This makes me feel so bad.😔
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 wasn’t much I could do at the moment.Not yet.Soon, I promised myself.I was still coming up with a plan — 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 wouldn’t 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 crap—kitchen gadgets, wireless earbuds, luxury sneakers, designer watches.I wasn’t really seeing any of it. My mind was too full of Rayne
AmberRayne had been quiet since his abrupt visit, and it was unsettling.I wasn’t sure what I had expected after that day — 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 didn’t.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 — this eerie stillness — 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 — that maybe Rayne had gotten the closure he needed. Maybe seeing Evalie, even from a
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 like— I had been abandoned by my own father and brothers—and I would never wish it on my worst enemy.I squeezed my eyes shut, a sob ripping from my chest.This couldn’t happen.I couldn’t let it happen.I almost gave in to the panic, to the devastation — 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.“No,” she whispered, her voice a steady thrum in my head. “We are Evalie’s mother. We raised her. We protected her. He cannot take her from us.”She 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 — Evalie's little arms around my neck, her sweet giggles filling our home, her sleepy "I love you, Mummy" whispered against my
AmberI woke up with the sharp, nauseating realization that I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.The air around me was heavy, too warm, and thick with a scent that sent a shiver down my spine. My stomach churned as I blinked my eyes open, my body sluggish and sore in ways I didn’t want to think about. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, and the bed I was lying in wasn’t mine. Panic set in, tightening its claws around my chest.I sat up slowly, every movement feeling like it required monumental effort. The sheet slipped from my shoulders, exposing bare skin. My breath hitched as I realized I was naked. Completely naked.No, no, no. This can’t be happening.Memories of the night before were fragmented and elusive, like trying to hold water in my hands. The last clear moment I could recall was Reed dragging me to Brittany’s house, his excitement contagious even though I hadn’t wanted to go.Brittany had thrown the party to celebrate graduating high school in two months. She’d
Amber“Amber, get in the bathroom. Now.” Rayne hissed, his voice barely above a whisper, his tone sharp and commanding.“What?” I whispered back, frozen in place as panic surged through me. Reed’s knocking on the door grew louder, more insistent.Rayne cursed under his breath and grabbed my arm, practically shoving me toward the bathroom. “Just go. Now!”I stumbled into the small, dimly lit bathroom, clutching the edge of the sink to keep myself upright. The door clicked shut behind me, and I heard the muffled sound of Rayne throwing on his clothes as Reed’s voice carried through the door.“Rayne? Open up! What the hell are you doing in there?”“Give me a second,” Rayne called back, his tone strained but even.My heart raced as I leaned against the wall, every muscle in my body tense. My hands trembled, and I pressed them against my stomach, trying to will myself to calm down.The door creaked open, and I held my breath as Rayne finally let Reed in.“Finally,” Reed said, his voice muf
Amber For as long as I could remember, my life had been a series of struggles and disappointments. Being an Omega wasn’t just a curse—it was a brand, a mark that said I was worthless from the moment I was born.My mother died giving birth to me, and my father made sure I never forgot it. To him, I was the reason she was gone, the reason his life fell apart. He didn’t call me his daughter; he called me a murderer, a killer who had stolen the woman he loved. My earliest memories were filled with his cold, unforgiving eyes and the sharp bite of his words.It wasn’t enough for him to hate me—my brothers followed his lead, treating me as though I didn’t exist or, worse, as though I was something to be ashamed of. They were Alpha warriors, strong and respected in the Pack, everything I wasn’t. To them, I was weak, a constant reminder of our family’s disgrace.For years, I tried to earn their love. I thought if I worked hard enough, stayed out of their way, or did everything perfectly, they
AmberThe walk back to the shelter was a blur, my mind spiraling in endless loops around the bond thrumming at the base of my neck. Rayne's mark felt like a brand, burning against my skin, a constant reminder that he was mine—and worse, that I was his.I didn’t want to think about him. I didn’t want to picture him with Reed, his hands on him, his lips pressing against his—no, I couldn’t go there. I refused to go there.Once I got to my room, I locked the door behind me, grabbed a towel, and headed straight for the bathroom. The water in the tiny stall ran cold—it always did—but I didn’t care. I scrubbed myself furiously, scrubbing until my skin turned red, desperate to wash away the scent of Rayne that still clung to me.But no matter how hard I scrubbed, it wasn’t enough. The bond wouldn’t let me forget. It was a cruel tether, making me hyper-aware of every beat of his heart, every breath he took, as if he were right there with me. It was sweet, torturous intimacy, and I hated how mu
AmberIt had been two weeks since that night—since Rayne had marked me, since our worlds had collided in the most painful and disastrous way imaginable.Two weeks since I had seen or heard from him.I told myself, at first, that he needed time. Anyone would. How could Rayne possibly come to terms with a mate bond, the betrayal it represented to Reed, and the weight of everything else all at once? But as the days stretched on in agonizing silence, the emptiness of his absence became unbearable.The bond wouldn’t let me forget him.It wasn’t just a mark. A mate bond was far more than a symbol of ownership or a claim. It was a tether—an indestructible, unyielding tie that linked our souls. Through it, I should have been able to sense his emotions, feel his heartbeat echoing alongside mine, and even hear his voice in my mind if either of us willed it. The bond should have let us soothe each other, even from afar, a connection so deep and intimate it defied explanation.But Rayne had slamm
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 like— I had been abandoned by my own father and brothers—and I would never wish it on my worst enemy.I squeezed my eyes shut, a sob ripping from my chest.This couldn’t happen.I couldn’t let it happen.I almost gave in to the panic, to the devastation — 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.“No,” she whispered, her voice a steady thrum in my head. “We are Evalie’s mother. We raised her. We protected her. He cannot take her from us.”She 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 — 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 wasn’t sure what I had expected after that day — 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 didn’t.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 — this eerie stillness — 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 — 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 wasn’t much I could do at the moment.Not yet.Soon, I promised myself.I was still coming up with a plan — 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 wouldn’t 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 crap—kitchen gadgets, wireless earbuds, luxury sneakers, designer watches.I wasn’t 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 Ian’s 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.“Are you alright?” Ian asked softly, crouching in front of me, concern etched into every line of his handsome face. “Did he hurt you?”I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “No. I’m okay.” My hands were still trembling slightly from the hormonal rush, but I forced a small smile. “Thanks to you.”He exhaled, visibly relieved.“I’m just glad I got here when I did,” he said, sinking down beside me. He stayed close, but not smothering, giving me space without pulling away completely. “What happened, Amber?”I stared down at my hands in my lap, picking at an invisible thread on my jea
AmberRayne’s 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 you’re doing her a favor?" Rayne said, his voice dipping low and cruel. "Keeping her from her own blood? You’re screwing her up more than you know."I flinched, but didn’t move. "Better than letting her near a man who almost ruined her mother’s life," I retorted harshly.Rayne’s 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 doesn’t 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 finally—finally—I 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 Saturday—my day off—and I planned to make the most of it.It wasn’t just any Saturday either. I had promised Evalie that if she aced her math test, we’d 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 together—just 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 day—some sort of couple’s spa thing they’d been planning for weeks—so 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 wasn’t on my work. It wasn’t on anything but the echo of his voice, the fire in his eyes, the awful words he’d thrown at me—Bad mother. Selfish. Cruel.Each accusation burned itself deeper and deeper into my chest, like brands pressed into raw skin.I couldn’t stay here.I couldn’t pretend everything was normal when my whole world had been tipped upside down.So I did what I never did—I 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 couldn’t walk away from their kid. It didn’t 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 couldn’t 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 couldn’t see.You have to protect what’s 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 I’d heard wrong.“What…?” I croaked out, but Rayne wasn’t finished.“And that’s not all,” he said quietly, voice like gravel scraping against stone. “I found out today… Amber had my child.”For 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 hadn’t known about. A daughter Amber had hidden from him.A daughter that wasn’t mine.I clutched at the sheets beneath me, my fingers curling so tight they hurt, nails digging into the fabric.It couldn’t be real.It couldn’t be happening.She—Amber—had a child with