로그인Lillian's POV My alarm went off earlier than usual, pulling me out of a surprisingly comfortable sleep.I groaned and reached for my phone, silencing it before the sound could become too annoying. The maids would be arriving soon, and I had deliberately set the alarm early enough to get ready before they came.I didn't want another morning of them insisting on helping me bathe or standing around while they chose what I should wear.I could still take care of myself.At least, I hoped I could.I hurried into the bathroom, took a warm shower, and washed my hair before drying myself and putting on a simple dress. Once I was dressed, I headed downstairs to the kitchen.The doctors had recommended a herbal tea for me, something I was supposed to drink regularly, so I decided to prepare it myself.I filled a small pot with water and placed it on the cooker. Then I added some chamomile, ginger, peppermint leaves, and a little dried raspberry leaf that the doctor had said was suitable for me
Lillian's POV Even after I defied him, he was still gentle with me, still calm with me. How could Xathura ever think he was pretending to care? He rose from his chair and moved closer to me. "Don't cry."His fingers came to my face, gently wiping away the tears that had escaped."I was worried about you. That's why I was upset that you left. I wasn't trying to control you or punish you."I sniffed. "I know.""I need you to understand something."I nodded."If something like this happens again, you come to me. You don't leave the pack on your own because you're afraid something might have happened."His hand remained against my cheek."I have people who can find out what is happening. You don't have to put yourself in danger just because you're worried about someone."I lowered my eyes. "Okay.""Promise me.""I promise."He studied my face for another moment before gently wiping the last tear from beneath my eye."Good."He returned to his seat and glanced at my untouched food."And n
Lillian's POV I wanted to be your mother.I wanted to hold you when you cried, watch you take your first steps, teach you everything I had never been taught. I wanted to wake up every morning knowing you were there. I wanted to watch you grow into someone kind and strong.And, for reasons I was almost afraid to admit, I wanted your father there too. I wanted Hayes to be beside us.The realization struck me so suddenly that I drew in a quiet breath.I wasn't only attached to my baby. I was attached to Hayes.I turned my head and looked at him. His face was calm, he gave me a gentle smile. I remembered the way he had held me when I came home crying. The way he had listened to me. The way he spoke to me when I was afraid.The way he looked at me when he told me I was beautiful.The way he had made me feel like my body wasn't something I needed to hide.The way he had welcomed me into his life without making me feel like I was merely carrying his child.And now, even after everything th
Lillian's POVWhy did he stop?The question kept circling through my mind.Only minutes ago, I had been drowning in the pain I carried home from the sports center. The image of Isabella and Jake together had felt like a wound I couldn't close.Then Hayes had held me.His gentle words had slowly quieted the storm inside me. He had made me feel safe again. Wanted again. When he lifted my face and kissed me, it felt as though all of his attention was on me, as though for those few moments, I was the only woman in the world.He had kissed me like I meant something to him.Like he wanted me.I had thought the kiss would lead somewhere else.When my fingers reached for the buttons of his shirt, I had believed the Alpha was finally going to make love to me.Then he stopped.Why?I lowered my eyes, embarrassed by the memory.Maybe I had moved too quickly. Maybe he regretted kissing me. Or perhaps it was because I was pregnant.He is playing games with you. Xathura's voice cut through my thoug
Hayes' POVI gently guided Lillian toward the couch.The night breeze drifted through the open windows, carrying the faint scent of flowers from the garden. Soft lights illuminated the living room, casting a warm glow across her tear-stained face.Even after crying until her eyes were swollen and red, she still looked beautiful.I sat beside her and took both her hands in mine, slowly rubbing my thumbs across her knuckles as she told me what had happened.Then she told me again. And again.Each time, her voice broke a little more.She still couldn't accept it. I understood.Betrayal was difficult enough to understand when it came from someone you barely knew. When it came from someone you had trusted with your heart, it could make everything you believed about that person feel like a lie.I lifted her face gently between my hands."Sometimes, even the people closest to us are capable of betrayal."Her eyes trembled."People can hide who they really are for years. Sometimes, we don't d
Hayes' POVThe meeting with the Northern Alphas had been exactly what I expected.Politics.Decisions about trade routes, territorial disputes, border security, alliances between packs, and the countless matters that came with ruling a kingdom this large.Three days of sitting through discussions that seemed to stretch endlessly. Yet, somehow, I found myself thinking about Lillian through almost all of them.I had never been good at being distracted during important meetings. My mind had always been focused, sharp, and difficult to pull away from whatever matter was before me.This time was different.I would be listening to one of the Northern Alphas speak, then suddenly wonder what Lillian was doing.Had she eaten? Was she sleeping? Was she spending time in her garden? Alex had informed me she started one. Had she discovered anything new about her Flowermoon abilities?I even found myself wondering whether she was missing me. It irritated me at first.Then I realized something. I w







