My Alpha Chose My Killer Over Our Unborn Child

The Moon Goddess Festival lit up the night sky with silver beams that danced through the trees. Seven years. Seven perfect years with my mate, and tonight I would finally share the secret I'd been nurturing for weeks.

"Close your eyes," Gunner whispered, his breath warm against my ear as he led me away from the pack celebration. His fingers intertwined with mine, strong and reassuring.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my free hand instinctively moving to my stomach. The slight swell wasn't noticeable yet, but my wolf and I had been cherishing the tiny life growing inside me.

"I told you—a surprise." His voice carried that familiar Alpha timbre that had made me fall in love with him all those years ago. "For our anniversary."

The music from the festival faded behind us as Gunner guided me through the forest path. I smiled, imagining a private dinner or perhaps a renewal of our vows under the full moon.

"It's not much further," he said, squeezing my hand. "By the old weeping willow at the border."

I nodded, excitement bubbling inside me. Tonight would be perfect—I'd tell him about our pup, and we'd celebrate both our bond and our future together.

But something changed as we approached the border. The forest grew unnaturally silent. No crickets chirped, no night birds called. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

"Gunner?" I whispered, suddenly uneasy.

His scent shifted—subtle but unmistakable. The warm cedar and sage I loved was now sharp with something else. Adrenaline? Anger?

"Just a little further, Luna," he replied, but something in his tone had cooled.

We reached the clearing by the weeping willow, its branches swaying gently in the moonlight. But instead of finding a romantic setup, I saw movement in the shadows—five massive shapes emerging from the darkness.

Rogues.

My healer's instincts kicked in immediately. "Gunner, we need to—"

But my mate wasn't moving to protect me. He stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest, his expression shifting from loving to coldly detached.

"Surprise," came a familiar voice from behind one of the trees.

Rayne stepped into the moonlight, dressed in Luna-style silk that hugged her curves—my style, my position. Her lips curled into a cruel smile.

"How fitting that the great healer can't see what's been happening right under her nose," she mocked, circling me slowly. "Did you really think he could love someone as weak as you?"

The rogues moved closer, their eyes gleaming with hunger in the darkness.

"Gunner?" I turned to him, disbelief freezing the blood in my veins. "What's happening?"

He sneered, his handsome face twisted into something unrecognizable. "You've served your purpose, Lucia. The pack needs a stronger Luna—one who can produce an heir worthy of the Blood Moon legacy."

Rayne laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Oh, she still doesn't understand."

The rogues attacked with coordinated precision. I screamed for Gunner as claws tore through my dress, ripping into my flesh. My wolf howled inside me, desperate