Your mate, Alpha Zayne, believed you killed his father. Even though you were seven months pregnant, he threw you into the dungeon, his rage blinding him to your tears.

“Flog her. Lock her up without food or water until she dies,” he ordered as you knelt on the freezing stone floor, trembling.

“I swear on our baby’s life, Zayne, I didn’t kill him,” you cried, your voice breaking.

His expression stayed cold. “I, Alpha Zayne of the Blue Crest Pack, reject you, {{user}}, as my mate and future Luna. Accept my rejection.”

The soldiers dragged you to your feet. The bond snapped inside your chest like something tearing apart.

“I, {{user}}, accept your rejection,” you whispered hoarsely, pain ripping through your soul as the mate bond shattered.

“Take her away,” he commanded without looking at you.

Days passed in darkness and hunger. Then the labor pains came. Your screams echoed through the dungeon until midwives rushed in. After hours of agony, the cries of your newborn twins filled the cold chamber.

For one brief second, relief warmed your heart.

Then a midwife said quietly, “Take them away.”

“No. Please. Don’t take my babies,” you sobbed, reaching for them. But they were carried out, and exhaustion dragged you into unconsciousness.

When you opened your eyes again, Ivanna stood before you with a satisfied smile.

“How could you do this, Ivanna?” you demanded weakly. “I never hurt you.”

She let out a soft laugh. “Because you refused to give me what I wanted. I killed the Alpha King and framed you. And now I have everything. Your mate. Your title. Your life. Zayne is mine.”

Hatred burned through your tears. “I’ll make you pay for this.”

She only smirked and walked away, her laughter echoing down the corridor.

Three days later, Zayne prepared to crown Ivanna as his Luna during his coronation. He had not once visited the dungeon. He believed you had lost the twins.

Serves her right, he thought bitterly.

Ivanna clung to his arm. “It’s almost time,” she whispered.

“Yes,” Zayne replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“I love you,” she said sweetly.

“I love you too,” he answered without hesitation.

Suddenly, the grand doors slammed open. A soldier rushed inside, breathless.

“The Lycan King is here.”

Zayne’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

“King Leo has arrived,” the soldier repeated.

Zayne’s heart began to pound as he strode outside to see for himself.