--Alyssa--As I glance down at my belly, I can’t help but marvel at the changes that have occurred over the past two months. It’s as if my body has defied the usual timeline, and instead of showing the subtle signs of early pregnancy, I now appear as though I’m well into my sixth month. The growth is significant, the curve of my abdomen undeniably prominent, and it’s both awe-inspiring and a little overwhelming. It feels like my body is orchestrating its own version of time, moving at its own pace.I haven’t ventured outside much lately. The few times I have, it’s been under careful cover, avoiding any unnecessary exposure. The staff who come in are few and far between, each visit meticulously planned to ensure minimal disruption and maximum discretion. The rest of the time, I stay within the sanctuary of our home, where I feel safest and most at ease.Xavier has been a constant source of support and reassurance. He fabricated a story about how I was actually in my fifth month of preg
--Alyssa--Getting up from bed, I was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness about the appointment at my mom’s place with Xavier. I carefully applied a spritz of my favorite perfume, enjoying the soft, floral scent that lingered on my skin. It was a small ritual that always made me feel more confident and ready to face the day.After finishing my breakfast, I headed downstairs to meet Xavier. The atmosphere in the house seemed unusually tense as I stepped into the elevator. The doors opened, and I was immediately met with a curious, almost uncomfortable silence. Everyone in the lobby seemed to freeze for a moment before quickly averting their gazes. The maids, who usually greeted me with warm smiles, looked at me with a mixture of surprise and apprehension. They bowed their heads politely but couldn’t resist glancing back at me as they walked away.I could feel a knot tightening in my stomach as I tried to make sense of the odd reactions. It was as though I had unwittingl
--Alyssa--The noise outside my bedroom window grew louder, a cacophony of voices that carried a heavy undertone of frustration and anger. I cautiously approached the window, peering through the ornate curtains to catch a glimpse of the commotion. My heart sank as I saw a sea of pack members gathered below, their faces etched with concern and agitation. The sight of them was overwhelming, and their voices carried a mixture of urgency and frustration that sent shivers down my spine.“We need answers!” came the shouted demand from the crowd. The tone was sharp and insistent, and I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. I could see the tension in their movements, the way they jostled each other in their eagerness to get answers.“What’s going on?” I muttered to myself, trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding before me. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, trying to catch any hint of what was driving the uproar.The murmurs from the crowd grew more distinct. “Is she a Wh
--Alyssa--Everything indicated that I would give birth in my third month, which was next month. At this point, Xavier had decided to hide me from everyone before something happened, or they revolted against me, or worse, came in here to make me shift.I remember that night clearly when he relayed the news to me. We were in our room, the dim light casting shadows on the walls, the air heavy with tension. Xavier's face was etched with worry as he spoke.“I’ve thought about it long and hard with Nathaniel, and the best option now is for you to leave for a while. If possible, take care of our pup somewhere safe,” he said, his voice a mix of determination and sorrow. I knew that was the only solution, even though it meant I wouldn’t be seeing him for a long time. He wouldn’t be able to come to where I was so that he wouldn’t be followed.Lily was packing my things now, her movements efficient but tinged with sadness. She carefully folded the child’s clothes, some of which Xavier had bough
"Get up, Alyssa," I heard someone calling me. I opened my eyes, groggy and disoriented, realizing it was still night—possibly just before dawn."Why?" I asked Grandma, my voice thick with sleep as I attempted to burrow back into the warmth of my bed."We need to leave now. The people are in front of the palace wanting to inspect you. It's the leaders this time, and Xavier can't stop them for too long. Hurry," Grandma said urgently, her voice laced with fear. The gravity of the situation jolted me awake, my heart pounding with sudden adrenaline.Lily would meet us behind the secret door, known only to Xavier and his family. The palace was eerily quiet, the stillness outside starkly contrasting the turmoil I felt inside. I saw Nathaniel picking up our bags. He bowed to me and walked out with them, his expression serious and focused.I was still in my nightwear, a simple cotton gown that clung to my form. There was no time to change or gather my thoughts. Grandma grabbed my hand and led
--Alyssa--We were watching a movie, a popular request from Grandma, but my mind kept wandering back to Mom and what could have possibly happened. I couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, despite trying to focus on the screen in front of me. Something didn’t feel right, and I could tell that both Grandma and I were distracted.“There’s a knock, Grandma,” I said softly, even though it had been faint. My ears had picked it up nonetheless. Grandma didn't seem to notice at first, but then came another knock, louder this time, clear enough to be undeniable.“I’ll check it,” she said, motioning for me to stay seated. She rose slowly from her chair and made her way to the door, her steps deliberate, as if she, too, felt a shift in the air.A moment later, I heard her say, “Elizabeth.”The sound of that name startled me to my feet before my brain could even register what was happening. Mom. She was here. “Mom?” I called out, my voice filled with both relief and conf
It had been an entire month since I last heard from Xavier, and the worry gnawed at me constantly. Every day, I cried myself to sleep, the emptiness in my heart growing with each passing hour. I couldn’t help but think about him, about where he was and what he might be going through. But there was one thing that kept me going—the certainty that he was still alive. If he weren’t, I would have felt it deep inside me. That was the one thing mates shared, a connection that transcended distance and time. It was that bond that reassured me, even in the darkest moments, that Xavier was out there somewhere, fighting to return to us.Yet, despite that fragile hope, I was falling apart. In Grandma and Mom’s words, I looked terrible. My skin had paled, and the bags under my eyes were dark and heavy from countless sleepless nights. My clothes barely fit, and I’d stopped caring about my appearance long ago. The weight of uncertainty was crushing.As much as I tried to stay positive, the constant
Tears blurred my vision as I glanced at Mom, who stood beside me, her own eyes filled with emotion. She had been so strong throughout it all, but now, seeing her grandchild, her tears flowed freely. Grandma was nearby too, her hands clasped together, a proud smile lighting up her face. The room was filled with so much love, so much joy.But just as I began to think it was over, a sudden, sharp pain shot through me, taking my breath away. I gasped, my body tensing as fear gripped me once more. “Something’s wrong!” I cried out, panic creeping into my voice.The midwife, who had been carefully watching over me, quickly moved to check. Her expression remained calm, and after a moment, she looked up at me with a reassuring smile. “No, Alyssa, nothing’s wrong. You’re having another baby.”Another baby. The words took a moment to register in my exhausted mind. Another baby? My heart raced as the realization dawned on me. Twins. I was having twins.The pain came back in waves, and I gripped t