"Good! Excellent! You've finally conceived!" Alfred clapped his hands and laughed, pacing excitedly around the room. "The Vernal pack will finally have a new heir! This calls for a celebration?—"
"Don't celebrate yet, Father." I cut off his joy. "I'm not finished. Yes, I'm pregnant. But Elias probably doesn't want this child. He wants to divorce me."
"What?!" The laughter died instantly. Alfred looked ready to explode.
I stated the facts calmly. "You know about Liv, don't you? The pack member who supposedly drowned. She's not dead. She's back. Elias wants to make Liv his new Luna. Even though he hasn't made a final decision, to make Liv his Luna he'll have to sever our fated mate bond. The rejection would put enormous strain on my body. I can handle it, but the baby inside me probably can't."
"This is outrageous!" Alfred roared. "What is Elias thinking? He's never been this irresponsible!"
His outburst lasted only seconds before he regained his composure. He studied me with calculating eyes. "So this is your 'deal'? You want me to drive Liv away from Elias for the sake of this child?"
"No, that's not it." I quietly clenched my fists. "I want you to keep this child's existence from Elias for now—to stop him from forcing me to abort. After I give birth..."
I paused. The rest of the words stuck in my throat.
My heart—Novella—was fighting desperately to stop me from finishing that sentence. But this was the only thing I could do for this child, for myself. I couldn't afford to be selfish anymore.
"...I'll give the baby to the Vernal pack." I forced the words out. My eyes stung inexplicably. I tilted my head back, preserving what little dignity I had left in front of Alfred.
If I could, I would have taken this child and disappeared far away.
Even without wealth, I could give him love. We could live ordinary lives. I could be there for him from birth until he grew into an adult. All the family love I never received—I would give it to him unconditionally.
But that was impossible.
My rational mind kept reminding me how desperately the Vernal pack wanted a new heir. If I tried to run, they would hunt me relentlessly until I surrendered the child. I couldn't take him with me.
"In exchange, you let me leave the Vernal pack. Set me free."
Alfred looked surprised for the second time, clearly not expecting this condition.
But I knew he wouldn't refuse. With my traitor status, I was like a discordant note within the pack. If I volunteered to leave and become a wanderer, Alfred would consider it a gift.
"Why would you do this?" Alfred didn't refuse, but he still doubted my motives. "You finally have a child. Don't you want to use this baby to hold onto Elias?"
I smiled bitterly. "The old me would have thought that way. But now I see clearly. He hates me. He won't suddenly love me because of a child. Rather than letting this baby grow up surrounded by hatred, it's better to let him remember only his father's love."
Half-truth, half-lie.
"Very well. Your proposal intrigues me." The old wolf's eyes narrowed. "Deal. I'll handle everything and make sure he doesn't find out. But remember your promise—the moment the child is born, you disappear."
"I promise," I whispered.
After Alfred left, I collapsed into a chair, completely drained.
Finally, I'd bought time for myself and my child.
Ten months. I just had to survive ten months, and it would all be over. I would vanish, erasing every trace of myself from the Vernal pack, returning to who I was at the beginning.
And this child would stay. He would grow up safe within the pack, having everything he deserved…
Except a mother.
CHAPTER 5
SERENITY KELLER
To prepare for my departure, I started packing my room.
