Chapter 43
Rachel’s POV
The steady beeping of medical equipment filled my ears, each sound seeming to amplify the throbbing pain in my head.
I tried to open my eyes, but even that small movement sent waves of agony through my skull.
The sterile scent of the medical ward filled my nostrils, a stark contrast to the fresh garden air where I’d been before… before Madison had-
Voices drifted from outside the door, pulling me from my painful recollections.
“She’s resting now, but her condition is stable.” That was Emma’s voice.
“I can’t believe this happened.” Victoria’s voice was soft, laden with guilt. “I feel terrible about all of this. I should never have let her go off alone.”
“You new Nathan’s rules, and you didn’t follow them.” Tyler’s tone was severe, his words clipped with anger.
I hated hearing the guilt in Victoria’s voice. None of this was her fault. I forced my eyes open despite the pain.
“I’m awake, I called out, my voice weaker than I’d intended.
The door opened immediately, and all three of them entered. Emma moved directly to check the monitors beside my bed, while Victoria rushed to my side, her amber eyes filled with concern.
“I’m so sorry we disturbed you,” Emma said. “You need more rest.”
“I’m fine,” I insisted, trying to sit up despite the dizziness. “Just a little fall, and the stomach bug I’ve had lately didn’t help my balance.”
Emma’s expression shifted, her eyes meeting mine with unexpected softness. “Rachel… that’s not a stomach bug.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What?”
“Your symptoms–the nausea, the dizziness, the changes in your scent that Victoria noticed- Emma paused, glancing at Victoria who nodded encouragingly.
“Am I… pregnant?” The question escaped as barely a whisper.
Both Emma and Victoria smiled, nodding in unison. “Yes–yes, you are.”
My kid…
A wave of panic seized my heart, tears instantly welling in my eyes. But he’s going to marry Madison now…”
“What are you talking about?” Tyler’s sharp question cut through the rooin.
Victoria sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “Madison’s been telling everyone she’s going to be Nathan’s Luna. She cornered Rachel and called her a breeder in front of everyone.”
Tyler’s jaw tightened. “You’re telling me you weren’t prepared for that?”
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Chapter 43
“Please- I clutched at the sheets, my heart racing. “Don’t tell Nathan doon tvwant to ruin whatever alliance you’re trying to build. I can leave-
“Leave?” Nathan’s deep voice fed the room as he appeared in the doorway Yoonot going anywhere.”
Instantly, my body tensed up as if pulled by an invisible string. Every muscle in my seemed to coil tightly, and a shiver ran down my spine involuntarily. “I’m sorry…” I whispered, lowering my zo..
“Is it true?” Nathan demanded, his voice low but commanding. Is she pregnant??
Tyler straightened. “Yes, Alpha. She is.”
“Look at me, Rachel.“/
I forced myself to meet his gaze, working hard to conceal my trembling. I thought I’d gotten paststofefear of him over time, but in this moment, I felt like I was back to my first day at Ironjaw.
His gray eyes narrowed as they studied my face, noticing the bruising that must have formed. What exoutly happened to her?” His voice had dropped to a dangerous growl.
Victoria stepped forward quickly. “It’s all my fault! I’ll accept whatever punishment you deem appropriatete.”
“No, it’s not Victoria’s fault!” I protested desperately. “I shouldn’t have left her side. I’m sorry…
“It was Madison, Alpha, Tyler said quietly. “She confronted Rachel.
Nathan’s eyes flashed golden, a sign his wolf was close to the surface “She touched what belongs to me. He paused,chisisajaw tightening. “Arrange a meeting with Raymond and the King. We have matters to discuss.”
“Yes, Alpha, Tyler replied, immediately heading for the door.
“Rachel, Emma said after Nathan stormed out, “you’ll be able to return to your suite soon. Victoria and I will help you, butfirststi I want you to rest a little more and get these fluids into your system. You’re quite dehydrated.”
I nodded gently, and then Emma and the others all left.
Once again, I was left alone with my thoughts, something I never particularly enjoyed. The revelation still hadn’t fully sunk inn.
I’m pregnant. I’m actually carrying Nathan’s child.
My hand drifted unconsciously to my still–flat stomach, wondering how far along I was, or whether it would be a boy or a girl. A small, sad smile touched my lips.
I hoped more than anything that it would be a boy–that I could give Nathan the heir he wanted.
An heir I would never see grow up…
The realization hit me like a physical blow. According to the arrangement, once I’d fulfilled my purpose as a breeder, I would be
released
I now understood what that euphemism truly meant. The thought of handing my baby over to Nathan and never being part of my child’s life was suddenly unbearable.
Emma had mentioned werewolf pregnancies lasted only six months half the time of human pregnancies.
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Chapter 43
I thought back to Nathan’s reaction. He hadn’t seemed happy about the pregnancy, just possessive, as always. Nathan wasn’t upset about me being hurt; he waspset that Madison had touched something that belonged to him.
To him, I was nothing but property…
A tear slid down my cheek, followed by another, and another, until was silently sobbing. I wasn’t crying for myself, but for the child who would grow up without knowing its mother, without knowing how much I already loved it.
But as the tears subsided, I found something unexpected beneath my despair–a sudden, strange determination.
Werewolves experience only six months of pregnancy… if I wanted to be part of my child’s life, then I would need to…
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