Emily’s pov

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the soft fabric of my dress over my still-flat stomach. The knowledge that I wasn’t carrying Aiden’s child should have filled me with nothing but warmth, but this morning my nerves felt tangled with something sharper. Determination.

Aiden was adjusting his cufflinks when I turned to him. "I want to come with you to work today."

He paused, dark brows lifting in clear surprise. "To work?"

I nodded, stepping closer. "I’m your Luna, Aiden. I’ve been so wrapped up in everything that’s happened between us that I barely know this pack. I don’t know the people, the business, how everything runs. I want to learn. I want to be a good Luna for you... for all of them."

For a moment he just stared at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Emily, you’re pregnant. The last thing you need is to be thrown into the chaos of my day."

"I’m pregnant, not fragile," I countered gently, reaching up to fix his collar even though it didn’t need fixing. "Please. Let me stand beside you. Let me understand your world."

He exhaled slowly, jaw tight. I could see the reluctance written all over his face—he didn’t like the idea at all. But I kept my gaze steady, letting him see how much this mattered to me. After a long pause, he finally gave a small nod.

"Fine. But if you feel even slightly tired or unwell, we’re coming straight home."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "Deal."

We went downstairs for a quick breakfast. The dining room was quieter than usual. I glanced around, expecting to see Alina floating around like she always did, but she was nowhere in sight. One of the domestic workers was setting out fresh coffee and toast when Aiden asked, "Where’s Alina this morning?"

"She’s with her child, Leo, in the nursery, Alpha," the woman replied politely.

I couldn’t stop myself. I rolled my eyes before I could catch it. Of course she was. Playing the perfect mother while I was here trying to step into my role as Luna. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth that even the sweet orange juice couldn’t wash away.

Breakfast was brief. Aiden kept checking his watch, and I barely touched my food, too anxious about the day ahead. Before long, we were in the car, heading toward the tall glass building that housed his company—and the central operations for the pack’s businesses.

The moment we stepped inside, the energy shifted. Heads turned. People greeted us with warm respect, their eyes lighting up when they saw me beside Aiden. "Luna," they called softly, bowing their heads slightly. A quiet thrill ran through me. I loved this feeling—the weight of the title, the sense that I belonged here, that I could grow into it. I straightened my shoulders and smiled back at them, even as my heart raced.

Aiden led me up to his spacious office on the top floor. The view of the city stretching out behind his desk was breathtaking. He closed the door behind us and gestured to the comfortable leather couch near the window.

"Just sit and observe for now," he said, voice softening. "We’ll take it slow."

I nodded and settled in, watching him move with that natural authority as he checked his laptop. For a minute, everything felt peaceful.

Then a knock sounded on the door.

"Come in," Aiden called.

The door opened, and my stomach dropped.

Knox stepped inside, looking every bit the polished Beta in his crisp shirt and slacks. His eyes landed on Aiden first, then slid to me. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by that familiar smirk that made my skin crawl.

"Luna," he greeted, voice smooth. "Didn’t expect to see you here." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

I forced a small nod, trying to ignore the way my pulse spiked. Knox launched into conversation with Aiden—business numbers, pack territory updates, some upcoming deal with another alpha. I stayed quiet, pretending to be interested in the city view while every nerve in my body stayed locked on him.

Then Aiden’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and frowned. "I need to take this. Excuse me for a moment." He stepped out, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving me alone with Knox.

The silence was suffocating.

I kept my eyes fixed on the window, refusing to look at him. But I could feel his gaze burning into me.

"Why haven’t you been picking up my calls, Emily?" His voice was low, dangerous.

"Not now," I whispered tightly. "I haven’t had time for this."

He moved closer, faster than I expected. Before I could stand, his hand wrapped around my arm, pulling me up. His other hand cupped my cheek with a gentleness that felt like a lie.

"I miss you," he breathed, eyes dark with hunger. "I miss having you. I just want you on my bed again, under me, moaning my name like you used to."

He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. The touch sent ice down my spine.

I snatched my hand away and shoved at his chest. "Don’t come near me. I’m pregnant, Knox."

His eyes widened, genuine shock flashing across his face. For a second he looked almost... hurt. "How long?"

"None of your business," I snapped, stepping back until the couch pressed against my legs.

Knox’s expression hardened. "I don’t care if you’re pregnant. I still want you, Emily. That baby doesn’t change what we had."

He reached for me again.

My hand flew before I could think. The slap cracked loudly across his cheek, snapping his head to the side. My palm stung.

"I said don’t touch me!"

He slowly turned back to me, cheek reddening, eyes blazing with anger and something deeper—pain, maybe. His voice dropped into a low, aggressive growl.

"You don’t want my touch now?" He laughed bitterly. "You came to me, Emily. You seduced me. You let me fuck you while you were supposed to be loyal to him. And now I’ve fallen in love with you... and you want to push me aside like I’m nothing?"

My heart hammered against my ribs.

"Maybe it’s best," he continued, stepping closer again, voice venomous, "if I just tell Aiden everything. About us. About how you really are."

My eyes widened in horror as the words hung between us like a loaded gun.