Three

I'll bounce back

GEORGIA

I woke up to the beeping sounds that were making my ears sting. My vision was blurry at first, but then it eventually brightened, and I was confused about the room.

Where am I?

But then, a few head turns made me realize exactly where I was. The Pack's hospital.

What happened to me?

And just like flicking on a switch, the memories of my last minutes of consciousness flooded into my head. I fainted in the kitchen.

Oh my God. I hope I don't have any terminal illness. I hope it's just stress.

The door opened and Dr. Lexie, one of the top doctors of the Pack, walked inside. She was wearing her usual, professional smile.

“I see you're awake, Luna. You gave us quite a stare.”

“Is there something wrong with me? Is it incurable?” My paranoia was getting a strong hold of me. I tried sitting up but she made me lie down.

She sat next to me on a small stool. The relaxed look on her face comforted me that there was nothing wrong with me. But then there was hesitation in her eyes, which meant she had something important to say.

“Dr. Lexie, is there a problem?” I asked, voicing my anxiety.

“That's what I'd like to know, Luna Georgia. What was the problem?” She didn't have her professional smile on her face anymore. That made me kinda anxious.

“About what?” I asked.

“Why were you being so hard on yourself? You weren't eating your meals. You weren't sleeping. What was happening?”

My husband was cheating on me and my body system was reacting badly to that.

But I can never say that. So as always, I'm gonna act like the perfect Luna with zero problems.

“Nothing, Doctor. I was just stressed from my Luna duties.” I tried putting on the best convincing smile ever. But I'm sure it didn't come out convincing enough.

She stayed silent and was just scrutinizing me. I could feel she wanted to say something else. And for some reason, I feel like I'm not gonna like what she has to say.

She took out her phone from her pocket, tapped the screen a few times, and handed it over to me.

“I wasn't sure if I should tell you this, but you're gonna find out sooner anyway. So here you go.”

I took it and my breathing hitched at the two figures sitting pretty on the screen. They're being interviewed by the most famous journalist in the region.

The caption of the interview was what kick-started my tears.

It read, ALPHA JAMES REUNITES WITH HIS LONG LOST REAL LOVE.

James, dressed in one hell of an expensive Italian grey suit, is seated next to Betty, his fated mate. The woman who'd disappeared from his life at one time.

My gaze stayed on a little longer than it should. I couldn't help it. I've always had this uncanny envy towards her.

I mean, why not? She's so gorgeous. Hair, so full and rich. Lashes, so long and gorgeous. Legs so tall and perfect. Her model-like face is to die for. And her curves, my God. She's perfect. And she has James's love so that makes her more perfect. And I hate her. But I also deeply wish to be her.

If I was half as classy and elegant as she was, then maybe I'd effortlessly have James love too.

Because look at him, he's smiling so heartily next to her. He's tightly holding her hand while answering questions about how strong their love is.

I can't even recall the last time James smiled at me. But for her, he's melting. He's literally melting.

My tears dropped on the screen but I couldn't bring myself to stop watching. They just asked James when he plans on divorcing me and he says he already did. He claims the divorce process has already been finalized and that I'm gone from his home.

“What's he saying?” I gasped, looking at Dr. Lexie. “We're not divorced.”

“His lawyer is waiting in the lobby. He has the divorce papers. Alpha James already signed his part.”

“What?”

“His men also brought your luggage. It's in my office. Alpha James doesn't wanna see you anywhere near his properties. Or he's gonna kill you. That's the message they delivered.”

I was both distraught and dumbfounded by her words. I dropped the phone and jumped off the bed.

“That can't be true,” I mumbled, chaotically taking off the hospital robe. I straightened my dress and my hair with my hands. “I need to go home. I need to talk to him…”

“Have you been listening to me? Alpha James doesn't wanna see you.”

“I don't care. I'll see him. I'll talk to him. He can't just get rid of me like this. Not after everything we've been through.” Tears were spilling down my face, but I didn't pay any attention to them.

I was ready to leave but Dr. Lexie blocked my path.

“If you go there, he's gonna kill you and then he's gonna kill us. Do you wanna put us in trouble, Luna?”

“Then what would you have me do? I have nowhere to go. No family. No friends. No one. If James gets rid of me like this, I'll be ruined. Forever.”

“No. You won't be. I'll take care of you, Luna. I'll take you to my cousin who lives in one of the European Packs. She's a big fan of yours. I know she'll be glad to accommodate you in her home.”

My heart was drenched with happy tears. But my pessimistic ass couldn't let me believe her instantly.

“Please don't get my hopes up. I'd rather just go over to James and talk to him. If he kills me, then so be it. My life's not worth living after everything that's happened recently, if I'm being honest.”

“What? Don't say that. Your life just started making perfect sense.”

“How?”

“Well, because you're pregnant, Luna Georgia. A few weeks pregnant. Congratulations.” She smiled gracefully.

I was way too frozen to bring myself to smile. What she just said had hit me so hard that now, I can't even move my feet.

Eventually, I dragged myself to the bed and sat on it. My shaky hand touched my stomach, hyperventilating at the reality of someone growing in there.

I can't believe it. I can't believe it finally happened. After six years of ridicule and harsh criticisms, I'm finally gonna become a mother. God, it feels unreal!

Then again, what perfect timing, right? Why now? Why couldn't it have happened a little earlier? Why now that I have already completely lost my mate and my home?

“What am I gonna do with this child?” I voiced my agony, with tears assaulting my eyes. “I don't have any money. I don't have a home. I don't have food. How am I supposed to take care of this child?”

“Shush,” Dr. Lexie cooed, joining me on the bed. She held my hand, warming it up with a squeeze. “Don't worry about that. We'll figure it out.”

“Did you really mean it when you said you'll take me to your cousin?”

She smiled and pulled me into a hug. “I meant every word. Congratulations Luna. You'll make such a wonderful mother. I'm sure of that.”

I held her dearly and bawled my eyes out for so long. When I was eventually calm, she helped me carry my luggage and we snuck out of the hospital, using a secret backdoor.

We got to the underground elevator and she put my luggage in her truck while I hurried inside the passenger seat.

She got into the driver's seat and we drove off, heading to the train station where my journey to a life begins.

Silent tears rolled down my face as I watched the Pack I've grown to love fade behind me. I'm always gonna hold a place for it in my heart. The times when I was their Luna will always be one of the happiest memories of my life.

And I'll be fine. I'll bounce back to my feet. For myself. And for my baby.

As for James, I hope the universe treats him exactly the way he deserves. I don't care what happens to him from hereon. I just hope with everything in me that our paths never cross again.