Chapter 2

Selene

One Month Later

One month had gone by, yet I still haven't found him. A lot has happened over the course of the month—one of them being my period. I hadn't gotten it, which was unusual because I used to mark it on my calendar, and the day had passed with no sign. I didn't want to panic just yet, so I got a pregnancy kit just to be on the safer side instead of jumping to conclusions too fast.

My heart pounded as I waited for the result of the test, silently praying it wouldn't be what my instincts were telling me, because I don't think I can handle it. Nevertheless, when the test result showed positive, I nearly slipped on the bathroom floor, thankfully catching myself by gripping the sink.

My heartbeat rang in my ears. I'm pregnant. A baby is growing inside me... and I have no clue who the stranger was or even what his name is. I shook my head continuously. I can't allow my parents to find out at least not like this. I have to figure out how to tell them. And when they do know... hell will break loose. I know it.

The next day, I was barely in my right mind when I paid my brother Zayn a visit at his office. Ever since I found out about the pregnancy, different thoughts had been flooding my head. I didn't sleep properly. I had to force myself to eat during breakfast, despite not having any appetite, and then I curled up in bed for the whole afternoon until now, when I decided to get some fresh air by visiting my brother.

Zayn’s office door was slightly open. He sat behind his desk, surrounded by papers, his brow furrowed in concentration. I knocked gently.

“Come in,” he said without looking up.

When his eyes finally met mine, some of the tension left his face. “Selene. What brings you here?”

I slid into the seat across from him. “Just bored.”

“Already tired of staying at home?” he asked, setting the papers aside.

Was I tired? No. I was scared. Confused. I looked down at my lap, smoothing my dress. My lips parted, but no words came.

Now. Just say it.Tell him.

Tell your brother you’re pregnant. Tell him about the stranger. About the hotel room. The panic. The fear. But nothing came out. Zayn was the only person who truly understood me… and still, I couldn’t tell him. 

Instead, I forced a small smile. “Something like that.”

Zayn tilted his head slightly, studying me. “You look pale. Are you sure you’re okay? You know you can talk to me.”

I opened my mouth. “I want to…” The words caught in my throat. My chest rose and fell with a quiet exhale. “It’s nothing. I’ve just been thinking… about the next phase of my life.”

His eyes softened. “You don’t need to worry. I already told you. I’ll speak to Father. You’ll study what you want. I meant it.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Thank you.”

He glanced at the time, then back at me. “Go home. It’s getting late. I’ll wrap up here and be back soon.”

I stood slowly. “Alright. See you at home.”

As I walked out, the weight of everything I hadn’t said pressed harder on my chest.

When I got home, I found my parents seated in the living room. My mother had her hands resting on her lap while my father's hands were on the sofa arms. The expression on both their faces told me my secret had been revealed. If that didn't make my knees go weak...

I slowly stepped further in, something strong caught in my throat. My mother looked up at me and pushed something forward in her hand.

My eyes widened as I saw the pregnancy test kit lying on her palm. "What the hell is this, Selene?" she asked. "You're pregnant?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Bile rose in my throat. My skin prickled with goosebumps of fear.

But that was nothing—until my father spoke up, and a shiver ran down my spine. "Who the hell is the father?" he shouted.

"I—I don't—"

"Are you stupid?!" he yelled again, stepping closer to me. I took a step back. There's always this way he intimidates people around him. That's what makes him the respected Alpha of Moonscar Pack.

He gripped my arm and yanked me forward so his face was way too close to mine. I had never seen my father so angry. Tears pricked my eyes. I couldn't speak because the pain he was inflicting on my arm was making my head spin. "Do you have any idea what you just did?" he roared in my face.

"I know. I do, Father. But you're hurting me," I cried out. He loosened his hold but didn't let go of me.

"I always knew I had a fool for a daughter."

And I always knew he didn't love me as much as he loved his first son—Zayn.

When he finally let go of my hand, he stepped back and said in a low voice, "There is no way my daughter will have a child before marriage—and with no mate."

More tears rolled down my face. This wasn't the first time he taunted me with that. But it had never hurt like it did today. I turned eighteen two months ago. Just because a girl is expected to find her mate when she turns eighteen doesn't mean I won't find mine. There's still time.

But Father had already concluded that since I didn't find mine on the night of my eighteenth birthday, I never would. And it wasn't entirely my fault. My family has a genetic disorder that causes our wolves to awaken years later than they normally do.

"We are going to the hospital right now, ending the pregnancy, and pretending none of this happened. I won't allow you to tarnish my family's legacy with your shame."

Father called his driver, the car was prepared, and just like that, we drove to the hospital.

The moment I walked through the hospital, something hit my chest. No. I can't. I can't just take an innocent life.

I know what I did was reckless, and I wish I could undo it. But this isn’t just a mistake I can erase. It’s a life. And I won’t be the kind of person who turns her back on that. I won’t punish an innocent child for a night I can’t take back.

I turned to my mother, who hadn’t said a word since we left the house. My father had gone ahead to speak with the doctor, probably to arrange what came next.

“Mother,” I said quietly, my voice trembling, “Please… do something. I can’t abort this pregnancy.”

She finally looked at me, anger flickering in her eyes. “Are you insane? Do you have any idea what your stupidity almost cost your father? Who told you to open your legs to a man you’re not going to marry?”

The words cut deep. I opened my mouth to defend him—but stopped.

He left. Disappeared without a name or a number. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was stupid. But she didn’t know the whole story. Hell, I didn’t even know the whole story.

“I know I messed up,” I whispered. My fingers clutched her arm, tears sliding down my cheeks. “But I can’t just get rid of it. This baby didn’t ask to be here. That part’s on me. But now that it’s real… I can’t just pretend it’s not.”

Her expression didn’t change, but I kept going because if I stopped now, I’d never get the words out.

“I’ve spent most of my life being told who to be, what to want, how to act. And no matter how hard I try, it never feels like enough. Maybe this baby won’t fix that. But I can’t bring myself to throw away the one thing that’s mine. The one thing I can protect.”

“You are an Alpha’s daughter don’t forget that,” She pointed a finger at me pulling her hand away from my hold.

I knew all of that. 

“I’m not asking for approval. I’m asking for time.”

For the first time, I want to choose something for me. And for the life inside me.