Maya's POV
Maya's fist struck with her bedroom wall so hard that the whole house shook. Pain shot through her knuckles, but it was nothing compared to the pain tearing through her chest.
"Engaged," she whispered to the empty room. "He's engaged."
She had watched it happen. Stood in that crowd like an idiot, hoping against hope that somehow the stories were wrong. But then Kai had taken Victoria's hand, smiled at the cheering pack members, and announced their upcoming wedding like it was the best news in the world.
Maya looked at the pregnancy tests spread across her dresser. Three plastic sticks that had changed everything, and now they meant nothing. Kai was going to marry Victoria Cross, and Maya was going to raise his baby alone.
A knock at her door made Maya jump. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She knew that knock. She'd been hearing it every night for three months.
"Maya?" Kai's voice was muffled through the wood. "Please, let me in."
"Go away!" Maya shouted. "Go back to your fiancée!"
"Maya, please. I need to explain."
"Explain what? How you were planning your wedding while sleeping with me? How you made me think I was special when I was just another one of your toys?"
The door handle turned. Maya had forgotten to lock it. Kai stepped inside, and Maya's stupid heart still skipped a beat when she saw him. His dark hair was messy, his green eyes were wild, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"You look awful," Maya said coldly.
"I feel awful." Kai closed the door behind him. "Maya, about the engagement-"
"Congratulations." Maya's voice was like ice. "Victoria is perfect for you. Beautiful, rich, linked. Everything an Alpha's wife should be."
"It's not what you think."
"Really? Because it looked pretty clear to me. You stood up there, took her hand, and told everyone how happy you were."
Kai ran his hands through his hair. "It's political, Maya. The Cross Pack has been threatening war. If I don't marry Victoria, people will die."
"So you chose them over me."
"I chose the pack over everything!" Kai exploded. "I picked duty over what I want! Do you think this is easy for me?"
"Poor you," Maya said sarcastically. "It must be so hard being forced to marry a beautiful, wealthy woman."
"Maya, please. You have to understand-"
"I understand perfectly." Maya felt tears begin to fall, but she didn't care anymore. "I understand that I was stupid enough to think you cared about me."
"I do care about you! More than you know!"
"But not enough to choose me."
Kai's face crumpled. "Maya, if there was any other way-"
"There is another way. You just don't want to take it."
They stared at each other across the small room. Maya could see the pain in Kai's eyes, but she could also see his choice. He had made his choice, and it wasn't her.
"I need to tell you something," Maya said softly.
"What?"
Maya took a shaky breath. This was it. The moment that would change everything. "I'm pregnant."
The words hung in the air between them. Kai went totally still, like someone had turned him to stone.
"What?" he whispered.
"I'm pregnant, Kai. I'm having your baby."
For a short second, Maya saw pure joy flash across Kai's face. His eyes lit up, his mouth opened in wonder, and he took a step toward her like he wanted to sweep her into his arms.
Then reality hit him, and his expression shut down totally.
"Are you sure?" he asked in a flat voice.
Maya pointed to the pregnancy tests. "Three tests. All positive."
Kai stared at the plastic sticks like they were bombs about to burst. "When?"
"I found out this morning. Same day you announced your engagement." Maya laughed bitterly. "Perfect timing, right?"
Kai sat down heavily on Maya's bed, his head in his hands. "This changes everything."
"Does it?" Maya's heart leaped with hope. "Does it really?"
"I don't know. I need to think."
"You need to think?" Maya's voice rose. "I'm carrying your child, and you need to think about it?"
"Maya, this is complicated."
"No, it's not!" Maya was screaming now. "It's simple! I love you, you love me, and we're having a baby together! The only thing that's difficult is your stupid politics!"
"My stupid politics keep people alive!"
"And what about our baby? What about keeping our child living and safe and loved?"
Kai looked up at her, and Maya saw something that made her blood run cold. Calculation. He was thinking about this pregnancy like it was a problem to be solved, not a miracle to be honored.
"I'll take care of you both," Kai said finally. "You'll have everything you need. Money, safety, a house-"
"I don't want your money!" Maya screamed. "I want you! I want the father of my baby to love us!"
"I do love you."
"Then show it! Choose us! Tell Victoria the engagement is off!"
Kai stood up, and Maya could see his walls going back up. The tender, passionate man she'd fallen in love with was disappearing behind the cold, duty-bound Alpha.
"I can't do that, Maya. Too many people depend on this marriage."
"What about the people who rely on you being a good father? What about me? What about our baby?"
"You'll both be cared for. I promise."
Maya felt her heart break into a million pieces. "Provided for. Like we're some charity case you need to take care of."
"That's not what I meant."
"Yes, it is." Maya wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "You want me to be your secret. You want to marry Victoria and keep me and our baby hidden away like we're something to be ashamed of."
"Maya-" "Get out."
"Maya, please. Let me explain-"
"GET OUT!" Maya screamed. "Get out and go back to your perfect fiancée!"
Kai paused at the door. "Maya, I-"
"If you walk out that door," Maya said softly, "if you choose her over us, then don't ever come back. I won't be your secret, Kai. I won't raise your child to be ashamed of who they are."
Kai's hand was on the door handle. Maya could see the war burning inside him, could see him fighting between duty and love.
"Choose," Maya whispered. "Right now. Choose us or choose them."
Kai looked at her one last time, his green eyes full of pain and desire. Then he opened the door.
"I'm sorry, Maya. I'm so sorry."
He walked out, closing the door softly behind him.
Maya sank to the floor and sobbed until she had no tears left. He had chosen duty over love. He had picked Victoria over her and their baby.
Maya looked at the pregnancy tests again, her hand moving to her still-flat stomach. "It's just you and me now, little one," she whispered.
That's when she heard the sounds outside her window. Loud, angry shouts that made her blood freeze.
"Find her!" Victoria's words cut through the night. "Find that little omega and make sure she disappears forever!"
Maya's hand flew to her mouth. Victoria knew about the baby. And she was coming for them both.