My Mate Watched His Mistress Murder Our Unborn Child

The Silverclaw Pack house loomed before me, its stone facade cold and imposing against the darkening sky. I'd returned a day early from visiting my parents, hoping to surprise Charles and perhaps salvage what remained of our crumbling bond. Three months since our Bonding Ceremony, and already I felt like a stranger in my own home.

Something felt wrong as I stepped through the grand entrance. The usual bustle of pack activity was absent, replaced by an eerie silence that made my skin prickle with unease.

"Luna Spencer," a young Delta warrior nodded nervously as he passed, his eyes darting away too quickly. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."

"I decided to return early," I replied, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Is my mate in his office?"

The warrior shifted uncomfortably. "Alpha Charles is... occupied. Perhaps you should rest after your journey."

Before I could press further, he hurried away, leaving me standing alone in the cavernous foyer. A knot tightened in my chest as I noticed the absence of the usual servants. Someone had deliberately cleared the area.

"I'm going to surprise him," I murmured to myself, trying to ignore the growing sense of foreboding. "Things will be better today."

My wolf, Luna, stirred anxiously within me. *Something's wrong, Brooke. Be careful.*

I climbed the curved staircase, following the familiar path to Charles's office. As I approached, two scents hit me simultaneously—Charles's distinctive musk and Sara's cloying vanilla perfume, so heavy it could only mean one thing.

My hand froze on the doorknob. No. It couldn't be.

But Luna knew better. *He betrays us again.*

I pushed the door open without knocking, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The sight before me burned itself into my memory forever. Charles had Sara pressed against his desk, her legs wrapped around his waist, his hands tangled in her hair. Papers scattered across the floor where they'd knocked them in their haste.

"You promised!" Sara's voice was breathless, not distressed. "You said Brooke would never know!"

Charles's response died in his throat as he sensed my presence. He turned slowly, his expression shifting from passion to shock to something colder.

"Brooke—" he began, but I couldn't contain the scream building inside me.

"How could you?" My voice shattered, tears blurring my vision. "Your own brother's mate?"

Sara immediately unwound herself from Charles, her face transforming into a mask of terror. "Don't hurt me!" she cried, shrinking behind him. "I was just comforting Charles. He's been so lonely since you've been gone!"

Charles's eyes hardened as he looked at me, not her. "You're being aggressive, Brooke. Sara lost her mate—my brother. She needs support."

"Support?" I choked on the word. "That's what you call this?"

"I call it compassion," Charles snapped, his Alpha aura flaring around him like a physical force. "Something you clearly lack for my brother's widow."

The weight of his aura pressed against me, making it hard to breathe. I fought against it, refusing to submit. "She's manipulating you! Can't you see that?"

Charles stood tall, his eyes flashing gold with anger. "Enough! As your Alpha and mate, I command you to stop this hysterical behavior."

When I still resisted, his face darkened further. "As your Alpha, I command you—KNEEL!"

The full force of his Alpha Tone hit me like a physical blow. My knees buckled despite my desperate struggle to remain standing. Luna howled in protest within me, but we were powerless against a direct command.

"You will learn respect," Charles growled, grabbing my arm with bruising force. He dragged me toward the balcony doors, my legs barely supporting me as I fought the command.

"Charles, please!" I begged, terror rising as I realized his intent. "It's freezing outside!"

He flung open the glass doors, revealing the raging blizzard beyond. Snow whipped into the warm office, carrying with it a biting cold that made my breath catch.

"You'll stay out here until you learn to control your temper," he said coldly, shoving me onto the snow-covered balcony. "Perhaps the cold will cool your jealousy."

"Charles!" I screamed as he stepped back inside. "You can't do this!"

But he could. And he did.

The glass doors slammed shut with finality, the lock clicking into place. I pounded against them with frozen fists, my thin travel dress offering no protection against the sub-zero temperatures.

"Please!" I cried, watching as Charles turned away, his face impassive. Behind him, Sara's expression shifted from fear to triumph.

Luna whimpered within me, her presence already weakening from the cold. *Brooke, we need to shift. We'll freeze like this.*

"I can't," I whispered, teeth chattering uncontrollably as I watched Charles draw the heavy curtains across the doors, shutting me out completely. "He's blocked our connection. We can't shift."

The snow fell heavier around me, ice forming on my eyelashes as I sank to my knees in the accumulating drift. Through the glass, I could see Charles turn to Sara, his hand reaching for her face.

And then the lights went out, leaving me alone in the darkness of the blizzard.