Chapter 4
706words
My medical results arrive.
The doctor sounds excited: "Mrs. Carter, congratulations! You're pregnant!"
"Initial tests show over 90% probability of a pureblood fetus."
The phone slips from my hand.
Pureblood.
With both Alexander and I being purebloods, of course the child would be.
The heir the pack has desperately wanted.
And my biggest obstacle to freedom.
If Alexander knew…
If the pack knew…
They'd do anything to keep me here.
House arrest. Forced confinement. Anything.
A pureblood heir outranks any Luna.
I touch my still-flat stomach.
I'm sorry, little one.
I can't keep you.
Not because I don't love you.
But because I love you too much.
I won't bring you into this world of lies and power games.
I won't let you become the pack's pawn.
I won't let your existence become my prison.
"Schedule the procedure," I tell the doctor.
"As soon as possible."
"But Mrs. Carter—"
"My body. My choice."
I hang up.
The doorbell rings.
A delivery.
An enormous flower arrangement and an elegant box.
The card reads:
"Happy birthday, my Luna. Please let me explain. —Your Alpha"
Inside the box: a necklace.
A truly unique design this time.
Ten times more valuable than the last.
How ironic.
Does he think jewelry fixes betrayal?
My phone rings.
Alexander.
I answer.
"Emma, did you get my gift?"
His voice is cautious.
"I did."
"Do you like it? I had it specially designed—"
"Alexander," I cut him off.
"Remember that third wish you made three years ago?"
Silence on his end.
"You were drunk, holding me close: 'Emma, if I ever wanted freedom, would you let me go?'"
"I said yes."
"Now I'm granting your wish."
"Tomorrow, three p.m., city notary office."
"I'll bring the bond dissolution papers."
"One signature and we're both free."
"Emma—"
I hang up.
Then I call the hospital back:
"Cancel the procedure."
I've changed my mind.
I'm keeping this baby.
Not for the pack. Not for Alexander.
For myself.
This is my child.
I'll raise them in Berlin, away from all this.
Give them a normal life.
The next afternoon.
I sit in the café across from the notary office.
The dissolution papers sit before me.
Waiting only for his signature.
Three o'clock sharp.
He doesn't show.
Three-thirty.
Still nothing.
A text from Alexander:
"Emergency pack meeting. I'll be there soon. Please wait."
I laugh bitterly.
Even now, the pack comes first.
Four o'clock.
I gather my things to leave.
A car screeches to a halt outside.
Alexander rushes in.
"I'm sorry! Traffic was—"
He spots me and visibly relaxes.
"Thank God you waited."
I slide the papers across the table.
He takes them with trembling hands.
"You're really doing this?"
"Yes."
"What if… what if I promised to change?"
"I'll end it with her. I'll be there for you. I'll—"
"Will you be there during my heats?"
He falters.
"Will you stop lying?"
"Will you stand up to your mother?"
"Will you stop treating me like a burden?"
Each question cuts deeper than the last.
His Alpha scent spirals into chaos.
"Emma, I know I screwed up. I really do."
"Just one more chance. Please?"
"I might have given you that chance," I say quietly.
"But our child can't."
His pupils dilate in shock.
"What?"
"I'm pregnant. Three weeks along."
"Pureblood."
His expression shifts from joy to horror.
"You said… you can?"
"I scheduled an abortion yesterday."
"Then I realized this baby is innocent."
"So I'll have it."
"In Berlin."
"You'll never know them."
"Never see them."
"I'll tell them they don't have a father."
"Better that way."
"No—" He grabs my wrist.
"Emma, you can't—that's my child—"
"Yours?" I yank free.
"An Alpha who watches the moon with his mistress while his mate suffers through heat alone deserves to be a father?"
"Please—"
"Sign the papers."
"Or I walk straight to the clinic."
"Your choice."
With shaking hands, he picks up the pen.
He signs.
I take the papers.
"Goodbye, Alexander."
"Enjoy your freedom with Jessica."
I turn to leave.
"Emma!" he calls after me.
"This isn't over!"
"Bond dissolution takes a month to complete!"
"In that month, I'll prove to you—"
Without turning, I reply:
"Then you'd better hurry."
"My flight leaves tomorrow."
