“Still upset about earlier?” he asked gently. “You shouldn’t be. I didn’t tell you about Milly joining the company because it didn’t matter. She’s between jobs—I’m just lending a hand. It’s temporary. She’ll be gone soon.”
He paused, noticing I hadn’t reached for his coat like I usually did. That was when he realized I was angry.
His voice softened, coaxing. “You’re jealous, aren’t you? There’s no reason to be. She’s my past. I don’t feel anything for her anymore. You’re the one I’m with now.”
I almost laughed.
Instead, I stood frozen as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek—far more tender than usual.
If I hadn’t seen you with her, I thought bitterly. If I hadn’t heard what you said… I might have believed you.
But now, every gentle word, every affectionate touch, felt rehearsed.
Not love.
Just control.
Aria’s POV
The following morning, my assistant quietly informed me that the procedure had been arranged.
“Ma’am,” she hesitated, lowering her voice, “are you truly not going to inform the Alpha? The pup is already… this far along.”
“There’s no reason to,” I replied calmly.
My palm rested over the slight curve of my abdomen. The little life inside me, once restless and strong, had grown unnervingly still—as if it sensed my resolve, or perhaps my sorrow. The silence within me felt heavier than any movement ever had.
If I was honest with myself, until just yesterday, I’d still been trapped in a fragile fantasy—believing I was content, believing this life was enough.
Ronan had always been careful. Too careful. If he wanted to continue seeing Delilah behind my back, he easily could have. With his position, his authority as Alpha, and his talent for deception, I might never have uncovered the truth.
But he’d grown careless.
Maybe the pregnancy had progressed too far. Maybe he assumed that even if I discovered everything, I’d stay. After all, what pregnant she-wolf would dare walk away from an Alpha?
He misjudged me.
I had waited a decade for his affection—since I was sixteen years old. I endured years of silent longing, endured becoming his hidden mate, endured carrying his child while being kept in the dark. I knew how to wait.
What I could not endure was being reduced to a tool—used to bear his heir, only to be discarded once my purpose was fulfilled and replaced by another woman.