MasukJodieI can tell Calden just zooming off after hearing about Enid’s condition still bothers Kaiser because he is failing to hide the disgust and pity in those eyes staring at me. I look away for a moment, my gaze catching the wine bottles on the shelves, and I suddenly realize I haven’t even offered him a drink.“Wine?” I finally break the silence as I push myself up from the chair and walk toward the shelf in the corner of the office.“Uhm, that’s okay,” he responds softly.I pick one I know he might like. I haven’t touched any of these since my stomach started rejecting everything I try to keep down, even coffee. I grab a glass and pour, the sound filling the room a little too loudly.It feels safer to change the topic and distract him before he says whatever is sitting heavy in his chest. Kaiser is the last person I want looking at me with that pitying gaze. I walk back toward him with the wine, and he reaches out to take the glass.“You don’t have to stay with him, Jodie,” he says
Calden“So the gene surgery didn’t work at all, yet you told me before that it was the most effective.”My fist clenches at the thought of how much of Jodie's blood the surgery had demanded, it drained her so much that I didn't fail to realize how weak she is now.The words leave my mouth before I even realize I’ve spoken them. The doctor standing across from me pauses, fingers tightening around the file in his hand, and that tiny hesitation tells me everything before he even opens his mouth again.“It worked partially,” he says carefully. “But the illness has relapsed. Her body didn’t fully accept the treatment.”I drag a hand down my face, my thumb pressing hard against my jaw. Enid is lying on the bed behind him, still breathing evenly, her chest rising and falling slowly. She looks smaller like this… I can’t tell if what I’m feeling is anger, fear, or exhaustion clawing at me.“How bad,” I finally ask, my hand resting against the wall for support. Alvin is seated beside Enid, his
JodieThat familiar male voice cut through the tense silence, smooth and teasing, carrying that calm confidence that always seemed to make a room notice him. My head snaps toward the doorway, the sound echoing in my ears. It's…My eyes adjust to the figure leaning casually against the frame, arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips.It's Kaiser.“Kaiser?” I mutter under my breath, but loud enough for him and Calden to hear. I didn’t expect he would honor our pack’s invitation to the festival. When last did I see him… he suddenly just stopped communicating with me after my marriage to Calden.“You came?” my mouth falling open before I can stop it.“Of course I did… I’ll be labeled the only Alpha who didn’t attend this year’s Moon Festival, and it’s happening in a pack where you’re Luna.” Kaiser jests in his usual tone, a crooked smile forming on his lips. Dark coils fall across his face, his brown double-breasted suit making him look every bit as commanding as I remember.He wa
CaldenJodie’s words instantly ignite my anger. How could she say something like that?“What is wrong with you? Enid is your sister, and you are refusing to save her life!”I feel my jaw clenching so hard my teeth ache.In the past, Jodie never complained… she would donate her blood just so Enid would be fine. She’s always been such a kind person. But everything changed since she filed for divorce.She clenches her fists, and I think she’s about to hit me.“So what? Huh?” She throws her arms out in frustration. “I’m supposed to completely lose myself for MY SISTER? Did you ever take a moment to think about what those damn donations do to me?”Her voice ricochets off the walls, far too loud for such a small room, and I swear the floor vibrates beneath us.“That’s why I told you to test, take care of yourself, then you can donate when you feel better,” I say, trying to keep my tone even but it still comes out rough. She looks like she wants to throw the nearest object at my face.Can’t s
Jodie “Luna, are you…” My breath seizes, “fine with a male doctor doing the check-up?” I let out a deep sigh, realizing he isn’t going to ask about my pregnancy. “Please, a female doctor would be better,” I respond quickly. Harvey looks at Evelyn. He looks between Evelyn and me, then gives a short nod. His expression hardens as he turn to Evelyn. “Evelyn, run the check-up and make sure to submit the results immediately,” he orders, before walking out of the ward. Evelyn and I both let out a quiet breath of relief. As soon as Evelyn finishes the check-up, she quickly switches out the medical report. She looks at me with a soft gaze as she folds the papers and slips them into different white envelopes. “Jodie…” she starts, “…I really think Calden cares about you a little.” My eyes widen. Is she being serious right now? “I don't know what you have in your eyes, but it’s obvious that’s certainly not the case,” I spit out. “Don't be deceived by his occasional acts.” I take the re
EnidThe moment Alvin tells me Jodie fainted and is in the hospital with Calden having a check up, I flinched. If Calden finds out Jodie is pregnant, everything I’ve worked so hard to keep Calden far away from that bitch will fall apart in seconds.No, I can’t let that happen. I shake my head so hard.I sit up slowly on the hospital bed, dragging the blanket higher even though the room is already warm. My fingers tremble a little, partly because of the stupid IV needle taped to my arm and partly because my head refuses to stop spinning. It’s not real dizziness, but I need to look the part. So I let my body sink back against the pillow. The curtains are half drawn, letting in a soft beam of afternoon light that keeps shifting whenever someone walks by in the hallway.I keep glancing at the door, waiting. I know Calden is somewhere close. He has to be. Since Alvin said he told him Jodie fainted and they are here, then Calden should still be near her, hovering like he always does wheneve







