LOGINThe next morning, I was woke up with a great urge to vomit. I never felt this way living on my own so what could be wrong? Was I allergic to this place?After throwing up the little food in my stomach, I dragged my dizzy self back to bed because my body ached everywhere. The attack from last night had left bruises that were already turning purple across my ribs. The part of my shoulder that had hit the wall ached badly and my back... God, my back was killing me from the weight of carrying this baby.I couldn't stay in bed, because I needed to figure out a way to survive this.The bathroom had running hot water so I stood under the shower longer than was necessary, letting it beat against my sore muscles. I scrubbed my skin so hard because I was trying to wash away the feeling of being watched judged.I dressed in the simple clothes that had been left for me which was nothing like what I would have chosen for myself but beggars couldn't be choosers, and I was definitely a beggar now.M
As the vehicle moved through the night, I couldn't stop shaking while my baby kicked inside me, probably sensing my distress. I pressed my palm against my belly, trying to calm both of us down.It didn't work.Nothing worked anymore.I'd tried so hard. For six months, I had worked myself to death while surviving on scraps just to afford a place to call my own. And now I was going back?If this isn't madness, I don't know what is.I pressed harder against the window, trying to put as much distance between myself and Wraith as possible but the vehicle wasn't that big. The whole world wasn't big enough. The mate bond stretched between us pulling and tugging and demanding I look at him."I wouldn't," I said under my breath because if I did, I might break and beg him to just let me go.I mean, I'd already begged once on that night when he'd stared at me with those cold golden eyes and said the words that destroyed me.Never again, I'd never beg him for anything again."You're bleeding." hi
The last customer's footsteps faded into the evening. I moved slowly through the ailes, gathering stray books and straightening chairs. This was usually the part of the day I dreaded most. The others always found reasons to leave early… errands, aching feet, sudden obligations… until the closing work quietly became mine alone. I didn't complain. Complaining wouldn't keep a roof over my head. Standing on my toes, I reached for a book shoved haphazardly onto the highest shelf. My fingers brushed the spine but failed to grip it properly. I tried again, breath hitching as my back protested.“Just a little more,” I murmured to myself.Then—A sudden prickle swept down my spine.Not fear. Not alarm.Recognition.My wolf surged forward so fast it stole the air from my lungs. The world seemed to sharpen…the scent of paper, wood, and dust suddenly overwhelmed by something deeper, stronger. Pine smoke. Iron. Home.Strong hands reached past me, steady and sure, lifting the book from the shelf w
The chime rang above my head. The scent of old paper and ink wrapped around me instantly, usually a comfort but today, it did little to calm the tight knot in my chest. I adjusted the strap of my worn bag on my shoulder and took a steady breath. I hadn't even made it halfway to the counter before my boss's shap voice cut through the quiet of the shop.“Amaris. My office. Now.”Several heads turned towards me. Heat rushed to my face as I nodded and followed him, my steps slower than they used to be. The small office smelled faintly of coffee and dust, stacks of invoices and papers piled everywhere. He didn’t ask me to sit.“You’ve missed work three times this month,” he said, arms crossed, “Do you know how that looks to me?”“I know,” I replied softly. “I’m sorry. I—”“I run a business, not a charity,” he snapped. His eyes flicked to my stomach, lingering there just a second too long. “And I can’t afford employees who aren’t reliable. Especially now.”My heart dropped. I knew what was
I pushed the door shut with my foot, the lock clicking loudly. The sound echoed through the small apartment,, followed by muffled voices from down the hall… breathless moans coming from a man and a woman. I froze, one hand gripping my side, the other pressed protectively over the curve of my stomachA sharp pain flared along my ribs as I took another step.“Lila,” I called The noises in the bedroom stopped. A moment later, hurried shuffling, a low male curse, then the door cracked open. Lila’s face appeared first, hair tangled, cheeks flushed, shirt half-buttoned. I half expected her to grumble her irritation but then, she locked eyes with me,“Oh my God,” Lila said. She swung the door open fully, rushing toward me. “What happened?”I tried to wave it off, but my legs gave a slight tremor, and Lila caught my elbow before I could pretend I was fine. Behind Lila, a man hovered awkwardly, grabbing his jacket.“I should—uh—go,” he muttered.“Yeah,” Lila snapped without looking back. “Go.”
Rejected by my Alpha. Rejected by my mate. I tried not to think about it. I needed to think about my baby. The little wolf that is growing inside me or maybe not. I had gotten sloppy drunk one night and ended up in the bed of a man that gave me pleasure I have never had before. Could it b his? I mean the time frame was too short and...No, I shoved the thought to the back of my head as I pressed a hand to my lower abdomen as another dull ache bloomed beneath my ribs. This one was different from the usual stretching pains that I've grown used to. This one was sharp and it scared me. Lila was supposed to come with me. She had promised, only for me to wake up and found her bed empty. I didn't blame her. She had done so much for me by staying with a rejected omega carrying an Alpha's child. Association alone was dangerous. Still, the loneliness settled deep in my chest. I had left the Ashborne pack months ago, slipped under the cover of night with nothing but shattered bond. Not even my







