Chapter 5

Freesia’s POV

The surface showed two bright pink lines. Holy shit. I thought he pulled out in time, that I'd be safe—but I never expected this... Panic set in as I collapsed onto the ground, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest.

Why is fate playing such a cruel trick on me? I was pregnant with my stepbrother's child—the one who wanted nothing to do with me.

My heart ached at the thought of how Zarek would react. Of course, he’d tell me to get rid of it. Or maybe he’d force me to pretend it wasn’t his, or just exile me from the pack altogether.

There was no way I’d put myself through any of that. I could never tell Zarek. I knew what I had to do.

I picked myself up off the floor and dressed myself in baggy clothes. I would go to a small, remote clinic, miles away from the city’s border–somewhere Zarek and the rest of the pack would never think to look for me. I grabbed a face mask and a beanie, ensuring no one would be able to recognize me, and headed out the door.

–

The waiting room at the hospital was nearly empty, thank god. As I filled out my paperwork, the familiar pangs of hunger rolled over my stomach in waves. I pushed the cravings aside, hoping this nightmare would soon be over.

“Ms. Woods? You can follow me.” It took me a second to react to the fake name I provided.

I followed the nurse to a secluded room where she took my vitals and ran a blood test to confirm what I already knew: I was definitely pregnant.

She summoned the doctor, a kind-looking older man with thick grey hair and wire glasses.

He looked over his notes and sighed. “Ms. Woods, I see here that you’re pregnant. Congratulations.” I nodded meekly.

“There are options. However, I must warn you,” the doctor spoke with a sympathetic expression. “Because of your age and weight, I’m afraid your health indicators aren’t ideal. If you have an abortion, you may not be able to conceive again.”

My heart sank. This might be my only chance to have a baby?

I loved children. My future, which contained countless uncertainties, always included me being a mother.

Memories of my own parents flashed before my eyes. Although they died in a car crash when I was ten years old, I still remember the love they showed me day after day. If I lost this child, I’d truly have no family left in this world. I didn’t want to be alone anymore.

–

Hot tears clouded my vision as I packed my things.

Maybe I should be grateful—I had mentally prepared myself to leave since that day. I just never expected it to happen under such cruel circumstances.

I could only bring the necessities–just enough to last me until I found somewhere else to go. I put away the acceptance letter, though I knew I would have to give up the chance to go to college.

I pack my final possession, the last photo my parents and I ever took.

Though I was determined to leave quietly, I chose to leave a note in the end. After all my adoptive father has done for me, it’s the least I could do in return. And I’m sure Zarek will be pleased to know he’s free of me forever, just like he’s always wanted. The realization dawned on me that this could have been his plan all along. To seduce me, then push me away in the cruelest manner possible. I was a fool for thinking one night could change anything between us–he’s the same as he was two years ago.

I grabbed a pen. A thousand words I could never say aloud condensed into one simple sentence. That was all I left for them.

I stepped out of the house and took one final look through blurry eyes at the house I’ve lived in for the past 9 years. Was I making a mistake? Would I regret it? But when I thought of the child growing within me, I knew there was no other choice.

I swore, for my sake and our child’s, that this would be the last time I ever cried over that bastard, Zarek.

Zarek’s POV

“You’re kicking me out again?” Isabella’s whining voice grated on my ears. “We’re engaged, Zarek? Why must I always leave after sex?”

I drew in a sharp breath, not caring whether my mounting irritation was showing. “I don’t stay with women overnight. Never have.” She protested for a while before surrendering and leaving.

Sex with Isabella had become dull. We repeated the same actions over and over, but something was always missing.

The night I spent with Freesia, though, has replayed in my thoughts a hundred times. Her scent, her moans, her body–all of it is etched in the deepest corners of my mind. She was the only one to have ever spent the night at my side.

My wolf has grown frustrated, too. Why do you reject her? You don’t care for that Isabella girl at all. Its complaints nagged at me daily, but I refused to be swayed. Alphas can’t afford to be distracted by love. A marriage alliance with Isabella would help the pack grow stronger, and that was my duty. My feelings for Freesia aren’t legitimate, anyway. It’s just that goddamned mate bond.

I stared at her door across the hall. Closed again. Freesia’s been avoiding me for weeks now, and it was really starting to get on my nerves. When she’s not away at her new summer job, she’s locked away in her room doing god knows what.

Apologize to her, Zarek. We need her. It’s the damn wolf again.

But why should I be the one to apologize? I did nothing wrong. It’s her fault for getting hurt. She’ll get over it soon, and when that day comes, she’ll stop avoiding me and everything will go back to normal…

At least, that’s what I thought would happen.

But a few days later, I walked downstairs for breakfast to find no sign of Freesia.

Strange. I headed back up, thinking she might be in her room. The door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open—empty.

Her bed was neatly made, but something caught my eye on her desk: an envelope with a hospital logo peeking out from under a book.

My heart lurched. Was she sick? Had she been hiding something from me?

I grabbed it and pulled out the paper inside.