4.

Hugh looked taken aback. After a bit, he seemed pleasantly surprised.

I was frozen, staring straight at him. Lane seemed to notice something was off, as I didn't even hear him call my name until he tapped me. I was brought back to reality with a start.

I tore my gaze from Hugh and looked everywhere but at him.

“I'm sorry. I'm feeling a bit dizzy. I need to leave and get back home to rest.”

Lane frowned in concern.

“Zoe… are you okay?”

“Yes, I am. It’s just, I need… air.” Looking at Lane, I continued, “I'll take a cab. Don't bother about me and carry on.”

I didn't look at Hugh. I couldn't. If I met those dark eyes again, I would shatter right there on the marble floor. So, clutching my purse like a lifeline, I walked…or rather, I fled out of the banquet hall.

The cool night air hit my face the moment I stepped outside, but it didn't cool down the fire in me. My heels clicked furiously against the pavement as I walked away. I took a deep breath and sighed as I hailed a cab. The cab man barely had time to stop before I yanked the back door open and stumbled into the backseat.

“Where to?” He asked.

I gave him my address and leaned back with my eyes closed. The ride was a blur of streets, lights, and regrets. I replayed the embarrassing moment over and over again as I thought of the look on Hugh's face when Lane introduced us earlier.

He had recognized me

Of course he would. How could he not?

Turns out he's Lane's Alpha.

I almost laughed at the irony of everything. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't bring myself to.

By the time I got home, I knew Harper and Noelle were still awake because of the laughter that greeted me as I was about to knock. Harper was probably making funny faces to keep Noelle excited. It almost made me smile too.

Almost.

I knocked, and the door opened seconds later.

“Harper, mom's here,” Noelle said excitedly as she ran into my arms. I knelt on one knee as I tucked her hair properly into her messy bun. Harper did a terrible job of helping her pack her hair up.

“My darling,” I said, forcing a smile as she peered into my eyes.

“Harper made ice cream. You want some?” She grinned, nearly shoving it into my face.

“I'll have some later, peach. Go brush your teeth, and I'll come tuck you in later, ok?” I patted her head.

“Alright, mummy,” she said and scampered off. I sighed and stood up, tossing my purse onto the couch.

“Spill it,” Harper said, flopping down on the couch beside my purse.

“I didn't say something happened,” I pointed out.

“You don't have to; your face says it all,” she said with a shrug.

“You look like you've seen a ghost.”

“Worse, I saw him.”

“By him you mean…”

“Hugh,” I finished off. I explained everything, and by the time I was done, my throat felt dry, and my hands were trembling.

“You're joking, right?” Harper asked, her jaw almost dropped.

“I wish I was, genuinely.”

A wave of nausea hit me, and I ran towards the bathroom. I knelt, trying to get whatever was in my system out, but nothing came up; yet my stomach twisted and turned.

Harper had followed behind me.

“What's wrong?” Harper asked, concerned as she held up my hair and patted my back.

“I don't know. It’s probably the champagne on an empty stomach. Or Lena's perfume. I could swear that bitch bathes in that shit.” I rubbed my temple and stood up. Harper was unusually quiet. I was about to ask what was up with her before she spoke up.

“Zoe… could you be pregnant?” she asked. That made me pause in my tracks as I thought of the possibilities of that happening.

“I don't think so,” I argued back, but I didn’t sound so sure.

“Did you use protection?”

I swallowed as I shook my head. “We didn't. We were caught up in the heat of the moment. I didn't even remember that.” I groaned as I grabbed my hair.

“I saw a pregnancy kit lying around some time ago.” Harper immediately walked to my cabinets, shoving them open in search of it until she found it.

"Go do it. I'll wait." She handed it to me and went out.

The next few minutes were like hours.

I sat on the edge of the bathtub, staring at the little stick on the counter. My heart pounded so loud I could barely hear Harper pacing outside the door.

Please be one line.

But when I finally picked it up, my blood ran cold.

Two lines.

It was clear as day. I opened the bathroom door and walked out like I was in a dream. Harper’s eyes went straight to the test in my hand.

"Zee?" she breathed.

I handed it to her, numb. "Two lines."

Harper pulled me into a hug. "Well... congratulations. The handsome stranger is going to be a father." She pulled back, her expression turning serious. "But how are you supposed to find him?"

I let out a hollow laugh. "That's the irony. The good news is, now I know exactly who he is." I met her eyes. "The bad news? He's the Alpha of my ex-husband's pack."

Harper's face went through about five different emotions in three seconds. "Girl," she finally said, "what are you going to do?"

I sank onto the couch. " I'm already a single mom. What's one more?" I laughed bitterly. "I've done it before. I can do it again."

"Are you going to tell him? Now that you know who he is?"

I looked away. "Tell him what? That a random woman he slept with once is carrying his child? That I'm the ex-wife of one of his subordinates?" I shook my head. "He probably wouldn't accept Noelle anyway. And for all I know, he's already married. I don't even know if he is single."

Harper opened her mouth to argue, but I cut her off.

"I'd rather just let it go, Harper. It's easier that way."

She stared at me for a long moment. Then she sighed and sat down beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Easier," she repeated quietly. "Sure. But is it right?"

I didn't answer because I didn't have an answer.

Noelle called out for me from her room, and I forced myself to stand. I tucked her in, sang her a lullaby, and kissed her forehead. She fell asleep with a smile on her face, completely unaware that her mother's world had just turned upside down.

Back in the living room, Harper was packing up her things. She hugged me tightly before she left.

"Whatever you decide," she whispered, "I'm here. Okay?"

I nodded, unable to speak. She left.