The Alpha Lost His Pack After Sleeping With His Secretary

The air turned frigid, and Jason's voice came through, sharp as a winter wind. "You've got some nerve, trying to scam me like that."

His tone was pure ice. "That pup's not mine. Brooke, deal with her."

He still didn't recognize me. I gave a bitter laugh. "If that's how you feel, there's no reason to keep this pup."

Jason didn't even flinch. "Some stray's bastard? Better off gone."

My nails dug into my palms.

To think he'd call his own pup a bastard! He had no idea this was his only shot at a bloodline, his one chance to carry on the Holloway name. Jason had a condition-weak seed. Five years of our sacred bond, and no pups. The Holloway pack, desperate to preserve their nine-generation legacy, was beside themselves when we learned the truth. At their pleading, I went abroad for IVF, enduring three grueling years to conceive this pup. I came back to surprise him, but his surprise was a gut punch.

I was about to call a lawyer to draft papers to break our bond when Brooke slammed the phone down. Her eyes blazed, and before I could react, she slapped me hard across the face. "So, you're just a beggar trying to pin your bastard pup on Jason!"

It was the first time anyone had ever laid a hand on me. Fury shook me,–

I hit the emergency alarm by the villa. Brooke didn't stop me, just smirked. "You little vixen, you have no idea who you're messing with. The Holloways run Shalandra Town! I could rip you apart, and no one would dare blink."

I stared her down. The Holloways had wealth, sure, but my pack was no slouch either. Binding with Jason was practically a step down for me. His pack's projects? They wouldn't have gotten off the ground without my family's support. Even the territory's manager, Scott Brennan, only got the job because I saw his hustle and backed him.

Within minutes, the pack's enforcers showed up. I scanned the group, frowning-no Scott. Before I could speak, Brooke batted her lashes at the lead enforcer. "Cousin, it's this wretched she-wolf! She's claiming some stray pup is Jason's, and I can't get rid of her!"

Disgusted by her act, I snapped, "Get Scott, your manager. He'll tell you I'm Jason's mate."

The enforcer blinked. "Scott's out of town. You know him?"

Brooke spat. "So that's how you snuck in-seducing the help! That pup's probably Scott's, isn't it?"

Someone muttered, "Scott's already got a mate, doesn't he?"

Brooke sneered. "A side piece, then! Used up and now trying to pawn her pup off on Jason!"

My teeth ground together as I tried to explain. "I'm not a side piece. I'm Claire Whitman, the she-wolf Jason begged to bind with!"

But the crowd didn't listen, their jeers cutting deep. "Pretty face, but stooping to be a homewrecker!" "Messing with Brooke? That's a death wish. Everyone knows she's Jason's favorite!" "She's living in his den already-bet they're about to form a sacred bond. This she-wolf's just stirring trouble!"

Brooke's face darkened at that. She grabbed my hair and slapped me again, snarling, "I knew you were up to no good, you filthy stray!"