Chapter 4

Kate’s P.O.V.

“Osiris?”

I looked for him everywhere, but he was gone.

Like last night was nothing but a beautiful dream!

I agree it was a one-night stand, but disappearing after marking me felt… wrong. Unease settled deep in my chest, refusing to leave me as I wore that torn gown and slipped out of the suite.

The pack house was still half-asleep after the celebrations, the corridors empty. No one witnessed my walk of shame on the way back to my room on second floor.

Feeling restless, I forced myself to change into fresh clothes for work and sprayed more perfume than necessary, masking any trace of him. No one could know what happened last night.

The halls were quieter than usual even at breakfast hours, so I took advantage of the silence and made my way to the hospital.

The moment I stepped inside, the familiar scent of antiseptic and herbs wrapped around me like a fragile kind of comfort.

For a second, I let myself believe nothing had changed. That past week had been a nightmare I could simply wake up from.

“You are late!”

Old Mr. Harlan’s gruff voice broke the illusion. I sighed, settling my bag down.

“And yet, the department hasn’t collapsed. Impressive, isn’t it?”

Rolling up my sleeves, I gestured towards Dr. Hales.

“You survived without me.”

Mr. Harlan scowled.

“But you always attend my sessions, Dr. Kate.”

His grumpiness made me chuckle.

“Alright. Let’s see if your knee is still determined to ignore the basic instructions.”

He huffed but extended his legs anyway.

This was my world.

No titles, no politics. Just healing.

Werewolves healed fast, but not always right. The stiffened muscles, misaligned joints, and difficulty in movement made them consult a physiotherapist like me.

I was busy adjusting his posture when a nurse approached me, holding out an envelope.

“Dr. Kate. I was told to give you this.”

She didn’t meet my eyes and left quickly.

The unease grew sharper as I tore it open

“Employment termination?”

The words didn’t make sense at first.

My heart sank as I read it again and again, the stamp of Alpha's office confirming my deepest dreads.

“Jace!”

My hands shook as the paper crumbled in my grip, the silence around me louder than any scream. Everyone’s inquisitive eyes were glued to me, waiting for the rejected, almost-Luna's reaction.

But they got nothing!

Without making a scene, I left the hospital silently, my heart heavy.

However, the second blow came before I could walk out of the hospital grounds. The notice was cruel in its simplicity.

“Kate Wilson, you are demoted to a maid.

Duties: cleaning, maintenance, and services.”

I read it twice and then almost laughed at the irony of fate.

“Dr. Kate Wilson. A pack’s doctor... to a cleaner.”

Work was work. There was no shame in it.

But this… this wasn’t about work.

It was for being punished to be a servant just because I had refused to bend!

By the time I reached my room, my belongings were already dumped outside.

“Maids live in the servant quarters.”

The head maid, Lisa, spoke curtly.

“Move your things. Report in one hour.”

Heat crept up to my neck, but I had no choice.

So, I obeyed and settled in the small room in the backyard, acting like it wasn’t a big deal. But when I took off my white coat to wear the maid’s uniform, my heart clenched painfully.

It wasn’t just a piece of clothing, but my identity, the sole purpose of my life.

I barely swallowed the tightness in my throat and joined other maids in the pack house later. Work started immediately.

I scrubbed floors, carried the loads, and cleaned spaces I once walked through as a doctor.

The other maids watched me, but no one offered help.

“She angered Luna Jennifer.”

“It’s a punishment.”

“Stay away from her…”

The whispers followed me everywhere. By evening, my body was sore, but it wasn’t the exhaustion that weighed on me.

It was the way people avoided me as if I was something contagious!

After dinner, I was washing dishes when the door flung open, the faint scent of alcohol waltzing inside.

“Kate!”

Jace’s voice made me pause. His gaze moved over me slowly, taking in the uniform, the exhaustion, and the reality of what I had become.

Satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

“You could have avoided all this.”

I straightened instantly, ignoring the protest in my muscles.

“What do you want, Alpha?”

Jace’s face darkened for a second at the title, then softened again.

“You don’t have to live like this.”

He stepped closer, his voice lowering.

“Come back to me, Kate. I will take good care of you.”

Jace’s hand slid to my waist, lowering on my ass slowly. I felt sick to my stomach, stepping away swiftly.

“In your dreams, Jace!”

…

Weeks passed, and somehow, I adapted to the work routine.

The harsh whispers faded in the background noise. Even seeing Jace and Jennifer together stopped feeling like a fresh wound.

Just as I thought this life was a new normal, my health became a challenge. Despite stretching and yoga, I started getting tired easily, dizziness hitting me every now and then.

Even the smell of the cleaners made me throw up, forcing me to pay attention to this change.

During my lunch break, I went to the hospital for a checkup. My friend, Bella, attended to me.

“How long have you been feeling sick?”

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her check my reports.

“Maybe a week or two.”

Bella frowned, worry etched on her face..

“Kate…” She hesitated. “You are pregnant.”

The world went still.

I stared at her blankly, waiting for the words to make sense.

“No!” I spoke swiftly. “That’s not possible!”

Although I denied it, my mind went back to Jace’s wedding. Every speck of my existence froze as Osiris’s face appeared in my mind.

“I… there was someone… An Alpha from guests…”

I admitted quietly. “I don’t know who he is. But… He marked me.”

Bella’s eyes widened.

“Marked you? And you are telling me now?”

My fingers curled tightly in my lap. “He just… left. I don’t know where to find him.”

For the first time, I truly felt at loss. My stomach knotted.

“I need to…”

“Well, well, well!”

The voice cut through the tension like a blade. I turned sharply.

Jennifer at the doorway, her smile so bright as if she had won a lottery.

“I came to see if you were neglecting your duties. But this…”

Her gaze dropped to my stomach.

“This is so much better!”