Chapter 3

"Get Dr. Ravens," Killian commanded, releasing my chin. His tone left no room for argument. "Now."

My heart sank.

Dr. Ravens. I'd heard the name.

Killian’s private physician. A man who never worked in a public hospital, who served only the Blackwood family.

Rumor was, he treated… unusual ailments.

"You don't have to," I said quickly. "I'm fine, really."

"Shut up."

Fifteen minutes later, a tall, thin, middle-aged man walked in.

He had unnaturally pale skin and unsettling amber eyes.

"Killian," he nodded, his voice carrying a strange accent. "Another failed one?" he asked, his tone bored.

"Examine her," Killian ordered, pointing at me. "Thoroughly."

I closed my eyes in despair.

It was over.

If he was a real doctor, he’d know instantly that I’d just given birth.

The blood, the hormones, my physical state—it would all expose my lie.

Dr. Ravens approached the bed and pulled on a pair of medical gloves.

"Relax, dear," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "This won't hurt."

When his hand touched my stomach, I felt a strange warmth spread through me.

It wasn't normal body heat. It was more like... energy?

The examination lasted a few minutes.

The entire time, I could hear faint rustling from the medical waste bag.

Please, don't make a sound now.

"Well?" Killian asked impatiently.

Dr. Ravens straightened up, giving me a thoughtful look.

"She definitely did not give birth," he said slowly. "Her uterus is contracting normally, and there's no sign of a retained placenta. However..."

"However what?"

"Her recovery is... astonishing. Her blood work is nearly perfect. It's as if... as if she's being protected by some kind of special power."

Killian frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Perhaps just superior genetics," Dr. Ravens said, pulling off his gloves. "In any case, she is physically fine. It was just a medical misdiagnosis."

He was helping me.

Why?

Killian was silent for a long time.

The air in the room was thick enough to choke on.

Finally, he spoke, his voice cold.

"Since you failed to complete your contract, your time as an honored guest is over."

My heart dropped.

"From now on, you're a maid here," he said, his voice without a trace of warmth. "You will live in the servants' quarters out back. Your pay is two thousand dollars a month, until you've paid the debt for your failure."

Two thousand dollars.

It meant I'd be working here for decades before I could leave.

"I understand," I whispered.

"Martha, get her moved," Killian said, turning to leave. "And clean this place up."

The second the door closed, I finally dared to breathe.

Martha quickly helped me move the medical waste bag into a laundry cart.

"Go, quickly," she whispered. "Before they change their minds."

The room in the servants' quarters was small, damp, and dark. But at least it was safe.

My hands shook as I opened the bag.

The three little pups were curled together peacefully, seemingly unharmed.

"Are you guys okay?" I whispered.

To my shock, one of them lifted its head and looked at me with its barely-open eyes… and nodded.

It understood me.

That wasn't normal.

Even the smartest puppy couldn't have that level of comprehension just hours after birth.

I tentatively asked another question. "Are you hungry?"

All three of them started whimpering at once.

"Okay, hold on. I'll find you something to eat."

I searched the room and only found a few crackers and a bottle of water.

It was nowhere near enough for wolf pups.

Night fell.

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching the three little guys sleeping in a cardboard box.

They were so small, so fragile.

If they were discovered...

I couldn't even imagine what would happen.

Suddenly, a tiny voice broke the silence.

"Mommy?"

I whipped my head around.

What I saw nearly made me scream.

The three furry wolf pups were gone.

In their place were three naked human babies, staring up at me with bright, intelligent eyes.