Chapter 2

The last words I heard before everything faded away were: "Healer Kelly, please check on Delta Thalia; she suddenly fainted!"

When I regained consciousness, Healer Kelly was gently changing my bandages. Her eyes were filled with sympathy and concern. "Omega Briar," she murmured, "don't despair; you still have the possibility of having another child."

I stared at her, wide-eyed: Child? What child?

Was I pregnant and somehow lost my child without even knowing it? Tears began to stream down my face as I clutched my chest, overwhelmed by a pain that made it hard to breathe. To discover that a child existed only after losing it—a heart-wrenching irony.

Just then, Beta Jaylen entered the room. His expression was awkward when he saw my silent tears. "I spoke with Healer Kelly," he said, his alpha tone carrying a hint of authority, "she mentioned there's still hope for you to get pregnant again."

"And you—an adult Omega—didn't even know you were pregnant?"

"Delta Thalia is young; she might not understand her body's signals. But it seems you were unaware as well?"

His words hit a nerve. "Also? Delta Thalia is pregnant too?"

Jaylen's face glowed with pride. "Yes, Delta Thalia's pregnant. She's practically a pup herself, but she's carrying my child."

"But she's so young. I can't expect her to take on the responsibility of a child. I've decided that once she gives birth, we'll bring the pup for you to raise."

I looked at him, offering what felt like obligation instead of support, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "Beta Jaylen, if it were Delta Thalia who had miscarried today, would you still be so dismissive of our pup?"

His face turned icy, his alpha tone sharpening. "Omega Briar, you're being unreasonable!"

"Delta Thalia comprehends your loss; yet here you are, cursing her pup! You deserve this! You're unfit to be a mother!"

The very notion seemed to unravel him completely. In his eyes, I was unworthy of mentioning Thalia, and my pup was undeserving of acknowledgment.

I gently touched my flat stomach: Pup, maybe it's for the best you didn’t come into this world.

Seeing me remain silent, Jaylen lowered his voice, though his alpha tone still lingered. "You should learn from Delta Thalia—generous, kind, lively, and bright..."

"Beta Jaylen," Thalia's voice suddenly filled the hospital room from the doorway, "I'm hungry."

Jaylen immediately turned away from lecturing me, rushing to her side. He placed his hand softly on her belly, caressing it tenderly: "Is my firstborn hungry? What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you!"

Thalia teased him with a playful grin, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. "Don't forget, Omega Briar just lost her pup..."

Jaylen didn’t even glance up, his tone dismissive. "She should blame herself for being careless, not you. You're just too kind!"

Thalia's eyes sparkled with arrogance and challenge. "I want the spiced honey cake Omega Briar makes, but would that be too much trouble?"

"Of course not!" Jaylen looked at me with utter entitlement, his alpha tone commanding. "You're awake now, why don't you make the cake for Delta Thalia? Don't keep Delta Thalia and my pup waiting too long!"

"Stop acting fragile! It's just a miscarriage; plenty of Omegas have them and still get up to work!"

With that, he forcefully pulled me, dragging me towards the floor. "If you don't go, I won't mark you as my mate!"

The threat hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. My wolf stirred within me, a faint whimper echoing in my mind. She didn’t deserve this. Neither of us did.

Bzzzt.

I picked up my phone, my hands trembling. "Hold on; I'm almost there."

The physical pain seemed to ease a little. I've endured for six years; what's a few more moments?