Chapter 3

Everly POV

Mom had left, and Ruby came in holding a glass of water.

"Take these, Everly," she said, her voice unnaturally soft.

I grabbed her arm and whispered. "Take me to the hospital... I can't breathe."

Ruby shrugged off my hand, her smile stiff.

"It's just an allergy. A few pills and you'll be fine."

Before I could reject, she forced the pills into my mouth and shoved the water down.

"Rest up. Mom said you'll need to be back out there for the second half."

The door clicked shut, and the room fell silent.

The pills seemed to take effect.

My throat eased, and air finally filled my lungs more fully.

But dizziness hit me harder than ever.

I pressed a hand to my belly, and felt a twist from within.

It grew stronger, tighter with each breath.

No. This isn't right!

The dizziness worsened.

I tried to leave.

But the doorknob wouldn’t budge— she had locked it from the outside!

"Open the door! Ruby—!" I pounded with all my strength.

Her voice, cold and detached, floated from the other side.

"Don't act pitiful. I don't want anyone thinking I'm hurting you."

She walked away.

I was in the small room, alone.

Lively music drifted from the banquet hall, and I felt nothing but despair.

I dialed Xavier, but there was no signal at all.

I felt something was wrong—something dangerous.

A deep unease rose in my chest.

I gently patted my belly. "Easy, baby... Mommy will keep you safe."

Then I saw a pillbox lying by the sofa.

The unease twisted tighter inside me.

I picked it up, and my breath stopped.

Printed in bold letters on the box: "Not for use during pregnancy."

In that instant, it felt like a lightning bolt had struck me.

"Ruby..." My voice trembled. "How could you make me take this?!"

No—no, I couldn’t. I mustn’t!

I stumbled to the corner shoved my fingers down my throat, desperate to bring it up.

I collapsed into a corner, fingers clawing at my throat, desperate.

My stomach heaved, and I finally threw up.

A flicker of relief passed through the chaos.

But then the pain hit.

A violent cramp twist deep inside me.

It felt like something was tearing, clawing its way out.

I clenched my jaw so hard it ached.

My whole body trembled.

And my consciousness began to fade away.

I clutched my belly, whispering over and over, "Baby... hang on... Daddy will come save us..."

And still, the agony only intensified, as if some merciless hand were rending my insides apart.

I tried to reach Xavier through our bond, but my strength was too depleted.

The message barely made it out.

Cold sweat drenched me.

I curled up on the floor, clutching my belly, whispering broken pleas for a miracle.

Then warmth spread between my legs.

It felt like my body was being torn apart.

I convulsed in agony, my screams splintering in the air.

My wolf pup... it was gone...

I sank to my knees in a pool of blood.

My chest ached as if it had been ripped open.

I held the tiny bloody bundle to my chest and screamed in anguish.

Every cry tore through my chest.

Xavier... can you hear me?

Xavier—!

Despair, pain, and rage erupted into a raw, savage fury.

My fangs bared.

My claws extended.

Bones cracked. Muscles bulged. Fur sprouted through my skin.

I shifted into a white wolf.

I lowered my head, gently licking that tiny, cold life.

A gut-wrenching howl tore through the night, shattering the quiet.

The door splintered under my fury.

A trail of blood marked the floor.

Guests in the banquet hall froze, mouths agape.

A white wolf had claimed the center of the stage, blood glistening between its back legs.

Ruby and Mom collapsed to the floor.

Their faces drained of color.

Their eyes widened with pure terror.

I lifted my head, tears and blood smearing my face.

My gaze locked on them.

Xavier’s voice came through the mate bond, filled with anxiety.

"Everly! What’s happening? Answer me!"

I had no strength left. I couldn’t respond.

Fast footsteps echoed outside the door.

Finally, Xavier appeared in the doorway.

I swayed slightly, still clutching that tiny, fragile weight.

Then I collapsed.