Lily’s POV
The doctor’s assistant handed me the envelope as soon as I walked into the doctor’s office the day after. “Luna Lily,” she said gently, “your test results are in. You’ll need to speak with Doctor for the treatments and medical procedures.”
My hand trembled slightly as I took the envelope. I could barely hear her as she added, “She said your symptoms is not pregnancy-related at all. You’ll know once you open the results… let’s hope for the best, alright?”
Hope. That fragile word kept coming up lately, as if people could smell how much I needed it. I clutched the envelope tightly against my chest, afraid that opening it would shatter whatever illusions I still clung to.
It had been days since my last meal stayed down. My skin felt like it was stretched too tightly over my bones. I was constantly fatigued, dizzy, and plagued with back pain that no one could quite explain. Even my wolf, usually restless and protective during late pregnancy, was subdued—quiet, like she was hiding something from me.
I sank down on the bench outside the clinic, too drained to open the results just yet. My eyes wandered toward the glass doors of the next wing—and that’s when I saw him.
Alpha Hudson.
He was walking down the hospital hallway beside Abigail again, a hand gently placed on her lower back as if guiding her protectively. His head tilted toward her, voice low, soft. He looked calm. Attentive.
I hadn’t seen that look on his face for so long. Certainly not around me.
They stopped by the records desk, and Hudson stepped into another doctor’s office alone—probably to pick up her medical report. Abigail lingered by the door, touching her bump dramatically with a self-satisfied air.
I forced myself to look away, tears threatening. The paper in my hand burned like fire. My stomach twisted violently, but I swallowed the nausea and stood. I wouldn’t cry. Not here.
But then Abigail noticed me.
She cocked her head with a mocking smile and walked right over, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of a confrontation.
“Luna,” she said sweetly, “you should be careful lurking around like this. It’s not a good look—clinging to a dying bond.”
I stared at her, unmoving. “It’s funny hearing that from someone who clung so hard to a failed mateship, she had to sneak into mine.”
Her smile faltered. “I had Hudson first. You’re just the replacement. A temporary Luna. And now that I’m carrying his child, maybe it’s time you step aside.”
The words hit harder than I expected. My wolf growled low inside me. I gripped the envelope tighter.
“You’re disgusting,” I spat. “If your mate rejected you, go back to him. Don’t ruin another’s bond just because you can’t handle your own failure.”
Abigail’s eyes flashed. “You poor thing. Still pretending Hudson wants you? That baby you’re carrying… I wouldn’t be surprised if he forgets all about it once mine is born. I mean, why raise two pups when you can raise one with the woman he actually loves?”
A breath hitched in my throat. No. He told me Abigail’s child wasn’t his. He looked me in the eye and swore he was only helping her as an old friend. I begged for the truth, and he promised me—
But why did her words feel so real now?
My hand moved instinctively to my bump. My wolf whimpered inside me, but I held my ground.
“Back off,” I warned. “You don’t want to start something you’ll regret.”
Abigail’s eyes dropped to the envelope in my hand. “What’s that?” she asked, reaching forward before I could stop her.
“Give that back!”
Too late.
She tore the top open and scanned the first page. Her lips curled into a wicked grin. “Oh. Oh my Goddess… You have cancer?”
I froze.
She laughed. Laughed.
“Moon above, this is rich. The Luna—dying? Maybe the Goddess is on my side after all. You and your pup… you might die together.”
Something inside me snapped.
My palm flew before I could stop it, striking her sharply across the face.
Abigail stumbled dramatically, then yelped as she fell backward—right into a small wooden side table. A glass vase shattered beneath her, and her wail echoed through the corridor. She didn’t hesitate—she thrust her hand into the broken glass, cutting her palm deliberately.
Blood gushed.
“Help!” she screamed. “The Luna—she attacked me!”
The office door flew open.
Hudson charged out, eyes landing on Abigail first. He didn’t even look at me before rushing to her side.
“What the hell did you do, Lily?!” he barked, pushing me roughly. I staggered back, clutching my belly.
“I didn’t push her—she staged it!” I cried. “Hudson, listen to me—”
“Alpha,” Abigail whimpered, playing weak, “please don’t fight with her… She’s just upset. I understand. I’m sorry if I made things worse.”
“She needs to apologize!” Hudson snarled, turning to me.
I held out the blood-smeared paper. “Please, just read this. I have cance—”
He slapped it from my hands.
The paper fell to the tiled floor, sliding into a pool of Abigail’s blood. The ink blurred. Unreadable.
“I don’t have time for your drama,” he snapped. “I’m done walking on eggshells around you.”
My heart cracked open. “You’re really choosing her. Even now.”
“If you apologize to Abigail,” he said coldly, “I’ll come with you to your next check-up. Apologize. First.”
I stared at him—this male I once called my mate. The same Alpha who promised to protect me with his life. He now stood before me, demanding I bow to the she-wolf who took everything from me.
I looked down at the ruined paper. Then back at him.
“No.”
“Lily—”
“No,” I repeated, louder this time. “You’ve disappointed me in ways I can never put into words.”
My baby stirred. A small kick.
“I won’t apologize for telling the truth. And I won’t beg for scraps of your attention anymore.”
Then I turned around, refusing to look back.
