My Alpha Cheated While I Carried His Heir

I stood in front of the mirror, practicing my reflection. The woman staring back at me had red-rimmed eyes and a quivering bottom lip—perfect for what I needed to accomplish today.

"You can do this," I whispered to myself. "For the pup."

Luna, my wolf, growled in agreement. *We will make them pay.*

I heard Anders' footsteps on the stairs and quickly wiped away the moisture I'd dabbed under my eyes. The door opened, and he entered with his usual confident stride.

"Stevie? What's wrong?" His voice held genuine concern as he took in my appearance.

I let my shoulders slump, my hands instinctively cradling my swollen belly. "I had another nightmare," I whispered, my voice deliberately fragile. "The baby was crying, and I couldn't reach her."

Anders sat beside me on the bed, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. "It was just a dream," he soothed, though I could smell the faint trace of vanilla on his collar—Vienna's scent.

"I can't shake it," I continued, allowing tears to well in my eyes. "This house feels... tainted somehow. Like it's not safe for our pup."

His brow furrowed. "Tainted? What do you mean?"

"The energy here is all wrong." I stood abruptly, pacing the room with deliberate agitation. "I need somewhere pure, somewhere untouched by... anything that might harm our baby."

Anders watched me warily, clearly unsure how to handle this version of his usually composed Luna.

"Maybe we should speak to Dr. Elena about your anxiety," he suggested carefully.

"No!" I snapped, then softened my voice. "I mean, I just need a sanctuary. A place where I can nest properly. Don't you understand what's at stake?"

---

Two days later, I sat across from Vienna in my private study, a spread of property listings between us. She looked immaculate as always, her honey-blonde hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, but I caught the flash of calculation in her eyes when I mentioned wanting a new property.

"Luna Stevie, I'm happy to help," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "But the Alpha estate is quite spacious for your needs."

"It's not about space," I insisted, flipping through the listings with deliberate clumsiness. "It's about safety and tranquility for the pup."

I rejected each property she showed me, watching her patience thin with each dismissal.

"This one is too close to the training grounds," I complained about a lakeside cottage.

"The foundation is too old," I declared about a modern mountain retreat.

Vienna's smile tightened as I continued my pickiness. Then, as if reluctantly, she pulled out a final listing.

"There's one more," she said hesitantly. "The Moonlight Cabin. It's quite exclusive, and usually reserved for—"

"The moment I saw it, Luna," my wolf interrupted through our mind-link. "That's the one."

"That's it," I gasped, staring at the listing. The luxury cabin sat perched on a cliff overlooking the sacred lake, surrounded by ancient pines. "This is where my wolf feels safe."

Vienna's face paled slightly. "But Luna, this property is... already under consideration by another pack member."

"Who?" I demanded, my eyes narrowing.

She looked away. "It's confidential."

"Is it you?" I pressed, watching her squirm.

"No, of course not," she lied poorly.

---

When Anders returned that evening, I was waiting in his study, the Moonlight Cabin listing displayed prominently on his desk.

"I found the perfect place for our pup," I announced before he could speak.

He glanced at the listing and frowned. "The Moonlight Cabin? Stevie, that's not a practical choice. It's too remote, and the price..."

"We need it," I interrupted, my voice rising with hysteria I'd carefully rehearsed. "Our baby needs it!"

"Anders," I stepped closer, tears streaming down my face. "Do you not want our pup to be safe? Do you not care about my wellbeing?"

"That's not what I'm saying," he protested, his hands raised defensively.

"Then why are you rejecting my needs?" I wailed, clutching my belly protectively. "Is this how you show your devotion to your mate and heir?"

His face drained of color. "Rejection? Stevie, you can't accuse me of that."

"Then prove me wrong," I challenged, watching him carefully. "Buy the cabin. In my name."

I saw the calculation in his eyes—the fear of being accused of rejecting his pregnant mate outweighed his desire to save the cabin for Vienna.

"Fine," he conceded finally. "If it means that much to you."

I nodded solemnly, hiding the triumph that surged through me. "It means everything."

As he turned away to make the call, I allowed myself a small smile. The first piece of my revenge had fallen into place.