Chapter 1

NYX'S Pov

"There has been a mix-up, Luna." The doctor casually adjusted his tie.

"What---" I let out a small, shaky laugh. “What do you mean, doctor?” I kept blinking, trying to steady myself.

My thoughts started racing. One hand tightened around my purse while the other moved to my stomach, holding it without thinking.

"Did... Did something happen to my pup?" I asked, and my voice was barely audible, even though I had tried to make it steady.

I couldn't lose my baby. Not after everything I had been through. I had spent 15 years waiting for this miracle and now something was wrong with the baby?

My fingers pressed harder against my stomach. "Doctor, tell me. What's wrong with my child?"

The doctor let out a deep sigh. "Luna, your baby is fine and is definitely not going to be like the last ones---"

I felt the colour return to my face as my chest eased up. "The mix-up?"

"We made a mistake with the insemination."

For a second, I just stared at him. The words did not sink in, they floated in my head and I could not grasp them.

“A… mistake?” I repeated. My fingers tightened around my stomach without me realizing it.

The doctor nodded, avoiding my eyes for a moment before looking back at me. “The sample that was used… it wasn’t the Alpha's.”

Everything went quiet. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. It was loud and fast.

“What?” I whispered.

“It was a mix-up at the lab,” he continued, his voice careful now. “Another donor’s sample was used instead.”

My head shook slowly. "No... No... no, that's not possible."

My lips parted, but no words came out. My chest rose, then stopped halfway like I had forgotten how to breathe.

The pup had to be for Adrien, it had to be. This was supposed to fix everything. This was supposed to give us another chance at happiness.

My fingers curled into my stomach, holding it tighter like I could protect it from his words. Like I could push them back inside him.

“You’re mistaken,” I said, my voice barely there. “Check again.”

The doctor sighed, and that sound alone made something inside me drop. “We already did,” he said quietly.

“No… no, that’s not right.” I swallowed hard, my eyes burning. “That’s not right.” I let out a short, broken laugh that did not sound like mine. “After everything? After all this time? This is what you’re telling me?”

My vision blurred for a second. I blinked quickly, trying to clear it as I dragged in air, but it didn’t feel like enough.

 If it wasn’t my husband’s… Then whose was it? The thought hit me so hard my stomach twisted.

I did not want to ask, I already knew I would not like the answer. But I couldn’t sit there and not know.

“Then…” My voice cracked. I stopped, swallowing hard, trying again. “Then whose is it?”

“Whose is it?” I asked, my voice coming out sharper this time.

He adjusted his tie again, even though it was already straight. His fingers lingered there for a second longer than necessary before dropping back to the table.

My stomach dropped. “Doctor!" My voice was steady. “Whose child am I carrying?”

He still didn’t answer immediately. His eyes flickered away from mine, then back again. I caught it. It was guilt.

“The sample… it was not supposed to be used,” he said carefully.

My throat tightened. “You’re not answering me.”

He went quiet again. His hand moved to the edge of the table, tapping once, then stopping as he caught himself.

“I need a name,” I said, my voice cracking this time. “Who is the father?”

His jaw tightened slightly. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t say it. “It belongs to… Crux Matteo.”

He said the name in a low voice, as if it were not something to say lightly. I blinked, trying to understand, but it meant nothing to me.

“I… I don’t know who that is,” I said slowly.

He hesitated, eyes holding mine longer than necessary. “You don’t?”

The doctor paused, I watched him closely. He almost spoke, then held back. “He is… a registered donor,” he finally said.

"Then I need his address and everything you have on him." I spat out, as I stood up. 

"Luna--"

"This is your fault and you need to atone for it." I leaned against the desk, dragging him closer with his tie. “You don’t tell anyone about this,” I said, my voice was low. “Do you hear me? Not a word. If anyone finds out, I will make sure it’s the last mistake you ever make.”

The doctor’s face went pale as he nodded quickly. “Of course, Luna. I understand.”

I left the clinic with my head spinning and my world colliding with itself. How on earth was I going to tell Adrien the news?

He had saved his sperm before he got sick and was our last resort to continuing his bloodline. Here I was carrying another man's child.

I let out a deep sigh. "What do I do?" 

Stepping on the porch of the pack house, I finally felt a bit of calmness as the usual smell of herbs filled the air even though it made me nauseous. I could hear noise coming from the house, which was unusual, as the only person allowed inside was the alpha, and he ought to be on bed rest.

I hurriedly walked in toward the noise, stomach twisting, mind screaming at me to turn back. But I didn't give it a thought. 

My hand shot to my mouth before I could stop it. My knees felt weak, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. My stomach lurched as my eyes fixed on the scene— the one I had never imagined seeing.

Sera, my lady-in-waiting, riding my husband. His hands tangled in her hair, her head thrown back, moaning.

"Adrien!"