Chapter 3 The Unexpected Surprise

*Selena*

**One year later.**

"Congratulations, Luna! You're pregnant!" The doctor's words kept ringing in my mind, filling me with joy as I made my way to my mate, the Alpha King's office, to tell him the good news.

After many tries, I was finally going to have my Alpha's pup. Zander and I had wanted a baby for so long since we had mated. But every time I got pregnant, it ended sadly with heartbreaking miscarriages, losing my precious pups.

This time, when I realized I had missed my periods, I decided to keep it to myself. I didn't want Zander to go through the pain and disappointment of another loss.

I kept my pregnancy hidden from everyone, waiting for the right time. It wasn't until three months had passed that I went for a check-up, hoping for good news. When the doctor confirmed that the baby was growing healthy and strong, tears of happiness flowed from my eyes. I couldn't contain my joy, rushing to share this incredible news with my mate.

I was going to knock on the door, but my hand halted in the air when I heard Avery's voice.

"Why don't you leave her? She doesn't deserve to be your mate. She's weak and wolf-less."

My smile disappeared as my heart sank with uncertainty.

"Not now, Avery. I have to go to the conference. We'll talk about it later," Zander's calm voice replied, leaving me shocked.

Mate.

Weak.

Wolf-less.

They were talking about me!

"Why don't you kill her like you killed her family and pack?" Avery's bored voice came from behind the wide, thick doors.

I gasped and covered my mouth, trying to hold back tears. My eyes stung and everything became blurry.

"Stop! Don't say anything else. I'm late for the conference," Zander growled, sounding frustrated but not denying it.

It couldn't be true.

Goddess, please tell me that it couldn't be true! My mate, responsible for killing my family?! Now, he's plotting my murder with his girlfriend!

My suspicions were confirmed. At first, I only believed Avery was in love with Zander. But now, it's clear Zander also loved her, and they betrayed me behind my back.

The realization hit me like a tidal wave, crashing against the fragile shores of my heart.

I didn't have time to wipe my tears when I heard footsteps nearing the door. I needed to escape before they sensed me.

Swiftly, I slid away from the door and rushed to my room. Closing the door behind me, I frantically searched for my phone and dialed my father's number.

Each ring felt like an eternity as I impatiently waited for my father to answer, but there was no response. The silence on the other end of the line gnawed at my soul, intensifying the fear gripping my heart.

In hopes of hearing some news, I called my uncle, Jack. He picked up after three rings.

"Uncle, I've been trying to reach Mom and Dad, but no one's picking up the phone," I blurted out, my worry rushing out in a hurry.

"Selena, my dear, it's over. Everything is finished! The pack... our pack... it's gone," Uncle Jack's voice cracked, carrying the same pain I felt.

"Who... who could do that?" I asked, hoping what I heard at Zander's office was wrong.

"It was him, Selena. It was your mate," Uncle Jack's voice shook with sadness and resentment.

The ground beneath my feet seemed to crumble away, leaving me suspended in a world of disbelief.

"The Alpha King, Zander Blake. He murdered your family... our pack," Uncle's voice lowered to a somber tone, carrying the weight of an unbearable truth.

I felt like such a fool. Even after hearing it myself, I needed confirmation from my uncle. My already shattered heart splintered into countless pieces, each fragment a testament to the immense loss I had suffered.

My mate hated me so much that he even demolished my whole pack.

I clasped a hand over my mouth, trying to stifle the sobs that threatened to consume me. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the remnants of shattered dreams as I mourned the devastating loss of my beloved family and the pack members who had once been my kin.

"Uncle," I hesitated, my voice shaking as I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, "I overheard Zander and his girlfriend, Avery, planning to murder me. They've been having an affair and want to get rid of me."

"Oh, Goddess! I always knew he was cruel, but to be so heartless..." Uncle's words trailed off, overwhelmed by deep sorrow for my situation. "Selena, my dear, I beg you to leave immediately and come to me. We'll escape to the South, leaving this treacherous land behind. There, we can start a new life, far away from their reach, where no one will ever find us."

"No, uncle, I can't just run and hide," I whispered. "He's my mate, the Alpha King. His power has no limits. I'm sure he'll find me, no matter where I go. And... I... I'm pregnant, carrying his pup," I confessed, glancing anxiously around as if the walls themselves held secrets that could expose my vulnerability.

"What?! You're pregnant?!" My uncle's voice surged with sudden excitement, echoing through the receiver.

I bit my trembling lips and nodded, even though he couldn't see me.

"He... he hates you and will kill your child," my uncle's voice trembled with concern and desperation. "I'm coming to take you away from him," he advised, and he was right.

If Zander didn't love me, he wouldn't love our unborn child. It was a truth I couldn't deny, a painful acceptance that stung my heart.

"Wait for me outside the borders of this pack. I'll join you in a few hours," I replied, wiping my wet cheeks with determined yet shaking hands as I ended the call.