Chapter 0002

Lauren's POV

The crinkling hospital paper beneath me rustled as I shified, unable to sit still. Cold sweat dampened my skin, my nerves trembling with every breath.

The doctor before me, an older man with a crisp white coat and a handlebar mustache, studied the papers in his weathered hands. His cool blue eyes held a detached stare that made my stomach twist.

“Luna,” he said finally. “Your test results aren’t… optimistic.”

My shoulders sagged, my head bowing under the weight of the words. It wasn’t surprising—not to me, not to anyone—but that didn’t make it hurt any less.

“An Omega carrying an Alpha’s child is inherently high-risk,” he continued. “There’s a significant chance of complications during childbirth. You should discuss this with the Alpha.”

My nails dug into the crinkling paper, my voice trembling as I lified my gaze. “I’ll… think it over,” I said, forcing a weak smile.

My throat tightened, my words spilling out in a desperate rush. “But please… I need this to stay between us. Just the mother and her doctor. Can you promise me that?”

His mustache twitched as he considered my plea, his expression unreadable. Then, with a quick nod, he said, “Of course. I’ve raised the white flag on this one, ma’am. Take care.”

I barely registered his words as I found myself back in the stark, white corridor. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting shadows over nurses in scrubs and open doors spilling voices into the hall.

My thoughts blurred together in a fog until I paused at one room. Inside, a mother cradled a newborn to her breast, her partner’s smile radiating warmth as they looked down at their child.

The sight pierced me, jealousy prickling deep in my chest.

I turned away, the image burning behind my eyes. I couldn’t just give up on my baby—not when I’d wanted this for so long. Even if Alexander wanted nothing to do with us, this child was still mine.

And even if I nursed them alone, without him by my side, I would do it.

Turning the corner, I barely had time to brace before a shoulder collided with mine. The force sent me stumbling back, my hand instinctively flying to my stomach.

“Oh, I’m sorry—” I started, but the words died in my throat.

Red curls spilled over a figure that was impossible to miss—an hourglass frame wrapped in a long leather coat that clearly wasn’t hers, but one I knew. Underneath, a baby-pink dress and thigh-high heels, everything about her screamed perfection, from her shadowy eye makeup to her glossy, pouty lips.

Sophia.

“Hey—” she exclaimed, wobbling slightly on her heels. Then her sharp eyes met mine, and her expression twisted with a sneer. It was almost fascinating, how quickly a face so pretty could transform into something so vicious.

“Well, well,” she drawled, her lips curving into a cruel smile. “Look who it is. Aw, even dressed up, I can still see it—smell it. The Omega underneath. It’s pathetic how hard you try. How’ve you been, girly?”

Before I could muster a reply, she circled me like a wolf stalking its prey. “Not that I have to ask. Poor thing. Tell me, Lauren, was the divorce your idea, or did he finally get tired of dragging a deadweight bloodline?”

“He—” I stammered, but the words lodged in my throat. She wasn’t wrong. Nothing could deflect the truth she wielded like a dagger.

Her grin widened as she reached out, toying with a curl of my hair. “It must burn, doesn’t it? No matter how hard you try, you’ll always be second-rate. Especially now. Nothing can change dirty blood, darling.”

I swatted her hand away, my pulse thrumming as I turned to leave, but she stepped in front of me, clearly not finished.

“You must’ve been there when I called him last night, right? Or did you figure it out when he didn’t come back to you?”

She giggled, the sound sharp as nails on glass.

“Oh, don’t be jealous—it’s not your fault you can’t hold his attention. Some of us just know how. We didn’t just talk, Lauren.You can imagine how the rest of the night went—or maybe you’d rather not.”

She smirked, leaning closer. “He has a type, you know. Strong. Confident. Worthy. You wouldn’t understand. He didn’t just leave you, Lauren—he upgraded. And trust me, he has no regrets.”

The doctor’s report crinkled in my hand as I took a steadying breath.

“Oh, I’m not jealous.” I met her gaze with a sharp smile. “I’m relieved. If you’re happy with my lefiovers, be my guest. Have fun managing that mess. I’m sure you’ll find his… shortcomings just as underwhelming as I did. Honestly, I was going to say you deserve better, but now? You two seem perfect for each other.”

Her jaw dropped, but before she could reply, her eyes darted to the papers in my hand. I saw it coming. She lunged, her perfectly manicured nails swiping for the document. I stepped back, clutching them tightly as she tried again.

“What are you hiding—” she hissed.

“Hey!” I snapped, shoving her away.

“You two are clearly busy making a scene,” a low, familiar voice rumbled from behind us.

Sophia froze, stepping back immediately, and I turned to see him—the unmistakable figure of Alexander.

His presence filled the hallway, his long black coat swaying as his polished oxfords clacked against the tile. His hair was slicked back, a few strands rebelliously falling against his forehead. Hands in his pockets, he approached with the measured grace of a predator.

“Alexander!” Sophia cooed, her voice suddenly high and sugary, her hands folding behind her back. She batted her lashes, her transformation so swifi I almost laughed. “I didn’t know you’d be here, love.”

“Naturally, I’d be here for something as important as your test results.” He took her hand in his. Then, with a subtle sneer, his eyes flicked to me. “Some people warrant my time.”

I forced a breath, willing the burn in my chest to settle somewhere it couldn’t hurt me. Of course. She was here for pregnancy tests. He worked fast. Maybe the divorce wasn’t the end of the world afier all.

Before I could stop myself, the words were already spilling out. “No need for the display, you two. I already signed the papers. Let’s get this rejection ceremony over with, shall we?”

His gaze snapped to me, his smirk curling. “About time.” His voice was cold, impersonal, each word striking like a slap. “Let’s make it quick—I have better things to do.”

The ceremony dragged on, though everything about it felt pointless, a formality over something already set in stone. When it was finally over, I walked away without looking back, my heart heavy with the reality I couldn’t ignore: I was on my own.

Truly, painfully alone.

8 Months Later.

Every girl knows childbirth will hurt—the risks, the pain. But knowing doesn’t prepare you. Nothing can.

My baby didn’t make it easy. Hours dragged on as I clawed at the bed, my screams filling the room.

The doctor, a stern woman with sharp features and a tight bun, warned I was losing too much blood. Nurses darted in panic, but I refused to give in, gripping my hands until my nails bit into my skin.

I wouldn’t lose—not until my baby was safe.

Finally, afier what felt like an eternity, a cry broke through the chaos. A baby’s wail—sharp, pure, and life-shattering.

Relief surged through me as I collapsed into the bed, laughing and crying at once.

I did it. Alone.

But then, the doctor’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “I’m sorry. The baby was a stillborn.”

The room spun. My head refused to lifi, my arms wouldn’t move.

What? No! I heard them! My mind screamed as my eyes darted frantically. Where’s my baby?

“Dismissed,” the doctor ordered the nurses, her voice snapping through their protests.

“But she’s still bleeding out—”

“I said dismissed!” The staff shuffled out, their uncertainty the last sign of humanity in the room.

My neck rolled weakly as I searched for my child, my body screaming in protest. The doctor stood motionless, blood staining her coat, her hands clasped and cold.

“An Alpha doesn’t leave loose ends,” she said, her tone icy. “Least of all a child from a discarded union. This ends now—for both of you.”

Her words froze me.

No... No, this can’t be real. My child—my baby—was all I had lefi. Afier the divorce, I had nothing: no home, no security, no future. This child was my last hope, my anchor to something good. And now, even that was being stolen.

My trembling hands pressed against my stomach, desperate to shield what I no longer had. My chest ached, sharp and consuming, as if the air itself had turned to lead.

No… Alexander wouldn’t. Would he?

Despair flooded my veins, clawing up, trying to peel myself from the blood-soaked sheets, drowning every flicker of hope.

I rasped, “My… baby…” but my strength failed halfway up. I fell back into the pillows, tears spilling freely as darkness crept in.

The last thing I saw was the doctor’s cruel smirk, a haunting shadow in my fading vision. My body gave in, and the phantom cry of my baby echoed in my ears—a relentless, searing heartbreak that tore the universe apart.

And then, there was nothing.