CHAPTER 6

Lyra felt her heart race, and her palms began to sweat profusely. "Preg… What?" 

"You can go, but you need to see me in my office," the doctor said with a soft smile, and Lyra followed her, counting her steps like a lost sheep.

She entered the office, which was well-furnished with plush couches scattered around. The doctor had impeccable taste, but that was the least of Lyra's concerns. She chided herself, realizing that she was pregnant with Alexander's pup.

"Have a seat, Miss," the doctor pointed to one of the pink plush couches across from Lyra. She settled in but remained lost in her thoughts.

"I'm Scarlet," the doctor introduced herself, extending her hand for a handshake, but Lyra ignored it.

"I know you're going through a lot right now, but you need to stay strong for your pup. You could have been dead by now if not for the man who brought you in here at the last moment," Scarlet explained in a serious tone, though Lyra scowled. She wished the doctor would hurry her words along so she could leave this place.

"This is the result of your scan," Scarlet tossed a document onto the couch next to Lyra.

"Your pup is only partially healthy and might not survive in the coming weeks," she began slowly, causing Lyra to furrow her brows and caress her belly like her unborn pup was about to disappear.

"What's your name? What happened? You can always confide in me," Scarlet added, then left Lyra to fetch two cups of green tea to help her calm down.

"Here, have one," she said, placing a cup of tea in front of Lyra.

"Thank you," Lyra murmured under her breath.

"What's your name?" Scarlet fixed her gaze on Lyra, who sighed with relief after taking a sip of the tea.

"It's not important," Lyra replied. She wasn't sure whom to trust, as Alexander's influence might extend beyond his pack, and she was wary of him finding her.

"You can always talk to me. That pup needs its father, and you're not healthy enough to take care of it. Let it go. I know it must have been rough being rejected," Scarlet chuckled, but Lyra scoffed.

"Rejected?!" 

Well, she wasn't surprised Scarlet was talking about rejection. Most she-wolves got rejected and left with their pups. But her case was different; Alexander didn't know she was his mate and treated her as a plaything.

"If you don't mind, I want to leave now," she declared, standing up from the couch and taking her last sip of tea.

"Thank you."

"Wow," Scarlet's exclamation made her pause. "You're leaving without settling your bills?"

Lyra's eyes widened, and it dawned on her that she hadn't even thought about the bills. "How much is it?" Lyra asked, turning her gaze to Scarlet, who went to her desk.

"It's a few thousand dollars, about $20,000," she said reluctantly, causing Lyra's mouth to drop open. Her entire savings in Alexander's palace didn't even amount to that.

"Can you give me some time to gather it? I don't ha—"

Scarlet interrupted her, "Time for a stranger I barely know? That's hilarious, don't you think?"

"I'm Lyra!" Lyra roared angrily.

"Well, Lyra, you can go. The man who brought you here paid the bills," she said, and Lyra turned immediately, her brow furrowed with a confused look. She asked, "Who is he?"

"I don't even know, maybe we can call him anonymous," Scarlet chuckled lightly.

Lyra was confused about how someone who barely knew her would take her to the hospital and cover the bills with ease.

"Can I get his name?" Lyra inquired.

"Mr. Anonymous," Scarlet said with a soft smile. Lyra was perplexed about who it might be, but she pushed it out of her mind and hurried out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

****

Alexander sat on his bed when Jack knocked and entered. "Sir, still no leads yet?"

Alexander frowned at Jack. "Did she fly? Or did she teleport out of Europe? Find her in every pack and bring her back to me," he sneered, and Jack sluggishly left. It was evident that the fruitless search had taken a toll on Jack. He had checked everywhere for Lyra but still couldn't find her. Alexander wouldn't give up on his search; he hadn't been himself since she left. Three days had passed, and he hadn't eaten, nor did he let the maids approach him. He locked her room and visited it two or three times a day to sniff her scent, but it wasn't enough. He wanted her with him.

The door to Alexander's room flew open, jolting him from his thoughts. Who would have the audacity to slam his door that way? He raised his head and noticed it was Freya, one of his whores. He had known her since they were younger; she used to be a model, but her career had died like it never existed after a sex scandal with one of the Alpha's sons.

"Hello, Alex," she said, and Alexander sighed.

"It's been a really long time, but who's counting?" She began unloading bags she had brought with her.

"What are you here for?" Alexander asked, surprised by all the bags she had dropped.

"I have a shoot in Europe for the next few months, and I didn't see any reason not to come over and see you," she chuckled lightly, arranging the food on the table for Alexander.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"This is Chinese, Kung Pao chicken," she said, still engrossed in setting up the food for Alexander. "I brought it for you all the way from China. Don't ask; I went there for a vacation," she said as she pulled out her phone.

"I'm not interested," Alexander scowled, standing up from the table and leaving her in his room as he headed for his private chambers.

"Still cold-hearted," she snapped at him, but he remained silent. Alexander could hear her distant chatter, mumbling, and cackling as she enjoyed her food.

***

Lyra sluggishly dragged her feet as she pushed herself to move forward. Scarlet's words had cut deep into her, and they flooded back into her thoughts. She held her belly as her eyes started to well up with tears. "I'll protect you," she muttered inwardly as she continued walking, not sure where she was headed.

Soon, a car honked at her, but her thoughts were so consumed by how to protect her pup that she didn't pay attention. A woman pulled up to the side of the road and got out. Lyra watched as her heels clicked on the European streets, bringing her closer.

"You can stay at my place until you're ready to leave," the woman said, causing Lyra to raise her head and realize it was Scarlet.