CONTRACTED TO THE BEAST ALPHA のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 131 - チャプター 140

The sound came through again, louder than the first time and it was obvious that whoever it was, was in severe pain. For a moment, Zora and Trent froze where they stood, their hearts jolting in their chests."Upstairs!" Trent said, already sprinting toward the staircase. Zora followed, clutching the banister as they climbed two steps at a time.When they reached the hallway, the noise led them to Joanna's room. Trent kicked the door open and rushed inside.Joanna was on the floor, curled into herself, both hands clutching her arm. The veins around it glowed faintly, like a burning mark spreading beneath her skin. Her face was pale and slick with sweat, her breathing ragged."Joanna!" Trent dropped to his knees beside her. "What happened?"She lifted her head, eyes wild and filled with tears. "It's…… it's the bond," she gasped out. "The mate bond……. it's burning me from the inside."Zora froze near the doorway, her chest rising and falling rapidly. The mark on Joanna's arm wasn't just

Six weeks!The words kept circling in her mind, her mouth wide open, refusing to settle into something she could understand. She had spent years believing this was impossible.After Dante, after the way that marriage had ended, she had accepted that children weren't part of her future. And Trent had said he was fine with it.He had held her face in his hands and told her he didn't need an heir, didn't need anything but her. But she had seen the way he looked at pups in the pack. The softness that crept into his expression when he thought no one was watching.Now she was pregnant. Now she could give him what he'd never asked for but always wanted. And he was down the hall with another woman who was likely his mate.Zora pulled her hand away from her stomach and pressed it against her eyes instead. She wouldn't cry again. Once was enough. The door was still closed. No sound of footsteps in the hallway. No sign of Trent coming back.Her mouth was wide open while she struggled to process

It had been a few days since Zora found out she was pregnant, and since then, it had not been easy for her.She always woke up with her stomach in knots, rushing to the bathroom before Trent could notice, and all this while, she was forcing smiles and pretending everything was fine when it wasn't.Her hand drifted to her stomach without thinking. There was a life growing inside her. Something she had wanted for so long, something that should have made her the happiest woman alive.But all she felt was emptiness. Because Trent was there, but she felt he wasn't hers anymore, and even though she had failed to inform him of the pregnancy, a part of her wished that he would ask questions or even notice. But in the past few days, Zora felt like he didn't notice.Zora was still lost in her thoughts and trying to fight the tears when the door opened and Trent stepped inside. He had something behind his back."Hey," he said softly."Hey." She tried to smile but couldn't quite manage it as she

The door clicked shut behind Lisa, and silence filled the room. Trent stood there for a moment, his jaw still tight, his fist clenched behind his back.Zora watched him from near the bed, her robe pulled tight around her. She didn't say anything, just waited.He turned to her finally, and his expression softened. "I'm sorry.""For what?""For that." He gestured toward the door. "For her barging in here like that. Waking you up like the world's ending. You shouldn't have to deal with this crap first thing in the morning."Zora walked over to him. "It's not your fault.""Feels like it is." He ran a hand through his hair. "But I promise you, she won't be a problem anymore. She's leaving soon.""You're sending her away?""She's choosing to leave. And honestly? It's better that way." Trent sat on the edge of the bed. "Our marriage doesn't need her interference. She's caused enough damage as it is, and I think the more she stays here, the more she might ruin things for us."Zora sat beside

Lisa stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face, her whole body trembling. She looked like she was waiting for someone to tell her it was all a mistake, that Joanna was still alive.But Trent's expression didn't soften. If anything, it got colder."Brandon," he called out through the mind link without taking his eyes off his mother.Brandon appeared in a few seconds since he was just outside the door. "Yes, Alpha?""Take her to my office. Now."Lisa's eyes widened. "What? Trent, I just heard about Joanna and I—""I said take her to my office." His voice left no room for argument. "We need to have a conversation.""But I don't understand. Why would you—" Brandon didn't give her the chance to finish saying whatever she was saying and carefully escorted her out of there.As soon as they left, Zora turned to Trent. "Don't you think you're being too harsh? She just found out someone died.""She will be fine." He shrugged and started walking out of there.When he finally pushed op