My Mate Got Another Wolf Pregnant

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He'd been my mate for three years and spoiled me rotten.

Everyone called him the perfect mate.

The pack's full moon banquet had just ended when he stopped me at the door, begging:

Iris, I was drugged. Lily's pregnant with my child.

I smiled and forgave him. Then I turned around, rushed to get my passport sorted, and rejected him.

Before leaving, I took one last look at our home.

He had no idea I'd already overheard him whispering to Lily:

"Iris is so boring in bed. You're way sexier."

He also had no idea that at this very moment, in a London airport, a man who'd been waiting five years for me was opening his arms wide.

Charles, congratulations. Your dream of losing the love of your life is finally coming true.

Iris POV

Everyone said Charles loved me more than life itself.

When I was eighteen, he saw me for the first time in London.

He said one look was all it took for him to know I was his.

Not just because I was his fated mate.

But because he'd fallen in love with me.

After that, he made me the most respected Luna in Shadowmoon Pack.

He wouldn't let anyone criticize me or talk back to me.

He even pushed past everyone's objections to give me command authority over every guard unit in the pack.

In our three years as mates, we never once fought.

The way he looked at me was always burning hot.

But this same Charles betrayed me on the most important night for werewolvesthe full moon banquet.

The first time Charles begged me, it was because he'd been drugged at the pack's full moon banquet and ended up sleeping with Lily.

The next day, he canceled everything and came home, asking for my forgiveness.

"Iris, I was wrong. Someone drugged me. I don't even know how it happened with Lily... You can hit me, scream at me, anything. Just please don't leave me."

He handed me a whip and told me to go ahead.

I struck him a hundred times. His back was streaming with blood, but he never once cried out for mercy.

He just looked at me with eyes pleading for forgiveness.

In the end, I forgave him.

I told myself it was just an accident. Charles wouldn't really betray me.

The next day, I caught Lily forcing a kiss on Charles in the garden.

A second later, Charles shoved her off and slapped her across the face:

"Lily, that night is settled between us. If you keep pulling this nonsense, I'll have your father send you away!"

He turned and walked off without looking back.

I stood behind a tree, saying nothing.

That night he was extra passionate. His blazing embraces and lingering kisses made it feel like he wanted to fuse me into his blood.

I thought, Thank God. He only loves me.

But that illusion shattered fast.

Lily showed up at our door, clutching a pregnancy test.

"Charles, I'm pregnant."

Charles froze, like every ounce of strength had been drained from him.

He carefully scented Lily, confirming there really was a pup of his growing inside her.

Then he stepped forward and pulled Lily tight against his chest.

"I'm sorry."

His voice cracked.

"I'm sorry..."

His apologies were so cheap.

I thought to myself.

After comforting Lily, Charles dropped to his knees in front of me.

"Iris, I'm asking one thing of you."

His eyes were rimmed red.

"Let Lily keep the pup. You'll always be my only mate. There's no future for me with her. After the pup is born, my grandmother will raise it, and Lily will be sent back to her own pack. She'll have nothing to do with us. Pleasejust let this innocent pup live."

I looked down at him.

He was kneeling at my feet, abject as a dog.

But every word out of his mouth was begging me to accept the child another woman was carrying for him.

I bit back the bitterness rising in my chest, ignored the panic in his eyes, pulled my hand away, and went back to the bedroom.

I opened my laptop and clicked on an email I'd received three days earlier.

It was from the European Werewolf Academy. They'd been inviting me for a month now to come on as a junior combat instructor.

Because I'd graduated with top marks in every combat course, they thought I'd be perfect for the position.

Back then I still had hopes for Charles, so I kept turning them down.

Now...

I typed out a few words and hit send.

[I accept.]

That afternoon, while Charles was at a meeting in the pack council chambers, I went to Linda's place.

Linda is my human frienda medium.

I needed her help to prepare a few things.

I knew Charles would never accept a rejection. I needed a way to bypass him and complete the rejection ritual.

Linda put together a contract document quickly.

She said as long as Charles signed it, it would count as his consent to the rejection.

I tucked it into my bag and went to find Lily.

Lily was sunbathing in the courtyard. The moment she saw me, she switched on her fragile, wounded look:

"Luna Iris, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I"

I cut her off and set the document on the coffee table.

"Get Charles to sign this. I'm sure you can manage."

Lily paused, then dropped the innocent act and curled her lip into a scheming smile.

She picked up the document, flipped through it, and the helpless softness vanished from her eyes:

"Iris, you should've cleared out a long time ago. Charles and I grew up together. We were supposed to be married. But the Moon Goddess assigned his fated mate to be you instead of me!"

I wasn't angry:

"Then you'd better hurry. Seven days. I'm giving you seven days. Handle it, and you'll be Luna of Shadowmoon Pack."

Without bothering to look at Lily's twisted expression, I turned and went home.

Back home, I started packing.

We'd only been married three years, so I didn't have much.

Important documents and certificates went in one box. Everyday items in another.

I called a courier and shipped both boxes to the small apartment my parents had bought for me on this side of the country.

Once that was done, I took a look around at all the luxury items in the house.

Charles had been generous these past three years, I'll give him that.

Dozens of designer bags, a closet full of haute couture, three full glass cases of jewelry.

Throwing it all away would be a waste, so I texted a secondhand dealer. Within two hours, they'd cataloged everything and said they'd come pick it up the next day.

"Good," I replied. "Once it sells, donate all the money to the children's shelter."

The dealer paused, then quickly agreed.

Just as I was about to rest, there was a commotion downstairs.

I went out and saw Charles walking in with Lily, with Elder Luna Elizabeth right behind them.

Elizabeth had Lily by the arm. When she spotted me, she rolled her eyes hard:

"Charles, you've been married to Iris for three years and her belly's still flat."

"Good thing Lily's pregnant. Otherwise I'd start wondering if something was wrong with you."

Charles's face darkened:

"Grandma, don't say things like that!"

Lily's cheeks flushed:

"Don't talk like that, please..."

Charles pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Listening to them call me barren, I stayed silent.

After watching for a moment, I turned and went back to my room. I pulled out my phone and texted Lily:

[Seven days.]

After sending it, I tossed my phone on the bed and walked to the window.

Outside was his garden. When we were eighteen, we'd planted roses there together. He told me our love would bloom like those roses.

I stood there for a long time, until the sun finally sank.

Seven days. They'd pass quickly.

Iris POV

Everyone said Charles loved me more than life itself.

But right now, the racket downstairs left me with zero desire to even step out of my room.

I just had the housekeeper bring dinner up.

When the knock came, I assumed it was the housekeeper. I opened the door to find Charles standing there with a tray in his hands.

The apology in his eyes was practically overflowing:

"Iris, Lily said being pregnant makes her emotional, that she didn't want to be alone. That's why she came over today... Just one day. I swear I won't let her come back tomorrow."

I took the tray.

"Why don't you just have her move in?"

Charles froze. A flicker of panic crossed his face:

"Iris, are you upset? I didn't mean for any of this. The baby is innocent, that's all. She's carrying my child, and you haven't been able to get pregnant. I need an heir..."

"I'm not upset," I cut him off. "Go on."

I turned with the tray and started walking back inside, but Charles wrapped his arms around me from behind.

His eyes were red.

"Iris, I'm so sorry. I had no idea someone would drug her at the full moon banquet. I had no idea I'd grab her cup by mistake. It was all an accident. You're the only person I've ever loved."

I looked at him and was about to speak.

"Charles!"

Lily's voice came up the stairs.

"My stomach feels weird. Can you come down for a sec?"

Charles immediately turned and bolted for the door.

He ran fast. Not a moment of hesitation.

I stood there staring at the door he'd shut behind him. My chest felt like someone had drawn a thin blade across it.

It didn't hurt.

It just went cold.

After dinner, Charles sent the housekeeper up to tell me he had a last-minute patrol.

I hadn't planned on waiting up for him anyway. I just went to take a shower.

The bathroom shared a wall with the guest room next door, and Lily was staying there tonight.

I'd just turned on the faucet when all the strength suddenly drained from my body.

Then I heard strange sounds coming through the wall.

The sounds of two people kissingwet, suggestive, mixed with stifled gasps.

"I'm better than Iris, right?" Lily's voice was thick and breathless.

"Yeah, you're way better." Charles laugheda flippant tone I'd never heard from him before. "Her? She's a dead fish in bed."

In the steam-filled bathroom, I gripped the windowsill while pain spread from my stomach into my limbs.

"If she weren't so boring," Charles continued, fabric rustling in the background, "I wouldn't have had to come up with this whole plan to be with you..."

Lily laughed, her voice silkier:

"Oh? You just wanted to sleep with me? I'm pregnant, you know."

Charles laughed too:

"You're pregnant, then have it."

His laugh was light, but it sawed through my heart like a dull knife.

Then more intimate sounds. Sounds I should never have heard.

I closed the window and sank into the bathtub.

The hot water rose past my shoulders, past my chest, past my chin.

I closed my eyes and slid completely under. The world went silent in an instant.

Only the pain in my body reminded me I was still alive.

After a long time, I broke the surface, gasping for air.

Suddenly I remembered the Charles I first met.

He was so innocent back then.

Every time he stole a kiss, his ears would turn redred all the way down to his neck.

Every time I teased him, he'd just stand there flustered, looking at me with eyes bright as a galaxy.

"Iris, I'll be good to you for the rest of my life." That's what he said back then.

I believed him.

But thinking about it now, that promise rotted fast.

Three years. That's all.

My innocence became some other guy's "dead fish." His eyes learned to lie. His arms could hold two women at once.

I'd thought he was just being manipulated, that he was at least still a decent person.

But tonight I finally understood.

Charles was more disgusting than Lily.

At least Lily put her ambition out in the open. Charles was treating me like an idiot!

I climbed out of the tub and walked back to the bedroom, bracing myself against the wall.

The sounds next door still hadn't stopped.

The moonlight outside was cold.

I lay down and closed my eyes.

I hoped Lily wouldn't disappoint me.

Iris POV

The next morning, I got up early.

I was just stepping out of the bedroom when I ran straight into Lily coming out of the room next door.

She was wearing a silk robe with the neckline cut low, the hickeys on her neck clear and ugly.

"Morning, Iris." Lily ran a hand along her neck, smirking at me. "Charles told me you're the one who let me stay over?"

I looked at her without speaking.

"You really are generous." Lily took a step closer. "But I guess that makes sense. Your status, your powerit all came from Charles. He loved you, so your words carried weight. Now that he doesn't love you anymore, you don't even have the right to speak in this house."

I looked at her: "Six more days."

Then I turned to head downstairs.

Lily's face went ugly the second I shut her down.

The next moment, she lunged at me and shoved me hard.

I stumbled, my world spinning. My hands flailed for something to grab, but there was nothing.

My body slammed down step after step until I crashed onto the floor.

Everything went black.

When I woke up, I was lying in the master bedroom.

I opened my eyes to find Charles sitting on the edge of the bed, holding my hand, his face full of concern.

"Iris, you're finally awake." He leaned in, his voice thick with relief. "How could you be so careless? If Lily hadn't found you at the bottom of the stairs, who knows what would've happened!"

I looked at him, my voice quiet: "That's what Lily said?"

Charles frowned: "Why? Was there something else?"

I looked away: "It's nothing."

He kissed my fingers: "It's justhow did you fall down the stairs and pass out?"

Of course it was because I'd been tortured all night and my wolf was weak as hell.

But I just looked at him and closed my eyes without answering.

That afternoon, Charles suggested we go out to eat.

He picked a high-end restaurant downtown.

The moment we sat down, I heard Lily's voice.

I turned and sure enough, she was walking in with a heavyset man at her side.

I knew him.

Frank. A wealthy businessman and a notorious creep.

The second he saw me, his eyes locked onto me.

Lily came over smiling to greet us, while Frank stared at me the entire time.

I frowned: "Let's leave."

"What's wrong?" Charles poured a glass of water. "These are all your favorites."

"Charles!" Lily suddenly walked up and rested her hand on his shoulder. "My stomach's hurting all of a sudden."

Charles immediately stood, one arm wrapping around her, the other moving to her belly: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just discomfort," Lily bit her lip, looking troubled. "I'd love for you to come with me to see the healer, but..."

Her eyes flicked to me, then to Frank at the next table.

Charles paused, then turned to me: "Iris, I'm taking her to the healer."

I stood up, ready to leave too, but he grabbed my wrist.

His eyes were heavy: "Iris, help Lily entertain Mr. Frank."

My eyes went wide: "What?!"

Charles looked away but kept his voice firm: "This deal Lily's working on is huge. It involves a major investment from Bloodclaw Pack. If we both leave, she won't be able to explain it to her side."

"Charles!" I was shaking with anger. "Do you even hear yourself!"

There's no way he didn't see the disgusting look in Frank's eyes! If I stayed tonight, who knew what would happen?

Charles's grip on my wrist tightened: "But"

"Charles," Lily had gone paler, her voice weak as cotton. "I really don't feel well."

Just then, Frank walked over, his eyes crawling all over me: "Well if it isn't Alpha Charles. What's going on here?"

Charles dug his fingers into my hand and looked at Frank: "Mr. Jones, Lily isn't feeling well. I need to take her to the healer. But Bloodclaw Pack is fully committed to this deal. Even though Lily has to leave, my Luna will take care of you."

He turned to me, his gaze heavy: "Iris, you're the Luna of Shadowmoon Pack. You need to think of the bigger picture."

A chill ran through me. I looked at him as if I were truly seeing this man for the first time.

Charles wrapped his arm around Lily and started walking out. After a few steps he stopped and turned back: "Just sign and come home. It'll be quick."

Then he was gone.

Frank let out a loud laugh: "Luna Iris, come on, let's talk business."

He pulled a chair right next to mine and dropped his hand on my thigh: "Charles left you here. What's there to be shy about?"

I stood up to leave, and Frank yanked me down into his lap.

The stink of alcohol mixed with bad breath hit me in the face. My stomach lurched.

His hand was already at my waist, sliding under my shirt.

I panicked, grabbed the wine bottle off the table, and smashed it down on his head.

The bottle shattered. Wine and blood streamed down his face.

He clutched his head and screamed, stumbling backward.

I dropped what was left of the bottle, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Outside the restaurant, the night air hit my face.

I stood at the curb, my hands still shaking.

I pulled out my phone and made a call.

Two rings, then it picked up.

"Mom," I said, my voice surprisingly calm. "Where's Dad? Tell himnext week, I'm coming back to Silverstream Pack."

There was a pause on the other end before my mother's voice cracked and she answered immediately: "Yes, yes. We'll be waiting."

Just six days left.

Iris POV

It was nearly midnight by the time I got home.

The living room was lit only by a dim floor lamp. Charles had just come out of the guest room and was carefully closing the door behind him.

When he saw me, his first words were: "Did you sign the contract?"

I stood at the door, looking at him.

He didn't ask if I was hurt. Didn't ask if Frank had done anything to me. Just the contract.

"Iris?" He came over. "What did Mr. Jones say?"

I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

Charles's head snapped to the side. It took him two seconds to register what had happened.

"I" He opened his mouth, seeming to realize he'd said the wrong thing. "I'm sorry, Iris, I didn't mean it like that. I was just worried about pack assets..."

I ignored him and walked straight upstairs to the master bedroom.

Charles came to the door and knocked. I didn't answer.

He was quiet for a moment, then said softly, "I'm sorry."

I stood at the window, letting the tears run down my face.

Iris, you're so stupid.

Three years of marriage.

And I couldn't even see what he really was.

The next morning, I'd just come downstairs when Charles grabbed my wrist.

His grip was iron. He dragged me to the living room.

Lily was on the couch sobbing into a tissue, her eyes red and swollen.

"Apologize." Charles pressed down on my shoulders, forcing me down in front of Lily.

I looked up at him.

"Look what you did last night!" His face was livid. "Frank called this morning and canceled the deal. Do you have any idea how long Lily worked on this project? You ruined everything!"

I tried to stand up. He slapped me across the face.

I turned my head, blood seeping from the corner of my mouth.

"Charles!" Lily gasped and stood up. "Don't blame Iris. It's my fault. I shouldn't have left something so important to her..."

She started to walk out, but Charles stopped her.

"You're not going anywhere." He pushed her back onto the couch and turned to me.

His eyes were complicatedguilt, reluctance, but mostly resolve.

"Your parents bought you three villas back then." His voice was flat. "Transfer them to Lily. Consider it making up for her loss."

I was stunned. "What did you just say?"

Charles's throat moved. He looked away. "The damage you caused last night was massive. Even selling those three villas would only bring in two hundred million. It's not even enough."

"Fine," I cut him off.

Charles froze and looked back at me.

I stood up, wiped the blood from my mouth, and turned to go upstairs.

I walked steadily, one step at a time, my back perfectly straight.

Back in my room, I shut the door and pulled out my phone to make a call.

It picked up almost immediately. A low voice: "What is it?"

"Hey," I said, leaning against the door. "I can't keep those three villas. Initiate the asset protection protocol."

The other end was silent for a couple of seconds. "Did he hit you?"

I didn't answer.

"Got it." His voice went cold. "All paperwork will be done within three days. Iris, how many more days until you come back?"

"Five."

"Okay." A pause. "I'll be waiting."

Lily's crying and Charles's low murmurs of comfort drifted up from below, fragmented and muffled through the door.

I looked out at the sycamore tree outside. It had been there when I first came to Shadowmoon Pack at eighteen.

Over these three years of marriage, it wasn't that I hadn't noticed him changing.

I just never imagined a person could go bad this cleanly, this quickly, this completely.

I dug out the three property transfer contracts and left them on the cabinet by the door. Then I went back to the bedroom.

Soon there were footsteps coming up. They paused at the door for a few seconds, like he was checking the contracts.

Then footsteps going back downstairs.

Five more days.

And then I could leave him.