After the Beta Killed Our Unborn Pup

On Christmas Eve, Maeve Richards, the Gamma of our pack and Jay’s childhood friend, deliberately burned my hand with a sparkler. She didn’t apologize afterward. Instead, she goaded Jay to lock me up in the abandoned church on the outskirts of the territory, claiming it was a test from the Moon Goddess to ensure the continuation of our bloodline. I begged Jay, my mate and the Beta of the pack, to take me back, pleading that I was two months pregnant. But he didn’t believe me. "Evelynn," he said, his voice cold and detached, "the future of this pack depends on us. Just stay there for one night, for me." With that, he turned and left with Maeve, never once looking back. Later, when his family scattered the ashes of our pup, it only drove them further into madness.

By the time I stumbled down the hill, the bloodstains on my pants had dried. Finally, my phone found a signal. I dialed Jay’s number, my teeth clenched so tightly my jaw ached. When he answered, his furious voice boomed into my ear, "Evelynn, what nonsense are you spouting now? You scared Maeve so much last night she’s been running a fever, and you were hiding in that church like it was nothing!"

His words left me speechless with anger. "Jay, you’re heartless! You left me alone in that church, in the middle of nowhere. I could’ve died there!" The pain in my palm made me wince. Looking down, I saw blisters from Maeve’s sparkler burns—still hoping for an apology, yet she played the victim, claiming I had terrified her.

What hurt more was my mate’s lack of support. Not only did he fail to stand by me, but he had joined Maeve in locking me up. A sharp pain twisted in my abdomen, relentless and cruel. I bit my lip hard, holding back tears, and managed to say, "Jay, come get me and take me to the healer. The baby... the baby isn’t going to make it..."

On the other end, Jay seemed frozen, and after a brief silence, his voice grew colder, piercing my soul like ice. "Evelynn, stop pretending. Just last month, I remember you had your cycle. What game are you playing now, pretending to be pregnant?"

"Jay, I beg you." I broke down in sobs, tears and mucus smearing my face. "Please, save me, save our child..."

My cries traveled through the phone, leaving Jay silent for a long time. Just as I dared to hope, I heard Maeve’s voice, dripping with feigned innocence, "Jay, Evelynn’s pulled this act countless times. It’s Christmas Day. Please, spend more time with me."

Fooled? A bitter, self-mocking smile tugged at my lips. Every time I fell ill, Jay barely glanced at me before Maeve would call him away with some excuse or another. I fought to keep my emotions in check, using every ounce of strength I had left. "Jay, I’m asking you one last time. Are you coming