Pain spread through my body as I lay on the cold ground. A deep fear rose inside me. My hands moved to my stomach, and panic took over when I felt something warm running down my legs.
Blood.
“No… no…” I whispered, tears falling as I tried to sit up, my vision shaking from the pain.
With trembling fingers, I pulled out my crystal communicator and called Razen. It rang, once, twice, then he answered.
Relief filled me.
“Razen…”
“Don’t call me until you stop acting like a pup,” he snapped, then the call ended.
“No… please…” I whispered, trying again, but his crystal communicator was already off.
A cry broke from me as the pain grew worse. I quickly called for help. I couldn’t lose this pup.
As darkness began to take me, one thought stayed in my mind. If I lose this pup, Razen will pay for it twice over.
Then everything faded.
***
When I opened my eyes, I was lying on a bed in the healer’s ward. A healer stood beside me, her face filled with concern.
“Lady Nivella, you are finally awake,” she said gently.
I blinked, trying to remember. Then it came back.
The kitchen… the blood… the pup….
“My pup…” My voice broke as fear rose inside me.
The healer’s face turned heavy with sadness. She placed her hand over mine. “I am sorry. You lost the pup.”
A scream tore from my throat as my heart shattered. This couldn’t be real. I had lost everything. My son. My unborn pup. All because of Razen.
Tears streamed down endlessly as I cried. Why was everything taken from me? Why was my life falling apart like this?
I cried until I had no strength left. Then I lay there, staring at the ceiling, empty and hollow.
It would have been easier if I had died too, instead of living through this nightmare.
The door opened, and someone stepped in. I didn’t even turn to look.
“Hello, Nivella.” A deep, calm voice spoke.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw Keegan Thunderhowl, Navielle’s mate, standing beside me. His gray eyes were cold and unreadable.
I had no strength to answer him.
He walked closer and sat beside my bed.
“I heard what happened. I am sorry,” he said quietly.
Seeing him only reminded me of Navielle and everything she had done. I didn’t want him here.
“Navielle is not here,” I said weakly, my throat dry.
His eyes darkened with anger.
“I am not here for that unfaithful woman,” he said, his voice low.
I frowned slightly, surprised. “You know?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“For how long?”
“A week. You?”
“This week.”