Hayes

thes damp and sticky with blood. The metal

t took several seconds before I could make out the grand foyer a

ony, a physical reminder of t

ne from my pocket. The screen was a

Each time, the same cold, automated voice:

toward his. It was like throwing myself against a st

mate, had chosen to believe another woman, had cut off my

id down my cheeks, mixing w

an to fade again, the cracke

ivan. My b

I knew I could

s clumsy. I couldn't form a w

hloe's voice on the other end was sharp with alar

ly broken sounds came ou

t now!" Her voice was firm,

y. The front door burst open, not unlocked but forced, and

She ran to my side, her hands shaking as sh

a. Who did t

, fresh tears wellin

ly scattered flashes-the wail of the ambulance siren, Chloe's hand g

e ceiling and the sharp,

eyes red and swollen. "You're a

to my stomach. It felt empty. A hollow,

a... The Healer said... you were eight weeks pregnant. B

oken aloud was a final, brutal verdict. My heart

m. "Luna," she said softly. "Your body is very weak. You need to rest." In o

den know?" I ask

him a dozen times. Texted him. He didn't answe

know he has lost a cub. I have sent him an

in my chest. An official notification

to my room remained c

ble. A text from Aiden. His first contact

hook as I

was only o

o support your performance, Kir

dn't believe me. He thought all of this-the hospital, the Healer's offi