Alpha Nathan Pov.

As Emily's pregnancy progressed with supernatural speed, I found myself genuinely excited about impending fatherhood despite continued emotional detachment from its mother. Her body was changing daily in ways that confirmed the developing child's werewolf heritage despite its human carrier.

"My child," I would think with possessive pride while watching Emily's rapidly expanding abdomen. I was careful to maintain the pretense that my excitement extended to our shared future rather than merely the baby I intended to raise without her.

The prospect of finally achieving what had eluded me for decades created genuine enthusiasm that sometimes bled into my interactions with Emily. A biological heir to continue my bloodline and eventually assume Pack leadership. It created moments of authentic connection she mistakenly interpreted as developing love rather than merely anticipation of fatherhood.

"Soon," I would think during these interactions. The word contained multiple meanings: soon my child would arrive, soon this pretense could end, soon I could arrange more suitable circumstances for everyone involved.

When Emily confronted me about my ongoing relationship with Mila, I made a calculated decision to end the physical aspect of that connection. Not from genuine remorse or commitment to fidelity, but from practical recognition that continued discovery risked premature disruption to my carefully constructed plans.

"I need to maintain stability until delivery," I reasoned practically while informing Mila of our necessary separation. "Afterward, once arrangements for the child are finalized, we can potentially resume our connection with appropriate discretion."

This suspension represented practical strategy rather than moral evolution or genuine commitment to my marriage vows. It was positioned as permanent ending to Emily while privately understood as temporary pause between Mila and myself.

"Sometimes sacrifice is necessary for longer-term objectives," I explained to a disappointed but understanding Mila. She accepted this temporary separation with surprising grace given her previous emotional volatility regarding our relationship.

"Just until the human delivers my heir and appropriate arrangements can be implemented."

When Emily proposed physical transformation to resemble Isabella, I dismissed the idea without genuine consideration. A suggestion that initially shocked me with its directness and strategic insight into my psychology. I recognized it as ultimately irrelevant to my longer-term plans.

"No amount of external resemblance could transform her fundamental nature," I concluded silently while outwardly offering placating assurances that I "loved her as she was."

The truth remained carefully unspoken. That no modification could possibly elevate her to acceptability in my estimation given what I now knew about her past. It was preserved behind expressions of affection and acceptance that contained no genuine substance.

"Let her believe I'm rejecting the suggestion from appreciation of her natural appearance," I calculated during this conversation. "Rather than because such transformation would be pointless given her imminent removal from my life."

This continued deception represented calculated cruelty I justified through focus on my child's wellbeing rather than Emily's emotional welfare. Allowing her to believe in possible futures that had no chance of materializing.

Throughout these final weeks of pregnancy, I maintained consistent performance as devoted mate. Attending medical appointments, ensuring proper nutrition, providing physical support as her mobility decreased with advancing pregnancy.

"I'm doing what any responsible father would do," I told myself during these attentive moments. I was carefully distinguishing between care for my developing child and any genuine connection with its mother.

The performance was convincing enough that Emily gradually relaxed her initial suspicion following the honeymoon discovery. She allowed herself cautious hope that our relationship might develop genuine substance despite its troubled beginning.

"Let her have this temporary comfort," I reasoned when noticing her growing trust and tentative emotional investment. "The reality will arrive soon enough once delivery is complete."

This calculated kindness represented the closest approximation of compassion I could manage within my fundamentally selfish framework. Allowing temporary illusion rather than imposing immediate harsh reality. A limited mercy extended only until it conflicted with my primary objective of securing my heir under optimal conditions.

As the anticipated delivery date approached, I found myself increasingly impatient for resolution of this temporary arrangement. It was calculated with significant uncertainty given the unprecedented nature of this human-werewolf pregnancy. I was eager to implement the separation I had carefully planned over preceding months.

"Just a little longer," became my constant internal refrain during interactions with Emily. The words contained both reassurance regarding temporary inconvenience and anticipation of imminent change.

The elaborate performance of devoted mate had become increasingly exhausting as pregnancy progressed. Maintaining appropriate expressions of concern, excitement, and affection without allowing genuine emotional connection required constant vigilance and self-control that drained even my supernatural reserves.

"Soon this pretense can end," I reminded myself during particularly challenging moments when Emily's genuine vulnerability or sweetness threatened my carefully maintained emotional distance. "Soon everything will be arranged according to proper supernatural tradition rather than this temporary compromise."

In my more honest moments of self-reflection, I recognized that my behavior toward Emily represented fundamental betrayal of Alpha values I claimed to embody. Honor, integrity, protection of the vulnerable, responsible leadership.

"But extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures," I justified during these uncomfortable periods of self-awareness. "The continuation of my bloodline and proper upbringing of my heir within Pack traditions must take precedence over conventional morality or individual feelings."

A few days later, I noticed some valuable possessions were vanishing from my quarters! In simpler terms, someone was stealing from me. This wasn't just misplaced items - they were deliberately being taken without permission. I couldn't believe anyone would dare to do this. Not one of my men or the maids would ever risk stealing from me - that was absolutely unthinkable! They all understood the pack rules perfectly well, and they knew that theft could be punishable by death. No wolf in their right mind would take such a risk with me as their Alpha.

"Someone's been taking my things, and I need to know who," I told my beta one morning as we walked through the mansion hallways. "The diamond cufflinks are missing, and so is that gold watch my father gave me."

"That's impossible, sir," he replied, looking genuinely confused. "No one in the pack would dare."

"Well, someone is daring," I growled. "And I intend to find out who."

But then it struck me - there was only one person here who had no knowledge about werewolves or how I ruled my pack with an iron fist. Only one person who might not understand the consequences of crossing me - Emily! She was the only human among us who remained completely unaware of our true nature and the strict hierarchy we maintained.

"It has to be her," I said to myself later that evening. "She's the only one who doesn't know better."

I immediately called several of my most trusted maids to my office. "I need you to keep a close watch on Emily," I instructed them firmly. "Report back everything she does when I'm not around. Be discreet, but don't miss anything."

They nodded respectfully. "Yes, Alpha."

My maids did an excellent job with their surveillance, and their reports confirmed exactly what I had suspected. That conniving woman was definitely planning something suspicious! Why else would she be secretly gathering money, jewelry, and diamonds from my personal collection? She already had everything she could possibly want while living under my roof. I provided her with luxurious accommodations, fine clothes, delicious food - anything she desired was hers for the asking.

"She took the emerald ring from your dresser yesterday," one maid reported. "She thinks no one saw, but I was dusting in the adjoining room."

"And she's been collecting cash too," another added. "Small amounts at first, but larger sums recently."

There could only be one explanation for this behavior - she had something devious brewing in that mind of hers. I strongly believed she was planning to take my unborn baby and run away as soon as she gave birth. The thought made my blood boil with rage.

"She won't get away with this," I muttered darkly.

This was precisely the scenario I had feared might happen! I was willing to let her walk away with all the money she needed to start a new life elsewhere, but there was absolutely no way I would allow her to take my child. Not my baby. Not ever! Never in a million years would I permit that!

"Sir, should we confront her?" one of my guards asked.

I shook my head firmly. "No. Let her continue to think she's being clever. I'll handle this my way."

I had waited for more than thirteen painful years going from having a true Luna to settling for mistresses to enduring a completely lonely existence. I had finally accepted a woman of questionable morals to be my Luna solely for the purpose of having a child! I wasn't about to let all that sacrifice be for nothing.

I must admit that I was absolutely furious with her deception. Every fiber of my being wanted to confront her and unleash my anger on her for this betrayal. I wanted to corner her and force her to confess everything. "Why are you stealing from me?" I would demand. "What exactly are you planning to do?" But I couldn't risk upsetting her in her delicate condition. The doctor had informed me that she could go into labor any day in the coming week.

"How is she doing?" I asked the doctor during his latest check-up.

"Very well, considering everything," he replied. "But she needs to remain calm and stress-free. Any upset could trigger early labor or complications."

"I understand," I nodded, masking my rage behind a concerned expression.

Yes! Three months had passed with her living in my home. Three months filled with nothing but calculated deceptions and elaborate lies from her. It made me sick to think about how I'd welcomed her into my life.

"Has she mentioned any plans for after the birth?" I casually asked one of the maids.

"No, Alpha," she replied. "But she's been asking strange questions about the roads leading away from the estate."

I nodded, my suspicions further confirmed.