Chapter 003:

Ember's POV.

Responding to the sudden call, I hoped to hear Loak’s voice tenderly soothing my pain, but instead, Doctor Caleb’s voice echoed with a sense of urgency.

“Hurry up, Ember… Loak's Feral Fever is back, and this time, it's looking scarier.”

His words instantly struck a chord in me, my eyes bulging with shock and fear. If there was anything I was expecting, it definitely wasn’t that my son would have another attack.

The Feral Fever was a deadly illness with a forty percent survival rate for werewolves and was also rare. It required temporary treatment to prevent the inner wolf from dying first. It was expensive, and doctors who could handle it were rare.

It could be hereditary or result from trauma. I knew how Loak got his, but it was best if I remained silent for now.

This was one of the reasons I joined the pack's clinic, but Thane stopped me from working there after months of our marriage.

Not now. I said inwardly before speaking up, “I'll be there in no time, but remember, Caleb… it has to be kept a secret. Please.” I begged, and immediately, he ended the call.

Turning on my heels, I reached for my bag, which I had tossed on the bed earlier. I needed to get to the hospital; I needed to see my son. Just as I pivoted on my heels, my heart racing rapidly, the door swung open, and unexpectedly, Alpha Thane walked in.

His presence made me halt abruptly, my brows creasing in confusion as I stared at him.

At this point, he should be at the hospital with Zara and not here with me, unless… he was here to give me the attention I needed.

I guessed Alpha Thane hadn't changed much and was still the man I fell in love with. He walked closer to me, his gaze softening as he got nearer. I was glad to see him come for me, and he could help me get to my son, where I’d open up to him about my past.

But all my imaginings were cut short the second he got a firm hold of my hand. Without a second thought, he yanked me out of the room, dragging me down the hallway forcefully.

“What are you doing, Alpha Thane! Let me go!” I urged as I struggled to free my hand from his grip.

He turned to me, his glare fixed. “We don't have time, Ember. Let's go!” He commanded and was going to take my hand again, but I took a step backward.

“No! I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where you are taking me,” I demanded stubbornly, and as expected, he spilled the beans.

“Zara is losing a lot of blood because of you, Ember, and as it stands, you are the only one who can give your blood to help her since your wolf is strong… so we need to go now!” he declared, but I still refused.

“No, Thane. I can't… I won't do it,” I shook my head vehemently.

“I’m sorry, Ember, but you never had a choice. You have to do this!” Without a second thought, he gripped me and dragged me to the hospital.

‘No, please… I need to save my son. Please!’ I said inwardly, my eyes growing moist.

As soon as we got there, he dragged me into the room, my eyes meeting Zara, who was lying on one of the beds, her eyes shut, with a doctor standing beside her.

“Here she is… take every drop you need!” Alpha Thane ordered the doctor, who looked reluctant.

“Is there a problem?” the doctor asked, staring at Alpha Thane.

“I would have loved to use the Luna’s blood for Zara, but Alpha Thane… she’s pregnant and might lose the baby in the process,” he explained, fear gripping my heart as I held my tummy.

“She’s strong enough; she won’t lose the baby, but if she does, then I don’t care. She caused all of this!” Alpha Thane spat with contempt.

“What?” I exclaimed, “I can’t… I can’t lose my child. Please just let me go. Please!” I begged, but they all ignored me.

Three men in black stormed into the room, and with a swift grip on my hand, they forced me to a bed beside Zara. I struggled to break free from their grip, but it was impossible.

They began drawing my blood and transfusing it to Zara, who was faking everything. I cried bitterly, watching Alpha Thane feel relieved knowing that Zara was okay, not me. It broke me to the core.

Soon, I felt drowsy and couldn’t control myself anymore. The image of my son was the last thing I saw before I blacked out in the hospital room.

“My baby…”

*******

The loud beeping sound echoed in my ear as I fluttered my eyes open. My head throbbed intensely, and I didn’t hesitate to clutch it tightly as I sat up on the bed.

“What happened?” I mumbled, shutting my eyes and trying to understand my surroundings when the door was pushed open and Zara walked in, a sneer on her lips.

“I see you are finally awake.” She said as she walked closer to me. “I know you don't want to talk to me, but I'm sorry for making you lose your baby.” She said in a most carefree way that stung me.

My eyes snapped to my tummy, and clutching it, I felt pain, anger, and regret. “You’re joking, right? He isn’t gone yet.”

I stood up from the bed and walked closer to her. “I didn’t lose my baby, right?”

“It’s my fault, Ember, but you can’t entirely blame me… of course, now you see that Alpha Thane will never care for you or that thing. Thank the moon goddess it is out of the way now.”

Her words struck me, and at this point, I couldn’t hold it back. With rage, I slapped her so hard on the face, the impact jarring as all I saw in her eyes was fury.

“How dare…” she lifted her hand to hit me back, but Alpha Thane came in, interrupting her.

“What are you doing, Ember? You just woke up and you’re causing trouble?” He snapped, as if he didn’t see Zara preparing to hit me.

“You are just so blind, and I failed to realize this until now.” I forced a chuckle, regretting it all at this point.

“Watch your tongue, Ember!”

“No, Alpha Thane, don’t shout at her… I should be blamed. I made her lose her baby.” Zara played the victim card as always, entangling her arms with Alpha Thane’s.

“Don’t do that, Zara! Stop taking the blame for someone as despicable as her! She deserves everything that has happened to her!” Thane stated and turned around, ready to leave the room with Zara. But I got a firm grip on his arm, halting him in his tracks.

I needed to clarify just one thing, and I needed it now.

“Let me…”

“Tell me the truth, Alpha Thane… do you really not care about me and what happened to your unborn heir?” I asked painfully, tears trickling down my pale cheeks.

He hesitated for a split second before responding. “Yes, Ember… I don’t care! And I will never care!”