All Chapters of Be My Mate? Too Late: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Claire's POVI saw the answer on Ryan's face before he spoke. His gaze flicked to my stomach, then returned to my eyes."I don't smell a pup on you," he said coldly. "We've been married for four years, and you've never been pregnant. Why should I believe you now? Don't invent a child to interfere with a decision I've already made."Sabrina's brows knitted together in feigned concern. She moved closer to Ryan, keeping one hand on the boy's back."Claire, you've been through a lot today. Anyone would be shaken by what's happened. Perhaps seeing my son made you realize how much you want a child of your own. Sometimes, when we're hurting, we convince ourselves of things we desperately wish were true."I stared at them, fighting the urge to scream. No matter what I said, Sabrina could twist my words, and Ryan was already convinced I was lying."Then look at the report I gave you," I said, gesturing toward the desk. "It proves I'm pregnant."Ryan glanced at the paper but made no move to pic

Claire's POVMy son was gone. I had fought so hard to save him, but I would never get the chance to hold him in my arms and show him just how much I loved him.Then I remembered his last words to me.Mama, you deserve to be loved, too.Those words stayed with me long after the doctor left. For four years, I had tried to be a good wife to Ryan, endured his indifference, and put the pack's needs before my own. Were I asking for something I didn't deserve.But my baby had been right. I deserved to be loved. And if I couldn't give myself a chance at a different life, who would?I was going to try. For my son, and for the life he had wanted me to have. It was the least I could do to honor him and let him rest in peace.After I was discharged, I printed a mate bond dissolution agreement and signed it. Then I returned to Ryan's house and packed two bags: clothes, my personal documents, and the small wooden comb my mother had given me years ago. I left the jewelry, the expensive dresses, and

Ryan's POV"Ryan, please. Come back and mark me. Please, you have to save our baby."Claire's desperate pleas tore through my sleep.I opened my eyes, her voice still ringing in my ears. Her tear-streaked face flashed through my mind, along with the memory of her begging me to return.I glanced at the date on my phone.Several days. No calls, no messages. She begged me so desperately before, but there's been almost no word from her these past few days.What could possibly happen in those days?The unease in my chest refused to settle. I threw off the covers, got dressed, and headed for the door. Whatever the reason, I needed to see Claire with my own eyes.Sabrina was waiting in the hall."Where are you going?""Home."Her expression changed. She stepped in front of me, then wrapped her arms around my waist."You just woke up. Can't you stay for breakfast?" Her voice softened. "I've waited years for us to have this time together, Ryan. I don't want to lose it again."She tilted her fa

Claire's POVBy the third morning, I had begun to hate the bed.Not because it was uncomfortable. Quite the opposite. The mattress was soft, the blankets warm, and someone had made sure I had everything I needed within reach.That was precisely the problem.I had spent years making sure everyone else had what they needed. Now I couldn't even get myself across a room without help.I pushed the blanket aside and lowered my feet to the floor.The room tilted the moment I stood.I caught the edge of the bedside table, my fingers tightening around the wood until the dizziness passed. My abdomen still ached, a deep, persistent pain that reminded me of what my body had lost.For a moment, I couldn't breathe.I pressed a hand against my stomach.There was nothing left to protect. Nothing left to save.I closed my eyes until the thought stopped cutting so deeply, then forced myself to take another step.I wasn't going to stay in this room forever.I had no money I could access, no destination,

Claire's POVThe first thing I learned as Luna of Blackridge was that the loudest person in a room was rarely the one who held the most power.The second was that people seldom fought over what they claimed to want.I kept both lessons in mind as I entered Luca's council chamber the following morning.Three elders sat around the long table. Adrian stood near the windows, a report in his hand. Luca occupied the chair at the head of the table, looking as though he had been born there.His gaze flicked toward me."Come in, Claire."One of the elders frowned. "Alpha, I wasn't aware this meeting was open to guests.""It isn't," Luca replied. "She's here because I invited her."That was all he said.No explanation. No apology.The elder's mouth tightened, but he said nothing more.I took a seat at the far end of the table, well aware that every pair of eyes had followed me. Luca didn't introduce me, nor did he offer any explanation of my presence. He simply gestured for Adrian to continue.