Brooke POV:
The wind bit at my exposed cheeks, but the chill inside was worse.
Six weeks ago, the stick turned pink. I'd sat on the bathroom floor, weeping with joy. A pup. Our pup.
I'd made dinner, wearing the blue dress Caleb liked. "Caleb," I'd said, "It's time. The Pack needs to know. About the bond."
He'd pulled away, pouring a drink. "Not now. Investors are skittish. If they find out my mate is an Omega IT girl, the stock drops. They want traditional strength."
"But the Marking," I pleaded. "If you Mark me, your strength flows into me. I'll be the Luna."
"Soon," he'd said. "When the deal is done."
Soon.
"Brooke?" Easton's voice snapped me back to the pavement. "Still there, or did your brain freeze over?"
"I'm here," I gripped the phone. "I need protection. And resources."
"You'll have them. But you know the price of crossing into Blood River."
"I know. I'm worth it."
"We'll see. Stay hidden. I'm sending a car."
I couldn't stay on the street. I needed to gather my things from the penthouse before Caleb changed the locks.
I took the service entrance. I tried to swipe for the executive elevator.
Access Denied.
"Sorry, Ms. Myers."
Dan, the Beta guard who usually asked about my day, now held a baton across his chest.
"I live here, Dan."
"Not anymore. Alpha's orders. No Omegas on the executive floor."
"I need my medication," I lied. "And my mother's locket."
"Get lost, Brooke," a voice sneered from the lobby.
A group of low-ranking Pack members-people I'd helped with loans-looked at me with open disdain.
"Look at her," one whispered. "Thinking she could be Luna just because she's smart."
"Heard she can't even shift. Just gets hairy. Pathetic."
Leo stepped forward. "Hey, leave her alone. She built the system that pays you."
"Shut up, Leo!" Krystal stepped off the elevator, wearing my bathrobe.
My stomach churned.
"Leo," Krystal purred, "Unless you want to be scrubbing toilets, zip it."
She turned to me. "You're causing a scene, Brooke. Embarrassing. This is why Caleb couldn't Mark you. No dignity."
"Dignity?" I stepped closer. I could smell Caleb on her skin. "You're wearing my clothes, sleeping in my bed, and screwing my mate. Don't talk to me about dignity."
Krystal leaned in, whispering. "He was never yours. He told me everything. How you're boring in bed. How you smell like old paper. He needs a real woman."
Rage surged. I wanted to shift, to tear her throat out. But my body was weak.
I pushed past her, sprinting for the stairs. Twelve flights.
I burst into the penthouse. Caleb was packing a bag.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, annoyed.
"Why?" I screamed. "The Moon Goddess gave us to each other!"
He sighed. "The Moon Goddess makes mistakes. Look at you. Frail. The Apex deal requires a strong alliance. Krystal... she has potential."
"Potential? She's a manipulative snake!"
"She is strong!" Caleb roared. "And she will give me strong sons!"
I froze. "Sons?"
"Yes. Heirs. Something you clearly can't provide."
He didn't know. He had no idea I was carrying his heir right now.
"You're wrong," I said softly.
He walked over, touching my cheek. I flinched.
Brooke, his voice echoed in my head. The Mind-Link was static-filled. Don't make this hard. You can stay in the city. I'll pay for an apartment. Be my... consultant. We can still see each other.
I stared at him in horror.
"You want me to be your whore while she plays Luna?"
"It's the best of both worlds," he said, delusional. "I get the strong image, and I get your mind for the business."
I looked at the trash can. A photo of us, glass shattered.
"No." I severed the mental link with a violent shove. He flinched.
"I am not your consultant," I spat. "And I am not your mate."
"You can't reject me," he scoffed. "You're too weak. The pain would kill you."
"Watch me."
I turned to the door. "You chose power over the bond, Caleb. Hope it keeps you warm."
As I slammed the door, my wolf let out a long, mournful howl, then went silent.
