My Alpha Accused Me of Killing Our Unborn Child

The morning light filtered through the curtains as I pressed my palm against my still-flat stomach. Two months. The tiny life inside me had grown for two months without Jacob noticing. My fingers trembled as I crushed another handful of rosemary and sage, renewing the herbs sewn into my clothing.

A sharp knock interrupted my ritual.

"Rose." Jacob's voice carried through the door. "My office. Now."

I smoothed my dress, checked my scent one last time, and followed the sound of his voice.

Jacob sat behind his massive oak desk, Milani perched on the edge beside him. Her hand rested possessively on his shoulder, her crimson nails digging into his skin as she leaned down to whisper something in his ear.

"You wanted to see me, Alpha?" I kept my eyes lowered, focusing on the pattern of the carpet.

"Ah, our little substitute." Milani's voice dripped with false sweetness. "We have a special task for you."

Jacob straightened, his expression cold as winter. "I've decided to make things official with Milani. A series of Chosen Mate ceremonies will begin next month."

My heart stuttered. "Ceremonies?"

"Three of them," Milani interjected, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "To properly celebrate our union."

Jacob reached for Milani's hand, his thumb caressing her knuckles in a gesture so intimate it made my stomach clench. "You will plan them all."

"I don't understand," I whispered.

"It's simple." Jacob's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You're going to plan my courtship of Milani. Every detail. The decorations, the food, the music."

Milani leaned forward, her perfume suffocating me. "We want everything to be perfect. Just like Sophia would have wanted."

"Sophia loved white roses," Jacob said suddenly, his voice softening at her name. "For the first ceremony, we'll need an arch of them. White roses and silver ribbons."

I swallowed hard. "White roses are for funerals, not weddings."

Milani's laugh cut through the air. "Oh, Rose. Always so literal. Jacob means we should honor tradition. Sophia's memory will be part of our special day."

"Exactly," Jacob agreed, his fingers still intertwined with hers. "You'll select flowers that Sophia would have chosen for our wedding."

The irony wasn't lost on me. Five years of torment, and now I had to plan the celebration of my replacement.

---

Three weeks later, my body betrayed me.

I stood in Jacob's study, carefully arranging wine glasses on a silver tray. The evening's "pre-ceremony celebration" would begin in an hour, and I had been commanded to serve the Alpha pair personally.

"Careful with that," Milani warned as I reached for the crystal decanter. "It's from Jacob's private collection."

I nodded silently, pouring the deep red liquid into each glass. My hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but from exhaustion. The pregnancy was taking more from me each day.

Jacob entered, his presence filling the room as always. "Is everything prepared?"

"Yes, Alpha," I murmured, lifting the heavy tray.

As I moved toward them, a wave of nausea hit me so suddenly I had to pause. The room tilted, and I took a deep breath.

"Rose?" Jacob's voice held an odd note I'd never heard before.

I looked up to find him staring at me, nostrils flaring slightly. His eyes had gone golden—his wolf sensing something.

"Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, taking a step toward me.

Milani moved faster than I thought possible. Her hand shot out, knocking against my elbow. The tray tilted, wine splashing across my arm and dripping onto the floor.

"How clumsy!" she exclaimed, her voice high with manufactured concern. "Look what you've done!"

The hot liquid scalded my skin, but I barely noticed. Jacob was still watching me with that strange expression.

"Forgive me," I whispered, dropping to my knees to clean the spill.

"Perhaps you should see Dr. Elena," Jacob suggested, his eyes never leaving my face. "You look... different."

Milani's hand closed around his arm. "Don't be ridiculous. She's just tired from all the preparations."

As they argued above me, I caught a glimpse of Milani's face—the calculation in her eyes, the tight set of her jaw. She knew. Somehow, she knew.

---

"Dr. Elena," Milani's voice echoed through the pack hospital corridor. "I need to speak with you immediately."

I pressed myself against the wall, heart pounding. I'd come for my regular check-up—one I'd been putting off for weeks.

The doctor emerged from her office, her professional smile faltering when she saw Milani. "Miss Green. How can I help you?"

"I need information about one of your patients," Milani said, stepping closer. "Rose Powell. What is her condition?"

Dr. Elena's expression remained neutral. "Patient confidentiality prevents me from discussing anyone's medical status."

"Even if it affects the Alpha's interests?" Milani's voice hardened.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose—"

"Is she pregnant?" Milani interrupted.

The silence stretched between them like a taut wire. Dr. Elena's hesitation lasted only a moment, but it was enough.

Milani's eyes narrowed. "I see."

As she turned to leave, her gaze fell on me hiding in the shadows. Her lips curved into a smile that chilled me to the bone.

"Rose," she said softly. "How nice of you to join us."

In that moment, I knew my time was running out.