Chapter 1 Chapter 1

It was supposed to be just a one-time encounter — just letting out the steam that had been fuming between us. He was not made for relationships, while I just got out of one and was not ready for another. But that one-night stand turned into two nights, and then three, until I could no longer count the number of times he knocked at my door whenever he wanted to get laid. And I just let him in. Every damn time. But then, the nights of passion turned into two stripes on the pregnancy stick. And he wanted nothing to do with it. **** Follow me on my I G and F B for updates and teasers - author.cassa.m **** CHAPTER 1. LEXI. “Lexi, you’re six weeks pregnant.” Clotilde’s voice kept resonating in my head as goosebumps rose from my skin. My period had always been on time, so when I realized I was late for more than a week already, I tried a pregnancy stick. Two stripes. But I needed a second opinion, so I went to the maternity ward in the hospital where I was working and asked my friend to check on me. I was really pregnant. I held the steering wheel tightly. I had been sitting in my car in the open space outside my apartment building for the last thirty minutes, reflecting on my life choices and the decisions I needed to make. At 23, I was not ready to be a mother. I just got my residency from the big hospital where I worked, and I was just starting to take control of my life. This was all Austin’s fault. He shouldn’t have visited this city and tempted me to have sex with him. He was so good at it that even if I kept telling myself I would hold myself together and not let him seduce me, I still failed. “Why Alexandria?!” I groaned and bumped my head on the wheel so hard that it began to honk, startling the people in the parking lot. I tilted my head up and stared at their annoyed expression, as if what I did was a deadly sin. It was just a damn honk — not as if I ran over them! I snorted before resting my head on the wheels again, carefully this time. Why did I have to let Austin back into my life? Why? It was almost ten in the evening when I finally decided to get out of my car. I was worn out and hungry. I just wanted my bed. I would sleep it all off and think about it tomorrow. I felt like I was just floating in the air as I made my way inside the apartment building, and I was glad I didn't bump into anyone, as I didn't have the energy to even smile. I finally reached my apartment door, but my heart began thudding loudly when I couldn’t find my key in the big pot of plants outside my door. I knew it was an easy spot for someone to just steal it, but I’d been here for a year, and none had taken it except one person — Austin. I had given him access to my apartment, so he was free to come and go. But he was just here a day ago. He would usually come once or twice a week. So why was he here again? I swallowed the invisible lump in my throat before patting my cheeks, making sure I didn’t look pale. I was about to knock when the door swung open, and Austin’s handsome, smiling face popped up. His arm was leaning against the door frame. He was wearing just regular sweatpants and showing off his perfectly toned abs. He was definitely here to get laid. I smiled at him, restraining myself from jumping on him. So, instead, I slid past him, and I heard him let out a breath before closing the door. “Are you in a bad mood? I can make you feel better.” He began. Tempting. But no. “We need to talk, Austin,” I told him after I dropped my bag on the counter and turned around to face him. “Can that wait? I didn’t overspeed to get here and wait an hour for you to come home just to sit and talk. I need action.” He came closer and dipped his face onto my neck, nuzzling his nose against my skin. Fire. I bit my bottom lip, stopping myself from giving in, but then his hand moved onto my breasts and began kneading them. “I want to taste these big tits, baby. You can tell me your story while I suck and bite them.”“Austin!” I gasped, clutching his hands from my breasts and securing them on his sides. “Please, let’s talk.”“Are you breaking up with me? Can we have at least one fuck, and then we can part ways?” He chuckled, but when he realized I was not smiling, he pulled away from me and raised his hands up with his eyebrows hiking up. He slowly backed away and slumped his ass on my couch. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”“We need to discuss something…”“Come to Daddy.” He patted his thighs, and his devilish grin was back on his face. This man certainly knew how to woo females. “Be a good girl and tell me what you did wrong today, and I can promise you that whatever punishment I have in mind, you will enjoy it like the last time.”“Daddy? I’m older than you.” I rolled my eyes at him before crossing my arms against my chest. I didn’t think before answering that, but I regretted it the moment he stood up again and headed in my direction. His hands landed on my ass, and he lifted me off the floor so that I had no choice but to cling to his shoulders. “Austin!” I shrieked. He yanked my legs and wrapped them around his hips before he smacked my ass hard, making me gasp again. “You’re older, but we both know I’m still the boss here because, again, who’s the one spanking this perfect round ass of yours?” He groaned, but he didn’t even let me answer his questions. His mouth smashed into mine as he moved our position swiftly. My back hit the wall as he pressed his front against mine. He had an erection. But I know it was now or never. I tilted my head to the side so that his mouth landed on my cheek. But he continued to kiss me, nibbling and sucking my skin. “Put me down…” I said in a hoarse voice. He pulled away from my face, slowly letting me down. His eyes were dilating, and I knew he was upset. “What’s going on?” My hands went to his chest as I slowly pushed him away, wanting a space to breathe between us. “I’m pregnant.”“Who’s the father?”

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

LEXI. “Who’s the father?” Austin asked almost immediately. My heart constricted as my hand flew to my chest. I didn’t expect him to ask me that. “What do you mean with your question?”“Is it mine?” He asked as he stepped back. “Of course, it is yours! Who do you think the father is?”“I don’t know.” He brushed his hand over his hair as his jaw tightened. “We are not exclusive, so I thought...”“So you thought I was fucking around? Like you do?” I said, my teeth gritting. “I don’t know. I never asked! So don’t blame me if I thought that way!”“Of course, who knows? But yes, this is yours! And I’m sure of that!”“But how did you get pregnant?” I gasped. “Are you stupid? Of course, you fucked me! Not just once! Do you want me to give you the exact details of how it happened?”“You don’t understand my fucking question! How did you get pregnant when you don’t have a fucking wolf!” He was not raising his voice, but he was talking differently from Austin, who would sweet-talk me all the time before and after we messed around. His voice at the moment was cold, like I did a horrible thing to him. “I don’t know! I told you to use a condom, but you said no — you got this! Remember?”“Why were you not taking pregnancy pills?”“You said you got this!” I yelled at him. “You said I would not get pregnant because I don’t have a wolf! And just so you know, I’d been taking pregnancy pills for the last two years, so I wouldn’t get pregnant from my asshole ex, so I thought I would get a breather from it! But then you came, and instead of making sure I wouldn’t get pregnant by using a condom I was shoving on your ass, you made me believe you got this! Well, newsflash, Austin Montrell…” I paused for a second and pointed my fingers at my still-firm stomach. “... you got this!”“No! No! No! Fucking no!” He was shaking his head, and I felt my heart stop as I stared at him. “I’m not ready for a pup! I don’t think I can do this!” He said in a cold tone as his eyes dilated. My mouth opened as tears pooled in my eyes, but I blinked them back right away. I couldn’t find the words to say. I was expecting that this scenario would happen, but I didn’t know that the flat-out rejection would happen right away. “What do you mean?” I asked in a soft voice. “Are you sure it’s mine?” He asked again, and I saw something in his eyes that any female would not want to see. He didn’t want this pup. He looked different from the Austin who had been visiting me, and I knew I had lost this battle already. My hand raised, and a hard slap hit his cheek, making his face tilt to his right. And he just let it stay there. “Get out!” I pointed to the door while my chest continued to heave. That was my last stance. Maybe he will realize what he just said and request that we talk again. I was keeping my hopes high. But, like always, Austin let me down. He grabbed his shirt from the couch and pulled it on his head before picking up his car key on my kitchen counter. And without a word, he walked past me toward the door without even glancing at me. The tears I was holding raced down my cheeks when I heard the door slam. My shoulders shook as I let my sobs wrack my whole body. I had expected this, but why am I crying? Because I didn’t know it would hurt this much. Austin, like everyone in my life, they would just leave when they had no need for me. I was back to square one. Alone. I held my stomach as I pressed my back against the cold wall and slowly lowered my body until I reached the floor. I had no idea where I would start or what I needed to do. But I knew I couldn’t give up. Someone was expecting me to take care of him or her. I needed to be strong for this baby wolf in my stomach. I bit my bottom lip to stop it from quivering before I started mumbling to myself. “Don’t worry, baby. Mommy is here. Mommy is going to take care of you. And I promise you that even if it’s just me, I will make sure you get all the love you need. I will make sure I am enough. You and me — we will be okay.” I got this. I told myself. I had been telling myself that since the day I watched them burn my mother’s ashes and lower her urn to the ground. I got this. I would not let Austin’s rejection make me lose my sparkle. My mother raised me to be a strong and independent female. I would not let her down. ----------------- I had no idea what time I fell asleep, as I spent the whole night twisting and turning in my bed. I had been contemplating what my next step would be. My name is Alexandria Ricafort. Or call me Lexi for short. My mother was an ordinary she-wolf mated to a human, making me a half-breed shifter. After my father’s untimely death when I was fourteen, my mother and I left the human territory and sought shelter in a new pack — the Black Shadow Pack. That was Austin’s pack. His mother and my mother forged such a great friendship that when my mother passed away with a broken heart, no one questioned when I was left under her care. I didn’t mind either. But with Mom gone, my surroundings full of shifters, and I being the only female at eighteen without a wolf in that pack, I made a big decision to move out of the territory and find my luck somewhere else. Mama Janna tried to talk me out of it and told me many others had their wolf come out at a later time, and it shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, I knew that, but I told her I was no longer happy there. I knew it broke her heart, but she finally let me go and made me promise to keep in touch. So I packed my bags, thanked her and her mate for their love and generosity, and moved out of the Black Shadow Pack to start my own adventure. For the last five years, I had never been back to visit, but I kept in touch with Mama Janna, and whenever she visited Bernice City, I would make sure to make time to meet her. But never with Austin. So, seeing him on that fateful day at a random gas station in this city was a big surprise. He was alone and looking like fresh meat out of the oven. He had always been confident, but his aura had changed massively. Together with confidence, his sex appeal was oozing out, and I couldn’t help staring at him that morning while we caught up with each other. I was smitten again. And before I could even think, I had already invited him to my apartment. The simple breakfast led to another. The next thing I knew, I was already straddling him while he was ripping my clothes off as if we had done this before. I told myself just one taste, and I should be good. Big mistake. I got addicted. So when he came back a few days later, I opened my door again and let him in. And it seemed I was not the only one who got addicted. Because the one-night stand became two and then three. Until it became a routine, and I could no longer count the number of times we did it. But it was a no-strings-attached relationship. Just sex. Just letting out the steam fuming between us. We both made it clear what we were getting ourselves into. Austin was not made for a commitment, and I just got out of a two-year toxic relationship where my ex-boyfriend needed to know everything I was doing in my life. I wanted a break. Just to have fun and not think of anything but myself and the orgasm that I would get from him. All was going so well. I had a sexy man in my bed who knew all the right buttons to push. Plus, he knew how to compliment me and make me blush without me needing to tell him how my day should start and how it should end. It was too perfect. But I should have known better. Nothing in life is too perfect. A baby was not part of “the having fun only” thing. He left because this was not part of our agreement. I knew he would do this, but I still kept checking my window because a part of me was hoping he would come back. But he never did. No messages or missed calls. Nothing. It only went to show that I was nothing but just a flesh he craved but never wanted. I knew we didn’t have any commitment, and I didn’t expect him to commit himself to me, but I was hoping at least he would acknowledge his own pup. I could forgive him for asking me if it was his, but the flat-out rejection of his pup was the one breaking my heart. He didn’t even try. I knew he was not ready, and neither was I. I didn’t do this alone. We did this together. I shouldn’t be the only one who needs to face the changes because of this. But I have no choice now. It was time to move on and forget about him.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

NINE MONTHS AFTER. LEXI. I looked at the bank card that carries my mother's maiden name. This was hers. She told me to use it only if it was a matter of life and death. This should be the case at the moment, right? I was already beginning to have a contraction. But the money I was expecting didn't come yet, which was my final pay for the work where I was laid off. The economy hit the small hospital where I was working, and unfortunately, I was one of the ones they let go as I was not a regular worker yet. All the savings I had were depleted. And this hospital where I wanted to give birth would never admit me if I couldn't deposit any money. I could opt for a simple midwife service, but I knew my baby was bigger than usual, and I was terrified something would go wrong. The last nine months have been a big challenge. I moved out of Bernice City and moved to Orleans. I had no idea what I was thinking when I did that. All I knew was that I was saving what was left of my broken heart and my broken ego. I quit my job and tried to get a new one around this area, but it wasn't easy. There were days I would walk for a whole day, searching for jobs and missing meal times. If I had a choice, I would still go for a nursing job, but the waitlist was long for the hospital here, so while waiting for job interviews, I applied as a waitress in one of the restaurants near the apartment where I lived. I didn't tell them I was pregnant, so I worked as needed and exhausted myself just so I could have more money in my savings. I already knew having a baby would cost a lot. Especially since I didn't have a fixed job. But I didn't have a choice. I would rather suffer on my own than ask for help from Austin, who seemed to not be bothered at all. "Aghhh…" My hand went to the wall. I leaned closer to support my body as another contraction hit me. The intervals were getting closer. I needed to decide faster. I  closed my eyes and clutched the card in my hand tightly as I breathed in and out slowly, trying to lessen the pain from my contraction. And when it stopped, I walked toward the ATM I saw earlier and put in the card before I changed my mind again. I punched the PIN code, and my eyes widened at the amount in there. Twenty thousand dollars. Where did Mom get this? I looked around to see that no one had seen me or been around me before I withdrew one thousand. I knew banks had a day limit for withdrawal, but I could go back tomorrow or after I gave birth, or I could just use the card to pay for my hospital bill. A smile graced my lips as I secured the money and the card inside my wallet. Even after she was gone, Mom made sure that I had something to use. I was still baffled as to how she got this money, as we never really had an excess, even when Dad was still alive. But however she got this, I was grateful. This was a big help and lifted a big burden off my chest. I could pay for the hospital bill, and I would be able to afford to buy more things for my pup, as the only ones I had for him were just a few clothes, diapers, and bedding. He didn't even have a crib yet. Most of my money went to rent and food, as I made sure I was eating healthy. And the cost of paying for  consultations also put a hole in my pocket. So this day couldn't get any better than this. I could finally afford to spend a little more on him. My eyes watered as I looked up at the heavens and smiled, thanking Mom for helping me. And it was time to spring into action before another contraction hit me. I took my phone from the maternity bag I was carrying and dialed Louise's number. Louise was my grandmother. A human. She was Dad's mom, and she had no idea I was pregnant. The day before I moved to Orleans, I called and told her that I was assigned to another location by the hospital where I was working, and she believed it. Initially, she would drop by to visit me whenever her work allowed her to pass by this route, but when my stomach started to grow bigger, I dodged every opportunity to see her. I didn't want her to be disappointed in me. But I had no choice at the moment. If anything happened to me, I needed someone I could trust with my pup. My heart hammered as her phone rang. After I left the Black Shadow Pack, I went to her. She and my dad drifted off when Dad broke up with his long-time fiance and married Mom just a week after meeting her. Of course, she had no idea about shifters and the mate bond. But I had nowhere to go, so I took a chance to see her. She had been very welcoming and let me stay with her for a while. She actually requested that I stay with her permanently, but I wanted my independence, so I moved out after a year when I was accepted for my first job, but we never lost contact. But maybe after I give birth, I will ask her if I could stay with her, or perhaps she could stay with me for a while. "What do you mean you're giving birth?" She asked in a slightly higher voice. "I'm having contractions, Nana. So anytime now,  I will give birth.""Why didn't you tell me you're pregnant? And who is the father?""I will explain everything after I give birth, but right now, I want you to come here, please, Nana. I want to make sure that if anything happens to me, my child will be taken care of.""Don't you dare say that again, Alexandria! Nothing will happen to you! You will push that baby out without any problem! We will figure out the rest after! Now go to the hospital and tell me that name so I can go there!" She told me, almost shouting, but I knew she was upset but still doing her best not to scold me. "Thank you. I will call you again once I'm admitted.""Make sure you do. I will get my things ready. It might take a while before I get there. But I will be there. Is there anything you need that I can grab for you?" I bit my bottom lip as I stopped myself from crying. It had been too long since someone asked me for anything I needed. "Nothing, Nana. Just be here. That's all I need." —----------------- I entered the hospital, and after I paid a downpayment, I was ushered to be checked, and the next time I knew, I was already in the maternity ward. It was so congested that I had no choice but to request to be transferred to an available private room. I knew this would cost a lot, but I knew I had money that I could use. I wanted to be comfortable, and then after I gave birth, there was no need to stay longer here. But the moment I began my labor, which they told me lasted for twenty hours, too many things had happened. With the pain of labor and with me being sedated, I couldn't distinguish reality from hallucinations. All I knew was that Grandma Louise had come. So did Randall, one of my co-workers in that small hospital who had been showing interest in me despite my being pregnant. And then Austin. On the last one, I was sure I was hallucinating. The pain was unbearable, and maybe I was blaming him for all this labor pain that I was experiencing, so he suddenly popped out of my mind and stood in front of me so I could lash out at him. I told him about every pain and suffering I went through for the last nine months and how he had no rights when it came to my son. Austin just listened and never said a word. He didn't argue. He didn't complain, and it led me to believe more that he was just a figment of my imagination because the Austin I knew would never hold back his tongue. He had an answer for everything and would never let anyone raise their voice at him. So I knew he didn't come to visit. I woke up fourteen hours after giving birth.  I remember some parts, such as when they handed David to me and assisted me in breastfeeding him. He stayed with me for a while before he was ushered away, but one of the nurses asked if they could have David's father hold him. I chuckled and told them Randall was not David's father. They just looked at me like I was crazy but didn't say anything. Then I fell asleep again. The next thing I remember, I had a dream. Austin was beside me. He gave me a paper, and I asked him what it was about. He told me to read it, and I retorted that if it were a decree cutting off all ties between him and David, I would sign it. The asshole nodded his head, and in my annoyance, I signed it and wrote: Effective immediately. And then he disappeared, hopefully for good. Because even in dreams, or, should I say, nightmares, I didn't want to see him. ---------------- Author's Note: To those who read the previous book before this, I wrote a wrong timeline for Louise's son's death - it should have been 10 years ago and not 7. So yes, the Louise we saw on the train with River is the same Louise here. ♡ ♡ ♡

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

AUSTIN. I stared at the sleeping pup in the middle of my bed while thinking about all the actions I had taken in the last two weeks. Everything happened so fast after I got a message from the tracker Jace told me to use to locate Lexi. The tracker said he found her in Orleans. I didn’t waste time and took the first flight to that city. She was already having a contraction when I arrived, and they had just finished giving her an epidural because she was having massive pain. Lexi didn’t have a wolf, and they said she was carrying a big baby, so I could only imagine the pain she was going through. They let me in when I told them I was the father of her baby, but I was quickly ushered out again when Lexi started screaming at me. I never felt so little and humiliated all my life until she threw those words at me. But I swallowed all of it, including my pride. I asked her if I could see her delivery, and I wouldn’t even make a noise. She flatly said no. She told me I wasn’t there for the last nine months when she bore all her pains alone, so I didn’t have any right to be there to celebrate her child’s birth. Her child. That was a dagger that struck directly into my heart. I no longer cared about how the people around us in her room saw me. Some looked at me with pity, but most with disgust. Of course, Lexi made sure everyone knew I bailed out on her and our pup. I was the bad guy. I swallowed that, too. I didn’t even defend myself because, in the state she was in, I knew she would never listen. But I was also desperate. I needed to bring David home. While on the way to Orleans, I got excited and called my parents, who were outside of the country, and told them to come home as I had someone I wanted them to meet. Mom and Dad thought I had found my mate. So in the end, I told them they would meet their first grandpup. Many questions came after that, especially from Mom, including if I had found my mate. Not that they would be upset if I had chosen one, because we all knew that even before my parents found out they were fated mates, they were already set on choosing each other. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to tell the truth either, at least not over the phone. So I told them that it was only the pup that they would get to meet first. There was silence after that, but it didn’t take a while before Mom spoke and told me that no matter what situation I was in, she and Dad were excited to meet their grandpup and that they already loved him or her. I knew I had the best mom, but at that moment, I silently thanked Selene because I didn’t get the scolding that I was expecting. Instead, they shifted their attention to my pup, which was the most important factor in all this. They already loved him without any question. Something I wish I had done when Lexi told me about her pregnancy. But it was too late for any regrets, and with Lexi’s refusal to even let me see our son, I was left with no choice. My parents were set to arrive, and she was still flatly rejecting me. Lexi went into labor for almost a day and was sent to surgery immediately in the next hour after giving birth, as she had a big laceration. She had a hard time pushing David. At that point, I was willing to beg and compromise until I saw someone visiting her, and I knew I never hated anyone as much as I hated the blond male who came in with flowers and balloons for her. I couldn’t accept that she treated him nicely and totally differently from how she was with me. And it terrified me. He was taking my place in Lexi’s life. Or worse, from David’s life. So I went to her room while she was still groggy from her medication and asked her to sign a waiver allowing me to take David home while she would remain in the hospital for another week or two so she could recuperate from her blood loss and make sure she would be back in shape before they let her go. I paid the hospital bill in full and left a deposit for other things she might need. But I felt guilty, and I wanted to make sure she would never pay a single dime for this, so I left my card open so they could charge it if the deposit was not enough. It was my way of apologizing because that same day, I took David home with me without letting her know. “Say that again, Austin?” Davina, my fifteen-year-old sister, asked after she helped me change David’s diaper. Her eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe what I just said. Of course, I just admitted that I lured Lexi into signing the authority form to discharge David while she remained in the hospital. I had been home for a week, and so had my parents. But they had no idea I stole my own pup and that Lexi was the female in question. The only ones who knew who David’s mother was were Jace, Amara, Tyler, and Davina. All of them wanted me to tell my parents already, but I kept putting it off. But today, I decided to tell Davina that I took David home without permission. I needed to tell someone to get it off my chest. “Lexi will kill you.” She added. “I know, but at least before I die, I get to spend time with David.”“You should tell Mom and Dad.”“No, I won’t. Not yet. Let them enjoy David for now before Lexi comes here and takes him away.”“I don’t know where you are learning all these things, Austin. Mom will be so upset with you. First, you got Lexi pregnant. Of all the females you run around with, you chose Lexi. And then you abandoned her. And then you steal her pup.”“It’s my pup too!” My voice went slightly higher, and Davina’s eyes widened as she placed a finger on her lips to quiet me down because David got startled. “What I’m just saying is, you keep making mistakes after mistakes instead of correcting the first one.”“You will never understand.”“Of course, you will say that! Everyone around me keeps saying I will never understand, and it’s annoying already. I might be just fifteen, but I know what you did was wrong. What will you do if she arrives here?”“Put you in between us.” I chuckled as I picked up David from my bed and began rocking him. “She loves you. She can’t be angry at you.”“Dream on, Austin, but I will never defend you. Instead, I might help Lexi smash a pan on your head. Now go up there and tell Mom who David’s mother is and how you got him here.” Davina said with raised brows and a finger pointing to the door. “Nice try, kiddo. But my life, my rules.”“Karma hits bad, Austin.” She shook her head before she ran her finger on the bridge of David’s nose. “Daddy is such a bad boy, isn’t he? I hope your mommy doesn’t throw a fit and a knife at him when she sees him. But don’t worry baby, I will hold you, and we can watch them together until they figure out what to do with their lives.” I chuckled, but I knew Davina was right. I was just waiting until my karma, with the name Lexi, would come and hit me. But I guess I didn’t need to wait long because not even a week after I took David home, she returned to the Black Shadow Pack territory. She came hurling like a tornado, ready to wreak havoc on everyone standing in her way.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

AUSTIN. Tyler was still not okay after Garrett left the packhouse — the little pup that he thought was his. Although he was doing his job as he was supposed to, like the true Beta that he was, he would always be quiet, which was something new. So Jace and I were doing our best to help him cope and make sure he was not left alone all the time. We knew Tyler was strong, but there was only so much a man could take. We all tried to act normal while casually supporting him, while I kept pretending everything was okay on my end. I didn’t tell anyone my own problem, or should I say the problem I created? But what they say is true: all secrets will be revealed in time. Tyler, Jace, and I were at the front of the packhouse, just sitting on the steps and looking at the territory we ran when the sound of an approaching vehicle rang in the air. I heard the other two murmur as they wondered who it was, but with the way my heart was thudding loudly, I was already assuming the car was there for me. ‘Did Lexi arrive?’ I sent a mind-linked message to Menard, who was one of the patrollers on the border that I assumed Lexi would enter if she was ever to arrive there. ‘Yes, with a guy. We checked the car, and we let it in as it’s Lexi. And man, she looks more beautiful than she was…’ I didn’t hear the rest of his words because I got stuck on the word “guy” that was with her. Did she bring a human in here? Was it the fucker who came with those ugly flowers and balloons? I cursed under my breath when the car stopped. I was not sure if the cursing was because of the idea that she had come or because she brought a man with her. I was not even done deciding which one had resulted in my action when the passenger door of the car opened, and out came Hurricane Lexi with a face as dark as the typhoon clouds. I cleared my throat and was about to greet her, but like the hurricane that she was, she was already surging toward me with big strides. Her hand went up, and I already knew what was coming. She slapped me. Again. Alpha Jace and Beta Tyler were stunned, but I was not. I was expecting it. I let my tongue roll in my inner cheek — the area where she hit me because it stung — but I didn’t say anything and let my hands remain inside my pockets. “Where is my son? Give me David, or I swear to the Goddess I will have the police come here and search the packhouse!” Lexi’s anger was surging through her whole body, but I didn’t let it rattle me. “Why did they let you out? I told them to look after you.” I said in a calm tone as I slowly shifted my gaze to check on the man who got out of the driver’s seat. Blondie was here. “If you think charming the doctor to make them make me stay for two fucking weeks while you ran away with my son will work for a long time, you are wrong! I’m going to kill you, Austin!” Charmed the doctor? I didn’t do anything. They told me about her condition, and I just took advantage of it. I was about to answer that when Jace appeared beside Lexi and held her arm. “Calm down.”“Alpha…” Her voice softened as she looked at him. “Let’s talk inside. People are looking.” Jace said in a low voice. “I have someone with me,” Lexi told him. Jace nodded to someone behind me, and I saw Marshall pass by me to go to Mr. Blondie. He was inside the packhouse and probably went out when he heard the commotion. “Marshall will take care of him. He’s from what pack?” Jace asked her as he guided her inside while Tyler nudged me to move and get inside the packhouse as well. “Lone wolf. I’m sorry for shouting…” Her voice broke. “He took my son, and the people at the hospital don’t want me to go to find them. They said I signed the paper allowing him to take him home. I was still under hospital arrest because I lost a lot of blood. But I’m not sick! And I didn’t sign anything allowing him to take David. I’m going to kill Austin, Alpha!”“Calm down. David is safe here. And I will have someone take him to you.” Jace told her as we walked the corridor to his office while my jaw tightened. I didn’t like that Alpha was taking charge. This was my life, and David is my son. “No!” I growled and continued speaking, even if the Alpha gave me a warning look. “She didn’t want me to be involved in David’s life, so I had no other recourse...”“Calm down, man. We will talk inside the office.” Tyler told me as he kept patting my back. My chest was heaving, but I shut my mouth. As soon as we entered the room, Lexi turned to face the Alpha. “I want to see David.”“We need to talk first, or he might feel the tension...” Jace tried. “You don’t understand!” Lexi interrupted him, and her voice rose again. “Calm down…”“No, Alpha! My breasts fucking hurt, and I feel like dying! I need him to breastfeed from me. Pumping is painful, and if this milk doesn’t come out, I might have more problems. My son needs me as much as I need him, so get him to me now!” She said it in one breath, and my eyes shifted to her breasts. They were definitely bigger than the last time I saw her in the hospital. They were the first thing I noticed when she came out of the car today, but I didn’t have time to appreciate them as she came and attacked me right away. But before any of us could say more, the office door swung open, and I knew I was fucked up. I might be twenty-one now, but there was a female I was terrified to cross, and it was the female who came in. “Lexi!” Mom gasped before her eyes shifted between Lexi and me while Dad entered the room after her. I was doomed. “Mom…” Lexi’s shoulders shook as her sobs finally came out, and Mom immediately came forward to hug her. “I didn’t know it was you…” Mom spoke in a soft voice. “I need to see David, please. It’s been hell not knowing if he’s okay or not.” She cried in her arms. “He’s okay, but he’s missing you, of course. Come.” Mom held her hand before she turned around and pointed a finger at me. Anger was an understatement. Her eyes told me that all the punishment and scolding I got from her growing up was nothing compared to what was about to come my way. “Stay where you are, Austin Joseph. I will come back for you!” As soon as they left, Dad locked the door before turning his full attention to me. “Explain, and make sure you have a fucking good explanation for what you did.” His voice was firm, but his face showed no emotions at all, and I knew I was in a bad place. All these years, Dad had tolerated all my antics and would always pass everything off as a joke. But I guess this time, I went overboard. “What do you want to hear? Yes, I stole David. I went to her and made her sign the waiver while she was dizzy with sedatives….” His fist hit my jaw before I could finish speaking. I felt the full impact, but nothing was more painful than not being given a chance to explain. My jaw tightened as I held my face. Jace and Tyler tried to hold Dad and calm him down while I crouched on the floor and let all my emotions out. I was sick and tired of pretending to be okay when I wasn’t. I knew I got terrified and abandoned Lexi at the first sign of responsibility, but it was not true that I didn’t care. I spent many sleepless nights going back and forth to Bernice City to look for her while still doing my best to function as a Gamma for this pack. It wasn’t easy. While my Alpha and Beta had each other and me as they tried to navigate their own problems, I had no one. Just me. I carried the burden alone because I knew I had messed up. I might be a Gamma, the strongest warrior in this pack, but I was allowed to have my moments of weakness, too. “Did any of you know how it feels to be in the same place as them, but you couldn’t get to them?” I began. I was willing to lay out everything because I had no choice. “I begged Lexi to let me inside the delivery room, and she said no. I was there before she gave birth, and I kept begging. Imagine the mighty, happy-go-lucky Austin begging for a space to see my son being delivered. I begged, Dad. I apologized too many times for being a coward, but she kept saying no. Do you all know where I was while she was giving birth? One of the male nurses let me watch from a one-way window because he knew how it felt to be discarded in his kid’s life. And I had no idea how many times I thanked him because he let me see David come out of Lexi. I watched in silence. I cried on my own when David came out. I couldn’t touch him.” I was already a mess from crying, but I didn’t stop talking. “I felt like trash, but I stayed. I thought if Lexi saw that I was there, without changing clothes or doing anything wrong, she would take pity on me and let me hold my son. But she was so fucking heartless. I could only see David when the same male was on his shift. He would open the curtains on the nursery window so I could see David whenever Lexi was asleep. I didn’t even know she named him after Grandpa until I saw the nameplate on him. I know I was wrong in every sense, but none of you even asked me about me or why I did that. I just want to be there for my son. I know I fucked up when I told her I was not ready to be a father yet, but did anyone of you get your act together on your first try?” I stood up and wiped my tears. “She was asked to stay in the hospital as she lost a lot of blood. The only thing I did was tell them to extend her for another week and pay for the bill because I knew once she got out, she would take David away. I’m just taking advantage of the little time I get to spend with my boy. I know I might never see him again once she takes him.” I couldn’t stop crying because I just wanted to go to him already, as I was sure Lexi would take him and leave right away. I tilted my head up and looked at Dad. “I’m sorry. I know I’m a disappointment. I fucked up, Dad. Help me. I don’t want David to forget about me.” Dad’s arms went around me as he hugged me tightly, brushing my back. “We will think of something.”“He’s mine too. He’s my son. I don’t know what to do anymore.” I kept mumbling over and over again. “Help me.”