Chapter 2

Early the next morning, I went to the pack clinic.

I had just finished my prenatal checkup and was getting ready to leave when I saw Ryan. He was carefully supporting Clara as they walked out of the ultrasound room.

The two of them sat down on the waiting chairs to look at the scan. Clara was pointing at the image, whispering something, and Ryan was listening with total focus, occasionally typing notes into his phone.

Watching this, I instinctively touched my own belly. My eyes burned with a sting I couldn't control.

I didn't want to deal with them and ruin my mood further, so I turned to leave. But before I could, Ryan looked up and caught my eye.

Ryan stood up, his brow furrowing with instant irritation.

"Are you following me?"

Before I could say a word, Clara tugged on his sleeve, her voice sounding small and anxious.

"Ryan, does Celine have the wrong idea? Let me go talk to her. I don't want to come between you two."

She made a move to stand up and come toward me.

Ryan immediately pressed her back into her seat, refusing to let her move.

"You're carrying a pup. Just sit still. I'll handle Celine."

I had zero interest in their little display of affection and turned to walk away.

But Ryan lunged forward and grabbed my wrist so hard I stumbled, nearly falling over.

By the time I steadied myself and looked up, I was met with Ryan's face, flushed with anger.

"Celine, I made myself clear last night. Why can't you get it through your head? I couldn't believe you actually stalked us to the clinic."

I wrenched my arm out of his grip. My wrist was already turning red and starting to swell.

"I don't have the time or the energy to stalk you, Ryan. Get over yourself."

He clearly didn't believe me.

"Then why are you at the clinic?"

I held up my medical papers and said calmly, "To see a doctor."

Ryan's frown deepened. "You're sick? Since when? Why didn't I know about this?"

He reached out to snatch the papers from my hand, but Clara suddenly stepped forward, tears welling in her eyes as she grabbed my hand.

"Celine, I've been so lonely since Kaleb passed. I just wanted a pup to keep me company, so I asked Ryan to help with the sowing. I never intended to break your mate bond."

If Clara just wanted a pup, she could have easily applied for a donor through the pack's bloodline bank. But no—she insisted on using Ryan's seed.

And then there was the way she addressed him. Everyone else called him "Alpha," but she always called him "Ryan."

Once you wake up to the truth, you start noticing a thousand details you missed before.

I hid the flash of mockery in my eyes and silently pulled my hand away.

To my surprise, Clara let out a sharp gasp and tumbled backward. Ryan instantly caught her, pulling her into his arms, his face pale with fright.

"Clara! Are you okay?"

Clara clung to Ryan's neck, tears trembling in her eyes.

"Ryan, I'm fine... I just didn't expect Celine to..."

Ryan snapped. He looked at me, his eyes burning with pure rage.

"Celine! She's pregnant, for Moon Goddess' sake! How can you be so vicious?"

I didn't expect Clara to pull a stunt like that, and I certainly didn't expect Ryan to believe her without a second thought.

I looked at them coldly. "I didn't push her."

My words only made him angrier.

"I saw it with my own eyes! You're still going to lie? Thank the Moon Goddess I caught her in time. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive you!"

"I was going to wait for you to finish with your doctor so we could go home together, but forget it. Go home by yourself. I'm taking Clara back!"

With that, he turned, holding Clara protectively as they walked away.

Watching his frantic concern for her, I suddenly spoke up, stopping him in his tracks.

"Ryan, if I told you I was pregnant—that I was here for an ultrasound today—would you stay?"