Maya’s protests were immediate. “I already got checked! I won’t get checked again!”
Cora’s voice rose in anger. “What’s the meaning of this? Isn’t Maya good enough for you as you’re trying so hard not to be the father of her child?”
Lucian’s jaw clenched. “Mom, stay out of this. Let the doctor do his work.”
The men held Maya down as the doctor examined her. His expression was somber when he finished.
“Alpha Lucian, she’s not pregnant at all. In fact, her uterus is already damaged. She can’t get pregnant again due to multiple abortions in the past.”
Maya’s face went white.
She shook her head vigorously, her voice rising in denial. “This doctor is a quack! How can you say that!”
Lucian couldn’t hide his disgust. “I knew you were a little liar. And you’re still denying it.”
Cora looked perplexed, her eyes darting between Lucian and Maya.
The truth was finally out, and it was uglier than anyone could have imagined.
Lucian’s beta appeared, dragging the pack doctor with him.
The doctor knelt on the floor, begging. “I’m sorry, Alpha Lucian. Please don’t punish me!”
Cora looked around confused. “What is going on now?”
Lucian’s gaze was cold. “Speak!”
The doctor’s voice trembled. “Maya threatened me. She said she would hurt my wife or me if didn’t lie about her pregnancy. She helped my wife when she was poisoned, and I owed her… bu
shouldn’t have lied.”
Maya backed away. She had been exposed.
Cora who was burning with anger now slapped Maya hard across the face. “How dare you! You
ied to me!”
Tears pooled at Maya’s eyes. “Mom, please—”
Cora’s voice was curt. “Don’t you dare ‘Mom‘ me. I’m not your mother! I thought you were better because you healed me and were Lucian’s first love. But I was wrong.”
The doctor continued, his voice shaking. “Alpha Lucian, there’s something else you should know. Luna Katie is also pregnant. Eight weeks.”
Lucian’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. “What? Why didn’t she tell me?”
“She wanted to tell you herself, Alpha. She begged me not to say anything.”
Cora’s expression crumpled. “Oh no, I’ve been so cruel to her. I didn’t know she was carrying your
heir. I feel terrible. Lucian, you have to go beg her! Bring my daughter–in–law back!”
Lucian’s face was etched with distress. He turned to his beta. “Lock Cora up. She’ll be punished later. When I had the time, I would exile her from the pack.”
Cora’s screams and cries were ignored as Lucian bolted out.
He had to find Katie, his Luna, the only woman he loved.
The woman carrying his child.
Lucian’s car screeched to a halt outside Katie’s parents‘ beach house.
He jumped out, his eyes scanning the property until he spotted Katie. She was standing by the door, a suitcase beside her.
“Katie,” he called out, his voice rough with emotion.
She turned, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t stay away, obviously.”
“I just need some time alone. I can’t handle all the pressure.”
He dropped to his knees, his voice cracking. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“That you’re pregnant.”
Katie’s face went pale. “How did you find out?”
‘It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m going to be a father. For the first time. And from the woman I love.”
‘The woman you love? What do you mean by that?”
Lucian’s voice was full of conviction. “Of course, I love you, Katie. I always have. For a very long
:ime now.”
Katie’s eyes got teary.
Lucian rose to his feet, his arms wrapping around her waist. He pulled her close, his lips brushing against her forehead.
‘I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry for everything. For not seeing Maya for what she was, fo not being there for you. But I’m here now. And I’ll never let you go again.”
Katie’s voice was muffled against his chest. “I love you too, Lucian. But what about Maya?”
He told her all about Maya’s lies.
Katie’s smile was radiant as he promised to love and raise their pup with all the love in the world.
Katie’s screams echoed through the hospital corridors as Lucian rushed her to the delivery
room.
Hours of labor. And then finally. A baby boy.
Lucian couldn’t handle his joy as he gazed at their newborn son.
“Oh, he’s perfect,” Katie whispered, exhausted but beaming.
Lucian’s face glowed with pride. “He has your lips.”
She giggled. “And he definitely has your blue eyes.”
Their baby boy let out a loud wail, and Lucian chuckled. “I think he’s already commanding us.”
3:13 pm
As Katie rested, Lucian suggested, “Let’s call him Dane.”
Katie smiled weakly. “I like it.”
Later, Lucian left the hospital to get Katie’s favorite foods.
Katie settled in for a nap with Dane by her side. But when she got up to use the restroom, she returned to an empty crib.
Her heart racing, she called out for the nurses. “Where’s the baby?”
The nurses rushed in, confused. “The baby was just there. We didn’t move him.”
Katie’s panic turned to fear. “Find my baby!”
Lucian rushed back into the hospital, bags of food in hand.
But his excitement quickly turned to alarm when he saw a figure in a hoodie holding a baby.
The person’s face was obscured, but Lucian’s instincts screamed that it was Dakota.
Katie rushed out just then saying Dane was missing.
I saw Dakota,” Lucian gasped. “She has our baby.”
They jumped into the car, racing after Dakota.
She led them to a cliff, the ocean waves crashing below.
Dakota stood, the baby in her arms, a crazed look in her eyes.
Don’t come any closer,” she warned. “I’ll drop the baby.”
Lucian and Katie froze, their hearts in their throats.
Dakota, please,” Katie begged. “Give us our baby.”
Her laughter was maniacal. “You’ll never see your precious baby again. You guys literally ruined ny life. Why should you have a happy one?”
Katie clasped her hand together. “Please, Dakota. That’s my baby. That baby is also your blood elated to you.”
Did you think about being related to me before you kicked me into bars and ruined my life?”
At that moment, Liam rushed over, having heard about the situation. “Dakota, please back off. .et’s resolve this peacefully.”
Dakota’s gaze turned icy. “Stay out of this, Liam. You and I don’t have anything to do with each >ther anymore. I know you still care about Katie, but I won’t let you guys have your way today.” n a flash, Liam charged at Dakota. They struggled, Katie rushing over to grab her baby.
As they wrestled, both Dakota and Liam lost their footing. They screamed, plummeting off the
cliff.
The silence that followed was deafening. Katie’s eyes were fixed on Lucian, her face pale. “What happened to them?”
Lucian’s face was grim. “I don’t know.”
He held Katie and their baby close, kissing their forheeads. “They got what was coming to them. What matters now is that we have each other and we’re safe.”
And that was a new beginning for all of them to live peacefully. Finally.
