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
Amber~ 6 years later ~"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing at Harry Reid International Airport shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for arrival."The flight attendant’s announcement sent a thrill through me, my grip tightening on the armrest.This was it.Six years.Six years since I had packed my bags, said my goodbyes, and flown halfway across the world to chase my dreams. Six years since I had left my baby girl in Ichika’s care, determined to make something of myself—to build a future where I could stand tall, not just as Amber Queen, but as Dr. Amber Queen.And now, I was finally coming home.Excitement buzzed through me like an electric current. Beijing had been everything I could have hoped for. The culture, the food, the people—I had fallen in love with it all. Every street corner told a story, every meal was an experience, and every challenge had only pushed me to be better.But no matter how incredible my journey had been, there had always been something m
AmberI swallowed hard, pushing the thought away.I had accepted long ago that love and romance weren’t in my destiny.And that was okay. I chose to focus on what really mattered—my daughter, my career, my family.The plane jolted slightly as it began its descent. I exhaled slowly, gripping my hands together."Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada. Please remain seated until we have reached the gate and the seatbelt sign has been turned off."My heart pounded.I was home.Ian glanced at me, his lips quirking up. "Ready to see your little girl?"A breathless laugh escaped me. "More than anything.”The moment my feet touched solid ground, my heart pounded with anticipation. I clutched my luggage tightly, scanning the crowd eagerly, and then—I saw them. Ichika, Ken, and Evalie stood near the terminal, searching for me with the same desperation I felt in my chest."Mommy!" Evalie’s voice rang out, high and excited, before I could even take another step.Tears stung my eyes as
Ichika's POVThe drive back from the airport had been full of chatter and laughter, and now, as we pulled into the driveway, a familiar warmth settled over me. Home. Amber was home.Ken helped unload the luggage from the trunk while I guided Amber and Ian inside. Evalie was already skipping ahead, excited to show her mother everything that had changed since she last visited—which wasn’t much, honestly, but to a child, every new drawing on the fridge or new pillow on the couch was a big deal."Go on and wash your hands, sweetheart," I told Evalie, smiling as she dashed off. "Lunch is almost ready."I ushered Amber and Ian into the dining room. "You both must be starving. Sit, sit. Let me get everything on the table.""Ichika, you really didn’t have to go through all this trouble," Amber said, a little breathless as she sank into one of the chairs."Nonsense," I replied, waving her off. "You think I’d let my daughter return home after six years and not welcome her properly? Not a chance
Ichika I stood, but Ian was already on his feet, instinctively turning toward the sound like he was ready to help without even thinking.Evalie peeked her head around the corner, her wild blonde curls even messier from sleep. She rubbed one eye with the back of her hand, dragging her stuffed bunny behind her with the other. When her eyes landed on Amber, she lit up instantly."Mummy!" she squealed, racing forward.Amber caught her with ease, scooping her up into a warm hug. "Hey, my love," she murmured, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s cheek. "Did you have a good nap?"Evalie nodded into her neck, her eyes sliding toward Ian with cautious curiosity. But she didn’t say anything. In fact, she barely looked at him.She stayed tucked in Amber’s arms, her voice rising with excitement as she began to gush, "Mummy, I told Miss Clara today that I want to be a doctor just like you, and she said I need to read more books, and at recess, Mia and I did cartwheels, and we had jelly sandwiches fo
AmberAs the days slipped by like pages of a book I wasn’t quite ready to close, I noticed the shift in Ichika. Subtle at first—longer glances at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention, the quiet hum of thoughts she didn’t say aloud. But I knew that look. The way she smiled when Ian was in the room, the way her eyes softened when she watched him laugh with Evalie or how he looked at me like I was the only person that mattered. She was convinced. Convinced Ian was the right man for me.But I wasn’t.Not because he wasn’t good—he was. Too good, really. Kind, patient, funny in that dry British way that made you smile even when you were trying not to. Sometimes I had to ask myself if he was actually real, he was nothing like all the other Alphas. But the truth was, I’d made peace with the idea of being alone. I had Evalie. I had my career. I had enough.And most of all, I had no choice.Because no matter how far I ran, no matter how many years passed, I was still partially bonded t
RayneThe last six years had been... good. Or, at least, that’s what I told myself on most days.Taking over as Alpha after my father’s passing was the smoothest part of it all. No power struggles. No opposition. Everyone knew I was next in line and respected that. I’d spent years preparing for the role, watching every move my father made, even the ones I swore I’d never repeat. Especially the ones I swore I’d never repeat.One of the first things I did as Alpha was pass a law—one that shocked the Pack Elders, rattled the conservative Council, and nearly made my mother drop dead with fury. I legalized same-sex unions. Outright. No conditions. No loopholes. No back-alley whispers. A law that said, plainly and publicly, that two Alphas could love each other. That an unconventional couple like us could marry. That love didn’t have to follow some archaic formula just because the older wolves couldn’t stomach the idea of change.And then I married Reed.Reed fucking Smith.To say the Pack
AmberI heard gasps. Felt every stare pierce through me.Robert didn’t wait.“And there you have it!” He announced triumphantly. “She admits it. Out of her own mouth. She denied a child her father. She let her grow up without the emotional support, the discipline, and the presence of a stable Alpha figure—because her pride was hurt. This wasn’t protection. It was punishment.”He stepped forward. “Miss Queen’s selfishness has already damaged this child. And now she wants the court to let her continue the damage unchecked? At what cost to Evalie’s development? Her future? Her identity?”I wanted to scream. To cry. To collapse and disappear.But Ichika squeezed my hand.I looked down. Her grip was firm. Unshakable. You’re not alone, it said.Robert sat back, oozing victory.Ina rose again.“Your Honor,” she said, her voice like flint, “I request permission to speak.”“Granted.”Ina faced the court like a queen facing her people.“Miss Queen had good reason to withhold Evalie’s identity f
AmberThe courtroom wasn’t what I expected.It was colder. Quieter. A looming silence, only broken by the shuffle of papers and the creak of benches as people took their seats. High ceilings. Fluorescent lighting. A lone judge perched behind the bench, half-obscured by the mahogany podium before him.We took our place on the left side of the room—Ina, Evalie, and I. Ichika, Ken and Ian sat quietly behind us, their presence a fortress of calm I didn’t know I’d need until this moment.Across the aisle sat Rayne and Reed.Rayne looked like stone, his jaw locked tight and his hands folded, knuckles white. Reed, by contrast, looked like he belonged in a different kind of arena—like he was auditioning for an award instead of preparing for legal war. That smug little smirk never left his face.I focused on Evalie, who sat quietly beside me with a coloring book Ichika had brought along to keep her busy. Her small hands moved the crayon slowly across the page, completely unaware of the storm g
AmberThe air felt heavier than usual this morning.I’d barely slept, caught between nerves and the ache behind my ribs that always came when Evalie clung to me in her sleep. Her tiny hand still rested over my stomach as I lay there for a moment longer, memorizing the shape of her breathing.Today, everything could change.I slipped out of bed carefully, tucking the blanket around her. Her blond curls splayed against the pillow, the same soft shade as Rayne’s. I pushed the thought away.The house was already buzzing. I could hear Ichika clinking something in the kitchen—probably forcing Ken to eat breakfast even though his stomach was just as twisted as mine.I went to the bathroom and stared at my reflection. I didn’t recognize the woman looking back. She looked…braver. Or maybe more resigned. I wasn’t sure which one I needed more.By the time I stepped back into the bedroom, Evalie was sitting up, rubbing her eyes.“Morning, pumpkin,” I said, keeping my voice light.Evalie blinked,
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