Ellie POV

*7 Years Ago*

My hands shake as I look at those defining blue lines.

After the night of the party, Axton and I became inseparable. By that first night, I feel like I know everything about him. We spent every day with each other; we are almost never apart. The only times we weren't in the same room together is when he had his Alpha duties with his father to attend to, but that never bothered me because I had my own Luna job to adhere to with his mother.

Normal people might think that it will be weird, spending everyday with one person, but it isn't for us. Maybe it is because we are mates, but I never want to be separated from him. He is my other half.

It has only been a few months with Axton, and I never think I could be happier. That is until I saw those two lines. A million emotions are flying through me all at once as I stare at those lines.

I am uncertain. I don't know if I am ready for this. What will it all mean?

I'm scared. Did Axton want this too? Are we ready for this next step? We are both so young, could we really do this?

I'm afraid of the future. Will we be able to protect it? Will it grow up safe?

But the emotion I'm feeling the strongest is joy. It's not only me or Axton, but a piece of both of us. A light that we will share and raise. Our baby.

A smile grows on my face as I run all my emotions through my head and my hormones finally settle on happy. I am going to be a mother. We are going to have a baby.

I quickly finish up in the bathroom and head down the fine wood steps. The pack house is empty since tonight is the annual Wolf Moon. Werewolves might not be controlled by the full moon, but we sure did love to throw parties under it.

I check the kitchen one last time to make sure Axton's beta, Walker, don't eat all of the s'mores fixing I had set up for the kids before getting ready to head out.

While making sure everything is set, I start thinking about the future. What will our child be like? Will she be strong like Axton? Will she be kind? Will she know she is completely loved? Without even thinking about it, I already know she is a girl. I guess I will call it mother's intuition, but I am pretty sure I'm right.

After all the questions run through my head, I start thinking of ways to tell Axton. I could just spit it out and tell him bluntly, but I'm a bit against that idea. I want to surprise him somehow.

I think of a few scenarios in my head on different ways to break the news. Maybe over dinner, or I could get him one of those best dad in the world t-shirts. I kept thinking of all the ways I could tell him, but I can't come up with what his reaction will be.

We haven't talked about having pups yet. We are both so young; we just never got around to the conversation. I know he will eventually want an heir for the next Alpha of the pack, but that will be years away. Will he be happy?

I am so lost in think, I almost don't hear the sound of the floorboards creak behind me until I hear the familiar voice talk to me, "Ellie."

I turn to face my gorgeous mate with my smile still cracking on my face, "Axton, I thought you had already left for the bonfire with Walker. What are you still doing here?"

"We need to talk."

"Alright. What's up?" I asks him as I take a step forward, but my foot falters as I look at his angelic face. He isn't looking at me with love in his eyes. He almost sneers my way when I try to move. It's as if he doesn't feel our bond, as if he hates me, "What's going on? Axton, what's wrong?"

"With me? Nothing is wrong. It's with us that we have an issue," he spits.

"I don't understand," I tell him.

"Of course, you don't," he sneers, almost laughing to himself, "You will have to be smart enough to notice anything."

"What?" I whisper, unsure about why he would say that when he has always valued my opinion.

"What?" he mocks in a sickly tone, "It's time we had a little talk, sweetheart." The usually loving endearment sounds like daggers being thrown my way, "You know, the boys and I were talking on our patrol today and we had a little disagreement. Do you want to know what it was about?"

I don't make any indication of wanting an answer. For some reason, I somehow know I don't want to hear what he is going to say.

"Well, I'll tell you. The boys and I can't decide. Who is a bigger whore, you or Angel," he laughs to himself. I can't believe the words coming out of my mate's mouth.

Why is he saying such mean things to us? Raelynn whimpers to me, I thought he loved us.

"What?" I look at him, unable to understand why he is trying to hurt us like this, "Axton I don't understand why you are acting like this."

"You don't understand," he sneers, "Well of course you don't. Didn't we already go over this?"

"Axton-" he cuts me off before I can say anything to him.

"Shh Ellie. I have listened to you enough over these last few months and the sound of your voice is starting to really irritate me," I just stare at his once loving blue eyes, only to be met by a cold reflecting ocean, "Now it's time for me to take out the trash, so to speak."

"I don't understand what you are saying."

"Do I have to spell it out for you Ellie? I am rejecting you."

My heart shatters at those crushing words.

How could he! My wolf shouts, crying in my head as a tear escapes my eye, Why would he do this?

"What?" I asks, my pain echoing in my voice.

"Do I have to repeat myself? I am rejecting you Ellie. I don't want you, I don't need you, and I sure as hell don't love you."

My wolf whimpers into the back of my mind, calling out to a mate that no longer wants her, "But-"

"But what, Ellie?" he asks, almost amused by my pain, "You thought we would live happily ever after. You thought that I would love you forever. You actually think I would ever want a whore like you to be my Luna."

"I have never-"

"Like I would care to listen to your excuses. It's all the same to me. I had my fun and now it's time for you to go."

"Why would you accept the bond, if this is what you are planning on doing? You marked me. We went through the sharing."

"Because I needed you to become Alpha, but you've grown boring to me and it's time for a new play thing."

Pup! What will happen to our pup! My wolf calls out. My hand immediately travels to my stomach, as if to block my pup's ears from hearing our mate's rejection.

"Our-"

"Our pup?" he laughs wickedly, "Please, with the amount of men you've been with, it's somehow doubtful that thing growing inside you is even mine."

"Do you truly believe that?" I asks him, trying to muster any strength I have to try to reach the man I had fallen in love with.

"You and I both know that thing is not mine," he sneers.

"You know that isn't true," I push back, but my strength wanes with the crack in my voice.

"Well how about I make you a promise then, little mate."

"And what kind of promise will that be?" my voice barely above a whisper.

"I can't kill you right now because my father will never allow me to stay in power as Alpha, but he does not know about this," he smiles as he looks down to my stomach. Both my hands try to cover it from his heated stare as he walks closer to me, "Leave now and never come back. But if you do, if I ever see you or that bastard thing growing inside of you on my land ever again, I promise I will give you both a fate worse than death."

I feel my heart breaking as the man I loved disappeared in front of me forever, only to be replaced by this monster. I don't understand what happened to my Axton, but I will never allow him to harm my child.

If he wants to hurt her, he will have to find her first, Raelynn whimpers to me as we both agree to leave. It's not what either of us ever wanted, but that isn't what parenthood is about, We must protect pup from all, even our own mate, her voice breaks.

Pulling all the strength she could give me, I lift my head to look into Axton's eyes, "I don't understand what happened to you, Axton. But thank you," I tell him.

"For what sweetheart?" he leans in.

"For showing me who you really are on the inside. I thought I knew you completely, but you had me completely fooled. But I swear to God, if you attempt to harm my child at all, I will kill you," I tell him.

"Well then, it looks like I will have a new game after all. Since I can't kill you now, it seems you will be getting a head start. If I were you, I would run," he laughs.

"Goodbye Axton."

"And goodbye unwanted mate," he smiles as I sprint out the door.