Chapter 4

I don't know how long I lay on those cold tiles, bleeding and crying in pain before Alfred, the Alpha's butler came out and rushed me to the hospital.

I'd blacked out before the nurses got me out of the car.

When I woke up, I was still in pain but it wasn't as bad as before.

I looked around the room, I was all alone.

Antonio didn't even notice that I was injured and didn't make any effort to check on me.

The reality was difficult to accept, it was just three months ago that he'd told me we could adopt a baby if I wanted one so badly.

He was dedicated to doing anything to make me happy.

So what was it about Aliya wanting him all of a sudden that changed everything?

I was still trying to grapple with the situation when the door opened and I looked up to see the doctor who I'd seen earlier walk in.

When he'd given me the pregnancy report, he had been smiling broadly, but now, sadness filled his face.

"Doctor? What's wrong with me? Did I break something?"

He shook his head, "You're fine Beta female Cara, your wolf healed you."

"Oh? That's.. great?"

"But the baby.." He exhaled loudly, "We couldn't save the baby. We'll need to flush it out before it ruins your womb completely. We'll need the Alpha's signature for the surgery."

My hand slowly slipped down from my stomach to my lap, my brain and body struggling to process what I'd just heard.

My baby...

Something broke in me, not my heart, I think that one had shattered completely since last night.

But my hope, my joy, what made them call me silly and whimsical..

"We need to do it urgently, will you call him?"

I swallowed and tried our mindlink but it was firmly shut against me so I took the doctor's phone and called his number that was seared into my memory.

It rang for a while before he finally picked up.

"Who's this?"

"It's Cara. I just lost the baby and I need your signature for the surgery."

"What baby are you talking about? This isn't the time for your little games, Cara! Aliya is in labour!"

Except he's helping her push the baby out, I don't know what part of that means he gets to keep yelling at me.

But I swallowed and was about to explain again when I heard a baby's cry in the background.

The phone dropped from my hand as I cried.

That would have been my story in the future but she pushed me so hard that I lost my baby and now she's having her own.

"Cara?" I heard from the phone and I picked it up immediately.

"Antonio? You have to believe me, I was –"

"She just gave birth to twins! Can you believe that? Aliya is really strong and –"

I ended the call and gave the phone back to the doctor.

His pitiful looks made me want to disappear into thin air.

"Why can't I sign it myself?" I asked him, trying to sound strong even though I felt like shit inside.

"But he's the Alpha.."

"Well he's busy at the moment helping his new.. his sister in law give birth. I'll sign it myself."

"But –"

"Doctor, I'm a full-grown adult! Give me the damn thing let me sign so you can save my womb for goddess's sake!"

"Sorry, I'm going to bring it now," he rushed off, the door slamming shut behind him.

When he comes back, he's with the paperwork and with shaking hands, I sign my name.

With my old surname and not his own.

After the surgery, I found my way home, feeling like I'd been run over by a train.

I headed straight to our room and pulled out an old box, one I'd not had any use for in a while now.

My body didn't have any energy but I didn't pause or stop.

I kept packing until I had all my belongings in the box.

A knock came on the door and I paused from zipping the box.

If it were Antonio, he wouldn't be knocking so I went to open it.

It was Alfred.

"Cara, I'm sorry I didn't stay with you in the hospital."

"You saved my life, Alfred. You don't have to apologise. Thank you so much, I'm grateful."

"It's fine. Are you good? You seem a bit sad."

A bit sad?

I was drowning in darkness.

"I'm leaving."

"What? Why? I'm sure the Alpha will have time for you once he gets Aliya comfortable."

I scoffed, "She pushed me down the stairs, Alfred. Would you advise your daughter to wait on a man who would choose her over me while I lay on the floor, bleeding from the loss of our baby?"

His eyes went down as he shook his head.

He left after apologising and I shut the door, pulling out my phone from my jeans pocket.

I scrolled far down, and pulled up a contact I didn't believe I'll even be texting.

{I need to leave this place. Can you come and get me?}

I pocketed the phone after sending the text and took a look around the room.

Then I finished zipping up my stuff and was about to head out when the door suddenly swung open.

It was Antonio.

"Cara," he wraps his hand around my waist.

I pushed him away with irritation and he looked at me with disbelief.

"What's up with you? You were supposed to be with Aliya in the hospital. It's fine anyway, her babies are so cute and tiny but very healthy. She's a very –"

"Strong woman, yes I've heard that already," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"Exactly. The twins are so adorable," he sighed, so damn oblivious that I wanted to smack him in the head.

"Someone else's children are adorable, right?" I asked, nodding my head in acceptance.

"Someone else's? They're my brother's children!"

"Hm.. not yours? Are you sure about that? Because I'm a bit confused here, are they yours or his?"

"What on earth is wrong with you, Cara? Are you so jealous that you can't be happy for Aliya?!"

I scoffed, "it's so crazy that you're this giddy over the children of your brother while ours died today because of Aliya. No, not just her, I would still have been pregnant if I had been taken to the hospital a few minutes earlier!"

"Come on, Cara. I know you've always wanted a child. But this kind of thing depends on fate. You can't force it."

The words tumbling from his mouth nearly made me tear up but I was out of tears now. He never truly loved me and there's no need crying over spilt milk.

He came closer, his hands stopping on my shoulder.

"Oh dear, did seeing Aliya give birth upset you? I have told you not to worry about children, okay? Just lie down and rest."

I pulled away from him, his touch feeling like a burning sensation.

"So you still think I'm lying," I snapped, my hands shaking with restrained rage.

He rolled his eyes, "Fine, you were pregnant but the baby is gone. I believe you. Are you happy now?"

For a few seconds, I was speechless and looking at him, horrified with his nonchalance.

But he misread my silence and cupped my cheeks in his hands.

"Aliya needs that soup you usually make so please help with that since you couldn't come to the hospital."

Wow, there's no damn way I'm staying here for one more second!

Almost at the same time, my phone vibrated and I knew who was texting me and I moved away further from Antonio.

"Aliya is calling me now," he suddenly said and rushed out of the door but I don't care anymore.

He chose the woman who killed my baby and for that, he could rot in hell for all I care, I'm done!

I opened my phone, and the reply read:

{I'll be there in ten minutes, my Princess.}

I carried my box and headed for the border through the back door.

No one stopped me until I got to the border and the guards suddenly growled at me.

"Hey! Where are you going?!"

Before I could answer, my ride got out of his car and everyone paused and looked at him.

"You! Who the hell are you and what are you doing in this Pack without informing the Alpha?"

He pulled out his badge and showed it to the guard and his face turned white like ash.

"Alpha King!" They all screamed, dropping to their knees, their heads bowed to the ground.