Chapter 5

Amber

The bell for break rang, and I stood up, trying to shake off the heaviness in my chest. My stomach churned with unease, but I ignored it, grabbing my bag and heading toward the cafeteria. It was just another day, another stretch of hours to endure until I could finally collapse in my silly excuse for a bed.

But the moment the smell of food hit my nostrils, the nausea roared to life. The greasy, cloying aroma of cafeteria fries and overly seasoned pasta was overwhelming, clinging to the air like an invisible fog. My stomach turned violently.

I barely made it to the bathroom in time.

Hunched over the toilet, I retched, my body convulsing as I emptied what little was in my stomach. The acid burned my throat, tears stinging my eyes as the heaving finally subsided. My legs trembled as I leaned back, the tiled wall cool against my sweaty skin.

What is wrong with me?

Dragging myself to the sink, I turned on the tap and splashed cold water onto my face, rinsing my mouth to wash away the bitter taste. My hands gripped the edge of the sink, my knuckles white as I stared at my pale reflection in the cracked mirror.

My heart was still racing, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I closed my eyes, trying to center myself, but the spinning in my head refused to stop.

And then it hit me.

My period.

I opened my eyes, panic flickering across my face. My period was supposed to come three days ago.

Dread crept in slowly, coiling in my stomach like a viper. I clenched the edge of the sink tighter, my mind racing to piece together the details, the mistakes.

Rayne hadn’t used protection.

I hadn’t been on birth control—I couldn’t even afford my suppressants half the time, let alone anything else.

“How did I not think of this?” I whispered, my voice barely audible, trembling as the weight of realization settled over me.

It was basic biology. Every Omega knew it: if an Alpha in rut mated with an Omega in heat, the chances of pregnancy weren’t just high—they were practically guaranteed.

And yet, I’d been so consumed by everything else—by the betrayal, by the bond, by the constant guilt over Reed—that I hadn’t even considered the possibility.

In the corner of my mind, Irma stirred.

We’re pregnant, she said, her voice soft and triumphant. Our mate’s pup is inside us.

“Shut up,” I muttered, pressing my palms against my temples. “This isn’t something to celebrate.”

Why not? she growled, her tone laced with irritation. This is a gift, Amber. It’s his. It’s ours.

I ignored her, forcing her voice into the background. My hands shook as I grabbed a paper towel, wiping my face and trying to steady myself.

It’s probably nothing, I told myself. Just a random bout of nausea. Stress, maybe. That’s all.

But the doubt wouldn’t leave. It lingered, heavy and suffocating, weighing down every thought, every breath.

I somehow managed to get through the rest of my classes, though it felt like I was moving in a fog. The nausea faded, but the dread stayed, gnawing at me like a parasite.

When the final bell rang, I didn’t wait for Reed like I usually did. I bolted out of the building, keeping my head down and my pace brisk as I made my way to the drugstore.

The tiny shop felt oppressive, the fluorescent lights too bright, the rows of shelves too narrow. My hands were clammy as I picked up a box of pregnancy tests, shoving it into my bag as quickly as I could.

The cashier gave me a curious glance, but I avoided eye contact, mumbling something about forgetting my wallet before rushing out the door.

The walk back to the shelter felt like an eternity. Every step was filled with a growing sense of dread, the possibility clawing at my mind and refusing to let go. By the time I got to my room, my nerves were frayed to the breaking point.

I locked the door behind me, ripped open the box, and stared at the instructions with trembling hands. Each second felt like an hour as I followed the steps, my heart pounding in my chest.

When it was finally time, I stared at the result.

Two pink lines.

Pregnant.

The word slammed into me like a freight train. My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor, the test slipping from my fingers. My hand instinctively went to my stomach, trembling as I tried to process what this meant.

Rayne’s pup.

My mate’s pup.

Irma practically purred in the back of my mind, her joy radiating through me. This is a blessing, she said. This is what we’re meant to be—a family.

But I didn’t feel blessed. I felt like my entire world had just come crashing down.

Tears burned in my eyes, and I pressed my forehead to my knees, curling into myself as the weight of it all threatened to suffocate me. How was I supposed to face Rayne now? How was I supposed to keep this a secret from Reed?

How was I supposed to survive this?