My Mate Killed Our Pups

The mahogany table in the conference room felt cold under my fingertips, grounding me as I faced the circle of Elders. Being Alpha of the Silver Crescent Pack was my birthright, a title passed down through blood and iron, yet lately, I felt less like a leader and more like a figurehead painted in fading colors.

"We need to reinforce the northern perimeter," I stated, projecting my voice to reach the end of the long table. "The rogue sightings near the river are increasing. I want Gamma team on a rotation starting tonight."

Silence followed my command. The Elders didn't look at me; they looked past me.

"Actually, Morgan, that’s hardly the most efficient use of our resources," a smooth, condescending voice cut through the air.

Orion. My chosen mate. He sat to my right, adjusting his glasses with a practiced air of superiority. He wasn't an Alpha—he was barely stronger than a standard Delta—but he spoke with the confidence of a king. "I've already reallocated the budget. The northern perimeter is fine. We’re focusing on internal infrastructure."

My wolf, usually dormant these days, bristled. "Orion, security is not infrastructure. It's survival."

"You’re being emotional, darling," he sighed, signaling to the door. "Besides, I’ve brought in some help to manage these tedious logs so you don't have to stress your pretty head. Come in."

The door opened, and the scent hit me first—cloying, artificial vanilla trying desperately to mask the musk of the wild. Harlow Henderson sauntered in. She was petite, with wide, innocent eyes that didn't match the smirk tugging at her lips. An Omega. A former Rogue.

"Harlow will be my new personal assistant," Orion announced, gesturing for her to sit. "She'll handle the sensitive pack logs."

"A Rogue handling our security logs?" I stood up, my chair scraping loudly. "Absolutely not."

Orion didn't even stand. He just looked up at me, his eyes cold behind the lenses. "She has been vetted, Morgan. Stop being so paranoid and possessive. It’s unbecoming of an Alpha to be so insecure."

I looked around the room. The Elders looked down at their papers. No one backed me. I sat down, the fight draining out of me like water from a cracked jar.

***

That night, I clung to a secret that I prayed would change everything.

In the privacy of our suite, I had prepared a dinner of roasted lamb, Orion’s favorite. The candles were burning low when he finally walked in, smelling faintly of that sickly vanilla perfume. I pushed the jealousy down. I had something better than jealousy. I had hope.

I placed my hand on my flat stomach. "Orion, I have news."

He loosened his tie, looking bored. "Make it quick, Morgan. I have reading to do."

"I'm pregnant," I whispered, a smile trembling on my lips. "Twins. I felt their spark today."

The silence that followed was suffocating. I waited for him to cross the room, to hug me, to let his wolf rejoice in the continuation