A soft pressure touched my forehead. I froze slightly as Alpha Cain leaned down, pressing a brief kiss there.
“Be good,” he murmured.
The gesture felt… empty. Like a habit rather than something genuine.
Just as he straightened, his phone rang. The sharp sound cut through the room. Alpha Cain glanced at it, his expression flickering with irritation before he picked it up.
“I’m with my Luna,” he said firmly, his voice carrying a hint of authority. “And my child. Don’t disturb me.”
For a moment, something inside me stirred.
A small, foolish hope. But it didn’t last. Because even as he said those words, I could see it.
The impatience. The distraction. The way his attention was already elsewhere.
“Handle it yourself,” he added before ending the call.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“I have things to take care of,” he said shortly.
I nodded. “I understand.”
He paused, studying me for a brief moment. Then, without another word, he turned and left.
Just like that. As if he hadn’t just returned after humiliating me in front of the entire pack. As if nothing had happened.
---
He came back late. Again. The scent of alcohol clung to him as he slipped into bed beside me, his movements slightly unsteady. Without a word, he pulled me into his arms, pressing his face against my neck as if seeking comfort.
Within minutes, his breathing evened out. He was asleep.
I stared at the ceiling, wide awake. The weight of his arm around me felt suffocating.
Time passed slowly.
Until a soft glow caught my attention. His phone. It lit up on the bedside table, the screen illuminating the dark room.
I shouldn’t look. I knew that. Some part of me understood that whatever I saw would only hurt me more. But my body moved before my mind could stop it.
I reached out, my fingers hovering over the device for a brief moment before picking it up.
The screen unlocked easily.
A message. My heart began to pound. And then I read it.
[I’m so happy you came with me to the OB-GYN today.]
My breath hitched.
[Our son is very strong. He was moving so much. I think he already knows how excited his father is.]
The words blurred for a second as my vision wavered. Son.
My hands trembled. There was more. His reply. I forced myself to read it.
[Of course I came. He’s my son.]
A sharp pain shot through my chest.
[Take care of yourself. I’m happy we’re having a boy.]
My grip tightened around the phone.