CHAPTER NINE: WHAT MUST BE DONE

I was lying on the bed, taking the vitamin pills prescribed by the doctor to keep my baby healthy, when Ryder entered the room.

"Alpha, you weren't supposed to enter yet," the doctor said. "But since you're the father of her baby, I understand your actions."

Embarrassed, I blushed as the doctor referred to Ryder as the father of my child, even though he wasn't. For some reason, I found myself wishing he was the real father. Apollo was a jerk.

The doctor instructed Ryder to take good care of me and ensure I ate enough fruit. He also warned him to make sure I didn't get exposed to cold again, as it was not good for the baby in my womb.

"Is there anything else I should be doing to take care of her and the baby?" Ryder asked.

The doctor hesitated before telling him that our baby wasn't very healthy. Ryder clenched his fist in anger, visibly upset.

"What can we do to ensure the baby's health?" Ryder asked tensely.

"The baby will be born in a few months," the doctor said. "By then, she shouldn't undergo any stress."

"I'll take care of her," Ryder assured the doctor. Ryder moved closer to me on the bed and whispered. “Who is the father of your child?”

"It's Apollo," I replied in hushed tones. "Even though I was drunk the night we had sex, I'm sure of it."

Ryder's eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened. "That bastard," he muttered.

"He's a playboy," Ryder continued, shaking his head. "Ever since his wolf killed his last girlfriend, he's been sleeping around with different girls."

"All he did to me was unacceptable," I said, feeling angry and hurt.

Just then, Ryder's beta entered the room, looking tense. "Alpha, Apollo's at the door. He wants to come inside, but we're stopping him."

Sounds of grunts and struggle came from outside the room, and Ryder followed his beta out. As I lay there, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Ryder.

As the doctor exited the room, I overheard Ryder and Apollo's discussion outside. The room wasn't soundproof, so I could distinctly hear what they were saying.

"I can't believe you want to see her after everything you've put her through!" Ryder shouted.

Apollo's voice was low and menacing. "If your men weren't holding me back, I could have easily kicked you out of my way."

"I don’t know why you care about my mate when you don’t care about anyone, not even your soon-to-be Luna, Hazel." Apollo snarled.

"Don’t change the topic! Zelda needs to be taken care of. Her baby is unhealthy. You should stop being a jerk and take care of her, regardless of whether the baby is yours or not. You can decide what to do after it's born," Ryder concluded.

I heard footsteps approaching, and the door creaked open. Ryder and Apollo walked in, standing on opposite sides of my bed. Apollo leaned in to touch me, but I hit his hand away.

"Don't pretend to care about me," I growled.

Apollo's blue eyes flashed with anger. "You should behave yourself when an alpha like me is giving you attention."

"Attention? You mean when you left me in the street to die?" I sneered.

Ryder stepped forward, his hand on Apollo's arm. "We believe you, Zelda. The baby is Apollo's, and he will take care of you until it's born."

Apollo glared at Ryder. "I will make sure to take care of her, but if the baby isn't mine…” he paused. “I will take you to my pack," he concluded.

Shaking my head, I replied, "I don't want anyone to take care of me. I just want to go back to my old life."

Ryder's expression softened. "I know this isn't what you wanted. But you're carrying his child, and we have to protect you."

Apollo crossed his arms. "And I won't let you out of my sight until the baby is born."

Sighing, I sank back into the pillows. This was not the life I had imagined for myself, but for now, I had no choice but to rely on these two alphas to keep me safe.

After being discharged from the hospital, Apollo paid my bills and led me to his car, with Ryder following and sitting in the front seat beside Apollo's beta, Seth, who was driving.

I was stuck in the back seat with Apollo, who put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. I felt a strange sensation as he held me, and I struggled to break free, but he held me firmly. "Stay calm," he said before releasing me. He turned away, but I still felt drawn to him. He was still my mate, even though I hated him.

As we drove in silence, I looked out the window and wondered how things had taken a different turn. I wasn't scared about what would happen when Apollo found out the child was his. Instead, I imagined him begging for my forgiveness and smiled.

Abruptly, Apollo noticed Seth staring at him. "What's wrong, Seth?" he asked.

"Nothing, Alpha," Seth replied hesitantly.

"I can sense something's off. Tell me what it is," Apollo demanded, his voice firm.

Seth sighed. "I wanted to ask if you were with a girl when you first arrived at your father's pack."

Apollo's grip on the seat belt tightened. "Why do you ask?"

"I remember seeing you leave with a blonde girl, but I didn't get a good look at her face," Seth said, his voice hesitant. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean to overstep."

Apollo's jaw clenched. "What else do you remember?"