Chapter 10

Tessa’s POV

Evander never comes back to our room that night.

I stay up all night, restless and consumed by the possibilities of what might have happened.

Or–there’s only one possibility, really.

I’m not stupid.

If Evander didn’t come back to bed with me, that means he’s sleeping with Mira.

I knew I was going to be replaced eventually. Evander made that clear from the start–I was always going to be something to trade away at the soonest opportunity.

I just never thought it would happen so quickly.

My Mark sits on my left collarbone, just above my heart. I remember the day Evander gave it to me like it was yesterday. My wedding day, my Marking Ceremony.

It all used to feel like bliss.

Not so much, anymore.

I can actively feel the agony of my separation from Evander, too. My Mark burns and aches, the pain coming and going in waves. I can feel my heart breaking, a terrible loss made physically manifest.

As a common courtesy, I think after Evander agrees my divorce plan, I’ll have to ask him to refrain from sleeping with Mira–

If only so I can spend the last couple days until the inevitable Rejection Ceremony in something other than excruciating pain from our mark.

I eventually manage to fall asleep, and drift into a bitter, dreamless sleep with a broken heart and a Mark that feels like it’s being burned off my skin.

The next morning, I roll out of bed and look around blearily. My arms ache without being able to wrap around Evander.

This can’t keep up.

I dress quickly and roam the hallways, searching for Evander. Eventually, when I make my way into the dining room, I spot a familiar face.

It’s not Evander, though.

It’s Carol.

I groan inwardly at the sight of her, but she seems almost… frightened when she sees me.

"I’m looking for Evander," I tell Carol primly. "We have… matters to discuss."

I want to initiate a divorce as soon as possible.

Carol purses her lips. "I’m afraid Mr. Redding has already left with Mira for the day," she says.

Somehow, despite how broken my heart is already, it keeps finding new ways to shatter.

I squeeze my eyes shut for just a moment, doing my best to regain my composure before I continue to speak.

"Tell him I’d like to speak with him this evening," I say.

Carol nods once, then shuffles out of the room.

I sit down and begin to eat my breakfast alone.

Of course he’s out with her.

Of course.

I guess this is my life now.

It does mean I have a day off, at least. And considering that I now have a fairly sizable secret to keep, having more time to myself might be a good thing.

Once I finish my breakfast, I make my way over to the pack hospital alone. I’m nervous checking into the front desk, but fortunately no one seems to recognize me.

I hated the way Evander kept me hidden in the shadows for the duration of our marriage, but since we’re coming to an end, I’m grateful for it now.

"I was hoping to speak with an obstetrician," I say quietly. "I’m pregnant."

The receptionist smiles kindly. "Of course," she replies. "We’ll have a room set up at once. If you could please follow the nurse?"

I do, and I’m quickly led to a small, curtained-off room. I sit inside and wait for the doctor to show up.

There are posters on the walls, and strange-looking equipment all around, and everything about the whole situation makes my skin crawl.

After a few minutes, the doctor shuffles into the room. He smiles at me kindly once he sees me sitting on the bed.

"Congratulations!" He beams. "Is this your first?"

I nod reluctantly.

"Well, nothing to worry about," he says. "We’ll run your blood panels, do an ultrasound, make sure everything’s developing as it should. Would you be able to lie back and roll up your shirt for me?"

I do as he asks, and soon enough, there’s a cool blue gel sliding along my belly. I shiver at the strange situation, and the shiver turns to goosebumps as the ultrasound wand glides along my skin.

But then the monitor switches on, and I’m looking at my baby.

My breath catches in my chest. I stare at the screen wide-eyed, suddenly overcome by a surge of love unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.

I would do anything to protect this child.

Anything.

Suddenly, a needle pricks into my arm, and I wince.

"Sorry," the doctor says. "Just collecting blood. It’s better if you don’t know it’s coming."

I watch blood seep into the receiver tubes. A nurse sweeps into the room, collects the vials, and leaves again.

"You’re a good six or seven weeks along," the doctor says. "Everything’s looking as it should. We’ll get that bloodwork back soon."

"I’m glad," I say quietly.

There’s a question I’ve been hesitant to ask, but I think I finally have the courage to ask it.

"So I… I’m hard of hearing," I begin. "As a result of–of major trauma. Is there any chance this negatively affects the baby?"

"Developmentally you’re in the clear," the doctor assures me. "In fact, since this baby clearly has two Alpha bloodlines, it’s both exceptionally healthy and exceptionally strong."

"Oh!" I say, pleasantly surprised.

My wolf has been extremely weak ever since I first lost my hearing.

I barely have any connection with it at all.

If nothing else, I’m glad I haven’t burdened my child with my shitty luck.

"We’ll get you your test results on paper, as well as a video of this ultrasound," the doctor says. "And we’ll send some vitamins your way as needed too. For now, you’re all good!"

I breathe out a heavy sigh of relief as the ultrasound gel is cleaned from my stomach and I change into new, clean clothes.

When I make my way out of the hospital, I feel lighter.

As soon as I’m in my bedroom, I stash the test results and pray Evander won’t be back in the room for a long, long time.

Later that night, I knock on the door of Evander’s study, a plate of prosciutto-wrapped melon in hand–one of his favourite late-night snacks.

"Hey," I say, setting the plate down beside him.

He’s glued to his laptop screen, though, and doesn’t even take the time to look up at me. "Hey."

Suddenly, I see the pillow and mattress on the floor.

He must have spent the night here.

Which means…

Which means he wasn’t with Mira.

A small hope flickers to life inside my chest.

"Did you sleep here last night?" I ask him tentatively.

Evander scoffs, awash in the laptop’s glow. "Are you implying something?" He asks, gaze still fixed to the screen. "Do you want me to go back and sleep with you? I decided that would not be ideal for my upcoming engagement last night, seeing as whenever we share a bed we end up having sex."

I blush at once, realizing his misunderstanding. "No, I–I–"

"I won’t be sleeping in our room for the next few days at least," Evander cuts in.

I can’t help the pang of sadness I feel.

Evander is probably distancing himself from me to avoid upsetting Mira.

"Right," I mutter. "Well. That’s probably for the best. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be following the contract."

I draw in a deep breath.

"I…want to initiate the rejection and move out."