My heart raced as I watched Derrick through the bustling halls of the hospital, his doting attention fixed on Samantha—his lover from the Crimsoneye pack. The same Derrick who claimed he was too busy to attend even one prenatal check-up with me. Yet here he was, tending to Samantha with a level of care that made me feel like an outsider in my own life.

I lingered behind a pillar in the waiting area, observing as he leaned close to her, his hand gently resting on her back. His voice was soft, but I could still make out his words in the quiet space.

“The doctor says you need to be more mindful of your diet now. Try to stay active and go easy on heavy meals, okay?”

Samantha let out a playful huff, rolling her eyes. “Alright, but you’re the one who brought too many treats! You’re making this difficult,” she teased, pretending to be annoyed.

“Fine, blame me,” Derrick chuckled, his eyes bright with affection. “I’ll try not to spoil you so much next time.”

Their warmth and familiarity felt like a slap to my face. This was the life he had chosen, a life that didn’t include me—leaving me to bear his child alone, hidden in the shadows. My hand instinctively went to my belly, feeling the small flutter within. It was a bittersweet reminder of the bond I shared with the life growing inside me, even as Derrick drifted further away.

My heart ached, but I kept my expression composed, holding in the storm of emotions building up. I took out my phone, capturing every tender gesture, every shared look between them. This betrayal wouldn’t stay hidden, and I wouldn’t allow Derrick to erase me—or our child—from his life. The evidence I gathered was for the future, for the child I was determined to protect.

I followed them as they moved through the corridors, Derrick guiding Samantha toward the exit. The fluorescent lights reflected off the glass doors as he draped his jacket over her shoulders, shielding her from the autumn rain that had begun to fall outside. I watched from a distance as Samantha leaned up, pulling Derrick close by his tie and planting a kiss on his lips. Then, her eyes drifted toward me, catching sight of me with a look of smug satisfaction.

“Looks like you’ve lost,” she mouthed, her expression as cold as the rain falling outside.

A faint, calm smile formed on my lips. “He’s just a man, nothing more,” I whispered under my breath, feeling a strange freedom wash over me.

I was done with tears and done with pleading for his love. I didn’t need Derrick anymore—I needed only to secure a future free from his betrayal.

As they drove off, I stayed behind, letting the rain soak through the thin fabric of my dress. Calmly, I opened my phone and selected the folder of evidence I had compiled: messages, photos, receipts of Derrick’s gifts to Samantha. With a few taps, I sent the files to my mentor within the pack—a powerful elder known for her ruthless loyalty and fierce protection of those she cared about.

By the time I slipped my phone back into my pocket, the cold rain had seeped through my clothes, chilling me to the bone. I shivered, but the chill only strengthened my resolve. I had done everything I could, and now I would chart my own path.

Suddenly, my phone rang, the familiar tone of my mother’s call cutting through the silence. I took a steadying breath before answering. “Hello, Mom.”

“Charlotte! Where are you? I made soup for you and Derrick. I stopped by the house, but you weren’t there,” her voice was warm, filled with love and concern, blissfully unaware of the turmoil roiling beneath the surface.

I forced a smile, keeping my voice steady. “Oh, we’re just… out for a bit. Derrick insisted we get some fresh air.”

Her laughter came through the line, comforting yet bittersweet. “That Derrick… always so thoughtful. Make sure he takes care of you, okay? And don’t stay out too long; it’s getting chilly.”

Her words reminded me of everything I’d lost, the love I thought I’d had. My chest tightened, and I bit my lip, fighting to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be careful.”

“Good, sweetheart. Let me know if you need anything, alright? Love you.”

As I ended the call, gripping my phone tightly, the warmth of my mother’s voice faded, leaving me alone with the flood of emotions I’d been holding back. I wanted to scream, to shatter the quiet despair that surrounded me. But I couldn’t. My father is , bound by pride, and I was the mother to an unborn child who needed my strength.

Slowly, I turned, stepping out into the rain, each step steady and deliberate. I didn’t need Derrick anymore; he’d made his choice, and now I was making mine. He was no longer my mate, no longer the man I would share my life with.

As I walked toward the edge of our territory, I felt a new resolve take root within me. I was not a woman scorned; I was a warrior carrying the legacy of my bloodline. I would build a new life, a future untethered to his lies, one where my child would know the strength and honor of their heritage.

With one final glance back at the hospital, I whispered to myself, “This is the end, Derrick. You’re hers now.”

The message from Derrick arrived as expected, hollow and practiced: "Hey, Charlotte, I’ll be working late tonight. It’s a bit chilly, so don’t forget to close the windows. Love you always, your mate."

I stared at the words, feeling nothing. There was a time I would have worried, stayed up, and waited for him to come home. But those days were gone. Now, I merely closed my phone, indifferent. Derrick was part of the past I had already left behind. Today, I was ready to sever our bond for good.

It had taken months to gather the courage and evidence, but finally, I had everything I needed. The elders had agreed to check the evidences before performing the ritual that would dissolve our mating bond, freeing me from Derrick’s betrayal. The ritual had been both painful and cleansing, like ripping out roots that had bound me to a man who had no loyalty. The ache in my chest was soon replaced with relief and newfound strength. For me and my unborn child, there would be no more lies, no more deceit.

I knew that Derrick felt the severing of our bond because aftee feeling relieved, the severed mate will feel the consequence which is feeling my pain ten times more.

As I stepped outside the ritual hall, I found myself face-to-face with her—Samantha. She waited by the entrance, her smug smile barely concealed as her eyes met mine. Even now, as the rain began to mist the grounds, she looked smug, as if my pain was her victory.

“Charlotte,” she greeted with a smirk, crossing her arms. “I thought you’d never have the courage to leave him.”

I met her gaze, calm and unbothered. “I’ve no use for a mate who doesn’t respect his bond. If you want him, take him. He’s yours.”

She blinked, momentarily thrown off by my composure. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me hurt. Derrick’s betrayal had burned through me, but I wouldn’t let Samantha see my scars. I refused to give her that power.

“Does it really not bother you?” she sneered. “You spent years by his side, and now... just like that... ou’re giving up?”

I smiled faintly, a touch of sadness creeping into my voice. “You know, Samantha, when I look back, I never gave up on him. He gave up on us long before you even came along.”

For a moment, I saw something flicker in her expression: her lips curled into a bitter smile.

“What a pity,” she murmured. “Guess you were never enough for him.”

With a sharp laugh, she turned to leave, but suddenly pivoted and grabbed my arm, yanking me forward with a fierce grip. “You may act like you’re okay, but we both know better,” she hissed, her eyes blazing. “You’re just a bitter ex, nothing more.”

I pulled my arm back, but her grip was stronger than I anticipated. She pushed me backward, and I lost my balance, collapsing to the ground. A sharp pain exploded through my abdomen, stealing the breath from my lungs as I fell onto the wet earth.

Agony shot through me, and I could feel something terrible happening inside. My hands instinctively went to my stomach, terror flooding my veins as I felt the warmth of blood pooling beneath me. I clutched my belly, the pain overwhelming as I struggled to catch my breath.

Samantha’s expression shifted to one of alarm as she took a step back, her eyes wide with shock. Without a word, she turned and fled, leaving me alone in the rain, crumpled and broken on the ground.

Through the haze of pain, I managed to call out for help. The world was spinning, and my vision blurred as strangers gathered around, their faces a blur of concern and urgency. Voices called for an ambulance, but all I could think about was my child, life growing inside me.

“Please… save my baby,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

But my mind was praying to the moon goddess for my pup's safety.

By the time the paramedics arrived, my consciousness had begun to slip. I could feel myself fading, my body growing weaker as the pain pulsed through every part of me. They lifted me onto a stretcher, the sound of their voices distant, muffled, like they were speaking from miles away.

One of the paramedics handed me my phone, asking for my emergency contact. With trembling hands, I dialed Derrick’s number, praying he’d pick up, that somehow he’d remember the family he’d left behind. The line rang once, twice, and finally, answered; his voice sharp and tensed. He could have been feeling the consequence of the bond severing ritual now.

In the background, I heard Samantha’s voice, light and cheerful, as if nothing in the world could touch them.

The call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at the empty screen. The finality of his choice echoed through me. He had moved on without a backward glance, while I lay there fighting for the life of our child.

My heart pounded as I forced myself to dial again, this time calling my mother. She picked up on the first ring, her voice filled with worry. “Charlotte, is everything alright?”

“I… I’m going into labor,” I managed, fighting back tears as I clung to consciousness. “Mom, I need you.”

“Hold on, sweetheart,” she replied, her voice steady. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Just hold on, alright?”

As the ambulance sped toward the hospital, the pain grew unbearable, but I kept repeating my mother’s words, clinging to them like a lifeline. Hold on. Just hold on.

The last thing I remembered before everything faded was the image of my child, a glimmer of hope and strength amid the darkness.

I wouldn’t let go—not now, not ever. I would survive this, for her, and build a future beyond the broken promises Derrick had left behind.