Chapter 2

I slid into the passenger seat.

In the rearview mirror, Damon was pressing a hand to Ella's forehead. His touch was so gentle that it made my chest tighten.

They were speaking in Old Wolf Tongue in low voices, but I understood every word.

Ella's voice held a note of curiosity. "Is she your mate in the pack? Her scent is strange. Suppressed, almost. You two don't match well."

Damon paused. His tone was indifferent. "It doesn't matter if we're a good match. What matters is that we're compatible. Besides, she's just a nominal mate."

They thought I couldn't understand what they were saying.

However, six years ago, I had learned Old Wolf Tongue for him.

I closed my eyes, hands clutching the ultrasound report in my bag.

The edges of the paper were damp with my sweat.

A clawing pain tore through my lower abdomen, as if something were ripping inside me.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay silent.

When we reached our destination, one of Damon's friends opened the car door for me.

"Selena, you look terrible. Are you okay?" the friend asked, startled. "And you're soaked through. Damon, why didn't you get her anything to change into?"

Only then did Damon notice my condition.

He frowned, as if just remembering I existed. "Wait in the car. I'll get you something to wear."

I sat alone in the car. Rain was dripping from my hair onto the seat.

The pain in my lower abdomen came in waves, each one stronger than the last. I curled in on myself, both hands cradling my belly.

20 minutes later, Damon returned holding a luxury shopping bag. The designer logo was glaring.

I knew better than to see his brief concern as a change of heart. He was only being nice because Ella had invited me along.

He didn't want a disheveled woman causing trouble at Ella's birthday party.

"Change into this," Damon said, handing me the bag. He stayed three steps away, as if I carried a contagion.

The car door then slammed shut behind him. I was left with the sight of him walking away with Ella.

After changing and stepping outside, I received a message on my phone.

The text read, "It's Ella's birthday today. I went ahead. The private room is on the 16th floor."

It was the longest message he had sent me in six years.

When I found the private room, I paused at the door and took the ultrasound report out of my bag.

I was about to push the door open when a cheer drifted out first.

I froze instinctively.

Through the narrow gap in the door, I saw Damon handing Ella a bouquet of silvermoon flowers and a delicate gift box.

Silvermoon flowers were meant for one's lifelong love.

"Silvermoon flowers aren't even in season. Where did you get them?" someone asked in bafflement.

"Do you even need to ask? If Ella wants something, Damon would move heaven and earth to get it."

"Exactly. You clearly still love Ella. Why did you mark someone else?"

"Everyone knows he came to the Overseas Alliance for Ella. Her leaving the country back then was just a misunderstanding. Since they love each other, why not be together again?"

"And Ella's abusive former mate has been sent into exile. No obstacles now."

Damon didn't contradict them. He just smiled. His eyes were soft as they rested on Ella.

"Some flowers bloom only for certain people," he murmured.

I stood outside the private room. I was still clutching the ultrasound report.

My sweat was making the paper crumple.

In the mirrored surface of the private room door, my reflection looked pale, and my lips were colorless. The ill-fitting dress made me look even more haggard. I offered a stark contrast to Ella, who was glowing amid the crowd.

Suddenly, a sharper pain ripped through my belly.

I gritted my teeth and tried to turn away.

However, my legs wobbled beneath me. I lost my balance and stumbled straight through the private room door.