HE CHOSE HIS MISTRESS'S BABY OVER MINE

Octavia's pov

On the night of my fourth-month pregnancy examination, I was coerced into drinking poison.

I had just returned from the pack hospital with wonderful news that our pup was strong and healthy. But as I stepped inside, two towering men with concealed faces held my mate, Beta Jake, on his knees. His mouth was taped, hands bound, with two guns aimed at his head. One commanded me to drink from a cup on the table, threatening Jake's execution if I refused.

Jake's eyes widened in terror as he shook his head frantically, pleading with me not to drink. Yet I knew I had to comply, or watch him die.

After I consumed the contents, they fled, leaving Jake unharmed.

Initially, I blamed myself for sacrificing my unborn pup to save my mate. I believed these were Jake's enemies targeting my child to render him heirless for the Alpha Trials. Without an heir, no wolf could compete.

Tears cascaded down my face when I felt moisture between my legs.

"No, no, no..." My trembling hands found my middle, fingertips meeting dampness. When I lifted my hand, I saw blood.

Panic seized me as Jake crawled toward me, breathing labored and desperate. My silent weeping transformed into anguished wails as his beta friend rushed in with pack guards. After Jake was freed, he commanded pursuit of the intruders while I was transported back to the hospital.

Throughout the journey, I condemned myself for destroying my pup. My four-month-old child, with whom I'd formed such a profound bond.

The agony intensified relentlessly as excessive blood flowed from my body. Jake's final words before darkness consumed me were comforting reassurances—I would recover and certainly provide him with an heir.

At the hospital, I awakened disoriented. Memories flooded back, tears streaming down my cheeks. I had barely opened my mouth to call for Jake when I overheard his conversation with Kyle, piercing my heart like lightning.

"Man, I still cannot believe you murdered your own pup just because of another woman. You should have bought the stem cells like before. Why change your approach when there's only one treatment left to repair Summer's damaged womb? I should be frightened of you now," Kyle stated.

I froze completely. My ears rang, chest constricted as the room spun.

This couldn't be reality. Maybe the substance I was given to drink left did it work and was messing with my head too.There was no possibility Jake would commit something so monstrous.

But Kyle continued. "How did you execute this plan? I thought you were joking about hiring criminals. You went too far. Both women are carrying pups for you. Why sacrifice Octavia's when she'd never forgive you if she discovered you murdered her pup to help Summer carry hers?"

My fingers trembled uncontrollably as coldness spread through my spine. I clutched the bedspread, waiting desperately for Jake's denial. None came.

"You know Octavia is naive but intelligent. I needed a strategy positioning us both as victims. Otherwise, she might have discovered the truth judging from my constant criticism about her weight gain. Why waste millions when the solution was right there?" Jake revealed.

"Since Octavia became pregnant, she's gained weight like a pig. She's become bulky and sluggish. I need her fit and nimble to care for Summer's pup when it arrives while Summer focuses on her health." He declared her too overweight and unkempt, adding he couldn't tolerate her presence.

"Even if you murdered her child, you shouldn't have implanted subdermal contraceptives despite the healer's warning about her few remaining viable eggs. Obviously from the emergency contraceptives you've been giving her daily. How is she supposed to bear children now, since the implant requires six years to remove?" Kyle continued.

My stomach churned, vision turning crimson as everything became clear. Now I understood why I'd never conceived despite years of unprotected intimacy. If so, but why did I become pregnant ?

"I always knew Summer would return, so Octavia was temporary. With Summer being the only woman in my heart, I no longer need Octavia for reproduction. She'll help care for my pups with Summer. I can't make her my public partner considering her low pack ranking, people would see weakness, and I'm competing for alpha position. Summer will provide everything I need."

My wolf Lily growled inside me, urging release so she could tear Jake apart. Since I'd presumably given birth today, I couldn't shift until several more days.

"I'm sorry, Octavia. I sensed something was wrong. Miles was furious about Jake's actions, but Jake ignored him," Lily communicated.

I closed my eyes as hot tears rolled down my cheeks. The man who'd held my belly nightly, whispering to our unborn pup, had revealed himself as its killer.

Kyle continued complaining until Jake silenced him to avoid suspicion, and they departed.

After they left, I vomited everything in my stomach inside the bathroom. The physical pain was nothing compared to the loss within. I'd already bonded with my four-month-old child.

Jake was correct about one thing: I was a low-ranking omega, a nobody.

But I would prove this nobody was someone he should never have crossed. I was coming to destroy everything he held dear.

I dragged the IV pole to reception and requested my clothes. Once dressed, I searched for a business card and dialed the number. The call connected immediately.

"I will accept your proposal, but only if you help me destroy someone," I said calmly, gripping the phone until my knuckles turned white.

"You finally agreed. I'll send someone to collect you tomorrow for dinner discussion," the voice responded.

I ended the call without waiting for another word.

He was everything I needed to make Jake and his accomplices pay for every bit of pain they'd made me endure.