Page 48 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

The floor manager was a woman in her forties. She looked me up and down, her gaze pausing at my belly. I wore a loose top, tied the apron strings higher than usual—cinched under my ribs—the hem falling past my knees, hiding my shape.

My heart jumped. I couldn't tell her I was pregnant or I'd be rejected on the spot. Thankfully, she just glanced.

She asked if I could carry trays, memorize menu items, and stand an entire shift. I said yes. She didn't ask anything else, handed me a uniform, and pointed to the back. "Change and come out."

In the staff room, I tightened the waistband another notch. Uncomfortable, but bearable. That warm spot pressed against the binding, quiet. My wolf lay still and didn't protest.

"Just hold on," I whispered, hand on my belly. "Just a little longer." Once the baby was born, everything would be fine.

The next few months: carrying trays, wiping tables, clearing plates, sweeping, mopping. Day shifts, night shifts, rotating constantly. Sometimes I stood until my feet went numb. Back home, I'd peel off the uniform, untie that binding, collapse on the bed, fingers resting on my stomach—feeling the swell, the curve that had formed. She was still there.

The restaurant was upscale. Noble werewolves came and went. Once I noticed, I started masking my scent with fragrance, kept my head down, avoided their attention and their path. One day in the dining room, a waiter got punched for not bowing at the proper forty-five-degree angle. The male werewolf demanded he kneel. The woman on his arm giggled.

"That's too much..." a waitress beside me murmured.

I looked away and forced a smile at my own table. "What can I get you?"

Days passed. My belly grew. I knew I had to leave. Tonight, after my shift, I'd quit.

"Elena?"

I frantically smoothed my clothes and turned around. The floor manager stood in the doorway.

"Deliver wine to Room 203. Corporate group. Be careful."

I nodded and took the tray. The elevator climbed slowly. Ding—doors opened to a long hallway. A familiar scent hit me. I frowned, smoothed my expression, but my wolf stood and let out a warning growl. I reached Room 203 and pushed the door open. Crystal chandelier light poured out, making me squint. The next second, I understood the familiar scent and my wolf's alarm—Lina sat at the head of the long table, leaning toward someone beside her, wine glass in hand, lips curved in a smile. I froze in the doorway, the wine bottles on my tray catching the dark light.

She saw me.

Her gaze landed on my face and held for a beat. She set down her glass. Smiled. Not the polite smile for strangers—this was recognition, satisfaction, interest.

"Well, if it isn't Elena."

Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone at the table heard. Several heads turned my way.

A male werewolf raised an eyebrow. "The former Luna?" Laughter erupted around the table.

"Having a Luna serve us—what an honor."

Someone even bowed mockingly. "Luna." More laughter.

The sound cut through me. I clenched my fingers, forced myself to stay calm, and set the wine on the table. "Don't leave yet." Lina leaned back, finger tracing her glass rim. "You goddamn half-blood."

She stood. Walked toward me, step by step.

I backed up instinctively. Two werewolves grabbed my arms. Lina swirled her glass, took a sip, eyes glittering with excitement. She was already savoring the humiliation—just deciding how.

The next second—

Wine soaked my hair and ran down my face.

"Don't you think the Moon Goddess planned this? Putting you in my hands?" Lina tucked her hair back, voice cold. "Kneel."

I bit my lip and didn't move. Lina frowned. The two behind me caught her signal—kicked my legs hard. Pain shot through me. My knees buckled. I dropped in front of her.

"You think you're still Luna?" Lina crouched down and grabbed my chin. "Stop looking at me like that."

"Lina," a male voice called out. He stroked his companion's shoulder. She nestled into him and fed him wine. "Make her lick your shoes. Damn half-blood—hiding her bloodline, pretending to be our Luna. I haven't even gotten to punish her yet!"