Chapter One

Selina's POV

Four years ago, I got mauled by a rogue wolf saving my Beta husband Derek. The attack left me unable to carry pups.

He held me that night, covered in my blood, and swore through tears that kids never mattered to him anyway.

Four years later, he's sleeping with Paige, a she-wolf I took in out of kindness six months back.

"Every family needs an heir. You can't give me one, so Paige offered. Just accept it and keep being my mate."

Paige, eyes brimming with tears, insisted she only wanted to repay my kindness. The baby would call me mother. She'd never try to take my place.

I almost laughed. Since when does anyone repay a favor by climbing into bed with the man who took her in?

I refused. He brought my parents and my brother into it to force my hand.

I didn't waste another word on him. I severed the bond and moved my whole family out to Moonhaven Pack on the coast.

Turns out nobody leaves a single she-wolf alone, no matter where she goes. Thugs kept showing up outside my door, stirring up trouble.

Right when things get unbearable, a big guy shows up out of nowhere and beats the group of them into running for their lives.

He's tall, scars all over his arms. He looks me over for a long moment, then says, "I need a wife to look after my two kids. Marry me. I'll protect your whole family."

—

I stare at the ultrasound photo sitting on the coffee table, impossible to look away from, then look up at Derek and Paige sitting across from me, their fingers laced together.

"Selina, you know we need an heir." Derek doesn't sound the least bit sorry. "The doctor said after what happened to you, you're probably never having kids. Paige is a good woman. She's willing to make this sacrifice for our family."

"Sacrifice?" I let out a short laugh, my eyes cutting over to Paige's pitiful little face.

Her eyes well up instantly, tears spilling down her cheeks. She leans in and reaches for my hand. "Selina, don't be mad at Derek. This was my choice. You've been so good to me, I didn't know how else to pay you back. I promise, once the baby's born, it'll call you mother. I'm not trying to take anything from you. I just want to stay and take care of this family."

I yank my hand away and wipe it on a tissue like it's dirty. "Paige, that's one hell of a way to pay someone back. What, you think my spot running this house looks too comfortable, so you want to try it on for size?"

Derek frowns at me, clearly annoyed. "Selina, don't be so cold about this. Paige is doing something generous here. And let's face it, you can't have kids. My family's been unhappy about that for a long time. This is good for everyone. Just say yes and you're still the lady of this house."

I look at him and feel like I'm staring at a stranger.

If I hadn't gotten torn up saving him back then, would I even be in this position?

And now he's using my own scars as an excuse to betray me.

"And if I say no?" I ask, flat.

His face goes dark. "Selina, don't push your luck. Your parents and your brother are living in a house that's under my name. I got your brother his job too. Say no, and I can take all of it back whenever I want."

I take a breath and swallow the anger rising in my chest.

I know Derek well enough. If I stay, I'll make myself sick, and my family will spend the rest of their lives with him holding something over their heads.

I stand up, walk to the desk, pull out a document I'd already prepared, and drop it on the table between us.

"Dissolving the bond?" Derek's eyes go wide as he stares at the page. "Selina, have you lost your mind?"

"I've never been more clear-headed in my life." I meet his eyes. "You want an heir so bad? Go have one with your nanny. I don't want any part of it."

"You—" Derek shoots to his feet, furious. "You think you can walk away from me and everything's just going to be fine? Nobody wants a she-wolf who can't have kids!"

"That's not something you need to worry about anymore." I sign my name and throw the pen at him. "Sign it and we're done. I'm taking my parents and my brother with me. Don't worry about them."

He looks at me like he's searching for some flicker of regret. He isn't going to find any. All I have left for him is contempt.

He signs it in the end, sneering as he does. "Fine. Let's see how tough you are once you're out there on your own."