Ella.
"Catch her!" the head of the guards' voice boomed behind me, sharp and commanding, echoing through the space as he barked orders to his subordinates. "You must not let her escape!"
The sound of his words sent a surge of panic through my veins. My breath hitched, and I hastened my footsteps, forcing my legs to move faster despite the burning pain already creeping into my muscles. I couldn't let them catch me. I wouldn't. To stop now meant surrender, and I would never accept such a fate, not for myself, and not for what I carried.
I tightened my grip around my tummy as I ran, instinctively shielding it, as though my hands alone could protect what mattered most. "I will protect you, my pup," I whispered through ragged breaths, my voice trembling but resolute. "Even if your father doesn't want to."
The promise settled deep in my heart, solid and unbreakable. I clung to it as I kept running, refusing to look back no matter how loud the footsteps and shouts grew behind me.
Why, Alex? The question tore through my chest, bringing fresh tears to my eyes. Could you just let me live? You already chose her, why hunt me?
Tears streamed freely now, blurring my vision and making the path ahead swim. I blinked hard, but the memories forced their way in anyway, how close we had once been, how safe I had felt in his arms, how certain I had been of us.
What exactly went wrong?
***
"Ella, sweetheart, are you feeling okay?" Alex's voice was gentle, threaded with worry, as I shifted again on the sofa. My body refused to settle, every movement uncomfortable, restless in a way I couldn't explain.
I pressed a hand to my stomach and exhaled slowly. "Honey… I really don't know what's wrong with me." I tried to find a better position, drawing my legs up, then stretching them out again. Nothing helped. "I think I ate something bad."
Alex immediately leaned closer, his sharp Alpha eyes scanning my face as if the answer might be written there. "Huh?" His brows drew together. "Have you taken any meds?" The concern flashing across his eyes was instant and unguarded, the kind he never bothered to hide from me.
Seeing that look made something warm and tender bloom in my chest. I really loved my husband, my Alpha, my mate. Loving him had never been hard. It was as natural as breathing. He had always been this way with me, protective, attentive, steady. He had kept the promise he made to me four years ago, back when I couldn't remember wven my own name, when everything felt simpler and the world hadn't yet taught me how cruel it could be.
I promise, I will marry and care for only you in this life.
The memory surfaced so clearly that I couldn't help the small chuckle that slipped past my lips. I looked up at him, amused despite the discomfort twisting inside me. "Come on, Alex," I said softly, reaching for his hand. "There is no need to be this worried."
But he didn't relax. If anything, his grip tightened, warm and reassuring, anchoring me to him. "Of course I have to be," he replied firmly. His tone left no room for argument, only certainty. His gaze dropped briefly to my stomach before lifting back to my face, reverent and serious all at once. "That is exactly where my pups would stay to grow."
My breath caught at the way he said it, my pups. Our pups. The words weren't dramatic or loud, but they carried weight, thick with devotion and instinct. His thumb brushed slow, comforting circles over my knuckles, as if grounding both of us.
I shook my head lightly, trying to laugh it off, but my heart was racing now, thudding hard against my ribs. "You're overthinking," I murmured, though my voice wasn't as steady as I wanted it to be.
"Maybe," he said, not looking convinced in the slightest. "But until I'm sure you're fine, I won't stop worrying."
That was Alex, unyielding when it came to me. Alpha of the pack, feared and respected by many, yet here he was, sitting at my feet, watching my every breath like it mattered more than the entire world.
And maybe, to him, it did.
But then again… pups.
The word echoed softly in my mind, heavy and fragile at the same time. I wondered, not for the first time, if I could actually give him that. Three years. Three whole years since we got married, and yet nothing. No conception. No miscarriage. Not even a faint scare that could give me hope, however cruel. Just silence, month after month mocking my patience, testing my faith.
I exhaled deeply, my chest tightening as the familiar ache crept in. But then a thought slipped in, unexpected and sharp enough to make me freeze.
My periods.
I frowned slightly. Come to think of it… I hadn't seen them. Not this month. Not even the faint warning signs my body usually gave me. My heartbeat quickened, thudding loudly in my ears. Could I be… pregnant?
The possibility bloomed suddenly, reckless and bright, pushing aside all logic and fear. Before I could stop myself, a smile stretched across my face, trembling but hopeful. I looked at Alex, my hands instinctively curling into the fabric of my dress.
"Alex…" I began, my voice faltering as emotion clogged my throat. "I think… I… mi…might… be pregnant." The words cracked as they left my lips, fragile and raw, like glass on the verge of shattering.
He laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Come on, baby, it's too early for pranks."
The dismissal stung. I scoffed, forcing firmness into my tone even as my heart raced. "I am not joking," I insisted. "I haven't seen my period."
That was all it took.
His eyes widened, and in the next second, he was on his feet, excitement radiating off him in waves. He grabbed my hands, squeezing them tightly as if afraid the thought might disappear if he let go. "Let's get to the hospital, baby," he muttered, already pulling me along.
At the hospital, the familiar scent of antiseptics flooded my nostrils the moment we stepped in. It was overwhelming, sharp, clean, and suffocating. My stomach churned violently, and nausea rose without warning. I pressed a hand to my mouth, swallowing hard.
The nurses attended to me quickly. Tests were done. Time dragged. Hope sat in my chest, fragile and dangerous.
Then the results came.
"It's negative," the nurse muttered casually.
Just like that, my hopes crashed, shattering painfully as they hit the ground. I turned slowly to Alex. The disappointment on his face was unmistakable, raw, unhidden, cutting deeper than words ever could.
I felt stupid. Foolish. I shouldn't have raised his hopes again.
Without a word, Alex stood up and stormed out of the office.
And I had no choice but to follow behind him.