Novels by Distinctive Pen

NORA’S POVI didn't know what to say to him after that. Adrian had made it clear that he wouldn't let the baby die, but he still hadn't said anything about changing the contract. I looked away from him, wondering how many more things I would have to fight for.He placed the documents on the bedside table and pulled the chair closer. “You need to rest. Dr. Hallam will come back later to check on you,” he said, looking at the untouched food beside me. I nodded, although I knew resting wouldn't stop me from thinking about everything.“Are you going to tell me what happened to the person who poisoned my supplements?” I asked, turning towards him. His expression changed slightly. “We're looking into it,” he answered. “Who is we?” I asked. “Adrian, someone tried to kill our baby. I think I deserve to know what's happening.”He leaned back in his chair. “The investigation is being handled privately. I've questioned the people who had access to your medication, and my security team is checkin

NORA’S POVI pulled away from the wall when I heard footsteps coming towards my room. My heart was beating so fast that I was sure whoever entered would notice something was wrong. I quickly settled back against the pillows, but my hands were still shaking. I couldn't pretend I hadn't heard anything.The door opened, and Adrian walked in. He looked at me for a moment before closing it behind him. I tried to act as though I hadn't heard their conversation, but I couldn't keep quiet for long. The doctor's words were still ringing in my ears, and I needed an answer.“Is it true?” I asked, looking straight at him. Adrian frowned. “Is what true?” “Don't do that, Adrian. I heard what Dr. Hallam said. He said the baby might not survive if you take it away from me.” My fingers tightened around the blanket. “Is that what he told you?”He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. “You shouldn't have been listening to a private conversation,” he said

I heard Adrian before I could open my eyes."How long has it been in her blood?"It was the voice from the council hall, the one that made glasses turn, but now it shook."Hours, I think." Dr. Hallam sounded old and tired. "She's an Omega, so it didn't kill her. An ordinary wolf would be dead. But I have to be honest with you, Alpha. Whatever she took, it reached the pup. If her fever doesn't break, we may lose it."Something heavy hit the wall. A chair, maybe. Nobody said anything about it."Seal the estate," Adrian said. "Every gate. Nobody goes in or out, not a maid, not a cook, not the gardener. Not until I have a name."I tried to lift my hand and my body didn't answer. I sank back down.When I floated up again, there were heels in the corridor, running. A woman's voice broke on the first word. "Is the baby alive? Adrian, please. Tell me the baby is safe."Celeste was crying hard."Dr. Hallam is doing everything possible.""That's not an answer.""It's all I have."A wet breath.

"It's routine," Adrian said. "Dr. Hallam wants to run a few more tests. That's all."He said "fine" three times in the next minute. He told me to eat more protein, to sleep with the window shut, and to stop carrying my own bags. He didn't ask me one question about the scan. A man who wasn't worried would have asked something."Is the baby okay?""The baby is fine." He was already walking away.Two days later, a card arrived on my breakfast tray, heavy and cream-coloured, with the council seal pressed into the corner. Formal gathering. Tonight. My presence is required.* * *The council hall smelled of beeswax and old wine. Twelve long tables, twelve families, and every head turned when I walked in. Celeste was already seated near the front. She gave me a small nod and nothing else.I found my chair. Nobody sat next to me."So this is her," an old man said from the top table. Elder Haldane had white hair combed flat and a voice that carried without trying. "The surrogate.""Nora Vance,

I had practised my face in the taxi. Calm, polite, nothing a jealous woman could use against me.I didn't need it. Celeste came down the front steps of the Blackthorne estate in her socks and took my suitcase out of my hand before I could argue."You must be tired. Come in. Marta made lemon cake, and I told her you'd want two slices, so please don't make me a liar."I followed her through a hall as wide as Mama's whole street. She introduced me to everyone we passed, the cook, two maids, a gardener who took off his cap. "This is Nora. She's staying with us. Be kind to her.” I said thank you to everybody, twice.At the end of the east corridor she stopped with her hand on a door and looked at me like a child holding a secret."I wasn't going to show you yet. I can't wait."The nursery was yellow, the warm kind, like butter. It had been painted by hand. I could see brush marks near the window. A white cot stood in the corner, and a row of tiny cardigans hung beside it, some blue, some p

"No," I said.He didn't blink. Rain ran off his chin and onto his collar, and he let it. "You haven't heard the terms.""I heard enough. I'm not something you buy at the market." My voice cracked on the last word, and I hated that. "Find another woman to insult.""I'm not insulting you." He said it flat, like he was correcting a number on an invoice. "I won't touch you. My fiancée can't carry a child. Silver got into her blood when she was young. Her doctors say a pregnancy would kill her before the sixth month."I opened my mouth and closed it again. That was not what I expected."The Blackthorne line needs an heir before the succession ceremony in spring," he said. "I have a year, maybe less. It has to be an Omega with the right blood. My doctors went through every file in the territory, and yours came out on top."The cold in my chest turned hot. "My file.""You did fertility testing at Dr. Pruitt's clinic five years ago. You signed a consent form. My physician was allowed to read