2

Nova’s POV

"You're pregnant."

The words hit me like a slap across the face. The gamma stood a few feet away, his voice shaky, but his smug expression told me he was reveling in his power over me. I could see the fear in his eyes, though. He was afraid—afraid of Diego—but the greed dripping from his tone made it clear he thought he had the upper hand.

I glared at him, my body trembling with a mix of exhaustion and fury. "And why should I believe anything you say?" My voice was hoarse, but I refused to let it falter.

The gamma smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, you don’t have to believe me, Nova. The proof is growing inside you—Diego’s child."

I clenched my fists behind me, the ropes biting into my wrists. The child. The words echoed in my head, sending a wave of nausea through me. This couldn’t be happening.

The gamma's grin widened as he crouched in front of me, lowering his voice. "You see, dear Nova, this is the kind of information that can make or break someone like Diego. A bastard child from a disgraced alpha’s daughter? That’s quite the scandal, wouldn’t you say?"

My stomach twisted, but I kept my expression cold. "You think you can blackmail Diego Montenegro?"

The gamma faltered for a split second, but his confidence quickly returned. "Why not? He may be a monster, but even monsters have weaknesses. And you, Nova, are his."

I scoffed inwardly, biting back a bitter laugh. Weakness? Diego Montenegro didn’t have weaknesses. The man was practically made of steel and violence. If the gamma thought he could manipulate Diego with this, he was either stupid or desperate—probably both.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice sharp.

"Money," he said simply. "Enough to get out of this mess. Enough to disappear. And Diego will pay it because he won’t want this little... complication to ruin his reputation."

I stared at him, refusing to let fear show on my face. Inside, my mind raced. This wasn’t just about me anymore. If they brought Diego into this, there was no telling how far he’d go to protect himself. And if I was caught in the crossfire...

No. I couldn’t let that happen.

The sound of a low growl snapped me out of my thoughts. My head whipped around, and my heart sank. Diego had arrived.

He stood at the edge of the clearing, his green eyes glowing with a dangerous intensity. His blond hair caught the moonlight, making him look almost otherworldly. His presence was suffocating—a mix of raw power and barely-contained violence.

The gamma froze, his confidence crumbling in an instant. "D-Diego," he stammered, taking a step back.

Diego didn’t say a word. He moved forward slowly, his steps deliberate, his gaze locked on the gamma like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Explain," Diego said finally, his voice low and calm, but it carried a weight that made even the trees seem to hold their breath.

The gamma swallowed hard, glancing nervously between Diego and me. "It’s... it’s her," he said quickly, pointing at me. "She’s pregnant. With your child. I thought you’d... want to know."

Diego’s eyes flicked to me for a brief moment, and I felt the weight of his gaze like a physical blow. Then he turned back to the gamma.

"And what do you want?" Diego asked, his voice still calm.

The gamma hesitated, clearly unsure how to proceed. "I... I thought we could come to an arrangement," he said carefully. "For the sake of your reputation."

Diego was silent for a long moment. Then, to my shock, he nodded. "Fine," he said simply.

The gamma's eyes lit up, his greed overpowering his fear. "Really? That’s—"

A single, bone-chilling howl cut him off.

The sound echoed through the clearing, and within seconds, werewolves emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes and bared teeth making it clear they were ready to attack.

The gamma paled, his confidence shattering completely. "W-wait! Diego, I—"

Diego raised a hand, and the wolves halted, their growls rumbling like distant thunder. "You thought you could blackmail me," he said, his voice cold. "You thought wrong."

The gamma tried to back away, but the wolves closed in, forcing him and his lackeys to the ground.

"Take them," Diego ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Make sure they don’t leave until I decide what to do with them."

The gamma’s screams were drowned out by the growls of the wolves as they dragged him away.

I sat silently, my heart racing as Diego turned to me. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with something I couldn’t quite place.

He crouched in front of me, his movements slow and deliberate. "Nova," he said softly, his voice almost gentle.

I flinched as he reached out, his fingers grazing the ropes that bound my wrists. He untied them with ease, his touch surprisingly careful.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.

I hesitated. This was the same man who had just ordered the gamma’s capture without a second thought. His kindness felt... wrong.

"I’m fine," I said finally, though the pain in my body begged to differ.

Diego’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before he stood, offering me his hand. I hesitated again but took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet.

For a brief moment, I thought he might actually care. But then his expression hardened, and his grip on my hand tightened.

"Is it mine?"

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at him, my mind racing. "What?"

"The child," he said, his voice sharp. "Is it mine?"

I felt a wave of panic rise in my chest. "Diego, I—"

"Don’t lie to me, Nova," he interrupted, his green eyes blazing. "I don’t trust you. For all I know, this is some scheme to trap me."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I forced them back. I couldn’t afford to show weakness. "I didn’t ask for this," I said, my voice trembling. "I didn’t want this. I was forced, Diego. Just like you."

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might believe me. But then he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.

"If that’s true," he said slowly, "then you won’t mind if I end it."

My heart stopped. "What?"

Diego’s hand shot out, grabbing my arm and pulling me closer. His other hand grazed my stomach, his claws elongating as his Wolf surfaced.

"I can’t afford to take chances, Nova," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "If this child isn’t mine, then it doesn’t get to live."

I struggled against his grip, panic coursing through me. "Diego, please. You don’t have to do this."

He ignored me, his claws pressing against my skin.

"Stop!" I cried, my voice breaking. "Diego, please. It’s yours. I swear. Just... let me go."

He paused, his eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I thought he might relent. But then he leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear.

"You’re not going anywhere," he whispered.

I froze, my body trembling as his claws dragged down my stomach, tearing through the fabric of my shirt.

"Not until I’m sure," he said, his voice a deadly promise.