Last month, a rogue's wolfsbane blade had sliced my side open. I lay screaming in the clinic while the doctor scrubbed the wound without anesthesia. Archie held my hand. Until his phone buzzed.

"Faustina feels dizzy."

He dropped my hand. He left me bleeding to hold the hand of a woman who needed a glass of water.

The doors swung open.

Archie walked in, showered but exhausted. Beside him was Faustina. She wasn't in uniform. She wore a silk dress tight enough to show a bump that looked suspiciously large for three months.

She reeked of him. Not just proximity-she smelled like a claimed wolf.

Archie saw me and flinched. He turned to Faustina. "Kitchen. Supplements."

It was an Alpha Command. Faustina's knees buckled, but she smirked as she obeyed, leaving a trail of herbal perfume that smelled like rot masked by flowers.

Archie rushed to my side, dropping to his knees.

"You smell like her," I said.

"I scrubbed my skin raw," he pleaded. "Karyme, the Elders are watching. My father pressures me daily. Once the pup is born, she's gone."

"What about your vows?"

"I love your soul," Archie said, grabbing my face. "My body is just a tool. It's like lifting a heavy weight or running a patrol. It's duty."

"A tool," I repeated. It felt like ash in my mouth.

Faustina reappeared in the doorway with a glass of milk. She caught my eye and deliberately brushed her hair back, revealing a fresh, purple bruise on her neck. A love bite.

Archie followed my gaze and stiffened. "I told you to stay in the kitchen!"

"The baby needed air, Alpha," she cooed, releasing a sharp, challenging pheromone.

My wolf snarled. Kill her.

"Get out," Archie roared.

Faustina bowed and left, her victory absolute.

Archie buried his face in my lap. "I'm sorry. Six more months. Then we toss her to the rogues. Just give me an heir."

I looked at the dark hair I used to love.

"You've already lost me, Archie," I whispered.

Chapter 2

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