Seraphina’s POV
The shrill ring of my phone had torn from sleep, Roxanne’s panicked voice claiming so urgent dical ergency that demanded imdiate attention. My pulse had raced as we sped toward the packhouse, and I could see the tension etched across Julian’s features during the entire journey.
Despite my anger, I harbored no ill will toward this unborn child who had no choice in these circumstances. The baby remained innocent in all of this chaos.
Though I’d be lying if I claid part of didn’t feel bitter resentnt toward this pregnancy, knowing it would forever serve as ammunition against . This child would beco a permanent reminder of my inadequacy, a wound that could never fully heal.
My greatest fear was that sothing terrible might happen to the baby, especially knowing my stress might have contributed to Roxanne’s condition. The guilt consud as we rushed through the night, only to discover there had been no ergency at all.
Roxanne appeared radiant and perfectly healthy when we arrived. The urge to confront her about this manipulative stunt burned through , but the presence of distinguished guests made such an outburst impossible.
Alpha Quincy and Viviana stood in the room, their faces illuminated with pure joy, their voices carrying triumphant celebration.
Julian’s parents had clearly received the news already, and their presence here seed entirely motivated by this announcent.
"Oh Seraphina, sweetheart!" Viviana exclaid, her eyes practically dancing with delight. "Can you believe it? A grandchild at last! We’ve been hoping for this mont for years!"
This woman rarely displayed such overwhelming emotion. Though I’d witnessed her love for Julian before, I’d never seen her face light up with such unbridled happiness.
Alpha Quincy, typically reserved and asured in his responses, matched his wife’s enthusiasm completely. "A little one joining our family! Seraphina, can you imagine? Julian becoming a father! Our bloodline continuing!"
His reaction stunned . I’d anticipated outrage, expected him to share my fury over this situation. Instead, he looked as though nothing in the world could diminish his elation.
Their overwhelming joy crashed over like a devastating wave, threatening to drown in their excitent. They discussed nursery designs, potential nas, and elaborate future plans. Each word, every euphoric declaration, drove another sharp blade deeper into my chest. They understood my pain perfectly. They knew exactly how devastating this pregnancy was for as Julian’s mate. Yet their indifference was complete. Perhaps they acknowledged my suffering, but their delight in this new life completely eclipsed any concern for my emotional destruction.
I should have realized that monts of happiness in my life were rely preludes to greater disasters.
Every affectionate glance, every animated conversation about baby nas or nursery thes, felt like calculated torture. They behaved as though I’d beco invisible, completely ignoring the fact that I stood right there, Julian’s chosen mate, forced to witness their celebration of the very thing that had destroyed my world.
Roxanne, with deliberate malice, basked in her parents’ adoration, her hand claiming territorial ownership of her belly. Every smile she flashed in their direction felt like a targeted attack against . The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive, stealing the oxygen from my lungs. My breathing beca labored. I couldn’t endure another second. I couldn’t bear watching their pure happiness while mine lay in complete ruins.
"Please excuse ," I whispered, barely managing to force the words past my constricted throat. I turned away from the scene, my legs moving without conscious direction. I needed escape, sowhere their jubilation couldn’t penetrate.
Perhaps my reaction seed selfish, but the unfairness of everyone celebrating this like so magnificent accomplishnt felt unbearable. Alpha Quincy’ enthusiasm disappointed most, though I supposed family loyalty would always triumph over everything else.
I escaped the room desperately, my heart hamring against my ribcage like a caged animal. The empty hallway provided blessed relief from that suffocating atmosphere of forced celebration. I doubted anyone would even notice my departure, given their current state of euphoria.
Then I collided directly with soone.
A firm, commanding presence stopped my flight. I staggered backward, preparing for impact, then looked up to find Alpha Dorian studying . His forehead creased with worry, his blue eyes searching my expression intently.
"Seraphina? What’s wrong?" he asked, his voice carrying unexpected gentleness beneath its deep timber.
The urge to scream my anguish aloud nearly overwheld , but the words remained trapped in my throat. What could I possibly say? That my mate was expecting a child with another woman while his parents celebrated right in front of ? That I felt discarded like a broken toy, suddenly irrelevant to Julian’s life?
How could I compete with the woman carrying his firstborn, especially if she delivered a son?
"I’m perfectly fine," I lied, my voice pitched too high and strained. I couldn’t discuss this with him. Not now. Not ever. I pulled away from his concerned presence, leaving him with unanswered questions reflected in his eyes. He seed ready to probe deeper, but I refused to give him that opportunity. I continued walking, Roxanne’s triumphant expression and his parents’ joyful chatter echoing endlessly in my mind.
My house promised sanctuary, a place where I could finally drop this exhausting pretense. I struggled with the lock, desperate to reach the safety of closed doors. But before I could step inside, strong arms encircled from behind. My body tensed defensively, ready for confrontation, but the familiar scent and gentle pressure identified my captor imdiately. Julian.
He pressed his face against my neck, releasing a soft, plaintive sound from deep in his chest. "Seraphina," he murmured, his voice heavy with raw emotion. "I’m here with you. I love you."
Those words provided exactly what I needed, though whether I could endure this daily torture for months ahead remained an unanswered question.
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