Chapter 1

My mate, Nate Clarke, the Alpha of the Silverwood Pack, has a severe intolerance for disorder.

At our mate ceremony, he set one hard rule: if an argument lasted more than ten minutes, he would walk out. No exceptions.

On our anniversary, my morning sickness was so bad that I ended up three minutes late to the gate.

By the time I looked up, Nate had already ordered the crew to close the cabin door.

Felicia Smith, one of his subordinates, was sitting in my first-class seat.

It was the fourth time.

Every time I was late, he handed my seat over to Felicia.

The first time, security delayed me by two minutes, and he flew to Hawaii with Felicia instead.

The second time, I was five minutes late coming back from a prenatal appointment, and he took Felicia to the hot spring resort I had booked.

The third time, I was so sick I came downstairs ninety seconds late, and he drove off with Felicia in the car.

"You're always late. I wasn't going to leave the seat empty. That would've been a waste."

I was standing alone in the empty departure lounge when a sharp pain ripped through my abdomen.

The Mate Bond twisted inside me, a bone-deep pull that screamed for me to get closer to my Alpha.

But my Alpha was already thirty thousand feet in the air, with another woman beside him.

My hands were shaking as I called Nate.

Busy.

I called again.

Still busy.

The third time, he picked up.

"Felicia's airsick. I can't leave right now. Call an ambulance."

I looked at the blood spreading beneath me and set my phone on the floor.

Nate Clarke, there was never even a minute in your schedule for me.

So this time, I'll be the one leaving you behind for good.

...

By the time the ambulance got there, I could barely speak.

The paramedics cut away the blood-soaked fabric at my leg and lifted me onto a stretcher.

A nurse grabbed my wrist. "Where's your family? How far along are you? Any underlying conditions?"

"Eleven weeks. My family's on a plane."

"Who's the pup's father? Can you reach him?"

I closed my eyes. "Don't bother. He can't come."

My phone rang again.

Nate's name flashed on the screen. I stared at it for two seconds, then answered.

"Wendy, did you call an ambulance?"

His voice was low. In the background, I could hear Felicia's soft, fragile voice.

"Nate, did something happen to Wendy? Should we turn back? I can handle it."

Nate's tone stayed flat. "She always makes a big deal out of nothing. Just lie down."

Then he spoke to me. "The airport clinic could've handled it. Why did you call an ambulance? We've already taken off. We're not turning around for you."

Another cramp tore through me.

I bit my lip and waited for it to pass. "The doctor says I might miscarry."

He was silent for two seconds.

"Are you using our pup to threaten me again?"

"Wendy, you're the one who was late. If I rearrange everything every time you mess up, everyone in the pack is going to think my time is up for grabs."

Before, I would have rushed to explain that I hadn't meant to delay him.

But now, watching the nurse replace one blood-soaked pad after another, I suddenly didn't want to say anything at all.

Felicia's soft voice drifted over the line. "Nate, don't be mad. Pregnant women get emotional. She probably just wants a little attention."

Nate's voice turned even colder.

"I don't have time for your jealousy."

"If they admit you, keep the receipts. I'll reimburse you when I get back. And stop calling. Felicia needs to rest."

The line went dead.

I checked the time.

Exactly ten minutes.

By the time the exam was over, it was already dark outside.

The doctor set the report in front of me. "Threatened miscarriage. There's bleeding along the edge of the placenta. From now on, you have to stay in bed. No running around. No stress."

"Can the pup be saved?"

"There's still a heartbeat for now, but there's no guarantee. Is there any family who can come tonight?"

I shook my head.

The doctor frowned. "You really shouldn't be alone right now. If the bleeding gets worse, press the call button right away."

The door opened.

Nate's Beta walked in carrying Nate's suitcase.

He took out a wrap. "Miss Smith left this at the airport. The Alpha is worried she'll be cold on the flight back. He wants you to get it cleaned and pressed since you're close by."

The doctor's face darkened. "She nearly lost her pup, and you're asking her to run errands?"

The Beta looked awkward. "The Alpha said the Luna is used to handling things like this. And it has to be delivered before nine tomorrow morning. Miss Smith needs it for the return flight."

Just then, the Beta's phone rang.

Nate's voice came through the speaker.

"Did you drop it off?"

"I did, but the doctor says the Luna can't get out of bed."

"Then order an Uber Courier. Wendy, don't drag this out on purpose. Felicia needs it."

I pushed the wrap back toward him. "Take it. I'm not responsible for her things."

Nate sounded almost casual. "What's the drama for now? It's just a wrap."

I put a hand over my abdomen, still aching. My voice was so quiet I could barely hear it myself.

"You're right. So it won't matter if it gets lost."

The Beta reached for the wrap, but a prenatal booklet slipped out of the suitcase.

Felicia's name was on the cover.

And at the bottom, in bold black letters: Eight weeks pregnant.