The moment I found out I was pregnant; I told Toby with pure excitement. 

However, his reaction was off. He did not seem happy. 

Instead, he frowned, clearly troubled. 

When I pressed him about when we would hold the Marking Ceremony, he panicked and quickly changed the subject. 

I figured it was just all too sudden. Perhaps, he was not ready yet. 

The truth only came out during a routine prenatal visit—one I attended alone. That’s when I ran into Tammy, Toby’s so-called “childhood friend.” 

It turns out they had already formed a mate bond, and she was pregnant too. 

… 

“Little one, be good in Mommy’s belly, okay? Do not make things too hard for me. Or once you are born, Daddy will have to give your tiny butt a spanking!” 

Tammy walked out of the exam room, whispering to her belly, while Toby, supporting her, stood by with a gentle smile and a look of tender amusement on his face. “No way. Our baby is going to be the cutest, most well-behaved little pup. There will be no trouble for Mommy!” 

He reached out and softly touched her belly, like a loving, patient first-time dad. 

The look on his face was nothing like how he looked the day I told him I was pregnant. 

Then he looked up and locked eyes with me. 

Toby clearly did not expect to see me there. His face immediately fell, filled with panic and guilt. 

The day before, I told him I wanted him to come with me to the check-up. 

He said something urgent came up, and he could not make it. 

I believed him without hesitation. 

So, I went alone, fighting through discomfort and nerves, enduring the whole painful process by myself. 

What I did not know was that his “urgent matter” was coming here to support another pregnant she-wolf. 

I stared at Tammy’s slightly rounded belly. My voice was hoarse but eerily calm, like all life had drained from me. “How far along is she?” 

Toby avoided my eyes and said nothing. 

However, Tammy, practically glowing with pride, chimed in before he could answer. 

“Me and Toby’s baby is three months along already.” 

Older than the baby in my belly. 

No wonder he looked so conflicted when I told him I was pregnant. 

Even though I bit down hard on my lip to stop myself, the pain and heartbreak still hit me out of nowhere. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. 

“Aren’t you going to explain?” 

My voice cracked, raw with emotion, barely making it out of my throat. I looked up at Toby. 

When he saw my tear-streaked face, he panicked. He instantly let go of Tammy and rushed over, pulling me into his arms. His voice was full of guilt and tenderness. 

“I am sorry, I lied to you. I should have been there for your check-up. But I swear, Tammy’s pup isn’t mine!” 

“I just didn’t want her to come to the hospital alone. What if something happened?” 

At that, Tammy shot me a glare, pouting in irritation. Then, in a flash, she put on the most pitiful, fragile expression. 

“But Toby, you promised me you would protect me and be the father of my child, didn’t you?” 

“You even formed a mate bond with me just so our baby could be recognized!”