chapter 31
Layla's POV
The pack doctor sedated me while I drifted in and out of consciousness for the next day. When I finally woke up properly, the doctor was there with a clipboard checking my vitals. "How are you feeling?" she asked while her tone stayed professional.
"Empty," I said honestly while one hand moved to my now flat stomach. "Did anyone tell Zeke?"
"He knows you're in the medical wing, but he hasn't come to visit yet," she said carefully while
avoiding my eyes. "He's still processing Cecelia's death and probably doesn't have the emotional capacity to deal with anything else right now."
Translation: he didn't care enough about me or the baby to even check if I was okay. The knowledge burned worse than the physical pain while I turned my face toward the wall so the doctor wouldn't see how much that hurt.
"The father," the doctor said quietly while moving closer to my bed. "Derek, I assume, based on the timeline and some things the other
guards mentioned about you two."
My blood went cold while I turned back to look at her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Layla, I'm not stupid, and I'm not blind," she said while setting down her clipboard. "The timeline doesn't match up with when you could have conceived with Zeke, and Derek disappeared right after you found out you were pregnant, which tells me everything I need to know."
"You can't tell anyone," I said while panic made my voice sharp. "If Zeke finds out the baby wasn't his,
it will ruin everything."
"The baby is gone, so there's nothing to tell," she pointed out while her expression stayed neutral. "But if you get pregnant again, I strongly suggest you be honest about paternity
because lying about something like that never ends well."
She left while I stared at the ceiling trying to figure out my next move. The doctor was right that the miscarriage had
eliminated my immediate problem, but it also meant I'd lost my best chance at securing my place with Zeke
permanently
One year later, I found myself in almost the exact same situation, except this time I was smarter about it. The father was a pack member named Robert, who I'd been seeing casually for a few months while making sure Zeke never found out. When the pregnancy test came back positive, I'd already worked out my entire story.
I would tell everyone the baby came early, even though he was actually right on time, which would make the timeline work for Zeke being the
father. Robert had already agreed to keep quiet in exchange for a generous payment and a transfer to a territory three states away where no one would ask questions.
Cameron was born healthy and screaming while I held him and felt actual love for the first time in years. He had dark hair like me and Zeke, which made the lie easier, while his eyes were blue like Robert's, but babies' eyes changed color all the time, so no one questioned it.
"He's beautiful," the pack doctor said while the same woman who'd
delivered my miscarriage news helped clean up the baby. Her eyes met mine over Cameron's head with a look that said she knew exactly what I was doing but wouldn't say anything.
"Thank you," I said while holding my son closer. "Does Zeke know?"
"He's waiting outside," she confirmed while wrapping Cameron in a soft blanket. "He wanted to be here for the birth, but you said you preferred privacy."
Which was true because I couldn't risk Zeke noticing that Cameron
came out looking way too developed for a supposedly premature baby. "Send him in now," I said while arranging myself to look appropriately exhausted.
Zeke entered slowly while his face showed concern but not the joy I'd hoped to see. He looked at Cameron with interest but not the overwhelming love a father should feel for his newborn son, which told me he suspected something even if he couldn't prove it.
"He's healthy?" Zeke asked while staying near the door instead of coming closer.
"Perfectly healthy, despite coming early," I said while the lie tasted bitter. "Don't you want to hold him?"
Zeke moved forward reluctantly while taking Cameron from my arms with the careful grip of someone who had no idea what to do with babies. He studied Cameron's face for a long moment while I held my breath, waiting for him to say
something about how the baby didn't look premature, or how the features didn't match, or anything that would expose my lie.
"He's beautiful," Zeke finally said while handing Cameron back to me
quickly. "I'm glad you're both okay, but I should let you rest."
He left before I could respond while the door closed behind him with a soft click. I looked down at Cameron, who was already starting to fuss while tears burned in my eyes
because this wasn't how it was supposed to be either.
Three years later, in present day, I sat in my quarters reviewing medical files I'd stolen from the pack doctor's
office. The records from Cameron's birth showed his actual gestational age, which proved he hadn't been premature at
all. If anyone compared these records with the timeline of when I'd supposedly gotten pregnant with Zeke, it would be obvious the baby couldn't be his.
I pulled out my lighter while holding the papers over my trash can. The flame caught quickly while I watched years of evidence turn to ash. The pack doctor who delivered
Cameron had retired six months ago, which was convenient timing, while I'd already paid her generously to forget anything suspicious about that birth.
My phone buzzed with a text from
Marcus saying Zeke wanted everyone at the pack house for dinner tonight, including Cameron. I stared at the message while dread settled in my stomach because family dinners always made me nervous with how closely Zeke watched
Cameron, looking for similarities that didn't exist.
I dressed carefully that evening while making sure Cameron looked presentable in clean clothes with his hair combed neatly. He bounced excitedly beside me on the walk to the main dining room because he loved these dinners even though
they made me want to throw up from stress.
Zeke was already there when we arrived, along with Marcus and several other high-ranking pack members. Cecelia sat beside Zeke, which made my jaw clench because she was supposed to be dead, but instead she was here taking my place like she'd never left.
"Layla, Cameron, glad you could make it," Zeke said while gesturing to empty seats across from him. His tone was polite but cold, while there was none of the warmth he used to have when looking at me
years ago.
We sat down while Cameron immediately started chattering about his day at school. I tried to follow the conversation while keeping one eye on Zeke's face,
watching for any signs that he suspected the truth about Cameron's paternity.
"And then my special uncle brought me candy," Cameron said excitedly while reaching for his juice. "He always brings the best treats when he visits."
The entire table went silent while
Zeke's expression shifted from polite interest to sharp focus. "What uncle?" he asked while his voice dropped into that Alpha tone that demanded answers.
My heart stopped while my hand froze halfway to my water glass. Cameron looked confused by the sudden attention while glancing between Zeke and me like he didn't understand what he'd said wrong.
"Cameron, sweetie, why don't you tell everyone about your art project," I said quickly while trying to redirect the conversation away from dangerous territory.
"No, I want to hear about this uncle," Zeke said while his eyes never left Cameron's face. "What's his name, buddy?"
Cameron squirmed in his seat.
