Chapter 7

Ceres's POV

Two days later, before I could wait for Richard's phone call agreeing to the divorce, I received a call from the doctor at the pack's hospital.

“Luna Ceres,” he said gently, “this is a reminder for your pregnancy check-up. We haven't seen you since the initial appointment.”

I froze. The words sank in like a stone. It was in that moment I remembered—I was pregnant.

My hand instinctively rested on my stomach. The old me would have seen this as a blessing from the Moon Goddess, one that would solidify my relationship with Richard forever, an unbreakable bond in a world that often felt unstable.

But now?

Richard had another pup with his ex-girlfriend, Anita. What would mine mean to him? Would they simply be another pawn in his game, another piece in his carefully constructed empire?

Elsa whined softly in my mind as I contemplated the best course of action. Should I keep the child, or should I have it removed? I heaved a sigh as I stared into my mirror, my eyes hardening with resolve. I had a choice to make, and whatever it was, it would be mine and mine alone.

Later on, I went to the hospital without telling Jasmine.

In the ward, the pack doctor examined me. Picking up on my hesitation, he spoke gently, “The pup is developing very well, Luna. If you do not want to proceed with this pregnancy, the decision should be made soon.”

I nodded and smiled weakly. “Alright. I will think about it.”

Just before I left, I met the doctor again and pleaded, “Please, doctor, I would like the news of my pregnancy to stay between the both of us.”

He looked at me with pitiful eyes and nodded. “You have my word, Luna. I won’t let the Alpha know about it. I understand the situation you are in right now.”

“Thank you,” I muttered, blinking away the tears that stung my eyes at his kind words.

I left the ward and walked toward the gate of the hospital, lost in thought, my head slightly lowered.

I was so deep in thought I didn’t notice the small child running toward me until he collided with my leg and fell to the ground.

He immediately clutched his forehead, letting out a whimper of distress.

I instinctively bent down to help him up when I realized who it was. My eyes widened in shock. It was none other than Lucky, Richard's son.

Before I could react, a familiar voice that grated on my nerves rang out.

“Lucky!”

Anita appeared, rushing over in feigned panic. She threw a glance at me before scooping the boy into her arms. Her tone turned shrill as she began to cry, attracting the attention of people around.

The next moment, Richard stormed over. His sleeves were rolled up, and his expression was icy and severe. His presence filled the air, sending tension through the crowd that began to disperse upon seeing him.

With fake tears in her eyes, Anita cried, “Ceres, please, I am sorry! Don’t hurt Lucky. He is only a two-year-old child. He did nothing wrong, please.”

I could not believe my ears. It was so ridiculous hearing her say that. Was she really this much of an evil drama queen?

The scene made Richard’s expression turn livid, and his cold eyes rested on me.

I was tired of dealing with her unwarranted fake tantrums.

Richard took Lucky from Anita's arms and comforted him tenderly with a loving gaze, which turned cold and sharp as it shifted to me. His lips upturned in a frown.

“Why are you here? Are you following us?” he asked.

My heart skipped a beat at his words, not in fear, but in sheer annoyance.

I scoffed. “Don't flatter yourself, Richard. Why would I waste my time following you?” I replied sharply, my tone cold as steel.

Lucky, who was now clinging to his father's shirt, buried his head in Richard’s neck, his cries fading. Watching the child find comfort in Richard's arms stirred irritation within me. Knowing the purpose of my visit made everything even worse.

It felt almost as though my airways were blocked, making it difficult to breathe.

Pain flared in my lower abdomen, and my wolf recoiled. The strain of suppressing my emotions, combined with my pregnancy, was taking its toll on me.

Anita, ever the actress, softened her voice, but the accusation was evident in her words as she spoke, “Lucky had a fever. Richard and I decided to bring him to the hospital so the pack doctor could check him out. But when we turned around, he was gone. I didn’t expect to find you here, Ceres. What exactly were you doing to him?”

The insinuation in her voice was crystal clear. She was accusing me of trying to harm or take her child.

I flared up at her words and sneered angrily. “He bumped into me himself! I didn’t even touch him! Surveillance cameras are a great invention, Anita. Use your common sense! Look at the footage before accusing me of something I didn’t do!”

Her face instantly stiffened, and her sobs halted.

The look on her face showed she had clearly forgotten about the surveillance cameras, with which her accusations would be dismantled.

Her lips parted, and before she could sputter out a reply, I turned away, clutching tightly to my bag.

My heightened senses picked up on Richard’s words to Anita. “Take him and wait here for me,” he instructed.

Next, I heard his measured footsteps coming in my direction. I increased my pace, not wanting to be anywhere near him.

I had already booked a ride, so I glanced around to see if I could spot it, but it was nowhere in sight. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist angrily as I sensed Richard now behind me.

His voice reached me, his tone cold. “Why did you come to the hospital? Are you sick?”