The gift she never gave

Phoebe's POV 

My fingers slipped into my side pocket, tracing the smooth, sharp edge of the small plastic stick. Two faint pink lines. Five years of silent halls, cold glances from the pack, and empty rooms were about to vanish. Tonight, the moment Kendrix stepped through the heavy front doors, I was going to pull this out, look into his eyes, and finally end the long, quiet ache between us.

The ground floor echoed with the deep thud of the outer gates swinging wide.

"They're back!" a servant shouted from down the hall. "The Alpha’s unit has returned!"

My pulse spiked. I took a quick, steadying breath, smoothed down the front of my dress, and hurried out toward the balcony overlooking the grand entrance.

Below, the oak doors swung open, letting in a blast of cold mountain air smelling of damp pine and wet leather. Kendrix stood in the center, tall, heavy-shouldered, his dark armor coated in dry mud from the border war. Beside him, his half-brother Garrick unbuckled his sword belt, his eyes fixed firmly on the stone floor, his broad shoulders unusually stiff.

"Kendrix," I called out, my voice carrying over the chatter as I started down the wide mahogany staircase.

He looked up, his dark eyes catching mine, and for a heartbeat, his tired face seemed to relax. He took a step toward the stairs, opening his arms.

Then the front doors opened a second time.

Victoria walked in. The Beta's daughter moved slowly, her golden hair loose around her shoulders, her thick leather coat held open with both hands. Her fingers rested over her lower stomach, pressing the fabric tight against a distinct, rounded rise.

The foyer went completely quiet.

Victoria stopped beside Kendrix. She looked around at the gathering crowd, her lips curving into a small, pale smile.

"We made it back," she said, her voice soft, carrying across the silent hall. "The next bloodline is intact."

Elder Thomas pushed through the standing guards, his old hands shaking as he stared at her middle. "Victoria... is that—"

"Yes," Victoria murmured, her cheeks turning light pink, her gaze shifting to Kendrix. "The Alpha’s child."

A roar of voices erupted. Servants gasped, guards clapped each other on the shoulder, and the elders rushed forward, surrounding her. The noise swelled, rattling the iron sconces on the stone walls.

My foot caught on the bottom step. My throat went dry, the air suddenly too heavy to pull into my lungs.

I looked at Kendrix. Tell them she’s wrong. Look at me and say it's wrong.

He didn't move. He stood beside Victoria, his jaw clamped tight, his knuckles white where his hands hung clenched at his sides. He looked down at the flagstones, motionless while the crowd cheered around him.

"Kendrix?" My voice was barely a breath.

I stepped off the stairs, pushing through the wall of bodies. An elder brushed past me, shouting for the servants to bring warm blankets and broth, nearly knocking me back. I squeezed through the commotion until I reached my husband.

"Kendrix," I said again, my voice trembling so hard the word broke in half. "What are they saying?"

He turned his head. The color had completely left his skin. He grabbed my cold wrists, his fingers wrapping around them so hard they bruised, pulling me a few inches away from the shouting crowd.

"Phoebe," he whispered. His breath smelled of iron and cheap trail alcohol. "Listen to me."

"Tell me she’s lying," I begged, searching his face, trying to find the man who had held me through five years of empty tests. "Please."

Kendrix swallowed hard, his throat working. "The border campaign... three months ago. After the rogue breach. I drank too much, Phoebe. I barely remember the night. It was a mistake. A complete mistake."

Three months ago. While I was lying awake in our quiet room, counting the days on my calendar and praying for a miracle, he was miles away in a war tent with her.

My chest tightened until I couldn't breathe. I pulled my hands back from his grip, taking a slow step away from him.

"Phoebe, please," he urged, his voice strained as he reached for me again. "I don't love her. I don't care about her. But she's pregnant, and the elders... everyone just saw."

My hand slid back into my pocket. My thumb pressed against the ribbon wrapper, the sharp plastic corners cutting into my palm. The two pink lines were sitting right there in the dark fabric of my dress.

I'm carrying your child too.

The words formed in my head, burning the back of my tongue. I looked past his shoulder. Elder Thomas was already draping a thick fur cloak over Victoria's shoulders, ushering her toward the soft armchairs by the main fireplace. The servants were bowing as they passed her, their eyes wide with reverence.

I looked down at my hand hidden in my pocket. If I pulled the stick out right now, in front of the whole pack, what would happen? They would see an Omega who had failed for five years suddenly claiming a miracle the exact second the Beta's daughter brought home an heir. They would laugh. They would call it a desperate, jealous lie.

"Talk to me," Kendrix whispered, his fingers brushing my wrist again. "Say something."

I stared at him, my throat tight, the gift box heavy in my grip.

Beside the fire, Victoria let out a soft, breathless laugh as the elders toasted her name. Kendrix’s fingers went slack against my wrist. Before I could answer him, his chin turned, his gaze slipping away from mine, pulling toward the sound of her voice.