Episode Five

Mira's pov

I woke up to the sound of my head pounding heavily, my breath hitched and my eyes blurry.

I was struggling to recall the previous events that had occurred at the restaurant and now it was becoming very clear to me that I wasn't at the restaurant.

I forced my eyes open to the environment around me, my eyes slowly began to scan and it was clear to me now that I was at a hospital.

Immediately I tried to sit up but a wave of dizziness hit me hard, forcing me back against the mattress. A quiet groan slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

“Easy……” I heard a deep male voice speak, I had no clue how long he had been standing next to me.

I turned my head slowly and my heart skipped.

It was Alder!

He stood beside the bed, he was no longer wearing his jacket, his sleeves rolled up, and his dark hair slightly disheveled.

His posture was tense, like a man holding himself together by force alone. His eyes were locked on my face, and filled with concern he did not bother to hide.

“What happened?” I spoke out but my voice came out hoarse.

“You fainted,” he explained softly. “You scared me Mira.”

“I am sorry about that, I have never fainted before"

“It fine, it's not your fault” he was still standing next to me, his gaze so tender that it was capable of making a woman melt.

My gaze drifted to the IV in my hand. “What did the doctor say is wrong with me?”

“I don't know yet, he is running some tests,” he replied. “The doctor insisted on tests.”

My stomach rolled again, stronger this time. I turned my head and gagged. Alder moved instantly, grabbing a bowl and holding it under my chin. My body convulsed but nothing came up except bitter saliva and a sharp ache that left me trembling.

When it passed, tears burned my eyes, more from humiliation than pain.

“I sorry, I am not usually this sick, I don't know what is happening to me” I muttered.

“It's fine, everyone gets sick once in a while” his hand was at my back, he was opposite of everything that Kade was, making me wonder why I had been drawn so much to Kade.

The door opened quietly and a doctor stepped inside in a calm and professional manner.

“Miss Valentini,” he said. “How are you feeling now?”

“Like I want to leave.” I grumbled.

He gave a small smile. “That is understandable. But we need to talk first.”

“Talk about what?”

He glanced at Alder. “Would you like to stay?”

“Yes,” Alder said immediately.

I opened her mouth to protest, but the doctor was already turning back to me with a serious expression.

“You fainted due to hormonal changes,” he said gently. “We ran a few tests to be sure.”

My fingers curled into the sheet. “And?”

“You are pregnant!”

My eyes popped wide open as I froze for a moment trying to process the words.

Pregnant.

“No!” I yelled instantly. “That’s not possible.”

“You are approximately eight weeks along.”

The room tilted, my vision blurred as memories crashed over me in violent flashes. The full moon, heat burning through my veins, Kade’s hands, His scent and His voice around my skin.

Alder remained calm like he had no clue what was going on.

“There is a mistake somewhere, I need you to run the test again!”

“We ran the tests twice,” the doctor replied. “There is no mistake.”

Tears immediately rolled down my cheek as I try to process all of it.

The doctor cleared his throat. “I will give you a moment” he spoke and walked out of the room.

The silence that followed was unbearable.

I stared at the wall, chest rising too fast. “It’s his” I muttered softly since Alder had refused to say anything.

“I didn’t know,” she rushed out. “I swear I didn’t know.”

“I believe you.” His expression remained calm, I wanted to read him, to understand what he was feeling, but he seemed like a man who knew exactly how to conceal it.

“I understand if you call off the wedding,” I forced myself to say “I won’t blame you. I won’t fight it.”

Alder turned to face me, his expression slowly becoming dark “What do you want to do?”

I was startled by his question.

“I thought you’d be angry.”

“I am,” he admitted. “But that is not the most important thing right now.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks. “You should hate me.”

“I don’t.” he blurted out and that broke me.

“I’m carrying his child,” I sobbed. “The brother you hate.”

Alder stepped closer. “This child will never be unwanted,” he said firmly. “Not while I breathe.”

My lips trembled. “You would still marry me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I know what it feels like to be rejected before you even understand why,” he said. “And I will not let that happen again. Not to you. Not to this child.”

I cried harder, relief and guilt tangling in my chest. He pulled me into his arms, holding me as if I were fragile, precious… as if he had been waiting to do nothing else but this.

Even when I was with Kade, it had always been just desire, just lust. But Alder… he held me like he understood what it meant to be loved.