying and failing to sound casual.“Where have you been? I’ve been searching all morning,” Selena said, stepping inside.“What happened?” Ember asked, voice hollow.Selena blinked, stunned. “Ember, do you even know anything about this pack?“”My father keeps me away from pack matters. Do you think I’d know?” Ember’s tone was icy, flat.Selena sighed, mischief flickering in her eyes.
“Alpha Nathan’s coming. Tonight. You know what that means.“Ember’s stomach dropped.“I know he’s hot,” Selena teased, “but don’t let your heart race just because he’s on his way.“”It’s not like that,” Ember said, averting her gaze.“He’s your fiancée, Ember. Your mate. You’re the luckiest wolf in the pack,” Selena said softly.“Mate? Selena, we’re not mates! My father forced this engagement for a male heir. Nothing else. Nothing romantic. You don’t understand,” Ember snapped, frustration flaring.Selena shrugged. “You’re not eighteen yet. Your wolf hasn’t recognized him as your mate. But soon, soon it will.“”It doesn’t work like that,” Ember said sharply.
“Mate or not, it’s mutual. You know it.“Selena’s tone softened. “You’re different. Not ordinary. The first female Alpha born in your bloodline. Maybe, just maybe, things happen differently for you.“Ember rolled her eyes. “I didn’t choose this. Being a female Alpha, being born a girl, wasn’t my choice either.“A low growl reverberated through the room. Ember and Selena froze. Alpha Benjamin Rivera stood in the doorway, power incarnate. The male-dominated Grimshadow pack bowed to his shadow, and no female Alpha had ever risen against him.“Father,” Ember whispered, bowing.“Alpha,” Selena murmured.Benjamin’s gaze swept over them, sharp and unyielding. “Alpha Nathan arrives tonight.
I want no drama. He may ask for your hand. I expect no interruptions,” he said coldly, then turned and left.Ember remained bowed, the weight of inevitability pressing down. Death by duty, she thought grimly.Selena’s voice broke through her dread. “Evening, Ember. Be ready,” she said lightly, though Ember knew her friend smiled.The door closed. Silence engulfed her.“What do we do, Alexa?” she whispered.“We leave tonight,” Alexa replied, calm and resolute.“But Alpha Nathan, he’ll find us.“”I’ve learned to hide our scent,” Alexa said, a hint of pride in her wolf’s voice.Ember’s eyes widened. “When? How?“”Methods,” Alexa replied cryptically.A thrill of hope surged. Freedom. Survival. Maybe even love.“This is it,” Ember whispered, a smile creeping across her face. “We can escape.”
