Chapter 002

My whole world stopped at those words. Pregnant.

"Are you sure?" My voice came out as a whisper.

The doctor nodded. "About two weeks along."

I wrapped my arms around my stomach in fear. What was I going to do? An unmarried, omega, pregnant for the Prince.  I'd be thrown out of the palace.

"I need some air," I said, pushing myself up from the bed.

"Giselle, wait!" Martha caught my arm. "You're still weak."

But I couldn't wait. I had to tell Xavier. Maybe when I tell him about the baby, he'd remember what we shared and take responsibility.

Though I was scared but I needed to do this. After several attempts of trying to speak with him privately. 

I finally found him in the training grounds. My hands shook as I approached.

"Your Highness," I called softly. "Please I  want to speak with you privately?"

He didn't even look at me. "Whatever you want to say, say it here."

I swallowed hard. "Please, it's important."

He finally turned, his eyes cold. "Make it quick. I have matters to attend to."

I followed him to a corner, away from curious ears. My heart was beating so fast I thought I it would explode. 

"I'm pregnant," I blurted out. "With your child."

His face darkened. "Are you sure it's mine?"

The accusation felt like a slap. "You were my first... my only..."

"Get rid of it."

"What?"

"You heard me." His voice was ice. "I'm marrying Kira in two months. I can't have some omega's bastard ruining everything."

Tears filled my eyes. "But it's your baby..."

"Listen carefully," he stepped closer, "If you don't handle this quietly, I'll make sure you regret it. No one will believe an omega over the crown prince anyway."

Xavier's words cut deep into my heart as I fled from there, tears streaming down my face. 

I thought of who to run to but there was no one. Kiara stopped talking to me right after she was chosen as Xavier’s Mate. 

After wandering for hours, I stopped at the palace gardens, my hands resting on my still-flat stomach.

The Alpha King was the reason I was here. He was my last option.

Working as a maid, made me realize his favorite spot was the garden.  My heart pounded as I approached, but I forced myself forward.

The guards stepped in front of me. "Halt! You can't-"

"Let her through." The Alpha King's deep voice carried across the garden.

The guards exchanged looks but stepped aside. I walked closer, my legs shaking with each step.

"Your Majesty." I dropped into a deep bow, keeping my eyes on the ground. "I need to tell you something about Prince Xavier."

"Speak." His voice was neutral, giving nothing away.

My words came out in a rush. "The Prince... he and I... we're mates. He confirmed it himself. Before the ceremony, he took me to his chambers and..." I swallowed hard. "Now I'm with child. His child. But he's demanding I get rid of it."

Silence stretched between us. I didn't dare look up.

"These are serious accusations," he finally said. "You understand the gravity of what you're claiming?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I wouldn't dare lie about this. I can prove it - the doctor confirmed my pregnancy today."

He was quiet for another long moment. Then he stood, his shadow falling over me. "Guards, summon my son. Immediately."

I stayed frozen in my bow until the guards returned with Xavier. I could feel his anger without even looking at him.

"Father?" Xavier's voice was perfectly controlled. "You wanted to see me?"

"Is what this omega says true?" The Alpha King's voice was sharp. "Did you mate with her and now demand she abort your child?"

"Of course not!" Xavier sounded offended. "She's clearly lying to gain status. You know how omegas can be, Father."

"A test can be conducted to prove my innocence," Xavier continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "This omega has been trying to seduce me for months. I've caught her lurking around my chambers multiple times."

My head snapped up. "That's not true! I would never-"

"Silence!" Xavier cut me off. "How dare you interrupt your prince? This is the kind of disrespect I'm talking about. She's probably carrying another other wolf's child and trying to accuse me."

Tears burned in my eyes. Everything he was saying was lies.

"You filthy little liar!"

I turned to see Kira storming toward us, her face twisted with anger I'd never seen before.

"I should have known," she spat. "All those times you asked about Xavier, pretending to care about my happiness. You were just plotting, weren't you?"

"Kira, please-" My voice broke. "You know me. You know I wouldn't-"

"I know you're a scheming little witch!" Her words cut deep. "I took you in, treated you like a sister, and this is how you repay me? By trying to steal my mate?"

"The test will be conducted, Tomorrow at dawn. “ King Franklin cut her off. "

I felt relief hearing those words.

The day flew by in a flash and it was morning, A  knock at my door woke me up. Opening it, I found Kira standing there, her eyes red and puffy.

"Giselle..." Her voice trembled. "I'm so sorry about yesterday. I was shocked and angry, but... I couldn't sleep all night thinking about how I treated you."

I stood frozen, unsure what to say.

"You were my only true friend here," she continued, wiping her eyes. "If... if what you're saying is true, then Xavier has betrayed us both. I want to help you."

"Really?" My heart ached at her words.

She nodded. "I know a shortcut to the testing chambers. We can get there before everyone else, so you won't have to face their stares. Let me help you, like I used to."

I hesitated for a moment but complied.

"Okay," I whispered.

She took my hand, just like she used to, and led me through the  palace corridors. But something felt off. We were going deeper into parts of the palace I'd never seen before.

"Kira? I don't think this is the way to-"

I never got to finish that sentence, when she dragged me to a dark room.

"Where are we…?" 

The door slammed shut behind us cutting me off. Xavier stepped out of the shadows, and the look in his eyes made my blood freeze.

"Did you really think I'd let you take that test?" He smiled coldly. "That I'd let a worthless omega ruin everything I've worked for?"

I backed away, one hand protectively over my stomach. "Please... Xavier, this is your child. Our child."

"There won't be any child." His voice was ice. "No one will even know you existed."

Kira's laughter echoed through the chamber. "You actually believed I was sorry? That I cared about you?"You really think I was let you birth my mates child?

"After tonight," Xavier said, stepping closer, "everyone will think the shame of your lies drove you to take your own life."

"No..." I looked between them, these people I'd trusted. "Please don't do this. Xavier, remember what you said to me? That I was perfect? That you felt our bond?"

His response was a brutal slap across my face.

I fell to my knees, tasting blood. "Moon Goddess, please..." I wrapped my arms around my stomach, trying to protect my unborn child. "If not me, spare my baby..."

"The baby?" Kira's voice dripped with mockery. "That thing would have ruined everything. A bastard omega child? We're doing you both a favor."

As they moved toward me, I looked up at the ceiling, tears streaming down my face. "Goddess... please... I beg you... give me another chance. Let me come back and make them pay for this..."

The last thing I saw was Xavier's cold smile as he raised the sword and slit my head.