AYLA'S POV

“You can't get pregnant.”

The doctor's words hang in the air as I sit in the room.

And it makes me feel dead.

Even more so than usual.

Like I have just been punched in the gut as I remain seated, trying to process the words, to make sense of them.

But my voice is frozen.

Recently, I clearly felt a new life growing inside me. My body is ready to nurture him. Every night, I dream of what my baby will look like as he grows, and every day, I prepare for his future. I am so certain that I am about to become a mother.

I try to speak, to ask more questions.

“Could it be a misdiagnosis? Don’t you need more tests, or could you provide me with a pregnancy test?”

I have nothing to confirm my pregnancy or ensure the health of the fetus, not even a pregnancy test. I am the most despised one in the entire pack. No parents, no assets, no wolf, and no one to stand up for me when I’m bullied, except for my Mate. We’ve been waiting for this child for a long time, and finally, there’s hope. It gave me the courage to come to this hospital, which usually just ignores me.

"A misdiagnosis? You're doubting me, the doctor from the whole pack, and you didn’t even finish high school?"

The doctor glanced at me with disdain.

"At least check again, you haven’t done any tests yet," I insisted.

“No need. Wolves can tell right away if there’s an unborn pup growing. Why don’t you ask your husband?” The doctor gave a strange smile and walked over to stand in front of me. “Unless, you didn’t come here for that at all?

"What are you saying?" I instinctively stepped back a little. His expression looked familiar, a twisted mix of excitement and disdain. Ever since my father was executed, I’ve often seen this kind of look from others, usually meaning mockery, a beating, or both.

The doctor bears an expressionless face as he snaps his bag shut.

“There’s nothing more to discuss,” he says coldly, already halfway to the door.

“Wait!” I stand abruptly, my chair screeching against the floor. “There has to be a way—another test, a second opinion. You haven’t even examined me properly!”

He pauses, glancing back with a sneer. “Do you think you’re someone who can demand more of my time? Someone like you—no wolf, no rank, and certainly no future—should consider herself lucky I saw you at all.”

His words hit like a slap, sharp and calculated, but I refuse to back down.

“My Mate and I have been waiting for this child,” I press, my voice cracking. “Please, just check again.”

A flicker of something crosses his face—annoyance, perhaps, or pity. It’s gone before I can decipher it.

“Your Mate?” he repeats, his tone dripping with disdain. “You’re certain he’s the father?”

I freeze, his insinuation hanging heavy in the air.

“What?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He steps closer, his eyes narrowing. “There’s no pup,” he says slowly, as though savoring the words. “And if there ever was, maybe your Mate isn’t as loyal as you think.”

A chill runs through me, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. Is this his diagnosis, or something more insidious?

“What are you saying?” I demand, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I’m saying,” he drawls, leaning against his desk, “that someone like you isn’t fit to bring life into this world. But perhaps… there’s a way to change that.”

The shift in his tone makes my stomach turn. His gaze sweeps over me, slow and deliberate, leaving no doubt as to what he means.

“No,” I say firmly, stepping back.

He chuckles darkly, as though my resistance is amusing. “You need this, don’t you? A child would change everything for you—a chance to reclaim your worth in the pack, to keep your Mate by your side. All I ask is a little… cooperation.”

“You’re disgusting,” I snap, my voice shaking with fury and disbelief.

“Think it over,” he says, his smirk widening. “Or don’t. It’s not like anyone else will help you.”

I lunge for the door, my heart pounding as I grip the handle, desperate to escape. But before I can pull it open, he blocks my path, his hand slamming against the wood.

“You’re not leaving,” he growls, his earlier facade of civility slipping away entirely.

Panic sets in as I feel his presence loom behind me, his breath hot against my neck. I whirl around, my instincts screaming at me to fight, but he’s faster. He grabs my wrist, his grip like iron, and forces me back toward the chair.

“Let me go!” I shout, thrashing against him, but it only seems to fuel his determination.

The room spins as we struggle, my body trembling with equal parts rage and terror. I can feel his strength overpowering me, his intentions clear.

And then the door bursts open.

The sound is deafening, like a gunshot in the suffocating silence, and I whip my head toward the figure standing in the doorway.

“Well, well,” Nadira’s voice rings out, sickly sweet and full of malice. “Looks like I arrived just in time.”

I turn around, instantly on guard.

“He tried to force—” I begin.

“He?” she stops me. “Oh, I don’t think so.”

"What are you doing?” She screamed in panic, drawing more people towards us, while smiling as she faced me.

“The doctor is already married, my sis, you can't do this!"

Her voice booms, attracting attention.

What is she talking about?

That I’d do this willingly?

“What are you talking about?” I inquire. “You just saw us… He tried to rape me.”

“No. That’s not what I think. I think you’re trying to get with a married man, Ayla. A married man,” she says, emphasizing her last words.

The doctor remains mute, a satisfied expression settling on his face.

Familiar faces begin peering into the room and I realize what is happening.

This is what Nadira wants.

Attention.

Again.

She’s just about to spread many lies against me, and this wouldn’t be any exception.

I head for the door, not wanting things to escalate.

“I’m not doing this,” I mumble.

As I quickly walk past her to the door, I am stopped by stern-looking faces.

Her minions. About four or five of them—I can’t count.

They don’t seem much in support of me leaving the room.

I let out a groan.

Just then, I hear a baby sound as someone squeezes through them.

Sarah, the doctor's mate.