AmberA sharp, searing pain tore through me, dragging me out of my sleep with a strangled gasp. At first, I thought I was having another nightmare, but this—this was so much worse.My heart felt like it was being ripped apart, an invisible force clawing at my chest, crushing my ribs until I could barely breathe. My throat tightened as a scream built up, but all that came out was a choked whimper.Then came the burning.A fire ignited at the base of my neck, scorching through my skin like a branding iron had been pressed against it. My mate mark pulsed with an unbearable heat, radiating pain down my spine and into my very bones. I clutched at my neck, fingers digging into the scarred flesh as if I could claw it off—tear it from my body and free myself from this torment.I wasn’t stupid. I knew exactly what was happening.Rayne was sleeping with someone else.The bond made sure I felt it.A dry sob tore from my lips. My vision blurred as hot tears spilled over, tracing burning paths dow
AmberMy hands wouldn’t stop trembling.I clenched them into fists, pressing them against my lap to still them, but it didn’t help. The hospital waiting room felt too bright, too sterile. The steady hum of fluorescent lights buzzed in my ears, mixing with the faint murmur of distant conversations. The sharp scent of antiseptic burned my nose, making my stomach churn.I shouldn’t be this nervous.Beside me, Ichika sat with her usual calm presence, her warmth grounding me even as my anxiety spiraled. She noticed my fidgeting and reached for my hand, lacing her fingers through mine and giving a reassuring squeeze.“You’re going to be okay,” she murmured. “Dr. Eden is a good friend of mine. He’s the best at what he does, and he’ll do everything he can for you.”I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I wanted to believe her. I really did. But the thought of walking into a room with an Alpha I didn’t know made my skin crawl.Even if this doctor was supposed to help me, the idea of bein
AmberIt had been four days since the surgery.Four days of recovery. Four days of minor side effects. Four days of learning to breathe without the constant fear of pain lurking in the back of my mind.Dr. Eden had warned me about the side effects. The hot flashes were the worst. One minute, I’d be fine, and the next, heat would rise from my chest, crawling up my neck and face, making me feel like I was burning from the inside out. My bond mark throbbed in response, a deep, persistent hum beneath my skin, but it wasn’t painful—just an uncomfortable reminder of what had once held me prisoner.“It’ll stop after a week,” Dr. Eden had assured me. “Your body is adjusting to the partial severance. Once it stabilizes, you won’t feel it anymore.”I clung to that hope.For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt… free.And it wasn’t just the bond that had changed.Ichika had started our therapy sessions, and to my surprise, they were actually helping. For one, the nightmares. They did
AmberThe days blurred together as I juggled my online lessons, therapy, and pregnancy. I threw myself into studying, determined to prove to myself—and to the world—that I wasn’t just some broken girl defined by her past. But balancing it all wasn’t easy.Every morning, I sat at the kitchen table with my laptop, my books spread out in front of me, determined to absorb as much information as I could. I pushed through exhaustion, through the discomfort of my ever-changing body, and forced myself to stay focused.But pregnancy was relentless.My body was not my own anymore. My belly grew larger each week, my skin stretching in ways that made me feel alien in my own skin. My breasts were swollen and heavy, they had become twice their original size, my feet ached, and my back felt like it belonged to someone three times my age.One evening, I caught my reflection in the hallway mirror and froze.The girl staring back at me wasn’t the same one from months ago.I turned slightly, running a h
AmberThe days after our little celebration passed in a blur of activity.I threw myself into university applications, determined to carve out a future for myself and my baby. I had worked too hard to give up now. My GPA was incredible—I knew it gave me a shot at some of the best schools. But I also needed to be realistic. Being a single mother meant I had to choose a school with a good support system, one that would allow me to balance my studies and motherhood.Ichika helped me research institutions that had flexible programs for young parents. Ken, ever the supportive father figure, spent hours reading through brochures with me, weighing the pros and cons of each university.Still, the waiting game was agonizing.Each day, I checked my email obsessively, my stomach twisting with nerves. What if no one accepted me? What if, despite everything, I wasn’t good enough?Then, two weeks later, it happened.A large envelope arrived in the mail. I stood frozen at the doorstep, staring at th
AmberI was beyond exhausted.The car ride home from the hospital had been quiet, save for Evalie’s soft breaths as she slept in her carrier beside me. Ichika had insisted that I rest, but how could I? I was bringing my baby home—my baby. The realization still hadn’t fully sunk in.Ken pulled into the driveway, and Ichika turned to me with a smile. “Ready?”I wasn’t.But I nodded anyway.The moment we stepped inside, the warmth of the house wrapped around me like a familiar embrace. Ken carried the hospital bags while Ichika carefully lifted Evalie in her arms, swaying gently. “Welcome home, little one,” she murmured.I followed them inside, my steps slow, my body aching. The labor had drained me. Every part of me still hurt—my stomach felt like it had been wrung out, my muscles ached, and the lingering soreness between my legs was a constant reminder of what I had gone through.Ken set my bags down in my room before turning to me with a reassuring smile. “We’ll be right here if you n
AmberFive months had passed since Evalie’s birth, and in that time, my life had completely changed.Motherhood had been an uphill battle—exhausting, overwhelming, sometimes terrifying—but with each passing day, I learned more about my daughter, and she learned more about the world.Evalie wasn’t as fussy anymore. She still had her moments, but they were nothing like those first few months when I barely got any sleep, and it felt like I was doing everything wrong. She had settled into a pattern now, her cries easier to decipher, her needs more predictable.And her appetite—goddess, her appetite.I had been exclusively breastfeeding at first, but soon, it became clear that my milk alone wasn’t enough. She would drink until I was sore, only to get hungry again moments later. My chest constantly ached from being full, and even when I tried pumping and storing milk, the pressure barely lessened. The engorgement was unbearable some nights, making it difficult to sleep.It was Ichika who ge
AmberThe airport was bustling with movement, voices blending into an overwhelming hum around me. People hurried past with rolling suitcases, flight announcements crackled over the intercom, and the air smelled of coffee, metal, and distant jet fuel. But I barely noticed any of it.All I could focus on was the weight in my chest.I gripped Evalie tighter in my arms, pressing my lips against the soft tufts of blonde hair atop her tiny head. She smelled like baby powder and warmth, like home.My home.I wasn't ready to say goodbye."Amber," Ichika’s voice was gentle but firm. "You need to board soon."I shook my head, holding Evalie closer. "I don’t know if I can do this."Ken sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sweetheart, you’ve worked so hard for this moment. We know it’s hard, but you’re doing this for her too."I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked down at my daughter. Evalie blinked up at me with those striking green eyes—Rayne’s eyes—but they were softer on her, innocen
AmberEvalie blinked up at me, visibly confused, the way kids often get when something doesn’t click right away. Her little brows scrunched, and I could almost see her mind turning the words over like puzzle pieces that didn’t quite fit—yet.I smiled gently and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.“You know how the other kids in your school have two parents?” I asked, voice soft, steady, though my heart pounded like a drum. “Well… that man from earlier—he’s your other parent. He’s your daddy.”She went very still.The silence that followed was thick. Not heavy exactly—just full. Like the air was holding its breath. I braced myself for her confusion, maybe even tears or questions I wasn’t ready to answer. My stomach clenched. I shouldn’t have waited so long. I should’ve told her sooner, eased her into it. But there was no going back now.Evalie’s lips parted slightly as she processed it… and then—without warning—her entire face lit up.“Really?” she whispered. “I have a daddy?”Be
AmberIt was happening. No more delays. No more hiding.Tomorrow at 10 a.m., I’d walk into that courtroom and face Rayne for the first time in seven years—not as a broken Omega begging for mercy, but as Evalie’s mother fighting for the right to keep her child safe.The weight of it settled over me like a thick, scratchy blanket I couldn’t shake off. After Reed’s impromptu and unpleasant visit last week, the house had been blessedly quiet. No more knocks on the door. No more unwelcome Alpha energy polluting my space. Just peace—and tension so sharp it made my spine ache.Still, I had done what needed to be done. I’d contacted Ina like Ian suggested.From the moment she heard the details of my case, Ina had been all in. It didn’t take much convincing. The second I mentioned Rayne’s name and the pack he was from, she was intrigued. When I explained what I’d been through—the assault, the threats, the power imbalance, and Evalie being the child in question—Ina’s voice grew tight with purpo
AmberReed’s face twisted with rage, eyes flashing like a cornered animal. I saw it— the mask crack. The real him bleeding through.“You slut,” he hissed, venom coating every syllable. “You fucking whore. You always were. Pretending to be some innocent little victim when you’ve been spreading your legs for whatever Alpha shows the slightest interest. Don’t act high and mighty with me.”I said nothing.“You think I don’t know how you got where you are?” He sneered, stepping closer. “You fucked your way through med school. Slept with the right people. Used that pathetic Omega allure of yours to get whatever you wanted. That’s what you do, isn’t it? It’s all you’re good for.”Still, I said nothing. But my hand was tightening on the doorframe so hard my nails were digging into the wood.He leaned forward, eyes dark. “You think this little war you’ve started is noble? That you’re some kind of martyr? You’re not. You’re just a selfish, bitter bitch who can’t handle the fact that she lost. R
AmberI had just gotten off the phone with another lawyer Ichika had managed to reach out to. So far? Things weren’t looking good.They acknowledged I had a solid case—on paper. But in reality, not many lawyers were willing to go up against the literal Alpha of the Pack. Alpha Rayne Hunter. The man had too much influence, too much reach. “It would be bad for business,” one of them said. “Dangerous even.” Another admitted, “Our reputation could suffer long-term if we cross the wrong people.”Their voices blended together into a nauseating chorus of fear and cowardice. It stung. I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but the sheer number of rejections was exhausting. And the ones who did consider the case? They were even worse.There was one woman in particular—an Omega, like me. I’d thought that would make a difference. I’d thought she would understand. I don’t know what I expected—compassion, maybe? Solidarity? But what I got instead was gall.The nerve.She had the audacity to chastise me. To
AmberI didn't want Evalie to grow up without me, to ever think for a second that she was unloved and unwanted. I knew exactly what that felt like— I had been abandoned by my own father and brothers—and I would never wish it on my worst enemy.I squeezed my eyes shut, a sob ripping from my chest.This couldn’t happen.I couldn’t let it happen.I almost gave in to the panic, to the devastation — but then a warm, steady presence unfurled inside me, strong and unyielding.Irma.My wolf growled low in my chest, fierce and protective, wrapping around me like an unbreakable shield.“No,” she whispered, her voice a steady thrum in my head. “We are Evalie’s mother. We raised her. We protected her. He cannot take her from us.”She released bursts of endorphins and they washed over me like waves, calming me down and reminding me of happier times. I had flashes of truth — Evalie's little arms around my neck, her sweet giggles filling our home, her sleepy "I love you, Mummy" whispered against my
AmberRayne had been quiet since his abrupt visit, and it was unsettling.I wasn’t sure what I had expected after that day — maybe for him to show up at the hospital, lurking by the emergency entrance like some stubborn shadow. Maybe he'd camp outside the house, demanding to see Evalie. Maybe he'd blow up my phone with calls or texts, shouting accusations. I even thought he'd try to contact Evalie somehow.But he didn’t.Not a call.Not a visit.Nothing.Just silence.And while a small part of me was grateful for the peace, I knew better than to trust it. I knew it was too early to celebrate, too naive to hope that it was over.This — this eerie stillness — it felt like the proverbial calm before the storm.A heavy, loaded quiet that pressed against my chest like a hand waiting to shove me under when I least expected it.I tried to shake the feeling, tried to convince myself I was just being paranoid — that maybe Rayne had gotten the closure he needed. Maybe seeing Evalie, even from a
ReedThe wait was the worst part.I sat on the edge of the bed, bouncing my leg anxiously, staring at the clock on the wall like I could will it to move faster.Rayne had gone to that bitch's house.To see their daughter.And I hated it.I hated sitting here helpless, not knowing what was happening. It twisted my stomach into knots, made my skin feel too tight for my body.But there wasn’t much I could do at the moment.Not yet.Soon, I promised myself.I was still coming up with a plan — something perfect, something flawless that would get rid of the problem once and for all.And when I enacted it, it would be final.Amber wouldn’t even know what hit her.I clenched my fists so hard the bones cracked.I needed to distract myself before I lost my mind.Grabbing my phone, I opened a shopping app, aimlessly scrolling through page after page of random crap—kitchen gadgets, wireless earbuds, luxury sneakers, designer watches.I wasn’t really seeing any of it. My mind was too full of Rayne
AmberAs soon as Ian was certain I could stand without collapsing, he quietly led me inside.The moment the door closed behind us, the world finally went still.No more growls, no more tension thick enough to choke on. Just Ian’s solid presence beside me, guiding me with gentle hands toward the living room.He helped me sit down on the couch, his movements tender, careful like I was made of glass.“Are you alright?” Ian asked softly, crouching in front of me, concern etched into every line of his handsome face. “Did he hurt you?”I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “No. I’m okay.” My hands were still trembling slightly from the hormonal rush, but I forced a small smile. “Thanks to you.”He exhaled, visibly relieved.“I’m just glad I got here when I did,” he said, sinking down beside me. He stayed close, but not smothering, giving me space without pulling away completely. “What happened, Amber?”I stared down at my hands in my lap, picking at an invisible thread on my jea
AmberRayne’s hands flexed and unflexed at his sides like he was barely leashing a monster inside him.The tension crackled between us, thick and ugly. I knew he could overpower me physically if he wanted to. He was stronger, bigger, an Alpha in his prime. But there was no force on earth that could make me willingly hand Evalie over to him.We glared at each other, the silence blistering."You think you’re doing her a favor?" Rayne said, his voice dipping low and cruel. "Keeping her from her own blood? You’re screwing her up more than you know."I flinched, but didn’t move. "Better than letting her near a man who almost ruined her mother’s life," I retorted harshly.Rayne’s face darkened."She deserves to know who I am," he growled. "She deserves a father.""You forfeited that right the moment you abandoned me," I fired."You think you can just erase me?" He snarled, his voice vibrating with rage. "Pretend I don't exist? Pretend she doesn’t deserve to know her real father?"I stared h