AmberThe days blurred together as I juggled my online lessons, therapy, and pregnancy. I threw myself into studying, determined to prove to myselfโand to the worldโthat I wasnโt just some broken girl defined by her past. But balancing it all wasnโt easy.Every morning, I sat at the kitchen table with my laptop, my books spread out in front of me, determined to absorb as much information as I could. I pushed through exhaustion, through the discomfort of my ever-changing body, and forced myself to stay focused.But pregnancy was relentless.My body was not my own anymore. My belly grew larger each week, my skin stretching in ways that made me feel alien in my own skin. My breasts were swollen and heavy, they had become twice their original size, my feet ached, and my back felt like it belonged to someone three times my age.One evening, I caught my reflection in the hallway mirror and froze.The girl staring back at me wasnโt the same one from months ago.I turned slightly, running a h
AmberThe days after our little celebration passed in a blur of activity.I threw myself into university applications, determined to carve out a future for myself and my baby. I had worked too hard to give up now. My GPA was incredibleโI knew it gave me a shot at some of the best schools. But I also needed to be realistic. Being a single mother meant I had to choose a school with a good support system, one that would allow me to balance my studies and motherhood.Ichika helped me research institutions that had flexible programs for young parents. Ken, ever the supportive father figure, spent hours reading through brochures with me, weighing the pros and cons of each university.Still, the waiting game was agonizing.Each day, I checked my email obsessively, my stomach twisting with nerves. What if no one accepted me? What if, despite everything, I wasnโt good enough?Then, two weeks later, it happened.A large envelope arrived in the mail. I stood frozen at the doorstep, staring at th
AmberI was beyond exhausted.The car ride home from the hospital had been quiet, save for Evalieโs soft breaths as she slept in her carrier beside me. Ichika had insisted that I rest, but how could I? I was bringing my baby homeโmy baby. The realization still hadnโt fully sunk in.Ken pulled into the driveway, and Ichika turned to me with a smile. โReady?โI wasnโt.But I nodded anyway.The moment we stepped inside, the warmth of the house wrapped around me like a familiar embrace. Ken carried the hospital bags while Ichika carefully lifted Evalie in her arms, swaying gently. โWelcome home, little one,โ she murmured.I followed them inside, my steps slow, my body aching. The labor had drained me. Every part of me still hurtโmy stomach felt like it had been wrung out, my muscles ached, and the lingering soreness between my legs was a constant reminder of what I had gone through.Ken set my bags down in my room before turning to me with a reassuring smile. โWeโll be right here if you n
AmberFive months had passed since Evalieโs birth, and in that time, my life had completely changed.Motherhood had been an uphill battleโexhausting, overwhelming, sometimes terrifyingโbut with each passing day, I learned more about my daughter, and she learned more about the world.Evalie wasnโt as fussy anymore. She still had her moments, but they were nothing like those first few months when I barely got any sleep, and it felt like I was doing everything wrong. She had settled into a pattern now, her cries easier to decipher, her needs more predictable.And her appetiteโgoddess, her appetite.I had been exclusively breastfeeding at first, but soon, it became clear that my milk alone wasnโt enough. She would drink until I was sore, only to get hungry again moments later. My chest constantly ached from being full, and even when I tried pumping and storing milk, the pressure barely lessened. The engorgement was unbearable some nights, making it difficult to sleep.It was Ichika who ge
AmberThe airport was bustling with movement, voices blending into an overwhelming hum around me. People hurried past with rolling suitcases, flight announcements crackled over the intercom, and the air smelled of coffee, metal, and distant jet fuel. But I barely noticed any of it.All I could focus on was the weight in my chest.I gripped Evalie tighter in my arms, pressing my lips against the soft tufts of blonde hair atop her tiny head. She smelled like baby powder and warmth, like home.My home.I wasn't ready to say goodbye."Amber," Ichikaโs voice was gentle but firm. "You need to board soon."I shook my head, holding Evalie closer. "I donโt know if I can do this."Ken sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sweetheart, youโve worked so hard for this moment. We know itโs hard, but youโre doing this for her too."I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked down at my daughter. Evalie blinked up at me with those striking green eyesโRayneโs eyesโbut they were softer on her, innocen
Amber~ 6 years later ~"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing at Harry Reid International Airport shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for arrival."The flight attendantโs announcement sent a thrill through me, my grip tightening on the armrest.This was it.Six years.Six years since I had packed my bags, said my goodbyes, and flown halfway across the world to chase my dreams. Six years since I had left my baby girl in Ichikaโs care, determined to make something of myselfโto build a future where I could stand tall, not just as Amber Queen, but as Dr. Amber Queen.And now, I was finally coming home.Excitement buzzed through me like an electric current. Beijing had been everything I could have hoped for. The culture, the food, the peopleโI had fallen in love with it all. Every street corner told a story, every meal was an experience, and every challenge had only pushed me to be better.But no matter how incredible my journey had been, there had always been something m
AmberI swallowed hard, pushing the thought away.I had accepted long ago that love and romance werenโt in my destiny.And that was okay. I chose to focus on what really matteredโmy daughter, my career, my family.The plane jolted slightly as it began its descent. I exhaled slowly, gripping my hands together."Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada. Please remain seated until we have reached the gate and the seatbelt sign has been turned off."My heart pounded.I was home.Ian glanced at me, his lips quirking up. "Ready to see your little girl?"A breathless laugh escaped me. "More than anything.โThe moment my feet touched solid ground, my heart pounded with anticipation. I clutched my luggage tightly, scanning the crowd eagerly, and thenโI saw them. Ichika, Ken, and Evalie stood near the terminal, searching for me with the same desperation I felt in my chest."Mommy!" Evalieโs voice rang out, high and excited, before I could even take another step.Tears stung my eyes as
Ichika's POVThe drive back from the airport had been full of chatter and laughter, and now, as we pulled into the driveway, a familiar warmth settled over me. Home. Amber was home.Ken helped unload the luggage from the trunk while I guided Amber and Ian inside. Evalie was already skipping ahead, excited to show her mother everything that had changed since she last visitedโwhich wasnโt much, honestly, but to a child, every new drawing on the fridge or new pillow on the couch was a big deal."Go on and wash your hands, sweetheart," I told Evalie, smiling as she dashed off. "Lunch is almost ready."I ushered Amber and Ian into the dining room. "You both must be starving. Sit, sit. Let me get everything on the table.""Ichika, you really didnโt have to go through all this trouble," Amber said, a little breathless as she sank into one of the chairs."Nonsense," I replied, waving her off. "You think Iโd let my daughter return home after six years and not welcome her properly? Not a chance
AmberI didn't want Evalie to grow up without me, to ever think for a second that she was unloved and unwanted. I knew exactly what that felt likeโ I had been abandoned by my own father and brothersโand I would never wish it on my worst enemy.I squeezed my eyes shut, a sob ripping from my chest.This couldnโt happen.I couldnโt let it happen.I almost gave in to the panic, to the devastation โ but then a warm, steady presence unfurled inside me, strong and unyielding.Irma.My wolf growled low in my chest, fierce and protective, wrapping around me like an unbreakable shield.โNo,โ she whispered, her voice a steady thrum in my head. โWe are Evalieโs mother. We raised her. We protected her. He cannot take her from us.โShe released bursts of endorphins and they washed over me like waves, calming me down and reminding me of happier times. I had flashes of truth โ Evalie's little arms around my neck, her sweet giggles filling our home, her sleepy "I love you, Mummy" whispered against my
AmberRayne had been quiet since his abrupt visit, and it was unsettling.I wasnโt sure what I had expected after that day โ maybe for him to show up at the hospital, lurking by the emergency entrance like some stubborn shadow. Maybe he'd camp outside the house, demanding to see Evalie. Maybe he'd blow up my phone with calls or texts, shouting accusations. I even thought he'd try to contact Evalie somehow.But he didnโt.Not a call.Not a visit.Nothing.Just silence.And while a small part of me was grateful for the peace, I knew better than to trust it. I knew it was too early to celebrate, too naive to hope that it was over.This โ this eerie stillness โ it felt like the proverbial calm before the storm.A heavy, loaded quiet that pressed against my chest like a hand waiting to shove me under when I least expected it.I tried to shake the feeling, tried to convince myself I was just being paranoid โ that maybe Rayne had gotten the closure he needed. Maybe seeing Evalie, even from a
ReedThe wait was the worst part.I sat on the edge of the bed, bouncing my leg anxiously, staring at the clock on the wall like I could will it to move faster.Rayne had gone to that bitch's house.To see their daughter.And I hated it.I hated sitting here helpless, not knowing what was happening. It twisted my stomach into knots, made my skin feel too tight for my body.But there wasnโt much I could do at the moment.Not yet.Soon, I promised myself.I was still coming up with a plan โ something perfect, something flawless that would get rid of the problem once and for all.And when I enacted it, it would be final.Amber wouldnโt even know what hit her.I clenched my fists so hard the bones cracked.I needed to distract myself before I lost my mind.Grabbing my phone, I opened a shopping app, aimlessly scrolling through page after page of random crapโkitchen gadgets, wireless earbuds, luxury sneakers, designer watches.I wasnโt really seeing any of it. My mind was too full of Rayne
AmberAs soon as Ian was certain I could stand without collapsing, he quietly led me inside.The moment the door closed behind us, the world finally went still.No more growls, no more tension thick enough to choke on. Just Ianโs solid presence beside me, guiding me with gentle hands toward the living room.He helped me sit down on the couch, his movements tender, careful like I was made of glass.โAre you alright?โ Ian asked softly, crouching in front of me, concern etched into every line of his handsome face. โDid he hurt you?โI shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. โNo. Iโm okay.โ My hands were still trembling slightly from the hormonal rush, but I forced a small smile. โThanks to you.โHe exhaled, visibly relieved.โIโm just glad I got here when I did,โ he said, sinking down beside me. He stayed close, but not smothering, giving me space without pulling away completely. โWhat happened, Amber?โI stared down at my hands in my lap, picking at an invisible thread on my jea
AmberRayneโs hands flexed and unflexed at his sides like he was barely leashing a monster inside him.The tension crackled between us, thick and ugly. I knew he could overpower me physically if he wanted to. He was stronger, bigger, an Alpha in his prime. But there was no force on earth that could make me willingly hand Evalie over to him.We glared at each other, the silence blistering."You think youโre doing her a favor?" Rayne said, his voice dipping low and cruel. "Keeping her from her own blood? Youโre screwing her up more than you know."I flinched, but didnโt move. "Better than letting her near a man who almost ruined her motherโs life," I retorted harshly.Rayneโs face darkened."She deserves to know who I am," he growled. "She deserves a father.""You forfeited that right the moment you abandoned me," I fired."You think you can just erase me?" He snarled, his voice vibrating with rage. "Pretend I don't exist? Pretend she doesnโt deserve to know her real father?"I stared h
AmberIt had been a few days since the confrontation at the hospital. A few long, exhausting days.But finallyโfinallyโI was beginning to breathe normally again. Beginning to accept that everything would be fine. That Evalie and I would be okay, no matter what storms brewed outside the fragile little world we had built.Today was Saturdayโmy day offโand I planned to make the most of it.It wasnโt just any Saturday either. I had promised Evalie that if she aced her math test, weโd celebrate. And like the little genius she was, she had scored a perfect mark. My heart had almost burst with pride when her teacher emailed me the results.We were supposed to have a full day togetherโjust the two of us. First a trip to the amusement park, then a little shopping spree. Evalie had been eyeing a ridiculously expensive dollhouse for weeks now, and today, she was going to get it.Ichika and Ken were out for the dayโsome sort of coupleโs spa thing theyโd been planning for weeksโso the house was bl
AmberI barely made it through the next few minutes.I was shaking so badly after Rayne was dragged out of my office that I could hardly hold a pen steady, let alone continue reviewing patient files like nothing had happened. My mind wasnโt on my work. It wasnโt on anything but the echo of his voice, the fire in his eyes, the awful words heโd thrown at meโBad mother. Selfish. Cruel.Each accusation burned itself deeper and deeper into my chest, like brands pressed into raw skin.I couldnโt stay here.I couldnโt pretend everything was normal when my whole world had been tipped upside down.So I did what I never didโI signed out early. Scribbled my name across the sheet, handed over my remaining charts to a nurse with shaking fingers, and left before anyone could ask questions.I needed to breathe.I needed to get Evalie and get the hell out of this hospital before I completely lost it.I made my way to the playground, my legs moving on autopilot.Evalie was easy to spot.She was sitting
ReedShe had no right. No right to come back. No right to still hold power over us after everything.And now?Now there was a child.A living, breathing extension of Rayne and Amber's bond. The very thing I fought so fucking hard to destroy.Everyone knew how possessive Alphas were about their pups.Everyone.It was coded into their DNA, their instincts, their blood.An Alpha couldnโt walk away from their kid. It didnโt matter if they hated the mother. The second they scented their pup, it was over.They were tied to them for life.And now Amber had that power.I couldnโt let that happen.Not now.Not ever.Not as long as I was breathing.I had to pull myself together.I had to.Even as my whole body screamed and my soul felt like it was bleeding out at my feet, I forced a smile. Forced my breathing to slow. Forced the tight, ugly emotions slamming against my ribs to stay buried where Rayne couldnโt see.You have to protect whatโs yours, I reminded myself.Even if it killed me."Have y
ReedThe name hit me like a punch straight to the gut.Amber.I blinked. Swallowed. Shook my head like maybe Iโd heard wrong.โWhatโฆ?โ I croaked out, but Rayne wasnโt finished.โAnd thatโs not all,โ he said quietly, voice like gravel scraping against stone. โI found out todayโฆ Amber had my child.โFor a moment, there was no air.No floor beneath me.No ceiling above.Just an endless, screaming black void as my entire world shattered into dust.He kept talking, but I barely heard the words through the roaring in my ears. Something about walking into her office, about seeing a little girl sitting there. Blonde hair. Green eyes. Looking so much like him it was unmistakable.Their daughter.Rayne had a daughter.A daughter he hadnโt known about. A daughter Amber had hidden from him.A daughter that wasnโt mine.I clutched at the sheets beneath me, my fingers curling so tight they hurt, nails digging into the fabric.It couldnโt be real.It couldnโt be happening.SheโAmberโhad a child with