Chapter 4

It took me a long while to come to terms with what had just happened—that Alex had left me behind without a second glance. I stood there for a long moment, frozen, before finally turning to leave.

But I couldn’t stop myself. I followed them to the infirmary.

When I arrived, Alex’s parents—the former Alpha and Luna—were already there.

The sight of them made my steps falter. A cold realization hit me:

Everyone knew about Doris.

Everyone… except me.

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. My wolf whimpered within me. I felt like a complete fool.

When Alex’s mother saw me, she stormed up and slapped me across the face.

“If anything happens to my grandpup, I will make sure you regret it!” she shouted.

Alex immediately stepped between us, shielding me completely behind his back.

The former Luna’s anger flared even more at the sight.

“Alex! She’s threatening your son! How can you still protect her?” she snapped.

But Alex only let out a bitter laugh.

“So what? If the pup’s gone, then it’s gone.”

A stunned silence fell over everyone.

Deep down, a part of him resented them—for hiding the pregnancy, for forcing this situation upon us. If they hadn’t insisted on keeping the pup, maybe Lily wouldn’t have been hurt this way.

He couldn’t say it out loud. But when he saw Doris lying on the ground in pain earlier… he had felt a trace of relief.

Even so, guilt crept in.

The healer came out and announced that the pup was fine.

Alex’s parents immediately rushed into the room, fussing over Doris with concern.

I stood there quietly, watching as Doris cast a pitiful glance at Alex, trying to elicit his sympathy. My wolf growled. The memory of her framing me still burned in our minds.

I turned slightly, revealing my swollen, red cheek to Alex.

Then I said softly, “I don’t want to stay here.”

Without hesitation, he held me close and led me away. I glanced back one last time, but my heart was silent.

She still thought I was trying to compete with her.

But she was wrong.

At least in that moment, Alex still stood beside me—even if I no longer desired his affection.

It was obvious that Alex believed I had accepted the existence of the pup. But I didn’t correct him.

In secret, I began preparing to sever our mate bond.

I quietly packed my belongings.

I knew Doris was waiting for me to give them my blessing—for me to step aside once the child was born.

So I decided to leave when she gave birth.

But then something unexpected happened.

I started feeling unwell. My body ached. My belly throbbed with discomfort. I had no choice but to see the healer.

And that’s when she told me—I was pregnant.

I stood in the corridor in disbelief, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Alex and I had tried for years. And now, finally… our pup had come.

But it was the worst possible timing.

The emotions within me clashed violently. I didn’t want any more ties to Alex. The thought of terminating the pregnancy crossed my mind, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Then I saw them.

Alex and Doris walked toward me from the far end of the hallway.

We had been avoiding the subject of her for days.

He assumed I had come to terms with everything.

“Alex, our pup is healthy. I’m so happy,” Doris said cheerfully.

Alex’s tone was neutral, but his relaxed brows betrayed his feelings.

“Mmm. You’ve taken good care of him,” he replied.

They kept talking, oblivious to me.

Until Alex finally saw me. He froze.

Letting go of Doris’s hand, he took a step forward.

“What a coincidence to meet you here,” I said lightly. “I’ll be leaving now.”

I turned, but he grabbed my wrist.

“No—let me explain.”

“There’s no need,” I replied, cutting him off. “The pup is your responsibility. I understand.”

Hearing that, Doris’s face lit up.

“So… you agree to let us keep the pup?” she asked, hopeful.

I stared at her blankly, remembering our last conversation—when she’d dropped all pretense.

“Your pup is due in just a few days,” I said calmly. “Whether I agree or not… it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Her smile faltered. Panic flickered in her eyes.

“I... I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” she stammered, her voice trembling.

But it didn’t matter anymore. None of it did.

Seeing them together solidified my decision.

I pulled my hand away and left without letting Alex follow. I returned to the healer’s office, ignoring his gaze.

That night, at four in the morning, Doris went into labor.

Alex leaned over and whispered to me before he left.

“Lily… once this pup is born, let’s go back to how things used to be, okay?”

I didn’t answer.

This pup now stood between us like a wall.

We would never go back to how things were.

Just before he turned to leave, I called out stubbornly, “Alex… if you had to choose between me and the pup—who would you pick?”

He hesitated.

A look of conflict flickered across his face.

And in that moment—I had my answer.

I shook my head and motioned for him to go to her.

He hesitated, but eventually turned and left.

Just before stepping out, he looked back at me and said softly,

“Wait for me. I’ll fix everything when I return.”

But I no longer needed him to fix anything for me.

I would fix it myself.

After he left, I pulled out the fate string—the sacred thread from the temple that represented our mate bond.

Quietly, I snapped it in half.

Then I packed my bags… and left.

Without a word to anyone.