Chapter 1

My pup's head is already crowning, but my Alpha mate pushes it back inside.

Because his dead brother's widow is having a son next door, and only a male pup inherits in the Blood-Moon Pack.

Silas doesn't even flinch. His hand is soft on mine. His eyes are softer. Nine months of soft.

"Hold on, Sera. Just a little longer."

His voice is calm.

Sweat runs into my eyes. Blood soaks the bed. Something is wrong. I've known since the second contraction hit thirty seconds after the first.

The pain is too sharp. Too fast.

A nurse walks in with a syringe.

I think it's the numbing shot.

Then Silas lets go of my hand. Steps back from the bed.

The needle goes in.

He checks his watch.

"Adjust the dose," he says. Calm. Like he's ordering coffee. "She has to wait until Elena births her pup."

The room tilts.

"Elena's crowning any minute," he tells the nurse. "Buy me two hours."

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out.

Whatever is in that syringe is already in my blood. My contractions stop mid-clench. Like a hand closed around my womb from the inside.

The pain stays. The labor stops. My pup is stuck.

I look at him. My mate. The Alpha who put his palm on my belly every night and talked to her through my skin.

His face is blank.

I don't cry. I don't beg.

I memorize his face. Exactly like this.

And I start counting everything I'm going to take from him.

—

They wheel me down.

Down past the pack infirmary. Down past the healing suites. Down into the basement of the Blood-Moon's private clinic.

Maya is waiting at the door.

Silas's little sister. Twenty-three. Nails freshly done. A scalpel between two fingers like a cigarette.

"Don't blame my brother, sis," she says, smiling. "Elena's carrying our dead brother's son. First male Blood-Moon pup of this generation. You get it."

I get it.

I've known since the needle went in.

But I let my face do what they want. Wet. Weak. Scared.

"Even if you popped her out first," Maya goes on, "she'd still just be a girl. Only male pups inherit the Alpha ring. That's pack law."

She crouches. Taps my cheek with the flat of the blade.

"Get the healer," I rasp. "Please. She's coming."

"She's not coming for three more hours, sweetheart. The drug holds that long. Elena's already in the birthing suite." She stands. Brushes off her knees. "Be a good girl. When her son is breathing, you get yours."

To the enforcer at the door: "If she howls, gag her."

The door shuts.

One bare bulb. Concrete floor. My dress is already soaked through.

They took my phone at the gate. Radiation, Silas said. Bad for the pup.

I curl onto my side. In. Out. Counting.

Three months ago, Silas's older brother Damon ran his bike into a rogue ambush on the north border. Left a mate three months pregnant.

At the funeral, the Old Alpha gripped Elena's wrist with both hands and wept into her sleeve.

The Blood-Moon bloodline cannot die. Give us this boy.

I stood there in black. Twenty-six weeks along. Put my hand on the old wolf's shoulder.

"Alpha, our pup will love you too."

He didn't look at me.

I should have known then.

I did know then. I just didn't want to.

Another contraction rips through me. The drug is fighting it. My body is fighting back.

I drag myself to the door. Pound on it.

"Help me — please — the pup is coming —"

A bored voice on the other side.

"Shut up. Miss Maya said wait."

"My baby —"

"If she dies, she dies. Shouldn't have been a girl."

I slide down the door.

I am not crying.

I am making a list.