Chapter 2

The sharp scent of antiseptic filled my nose, which dragged me back to consciousness. My eyelids opened reluctantly, and I blinked hard to clear the blurriness. The first thing I noticed was the white ceiling above me, the faint light. My gaze dropped to the IV in my hand, the tube finding its way to a bag hanging beside the bed.

Hospital.

What!!!. I shifted and tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my body, which forced a groan out of me. I fell back on the pillows and the pain radiating from deep within, as if my very soul had been torn apart.

The room was too quiet. the silence was disturbing. My mind felt clouded, unable to grasp the events that had led me here. Before I could piece anything together, the door opened which broke the disturbing silence .

A man in a white coat stepped inside, I looked up and met his gaze I recognised him instantly to be Healer Marcus, the pack’s trusted medical doctor.

“Aria, you’re awake,” How do you feel? He asked in concern and relief.

I opened my mouth to reply, but my voice refused to cooperate with me. My throat felt raw as if I’d been screaming. I Swallowed hard and managed to rasp out, “What happened? Where am I?”

“You’re in the pack’s hospital,” Marcus explained and stepped closer. His gentle gaze studied me as though assessing the damage. “You collapsed. It seems your body couldn’t handle the physical and emotional strain of... the rejection.”

His words sent the memories rushing back all at once . Their naked bodies together, Damon’s cold eyes, Celia’s smirk, the words of his rejection.

I closed my eyes, wishing I could retreat into the darkness once more, wishing I could fade away entirely. The shame was suffocating, wrapping around me like chains. If the whispers and laughter had been cruel before, they would be unbearable now. I was no longer just a traitor’s daughter, I was the rejected mate of the Alpha-to-be.

Marcus’s voice cut through my thoughts. “I know it’s difficult, Aria, but you need to rest. Your body has been through severe trauma.”

Rest? As if resting would erase the betrayal and the humiliation. Resting wouldn’t change anything.

I forced my eyes open and shook my head. “No,” I whispered. “I can’t stay here.”

Ignoring the pain, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, determined to leave. But Marcus’s hand landed gently on my shoulder, stopping me.

“Aria, please. Be careful. You’re not just taking care of yourself anymore.”

“What do you mean?” I asked and blinked up at him in confusion.

He hesitated, looking away for a moment before meeting my eyes compassionately. “You’re pregnant, Aria.”

Pregnant.

The word echoed in my mind, but it didn’t make sense. It couldn’t be true.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “You must be joking. I... I can’t be pregnant.”

“It’s true,” Marcus he said gently. “You’re about eight weeks pregnant. The stress from the rejection could have caused complications, but the baby is fine. For now. Thank the Moon Goddess you were brought here in time.”

My trembling hand moved to my stomach. Damon’s baby.

“Does he knows?” I asked in a whisper.

“No,” Marcus replied. “And considering the circumstances, I thought it is best not to tell him.”

I sighed in relief. “Good. He doesn’t deserve to know.”

“Are you sure you want to keep this a secret?” Marcus asked carefully. “He’s the father, and—”

“He rejected me,” I interrupted, my voice firmer this time. “I was nothing to him, just a burden. He doesn’t get to claim this part of me now.”

Marcus looked at me for a moment before nodding. “I understand. But you’ll need protection. Rejection takes a toll on a werewolf, and it could affect the pregnancy.”

“I don’t want anything from him,” I replied.

“It’s not about him,” Marcus said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small pouch of herbs. “This charm will shield the baby from any negative effects of the rejection. It’s your choice, but I strongly recommend it.”

I hesitated, staring at the pouch. Memories of Damon flooded my mind his cruel words, his betrayal but then another thought pushed through. This baby, his baby, was mine too. It was the last piece of my family and the one thing Damon hadn’t destroyed.

I reached out and took the charm, holding it tightly. “Thank you,” I murmured.

“You’re strong, Aria. Stronger than you know,” Marcus said softly.

I nodded, though the weight of the situation felt so heavy on my chest. “I need to leave,” I said. “I can’t stay here, not when everyone knows.”

Marcus hesitated but eventually sighed. “I won’t stop you. But promise me you’ll take it easy. Your body is healing.”

“I promise,” I lied.

I stood as the pain forced through me, but I didn’t stop. Resting wasn’t a luxury I could afford. Before I left, I turned to Marcus. “Don’t tell anyone. Especially not Damon.”

“You have my word,” he assured me.

The night was mercifully dark as I slipped out of the hospital. My heart pounded fast with every step as I made my way to the small house that had been my prison for years. Inside, I packed my belongings quickly, my hands shaking.

Damon’s voice echoed in my mind, both the words of love he’d once whispered and the cruel dismissal he’d delivered.

I couldn’t stay. The pack, the whispers, the betrayal it was too much. Even the fear of rogues couldn’t outweigh the need to leave this place.

Checking my surroundings one last time, I darted into the woods, holding my bag close. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew one thing for sure: I couldn’t stay.