Chapter 6

Loretta's POV

Just as I was lost in thought, there was a knock on my bedroom door.

"Loretta, Huddy and Levi are back," Grace called from outside.

I pulled myself out of my heavy thoughts, set the photo album aside, and got up to open the door.

The moment I saw the two people who had just walked in, warmth flooded my heart. "Dad, Huddy!" I called out happily.

Hudson and Dad both turned to look at me.

"I brought you a gift. Come see if you like it!" Hudson said with a grin as he set a shopping bag down on the coffee table.

I hurried over, thrilled. "What is it?"

He pulled out an exquisite designer jewelry box and handed it to me. "Open it up."

I opened the box. Inside was a beautifully crafted gold bracelet. "Thanks. It's gorgeous," I said.

"I'm glad you like it." Hudson reached over and affectionately ruffled my hair.

Besides the bracelet for me, he had also brought gifts for Grace and Dad.

All the heaviness I'd been carrying seemed to disappear in an instant. The whole house was filled with a cozy, warm family vibe.

It was only when I was back with my pack and family that I could truly relax.

"Loretta, when are you due?" Hudson asked, eyeing my bump with concern.

I knew why he would ask that—my belly was as big as someone else's would be in the final stage of pregnancy.

"Two more months," I replied, gently resting a hand on my belly.

"Have you checked the gender?" Dad asked.

Grace seemed to realize what he was getting at, her expression instantly turning tense.

In powerful, traditional packs, Alpha families were notoriously strict about the heir's gender.

"Yeah, we have. It's a girl. But Luna Margaret really cares about this baby," I quickly reassured them.

Only then did Dad relax. "Good to know. With this baby, I'm sure you and Zane will eventually work things out."

I quietly looked down, my chest tightening.

I had no idea how to tell them that Zane didn't just despise me; he'd already told me to my face that he was rejecting me.

Yet there was no hiding it forever, especially since I'd already decided to move back home.

Looking at the dinner Grace had prepared, I decided to wait until after the meal to bring it up.

Hudson was currently running a tech startup with some friends.

Two years ago, when he was just getting it off the ground, Dad didn't hesitate to empty out most of his savings to fund it.

Now, the company was blowing up in the AI sector. Hudson's business trip this time was to finalize a crucial deal, and everything went smooth as silk.

As for Dad, he'd been busy liquidating the company under the Silver Moon Pack's name.

Even though the cash from the Blade Pack had kept things barely afloat until now, pivoting the business was just too hard.

The company simply couldn't hold on anymore.

Dad was getting older, and his wolf was weakening. He no longer had the energy he used to.

Since he had high hopes for Hudson's company, he decided to sell off the pack's assets and invest all the money into Hudson's business instead.

On top of that, Dad announced another piece of good news at the dinner table—he and Grace were finally getting officially mated.

When he finished speaking, Grace's eyes immediately filled with tears.

After years of staying by Dad's side and taking care of him, she was finally getting what she'd been waiting for.

I was so happy for them.

I knew Dad had held off on mating with Grace for so long because deep down, he was still hung up on my mom, who had left us long ago.

To this day, I still didn't understand why she'd insisted on walking away.

On a cozy night like this, I hated to ruin the mood.

Yet, some harsh realities couldn't be avoided forever.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke up softly. "Dad, Grace, Zane is planning to reject me."

The moment the words left my mouth, all the laughter in the dining room vanished.

The air seemed to freeze, and everyone's expression instantly turned solemn.

Dad hung his head, his jaw clenching tight.

I guessed they had seen this coming—they just didn't expect it to happen this fast.

Zane and I had never had an official bonding ceremony.

Our packs had zero communication or collaboration whatsoever.

And Zane had never even set foot inside the Silver Moon Pack's territory.

Every holiday, I had to return to the Silver Moon Pack all by myself.

Dad and Grace would carefully prepare gifts, but Luna Margaret would only accept them out of politeness before handing them off to the Omega servants.

As for Elise, she'd throw the gifts straight into the trash right in front of my face, sneering and telling me to stop embarrassing myself with "cheap junk from a lowly pack."

And Zane would only coldly remind me not to waste my time trying to kiss up to them.

So, honestly, it'd only been a matter of time before we split.

I pressed my lips together before continuing, "But it'll have to wait until after the baby is born. I've already promised Mr. Winslow that I'll be going to Cambridge University for further studies next February."

Hudson looked at me earnestly. "That's great. You shouldn't be trapped in a toxic relationship anyway. Whatever you do, remember I'll always have your back."

Dad let out a long sigh filled with helplessness and guilt. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. If I'd been more powerful, maybe things would've turned out differently."

The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over, but strangely enough, I felt completely calm.

Wrapped in this long-overdue sense of security, I finished dinner with my family in warmth and peace.