Chapter Twenty Six First Person’s Perspective Reed’s POV It was past midnight. The only light in the room was the small lamp near the crib. I was lying beside Serena, finally about to close my eyes when I heard it. Waaaah! I sat up a little, but Serena jumped out of bed before I could even move. “I’ve got him,” she whispered, rubbing her eyes. She was already walking toward the crib, half-asleep. I got up too. “Serena, wait. You were just asleep for thirty minutes. Let me do it.” She shook her head, picked up the crying baby, and started rocking him gently. “I’m okay,” she said, though her voice sounded tired. “He probably needs a change or maybe a little more milk.” I walked over and touched her back. “Serena, I mean it. I’ve got it. Go lie down.” She looked at me and gave a small smile. “You sure?” I nodded and reached for the baby. Little Liam was red faced and fussy, kicking his tiny legs. I took him from Serena’s arms and started bouncing him slowly.
Chapter Twenty Five First Person’s Perspective Reed’s POV I was pacing. Back and forth. Back and forth. My feet couldn’t stay still, and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. The hallway was too quiet, too cold, too bright. The smell of medicine and antiseptic burned my nose, and the ticking clock on the wall felt like it was ticking inside my head. I had never felt fear like this. I kept hearing Serena’s voice. Her cries. The sound of her pain. The moment I saw the baby… so tiny, so quiet… I didn’t even know how I was still standing. I stopped walking for a second and stared at the closed door. Then started pacing again. “Come on,” I whispered. “Please, please…” I didn’t know who I was talking to. God? The Moon? I didn’t care. Just someone. Anyone. Save them. Just then, the door opened. I turned fast. “Frederick?” He stepped out slowly. His eyes were on the floor. His shoulders low. His face… his face was not good. My heart jumped. “What? What is it?” I aske
Chapter Twenty Four Third Person’s Perspective The door slammed behind Jake as he walked out into the cold rain, an evil smile tugged at his lips “Soon, Serena, very soon” Inside the quiet house, miles away, Serena shifted on the bed, holding her stomach. Her breath was uneven, her hands trembling as another sharp pain shot through her lower belly. She had been feeling strange all day,tightness, pressure, something she couldn’t explain. But now… it was worse. “Jeremy?” she called out softly. Her voice was weak. Jeremy walked into the room holding a plate of rice and chicken. “You didn’t eat lunch. Try something now. Just a little.” Serena shook her head. “I… I don’t feel good.” She closed her eyes. “My stomach… it hurts. Bad.” Jeremy put the plate down fast. “What kind of pain? Like cramps?” She nodded slowly. “But stronger… deeper. Like the baby’s trying to come out.” Jeremy’s heart jumped. He stepped closer. “That’s not possible. You’re only eight months. One m
Chapter Twenty Three Third Person’s Perspective Jake stood in front of the mirror, buttoning his shirt. It was early in the morning, but his face was already hard, his eyes cold. He had an important meeting with Alpha Robert. His hair was neatly slicked back, his tie perfectly in place. But his mood was anything but calm. “Clarissa!” he called out loudly. “Where’s my jacket?” Clarissa came slowly from the hallway. “In the closet, where you left it yesterday.” “Then get it,” he ordered, without even looking at her. She crossed her arms. “I’m not your servant, Jake. I’m the Luna.” Jake turned slowly to face her. “The Luna?” He let out a dry laugh. “You’re Luna because I allowed it. I can just as easily take it away.” Clarissa lifted her chin. “And I’m your wife. But you treat me like trash.” Jake stepped closer. “You’re nothing but an empty shell. You can’t even have a child.” Clarissa flinched, but she stood her ground. “Maybe the problem isn’t me. Did you ever think
Chapter Twenty Two First Person’s Perspective SERENA’S POV Six months. That’s how long it’s been. I stood in front of the small mirror in my room, staring at my stomach. It was round now, full and heavy. My hands moved over it slowly. I still couldn’t believe there was a baby growing inside me. Sometimes I smiled. Sometimes I cried. Today… I felt both. “Serena?” Jeremy’s voice came from the other room. “You okay?” I took a breath. “Yeah. I’m coming.” He was always asking. Always checking. Every morning, without fail. Sometimes it annoyed me. Sometimes it made my chest warm. I walked into the kitchen slowly. My back ached, and my legs were tired even though the day had just started. Jeremy was already at the stove. Eggs, toast, and something sweet , probably pancakes. He made me breakfast every day now. “Sit down,” he said without turning. “Feet up. Doctor said you need to rest more.” I rolled my eyes, but I sat. “I can still move, you know.” He looked ove
Chapter Twenty One First Person’s Perspective SERENA’S POVThe rain had stopped.It was quiet outside. Only the wind moved, soft through the trees.Inside, the air was still.I sat on the bed with my knees pulled to my chest. A blanket wrapped around me. My feet were cold, but I didn’t move.I could hear Jeremy in the kitchen. The soft sound of water boiling. The clink of a cup. He was making tea again. Like he always did, every night.He didn’t ask questions. He never pushed.Maybe that’s why I felt like I could finally say something. Something real.I stood up slowly. My legs felt heavy, but I walked out to the kitchen.Jeremy turned around when he saw me. His voice was soft. “Hey. Couldn’t sleep?”I shook my head. My voice was quiet. “Can we talk?”His eyes searched my face. He looked surprised, but not confused. Like he’d been waiting.“Of course,” he said, pulling out a chair for me. “Sit.”I sat down. My hands were shaking a little, but I didn’t try to hide it. I just placed t