5: Have faith in me.

Chapter 5

||Claire||

My mother crushed into me and we both sobbed together. I embraced her tightly. I needed her warmth. I wanted to feel anything other than the coldness that had clenched my soul like a blanket.

“They haven't, Claire. You are not alone. Hazel is in pain too and needs time to heal. And my grandchild is definitely alive. I can feel her heartbeat. Strong like her mothers.” she chuckled and I giggled lightly.

“Her??” I drew away a little, with my arms still around hers.

“Yes, Claire.” she nodded and beamed at me with tears trickling down her cheeks. “ I wish you will give birth to a little princess with your looks,” she said and we both giggles through our tears.

Thank God my baby is fine. I exhaled.

Cupping my cheeks, she wiped away my tears and I did the same to her as she whispered. “ You are not alone, Claire. You might have gone through hell today but don't forget you have a mother and a father rooting for you. “

“ I know Mum. “ I smiled.

“How far along are you?” my father who has been quiet through the whole ordeal questioned.

“Three weeks,” I replied pulling away from my mom completely.

My dad exhaled, got to his feet, and started walking back and forth.

The room became quiet for a few minutes and his next statement shook me to the core.

“Go back to the Alpha and beg for forgiveness.”

“Whatt??? You can't be serious Dad! “ I roared. Stunned.

Turning on his heels, my father glared down at me. His fist clenched to his side as he fought the urge to shift. I knew he was agitated but that doesn't give him the right to ask that of me.

How can he suggest I go and apologize to the man who impregnated me, cheated, and rejected me?

“What are you saying, Tim?” my mother asked, stepping between my father and me.” Don't even think of sending our daughter and grandchild back to that Asshat! “ she cursed. She only does that when she is really pissed. “Have you thought of the humiliation she would face in the pack?” my mom growled.

Dad breathed out, looking defeated. “ I'm sorry, Megan. I just don't want our little girl to suffer the critics of being a single mother. You know how our world is. I don't want our daughter to be labeled as a whore neither do I want our grandchild to be called a bastard.” he mumbled in distress and messed his neatly combed hair in the process. “ You can call me a jerk or an asshole for suggesting this but I don't want our Claire to go through any of this.” his hard facade crumpled and he became the father I have always known.

The man I love.The father who saw my pain, protected me, and always wanted the best for me.” My daughter did nothing wrong to go through all of this.”

A lone tear slid down his face, and his features were now covered with the weight of regret. At that moment, I couldn't hold myself back any longer.

I ran to my dad, seeking comfort in his firm, protective arms that shielded me from the harshness of the world.

Wrapped in his embrace, I felt a warmth that drove away the coldness within me. No longer did I feel alone; I knew I had him by my side, supporting me through it all.

“I am not going back to Alan, Dad. He doesn't love me, and he made that painfully clear. He loves Olivia, his mistress,” I whispered into his chest.

“I understand,” he responded gently, patting my hair. “I'm sorry for asking you to go back to him, and I'm sorry for everything you've been through.”

With a tender kiss on my forehead, he leaned back, providing me with the space and understanding I needed in that moment.

“I am sorry too and don't worry I am not angry at you, Dad. I just want my baby to be okay.” I murmured, rubbing my flat tummy.

“You will both be. “ he promised. “You are worth more, Claire and any man in his right sense will kill to have you by his side.”

“Not Alan?” I asked with a raised brow.

“Definitely not Alan. He is an idiot for letting you go.” he grinned.

I nodded laughing.

After all the emotions and tension were released, my momma placed a tray of a hot meal in front of me. Vegetable soup with four slices of garlic bread.

My stomach churned in protest and the only reason I ate the food was for my baby. I had no appetite but for the sake of the little peanut growing inside my belly, I ate.

I swallowed a few spoons of soup and bit into the bread.

“Sweetie, I know it's difficult and we can't begin to imagine the pain you are in but we need to talk,” my mom started.

“ Your mother and I want to know what you plan to do. We will support whatever decision you make.” my father added.

His eyes were red. He was hurting for me but there was nothing both of us could do to ease my pain.

I straightened up. “What do you mean, Dad?” my voice was hoarse, lips dry and my eyes found his brown orbs. Similar to mine.

“Do you want to stay here with us? Or move to the capital? We can find a house and jobs there.” he sighed. “ Or better still we can find another pack and of course, your uncle will love to house you in his home.”

Part of me wanted to stay, but I couldn't. I recall Alan’s words correctly. He didn’t just banish me. He banished his pup too.

I was no longer welcome here and I also did not want to drag my parents from their home. Selfishness was not in my DNA.

Moreover, leaving the pack will put a strain on their connection with the pack since they were still members of Alan's pack.

I also did not want them to renounce Desert Moon Pack. This was the only home they knew and that would be selfish of me.

I chewed my lips in deep thought.... Thinking of the moonlight pack where my uncle resides. He was the delta of the pack and as much as I will love to run to his pack, I knew he would likely make me feel unwelcome.

He was a grumpy man. He frowned more and smiled less. He hated almost everyone and everything.

He hated my father's gut but never said it out loud. He will make it seem as if it was my fault that Alan cheated and rejected me.

So he was not an option. My grip on the spoon was lethal as I exhale shakily.

“I can't..” my head hung low as I placed a hand over my flat belly.

“ Sweetie, what are you saying no to?”

My inside buzzed as I replied in a broken voice, “Alan wants to take a chosen mate. He didn't just banish me.He also kicked his pup out too. I can't stay at a place where my kid and I are not wanted. “ my word cut in.

Nodding my dad asked,” What about your uncle?”

Chuckling, I muttered, “ Let's not pretend Uncle Dave doesn't hate you, Dad. “

I tried not to laugh as he allowed a chuckle to slip past his lips.

“He won't let me live a day without telling me how badly I screwed things up with my fated mate. “ I told them and added .”I want my child to grow up in a healthy environment. Living with Uncle Dave is not close to healthy.”

They both nodded...

“So what next? We are open to moving to the capital. We can buy a small cozy apartment there.”

“No, momma.” I shook my head cutting my mother off. “ I don't want to be selfish by taking you away from the pack. I know what this pack means to the two of you. I can't take that away from you.”

“Sweetie...”

“Not you too Dad... I will be fine. I have made up my mind. I know I can do this. I am no more a child and I am going to be a mother soon so I need to step up and make decisions on my own.” I stated. “Besides, you both thought me well. I can do this. I need you to have some faith in me.”

They smiled.

“ We know you can do this but we want to be there for you. “

“And you will. You will be on my speed dial and my first call when I need someone. “ I smiled though it didn't reach my eye. “ Allow me to take this journey alone... Please, Mom…..Please, Dad.”

I held both their hands and gave them very cute puppy eyes. One I know they can’t reject.

After a while, my father sighed and nodded. “ Fine! Don’t forget to call us when you find yourself a place”

“Yes Dad, I will..” I smiled. “ I will see you both later. I need to go to the pack house and get my things.”

I gave them one of my fake smiles and headed to the door and as soon as I opened it, I found Luna Alice with her hand raised, ready to knock on the door.

I was surprised but curious to know what she had to say about her jerk of a son.

Maybe apologize for raising a cheater and a prick. Well, that won’t be bad.

But Wait, did Alan tell her about my pregnancy? Is that why she is here?

A little flicker of hope ignited within me. As I tried to play it cool...

“Luna Alice, why are you here? “ I asked when I realized she was just going to stand there staring at me.

“Claire..” her brows fused, looking at me with pity.

I hated it.

“Alan and Olivia just shared the news with us.” She gave me a pitiful grin as she carried on.

“I didn’t expect this from Alan. No one in the family did. I came here to say that Derrick and I are very sorry you got rejected. We were looking forward to you becoming an exceptional Luna and we enjoyed the time you spent with us.”

I didn’t like the way she was referring to me in the past tense. It hurts to know I was Alan’s past now.

And I didn’t want to believe her words that she felt sorry for what happened but it was nice to hear that she loved my company.

I nodded looking down at my fingers.

“We are happy he chose to do the right thing.“ my eyes shot into her gray one. The same one as her son’s.

Cold ice pumped through my veins, quelling out that flicker of hope.

What was the right thing for them?

Alan abandoning her pregnant mate? Or cheating on his fated mate?

Wicked people!!

“Get out of my fucking house, Alice!” I was enraged now.

Yet, the damn woman, laughed before her gaze turned sinister.

“Let's be real, Claire. You never had what it takes to be the pack's Luna. You couldn't even get the simplest things that a Luna should know, right," she said mockingly, chuckling. "Olivia has always been the better fit. I'm glad my son finally realized that, even if it took him too long."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I couldn't help but cringe at her cruel taunts.

She flashed a smug smile, and all I wanted was to wipe that self-satisfied expression off her beautiful yet evil face.

Clenching my fists at my sides, I managed to put on an icy smile and gritted through my teeth, "You may think you've won, but don't underestimate me. I may not have been the Luna you envisioned, but I'll prove that I'm stronger than you think."

In that moment, I vowed to myself that I would rise above her hurtful words and show everyone, especially myself, that I was more resilient and capable than she could ever imagine.

“Why are you really here Alice? I’m sure you didn’t come here just to praise Alan and his perfect Luna.” Venom dripped in my words as my blood boiled.

“Not at all, dear. I brought you your things.“ she pointed at a bag I didn’t see sitting beside her.

“I wanted to save you the trouble of coming back to the pack house to collect them. You very well know how humiliating that would be.” She feigned a sad face.

“Ohh, I can imagine that already… thanks Alice but your services were not needed.” My tone was the true definition of fury.

I pulled the bag into my parent's house and slammed the door in her face.

It took another hour before my parents got their emotions under control and allowed me into my car. With a final goodbye, I drove away leaving the past behind me and looking forward to the future...