He didn’t stop. His voice was venom. “How could you? She tried to help you! You’re nothing but a curse!”
I struggled to speak, but every breath burned. I wanted to tell him, to beg him to listen, that I was carrying his child. That he was hurting not just me.
“I’m—” I gasped, tears mixing with blood. “I’m preg—”
“Shut up!” he bellowed. “Don’t you dare lie to me again!”
Hannah whimpered from the corner, her sobs perfectly timed. “It’s my fault,” she said shakily, clutching her wound. “I shouldn’t have come here… she just snapped.”
“Enough!” Jeremiah growled, gathering her into his arms. His wolf energy flared, powerful and protective, but not for me.
For her. They left in a rush, heading to the infirmary. The door slammed shut, leaving me crumpled on the floor, the taste of iron heavy on my tongue.
For a long time, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, the pain in my stomach spreading like fire. Then instinct took over.
I dragged myself up. Step by step. Every movement tore through me, but I refused to stop.
I reached the front gates of the packhouse, ignored the guards’ horrified faces, and stumbled into a taxi, leaving streaks of blood on the seat. I told the driver one word. “Hospital.”
When the doctor came out hours later, his face told me everything before he even spoke.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “The baby couldn’t be saved.”
My world went silent. No heartbeat. No future. Nothing but hollow ache.
Alpha Jeremiah never came. Not that night. Not the next morning. Not even after the pack healer sent word. I waited. I hoped. I broke.
And when the third sunrise came, something inside me shifted. The ache turned cold. The bond between us still hummed faintly, but I felt it thinning—like a thread ready to snap.
Three days later, he finally called for me.
There was to be a celebration, his birthday, and a gathering of Alphas from neighboring packs. He told me to “be presentable.”
I stood before the mirror, pale and ghostlike.
When he saw me before the event, his tone was softer. “You’ve been quiet lately,” he said. “That’s good. I like it when you’re obedient.”
I smiled faintly, but it never reached my eyes. “Of course, Alpha.”
He frowned slightly, maybe sensing the emptiness behind my words. Then he leaned in to kiss me. I turned at the last second, and his lips brushed my cheek instead. His confusion flickered, but he said nothing. Just sighed and muttered, “See you later.”