Eliana POV:
I found them in the walk-in closet.
It was an hour later. Dustin had returned, claiming he forgot his "tactical gear." In reality, he was changing into a tuxedo.
"I thought you were hunting rogues," I said, leaning against the doorframe.
Dustin jumped. He was struggling with his cufflinks. "I am. There's a... diplomatic meeting with the neighboring Alpha first."
"Does the neighboring Alpha wear 'Midnight Seduction' perfume?" I asked.
Dustin froze. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing. The air in the room grew heavy. He was releasing his Alpha pheromones, a dominance tactic meant to make lower-ranking wolves submit.
"You are imagining things, Eliana. You always do. You're hysterical because you haven't given me an heir."
"I smell the pup, Dustin," I said, my voice steady despite the pressure on my chest. "Jami is pregnant."
The silence that followed was louder than a scream.
Dustin's face shifted. The mask of the dutiful husband fell away, replaced by a sneer of arrogance. "So? What if she is?"
He took a step toward me. "She is a fertile Omega. She gave me in three months what you couldn't give me in ten years. A strong lineage."
"Lineage?" I laughed, a dry, brittle sound. "You were a Beta when I found you, Dustin. My runic wards legitimized your claim to this land. My strategies built your alliances."
"You did paperwork!" he roared, using the Alpha's Voice.
The command hit me like a physical blow. My knees buckled, forcing me to grab the doorframe to stay upright. It is the curse of our biology; an Alpha's command forces obedience from anyone in the pack.
"You are nothing without me," he spat. "I am the Alpha. I built this empire."
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a checkbook. He scribbled something hastily and threw the paper at me. It fluttered to the floor, landing near my feet.
"Here. Take this from the family fund. Go buy yourself a new robe. You look like a ghost."
I looked down at the check. It was drawn from the account I had built from scratch using my consulting fees.
"We are done, Dustin," I said. "I want an unmarking."
He laughed. It was a cruel, barking sound. "Unmarking? No. You stay. You maintain the house. You keep up appearances. No other pack will take a barren, washed-up Luna. You need me."
He brushed past me, knocking my shoulder hard.
I followed him downstairs. In the living room, Jami was waiting.
She wasn't hiding anymore. She was wearing a tight white dress that showed off the slight bump of her belly. Around her neck was a silver collar studded with diamonds—a traditional gift for a promised Luna.
She looked at me and smiled. It was a predator's smile.
"Oh, Eliana," Jami cooed, her hand resting on her stomach. "Don't worry. I'm going to redecorate the nursery. The grey you chose was so... depressing. We're going with gold. Like a real royal den."
She was marking her territory. She was urinating on my life.
"Get out of my house," I said.
"Our house," Dustin corrected, walking to Jami's side. He put his arm around her waist. "Actually, this is Jami's house now. I bought her the deed to the downtown penthouse last week. Using the pack's emergency funds."
"That money was for the winter food supply," I whispered, horrified.
"My son needs a safe nest," Dustin shrugged. "If you have a problem with it, take it up with the Elders. Oh, wait. I appointed all the Elders. They won't listen to you."
Jami suddenly winced, clutching her belly. "Oh, Dustin! The baby... I think your wife's negative energy is hurting him!"
It was a pathetic performance, but Dustin ate it up. He turned to me, his eyes flashing red.
"If you cause my son any stress, Eliana, I will strip you of your title, cut your allowance, and throw you into the Wildlands as a Rogue. Do you hear me?"
I looked at the man I had loved. I looked at the check still lying on the floor upstairs.
I didn't need his allowance.
I reached into my pocket, where I kept a small, serrated silver knife for cutting herbs. I didn't attack him. Instead, I looked him in the eye.
"You won't have to throw me out," I said.
I turned my back on them. My skin was prickling with heat—not from fear, but from the rising power of my bloodline finally waking up.
"Where are you going?" Dustin demanded.
"To hell," I muttered. "And I'm leaving you here."
