Chapter 1

Alpha Liam came to pick me up from the Pack Healer’s clinic. But when I reached the SUV, my best friend was already sitting in the passenger seat.

She gave me a bright, dazzling smile. She didn't make even the slightest move to get out.

"Long time no see, Sophia. You don't mind if I take the front seat, do you, Luna Sophia?"

From the driver's seat, Liam Blackwood didn't say a word. He just changed the subject.

"Why were you at the clinic so suddenly?"

I opened the back door and slid inside. I could tell he hadn't caught the scent of his pup on me. So, I didn't tell him I was pregnant.

"Just a minor injury. No big deal."

I wouldn't have come to the joint Pack social tonight if I knew Maya was going to be here. I heard she was doing pretty well in the human world.

If I had known, I would have stayed home.

"Honestly, Sophia, you’re still as delicate as ever," Maya scoffed, tapping the dashboard ornaments. "A tiny scratch heals in seconds for us wolves, yet you still run to the Healer. Talk about wasting pack resources."

She flicked one of the customized hanging charms I bought for the car.

"And Liam, this SUV is worth a fortune. Why did you let her decorate it so gaudily? It doesn’t suit an Alpha at all."

Liam kept his eyes on the road, a low, amused chuckle escaping his throat. "She likes it."

"Ugh, I hate it. Such a badass car, ruined by a messy style."

"I can buy you one if you want. Do you want it?"

"Please, stop acting like you're my boss, Liam. If I'm not around, who’s going to keep you company at the bar?"

The curve of Liam’s lips was incredibly charming. I hadn't seen him smile like that in a very long time.

The AC in the car was blasting, but my heart felt like it was being submerged in freezing water.

I grabbed the light throw blanket next to me and wrapped it tightly around myself.

"Cold?" Liam looked at me through the rearview mirror, his brow furrowing as he reached to turn down the AC.

But Maya’s hand suddenly pressed down on his.

"Oh, come on! I'm roasting! If Sophia is cold, she can just crack the window and get some fresh air. We're almost there anyway. Just bear with it, Sophia."

Their hands rested naturally over one another. It wasn't until Liam saw me nod in the mirror that he pulled his hand back to focus on driving.

"One of you hates the cold, and the other hates the heat," Maya joked. "I seriously don't know how you two managed to live together all this time."

This time, Liam didn't reply.

I let out a soft laugh.

"Have you forgotten, Maya? Back then, you were the one sneaking out with him every single day."

Liam remained silent. Maya lowered her head and started playing with her phone.

The silence in the car felt thick, heavy with guilt.

Maya and I grew up together.

Her father was a warrior who died protecting the former Alpha, and her mother was a servant in my family's estate.

We used to share a bed. We dressed up dolls together. We stayed up late whispering about our future mates.

But it took me a long time to realize that we had both fallen for Liam.

In the beginning, I would occasionally invite Maya on our dates. Liam used to complain about it.

But slowly, the dynamic shifted. In our trio, the person sent to buy drinks eventually became me.

Sometimes, they would go to pack gatherings together.

Without me.

Because I hated loud parties and drinking. I didn't like hiking, and I was terrified of their racing events.

But Maya loved all of it. Even when she didn't know how to do something, she was eager to learn.

I never thought they were crossing the line. I actually thought I was lucky.

My best friend and my boyfriend were also best friends.

We felt like one harmonious family.

Until one day, Maya made a bet with me. She bet on whether Liam would choose her or me.

She lost the bet. But looking back, I didn't win either.