3

Nova’s POV

“Diego, stop!”

A sharp voice pierced the suffocating tension in the room. I watched in horror as Diego’s claws froze mid-air, just inches from my trembling abdomen. His wolf-green eyes burned with a dangerous intensity, but the interruption made him pause.

My chest heaved as I gasped for air, my wrists aching from the force I’d used to push against him in vain. My stomach churned—not just from fear, but from an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Suddenly, the butler appeared at the doorway, tall and composed, with graying hair and a pristine suit. Yet his expression was tight with urgency.

“Marian requests your presence, Diego,” the butler declared firmly, stepping further into the room.

Diego let out a low growl, his lips curling back to reveal sharp teeth. He straightened slowly, retracting his claws as he turned his attention to the butler.

“This is none of her business,” Diego snapped, his voice low and venomous.

“On the contrary,” the butler replied, his tone unwavering. “Your grandmother insists that this situation is entirely her business. You know the laws of the Alpha family, Diego. There will be no illegitimate heirs.”

My heart skipped a beat at the word "heir." My stomach tightened as Diego’s furious gaze swung back to me.

“An heir?” he hissed, disbelief lacing his words. “You think I’ll accept her as the mother of my child? You think I’ll marry her just because Marian says so?”

“I don’t make the rules, sir,” the butler said calmly. “But you know as well as I do that defying the Alpha family’s traditions has consequences. Marian has already made her decision.”

I could see Diego’s jaw clench tightly, the faint grind of his teeth audible in the silence that followed, broken only by my unsteady breathing.

“Leave us,” Diego barked suddenly, his voice sharp enough to make the butler hesitate.

“I’m afraid I cannot, sir,” the butler replied. “I have a letter from Marian. She wants you to read it now.”

The butler handed Diego a folded piece of parchment sealed with the crest of the Bloodshadow Pack. He snatched it from the butler’s hand, tearing open the seal with an impatience that bordered on violence. As his eyes scanned the letter quickly, I noticed his expression darkening with every word.

I gripped the edge of the bed to steady myself. I couldn’t see the letter, but whatever it contained was enough to twist Diego’s face with fury.

“She’s serious,” Diego muttered under his breath, crumpling the letter in his fist. He turned to me, his eyes blazing.

“You planned this, didn’t you?” he accused, his voice low and dangerous. “You showed up here, claiming to be pregnant, knowing exactly how my family would react. You knew Marian would intervene. This was your plan all along.”

My mouth opened, but I struggled to find the words. The accusation stung—not because it was true, but because it was so far from the truth.

“I didn’t plan any of this,” I finally said, my voice trembling but firm.

Diego let out a bitter laugh. “Of course you didn’t. You don’t even have a wolf, do you? You’re not even worthy of being here, let alone carrying my child.”

I flinched, but I refused to look away. “I don’t need a wolf to tell me what I already know,” I said quietly. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t choose this.”

Diego stepped closer, his towering presence nearly overwhelming me. His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.

“Let me make one thing clear,” he said, his breath brushing against my ear. “If you think this baby will secure you a place in my family, you’re delusional. The only reason you’re still alive is because Marian has decided you’re useful. For now.”

Nova’s POV

The atmosphere shifted as I found myself in the hospital, sitting on the edge of a sterile examination table. My hands were folded tightly in my lap, a futile effort to quell my nerves. The butler stood nearby, his expression neutral yet observant, as if he were waiting for something significant to happen.

The doctor, a petite woman with sharp eyes, entered the room holding a folder. She glanced at me, then at the butler, before clearing her throat.

“The tests are conclusive,” she said. “The child is Diego’s.”

My stomach flipped at the confirmation, even though I had already suspected it. Hearing it out loud made it feel all too real and utterly terrifying.

The butler nodded, his face unreadable. “Very well. Thank you, doctor. You may leave us.”

The doctor hesitated briefly before exiting the room, leaving me alone with the butler.

“You understand what this means,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “The Bloodshadow Pack will not tolerate scandal. You and Diego will be married—temporarily—until the child is born.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Married?”

“It is the only option,” the butler replied with finality. “Once the child is born, the marriage will be annulled, and you will leave. In return, you will be granted a wish from the Alpha family.”

A wish? My mind raced at the possibilities. I could ask for money, for safety, for a chance to start over. The idea tempted me for a fleeting moment, but I quickly shook it off. I knew better than to wish for anything tied to this family.

“No,” I said quietly.

The butler raised an eyebrow, surprised. “No?”

“I don’t want money,” I insisted. “I don’t want anything from the Alpha family.”

His frown deepened. “Then what do you want?”

I hesitated, searching my heart for the answer. “There’s only one thing I want. A toy hourglass. It belonged to my mother.”

The butler blinked, clearly taken aback. “A toy hourglass?”

I nodded firmly. “That’s all I want.”

For a moment, he remained silent, processing my request. Then, he inclined his head slightly. “Very well. I will inform Marian.”

Hours later, I sat alone in my hospital room, staring out the window. The city lights glittered in the distance, but all I could see was darkness closing in.

My hand rested gently on my stomach. For the first time, I allowed myself to think about the life growing inside me.

“I don’t know if I can protect you,” I whispered to the baby. “But I’ll try.”

The door creaked open, and Diego stepped inside. His expression was unreadable, but the coldness in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

“Congratulations,” he said sarcastically. “It seems we’re officially stuck with each other.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t have the energy to argue with him anymore.

Diego stepped closer, leaning against the edge of the bed. “Don’t think for a second that this changes anything,” he warned. “You’re still nothing to me.”

I met his gaze, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my chest. “Then why are you here?”

A smirk played at the corner of his lips as he leaned in closer, our faces mere inches apart.

“To remind you,” he whispered softly, “that no matter what Marian says, you’re playing a dangerous game. And I always win.”

With those words, he straightened and walked to the door, pausing only to glance over his shoulder.

“Sleep well,” he said, his tone laced with mockery.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest.

I didn’t know how long I could survive in this world of violence and power, but one thing was certain: I wasn’t going to give up. Not now. Not ever.

I turned my gaze back to the window, lost in thought. Somewhere in the distance, a clock tower chimed midnight, its sound echoing through the night.

“What am I supposed to do now?” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I contemplated my uncertain future.