Chapter 3

“This is insane Avelyn. The Moon Goddess must be laughing. You're bonded to Rhett, married to Tarek, now mated to me and pregnant by a stranger?” —Beta Rowan.

AVELYN

“Luna Avelyn?”

The doctor’s voice pulled me out of my spiral. I jerked upright in my seat, blinking at her.

This is bad. So bad.

What do I do now?

It’s obvious Tarek hates me. He didn’t want a wife. Just a pawn. And now… this? He’d use it to destroy me without blinking.

The doctor cleared her throat gently. “Whose child is it?”

My eyes snapped to her.

She held my gaze for a second, then looked away, probably sensing that I had no answer. Because I didn’t.

“You’re married to the Alpha,” she said carefully. “And I assure you… he would never want to know you were with another man before the bond.”

I stared at her.

I fought the urge to scream.

“I know,” I whispered. “I know. I didn’t plan any of this.”

The words cracked inside me.

I tried to hold it in.

I tried so hard.

But I broke. Right there in front of her.

Tears slipped down before I could stop them. My shoulders shook silently.

Why does everything in my life have to be flipped upside down?

If this is the Moon Goddess’s idea of fate, then she clearly has a twisted sense of humor.

I bit down hard on the inside of my lip, only stopping when I tasted blood.

The doctor hesitated, then asked again, softer this time, “Do you know who the father is?”

My heart dropped.

My chest felt like it was being crushed in a vice.

I opened my mouth. Then closed it again.

She took a small step toward me. “Luna Av—”

“I don’t know!” I snapped. “Good lords, I don’t know.”

She stepped back in surprise, her eyes wide.

A beat of silence passed before her voice returned, cautious now. “Do you understand how bad this could turn out for you?”

“I don’t need a reminder.” My tone was flat, cold and defensive.

Everyone feels like a threat right now.

“This is none of your business,” I said, standing slowly. “But I need you to grant me one thing.”

She didn’t respond, so I kept going. “You won’t say a word about this. Not to anyone. Not even the Alpha.”

My eyes locked onto hers. I wasn’t blinking. I wasn’t begging.

But I was falling apart.

“Please?” I added, voice almost breaking.

She looked down. Then nodded.

That was enough.

I grabbed my phone off the table and walked out of the room like I was walking off a cliff.

The hallway felt longer than usual.

Each step echoed louder than my thoughts.

I muttered the words to myself, flipping my phone in my hand like it could give me answers.

But it didn’t.

It just lit up in my palm, and I kept walking into a life that was no longer mine.

I got to the pack house and went straight to my room. My heart was pounding, my hands clammy.

I kept pacing, trying to breathe normally, trying not to think about the test in my pocket.

A knock came at the door, sharp and sudden.

My heart jumped to my throat.

“Who’s there?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

But there was no response.

I walked closer. “Who's there?” I repeated, more firmly this time.

Then came the voice I least expected.

“Open the door, Avelyn.”

Tarek?

I froze.

What’s he doing here? In front of my room?

Since we got married, he hadn’t spoken a word to me. He hadn’t even looked my way. And now… this?

“Is something wrong?” I asked through the door, refusing to open it.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Open the damn door!” he snapped.

His voice thundered through the hallway. My hands trembled. I gripped the knob and took a deep breath.

Had the doctor already told him? She promised me she wouldn't.

Why would she?

I twisted the key and slowly opened the door, keeping my eyes down.

“Avelyn,” Tarek’s voice was low but carried a warning. “What the hell was that?”

“Sorry,” I mumbled and stepped aside to let him in.

He didn’t waste time. Walked straight to my bed, sat down, legs crossed and his face void of any emotion. Just bored.

“Where did you go?” he asked. “I saw you leaving earlier. You looked like you were being chased when coming back.”

I forced a smile. “Oh… I just went for a walk.”

His brows lifted. “A walk?”

He stood and started walking toward me, slowly. I took small steps back.

“Hm.” He tilted his head slightly. “Why take a walk inside the Pack Hospital?”

My heart sank. My hands went behind my back instantly to hide the shaking.

He knows.

The doctor told him.

“I’m waiting, Avelyn.”

I said nothing.

“Obviously, you have no answer.” He scoffed. “Listen closely, I don’t like you forming friendships in this pack. Especially not with the doctor. End whatever it is you think you two have.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

I stood there, frozen. His words replayed in my head.

Friendship with the doctor?

We’re not even friends.

“Oh.” The sound left my lips without meaning to.

So that’s what she told him?

That we’re friends?

Just to cover up for me? She did well.

I didn’t think too much. I just acted.

After I cried myself out, I wiped my tears, grabbed a hoodie, and tiptoed to Tarek’s room. The door was slightly open. He was in the bathroom.

I didn’t wait.

I bent low, opened the drawer by his bed, and snatched a key. My hands were shaking, but I stuffed it into my hoodie and walked out like I belonged there.

Downstairs was quiet. I didn't see any maid or guard.

I got to the garage, unlocked one of his cars, an old black one. I slid into the seat, started the engine, and didn’t breathe until I was already on the road.

I didn’t know where I was going until I found myself driving back home. Back to my pack. The only place I knew.

Maybe they’d reject me. Maybe they’d kill me.

But staying? Staying with Tarek, staying with this pregnancy, with the lies, it was choking me.

It was dark when I pulled up by the big gate. Our pack’s border.

I killed the engine and got out, with the hoodie pulled over my face.

Then I heard footsteps.

“Who's there?” I whispered, scanning around.

Before I could turn fully, a strong hand clamped over my mouth and dragged me back.

I struggled, heart pounding, but then hands were too strong.

“Avelyn?”

That voice.

I turned sharply.

“Rowan?” I breathed.

His eyes widened in shock. “What the hell are you doing here?”

My breath caught. And it felt so good to be in his arms.

But something else hit me.

His scent.

Warm, familiar, comforting.

“This is insane Avelyn. The Moon Goddess must be laughing. You're bonded to Rhett, married to Tarek, now mated to me and pregnant by a stranger?” Rowan low growled.

“What the hell do you mean I'm still bonded to the Alpha?” I asked in shock.

“Follow me.”

My wolf stirred violently.

Then his eyes darkened. His jaw tightened.

“M-Mate?” he muttered.

My knees almost gave out. “What?”

We stood still for seconds that felt like hours. His scent wrapped around me like fire and safety all at once. His wolf pushed forward. So did mine.

Fated.

Second chance.

My lips parted, but nothing came out.

“Rowan, I'll tell you the truth. I came back here because I'm pregnant.” I blurted out and he raised a brow at me.

“That's good news.” He replied.

“Except I don't know who the father is.” His eyes widened.

“What!?” I lowered my head.