15

Alpha Rowan's POV

"We've lost the baby," Doctor Harry announced, and from my side view, I noticed my Luna’s already tense face turn pale as she stared at him.

"And Lilith? How is she?" I asked without looking at Rachel.

"Lilith is fine, Alpha. She’s finding it hard to get over the loss, but physically, she’s okay." I sighed deeply and rubbed my temples.

"I told you not to get your hopes up. It’s quite usual to lose the first one. I was actually surprised it lasted this long," the doctor added, clearly trying to console us.

"I don’t get it. What exactly happened? You don’t just wake up one morning and have a miscarriage," I pressed.

I couldn’t understand it. One minute she was fine and doing well—I made sure of that—and the next she was losing the baby.

"Oh, well, that possibility isn’t completely ruled out. But that’s where your Luna comes in." His eyes fixed on Rachel, and I saw her twist uncomfortably in her seat.

"What happened, babe?" I asked softly, turning to look at her.

"It was nothing. We just had a little argument, and that was it," Luna Rachel murmured, her eyes filling with tears.

"An argument? Really? I thought we agreed—"

I couldn’t believe her. Why would she do something like that when she knew how desperate we were for this child?

"Alpha, that wasn’t the reason for the miscarriage," Dr. Harry cut in. "It’s normal to lose the first pregnancy. We’ll try again, but Lilith has to rest for a month so she can heal properly before going through the procedure again."

"I’m disappointed, babe. You told me to leave her in your care. You told me…" I trailed off, shaking my head. "Can we see her? Lilith?"

There was no point talking to Rachel anymore—she already looked like she might burst into tears. All I could wonder was if Lilith was okay… if she’d even want to see me.

The weight in my chest from the mate bond we still shared made it worse. I could feel her heartache, her stabbing pain. For the first time, I was grateful it wasn’t mutual—that she wasn’t feeling the same for me.

"Not today," Dr. Harry said. "She only asked for Talia and no one else. Maybe tomorrow."

I wasn’t one to back down easily. "I can feel it, doctor. She’s crushed, and she should at least know we aren’t angry with her or blaming her for anything."

My wolf bristled at how desperate I sounded, but I shut him up with a threat: Do you want to see her or not? He went quiet.

"I’ll relay your message to her, Alpha. But trust me, she doesn’t need any emotional surge right now."

I sighed in defeat. Rachel’s hand slipped into mine as if to calm me. But I wasn’t calmed. For the first time, I wanted to shove her hand away. I didn’t, of course—that would look terrible—but I hated the strange feelings rising inside me.

I slowly pulled my hand back, careful so she wouldn’t notice it was deliberate.

"If she won’t see us, then I’ll stay. I’ll wait until she’s ready. Tell her I’m here," I said.

The doctor shrugged. "I doubt that’ll change anything. If you really want this baby, sometimes you need to listen and grant her wishes." With that, he stood. "I’ll go check on her."

"Okay, doc," Rachel answered before I could.

I began pacing the room until I ended up by the window, staring into the woods.

If only I could see her face—confirm she was okay—my wolf might let me rest. But as long as she felt this way and the bond made me feel it too, there was no escaping it.

"Babe, if you ask me, I think we should go and come back when she’s ready to see us," Rachel said behind me. Luckily my back was turned so she didn’t see the surge of emotions on my face.

"I’m glad I didn’t ask you," I muttered dismissively.

"Babe? Are you—"

I spun sharply, clenching my teeth to contain my anger.

"Rachel, listen," I said, voice low but lethal. "You told me to stay away from her. You swore you’d take care of her so nothing would happen between me and my mate. Do you see the results now?"

Her eyes shimmered with tears. "Babe…" she sniffed.

"This is my turn, okay? Hands off. I’ll make sure she’s okay myself. You had your chance—this is mine. And don’t twist it. She’s a pregnant slave who just lost a baby. There’s nothing I’d do with her."

Her tears fell faster.

"You know what that means? You can go. I’ll stay here and watch over her." I turned back to the window, refusing to let her tear-streaked face soften me.

"Babe, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. You know I wanted this baby too. I was just angry at Talia, she—"

I knew she’d ramble forever if I let her. So I turned and pulled her into my arms. She sobbed against my chest.

"Hey, it’s fine. It’s okay. I’m just as riled up as you are. I’m sorry I snapped," I murmured, though exhaustion weighed on me.

She cried quietly for a while, then pulled back, sniffling.

"Are you still angry at me?" she asked, eyes searching mine.

I shook my head. "No, babe. I’m not angry, okay?"

Her gaze probed me, and I held my breath.

"See? I’m not angry. Satisfied?" She finally nodded. I exhaled in relief.

"So, you trust me to take care of Lilith this time? Talia will always be there too." I held her shoulders, meeting her eyes.

It took her a minute before she nodded. "Okay. I trust you."

I kissed her gently, then wiped her tears. "Thank you, babe."

She nodded like a child, ready to say more when a voice came through the mind-link.

"Alpha, Luna."

Rachel and I locked eyes—we both heard it.

"What’s wrong?" I asked.

"There are two strangers at the pack’s gate."

"I’m not expecting visitors. Are you?" I asked Rachel. She shook her head.

"Who are they?" she asked.

A pause. Then:

"Lilith’s mother and brother."