Chapter 2

Claire's POV

I saw the answer on Ryan's face before he spoke. His gaze flicked to my stomach, then returned to my eyes.

"I don't smell a pup on you," he said coldly. "We've been married for four years, and you've never been pregnant. Why should I believe you now? Don't invent a child to interfere with a decision I've already made."

Sabrina's brows knitted together in feigned concern. She moved closer to Ryan, keeping one hand on the boy's back.

"Claire, you've been through a lot today. Anyone would be shaken by what's happened. Perhaps seeing my son made you realize how much you want a child of your own. Sometimes, when we're hurting, we convince ourselves of things we desperately wish were true."

I stared at them, fighting the urge to scream. No matter what I said, Sabrina could twist my words, and Ryan was already convinced I was lying.

"Then look at the report I gave you," I said, gesturing toward the desk. "It proves I'm pregnant."

Ryan glanced at the paper but made no move to pick it up.

"If you mark me and my baby survives, I'll accept Sabrina as Co-Luna. I won't challenge your decision or interfere with her place in this pack."

The words tasted bitter, but I meant them. I didn't care about the title anymore. Once my baby was safe, I would leave this marriage behind.

Ryan studied me, his expression unreadable. At last, he gave a single nod.

"Tonight," I insisted. "The doctor said we have seven days. Every hour matters."

Before Ryan could answer, Sabrina spoke up.

"Ryan, the ceremony following the Council of Elders meeting is tonight. Everyone is waiting for you. You can't miss it."

Ryan exhaled slowly, his brows knitting together.

"I'll mark you tomorrow night. That's final, Claire. Nine o'clock."

Before I could argue, Ryan turned and strode out, leaving me no chance to plead my case any further.

Sabrina watched him leave before turning to me, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You should be relieved, Claire. At least Ryan is willing to mark you at all. You wouldn't want to make things difficult for him when he already has so much on his plate, would you?"

I met her gaze calmly. "How thoughtful of you. But you should focus on your own ceremony tonight, Sabrina. After all, you've waited years for your place in this pack."

Her smile faltered.

I didn't wait for her response. I turned and walked out.

By the time I reached my room, a deep ache had settled in my lower abdomen. I pressed a hand against it, fighting back the fear threatening to overwhelm me.

"Please, little one," I whispered. "Just hold on a little longer."

I had no choice but to wait until tomorrow night. I had done everything I could to buy my baby more time. We could get through this. We had to.

Later that evening, Nora, my trusted housekeeper, rushed into my room, her face pale with anger. She had served me for years and witnessed every slight, every disappointment, and every lonely night I had endured in this marriage. If anyone understood the pain I had kept buried all these years, it was Nora.

"Luna, the Alpha has made his announcement at the Council."

My heart sank. "What announcement?"

"He named Sabrina's son as the first heir and asked the elders to recognize her as Co-Luna."

I closed my eyes.

"Some of the elders and the Moonhaven Alpha Luca objected," Nora continued. "They reminded him that you've managed the pack's affairs for years. But he insisted that his son deserved to have his own mother by his side, and that Sabrina deserved a title befitting the mother of the pack's heir."

Of course he had. Ryan had found a way to make Sabrina's return sound like a matter of duty rather than a choice.

He hadn't even waited until he fulfilled his promise to me. He had already secured a place for Sabrina and her son in our future, while my own child's future remained uncertain.

"People know how much you've done for this pack," Nora said softly. "They know you're the better Luna."

"I don't care about being the better Luna." I swallowed hard. "I just need my baby to survive."

Nora fell silent.

"Once Ryan marks me and the baby is safe, I'll give up the title," I continued. "I won't spend the rest of my life sharing my husband with another woman."

She helped me lie down and placed a cool cloth against my forehead. I closed my eyes, but sleep came in restless fragments, each wave of pain reminding me that time was running out.

The next evening, with only five days left, I dressed and waited for Ryan.

The appointed hour came and went.

I called him twice. Neither call was answered.

Panic seized me. Another sharp cramp twisted through my lower abdomen, forcing me to grip the edge of the bed.

I couldn't wait any longer.

I called Marcus, the Beta.

"Where is Ryan?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"Luna, there was rogue trouble at the border this afternoon. The Alpha went out with the guards. He expects to be gone for another two days."

"Two days?"

My blood ran cold. I had already lost precious time waiting for him. Two more days could mean the difference between saving my baby and losing everything.

I ended the call and dialed Ryan again, my hands trembling.

This time, he answered. Wind roared in the background, and his voice was sharp with impatience.

"Ryan, please." Tears blurred my vision. "You have to come back and mark me. The baby can't wait another two days. You promised me."

Then he spoke, his voice turning ice-cold.

"I've seen the report you gave me, Claire. When are you going to stop pretending you're pregnant just to get my attention?"

For a moment, I couldn't understand the words.

"What?"

"The report says you're not pregnant. There is no baby."

My stomach clenched, and I pressed my free hand against it.

"That's impossible. The doctor confirmed the pregnancy. The baby's heartbeat was weak. You have to mark me, Ryan!"

"Don't lie to me."

His words cut through my desperate plea.

"You wanted to use a fake pregnancy to force my hand. Now that I've seen the proof, you expect me to believe another story?"

"No!" My voice broke. "I gave you the real report. I would never lie about my own child!"

"Enough, Claire." His tone left no room for argument. "There is no child to save, and I will not mark you."

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone, unable to accept what I had just heard. I called him again and again, but he never answered. I even reached for him through the mind link, only to be met with silence.

Then my phone buzzed.

A message from Ryan.

It contained a photo of my medical report.

The report claimed there was no evidence of a pregnancy.