The Fall and the Loss

Valerie’s POV:

The moment I opened my eyes, I knew something was wrong. I felt empty, the room was too quiet, my body ached, and the smell of antiseptic clung to everything.

A nurse sat beside my bed, her eyes wide with pity, and before she even opened her mouth, I felt the truth rising like bile in my throat.

“Where is my baby?” I asked, sitting up.

She hesitated for a while before replying, softly. “I am so sorry, but you lost the baby.”

My world shattered.

“No!” I screamed, as I ripped out the IV in my hand, and blood smeared across my skin. “No, no, no, no!” I threw the sheets off, ignoring the nurse’s hands trying to hold me down.

I staggered out of the infirmary barefoot, still in my hospital gown, tears blurring everything.

People looked at me as I stormed across the compound, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care about their whispers, or the pain in my legs, or the pounding in my head.

All that mattered to me was that my baby was gone and she was the reason.

When I reached the main building, I pushed through the front doors, breath ragged. I ran upstairs, crashing through every room until someone told me. “She’s in the garden.”

Of course she was. Of course she’d be relaxing while I lay broken.

I didn’t stop. I sprinted outside, pushing past the guards and the gasping maids.

And there she was. Sitting like a goddamn queen, lounged on a bench, two maids kneeling at her feet, painting her nails like she didn’t just kill a life that belonged to me.

“You bitch!” I screamed, lunging at her.

I grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet. Her eyes barely had time to widen before my hand connected with her cheek. She stumbled, but I wasn’t done.

I grabbed her hair, yanking her head back, my voice hoarse from screaming. “Give me back my baby!” I sobbed, dragging her down to her knees. “Give him back!”

Clara shrieked, kicking at me, but I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t see anything except the smug smile she wore when she pushed me down the stairs.

One of the maids ran, maybe to get help—I didn’t care. My hands tangled tighter in Clara’s hair as she screamed for help. “You took him from me!” I yelled, “You took him and you don’t even care!”

I was still screaming when Luka and Sebastian arrived.

“Valerie!” Luka tried to grab my arm. I shoved him away. Sebastian came next, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “Let go! Let go of me!” I thrashed, still clawing at Clara, who now hid behind Luka, crying like she was the victim.

Sebastian finally managed to pull me back, spinning me to face him. “Valerie! Calm down, please, just stop!”

I shoved him with all the strength I had left. “You let this happen! You let her kill our baby!”

He froze.

“You should’ve protected me.” I said, voice trembling. “You should’ve protected your child, but you chose her. You always chose her.”

He opened his mouth, but I didn’t care what he had to say. I’d been quiet for too long. “Do you think I didn’t notice?” I spat, tears streaming down my face. “The glares, and the threats. But I never said anything because I knew that you saw it as well, and would do anything to protect our child. But no? Now I’m done.”

“I’m sorry.” He said. “Please. Just come with me. Let’s talk.”

“I’m done talking!” I turned and stormed toward the house. He ran after me, grabbing my wrist.

“Valerie, please.”

“Don’t touch me!” I yanked free and marched upstairs. I could hear him following me, begging me to stop. But I didn’t stop until I reached my room. I grabbed my suitcase from the closet and started shoving clothes into it like a madwoman.

“Valerie, what are you doing?!”

“You ruined my life!” I screamed at him. “You slept with me, got me fired, made me feel like nothing. And now? Now you’ve taken the only thing I had left!”

He stood there, silent.

“I have no one, Sebastian.” I said, my voice cracking. “I accepted that. I accepted that I was alone. But I had the baby. And now... now he’s gone.”

“Please—just—give me a chance to fix this. I swear, I will deal with Clara. If I can prove she pushed you—”

“What more proof do you need?” I screamed. “I saw her do it! Isn’t my word enough?”

His silence told me it wasn’t.

“Your words aren't enough proof for the council.” He finally replied.

“Fuck the council.” I snapped. “I don’t care about your stupid rules. If you have even a shred of guilt—let me go.”

He stood in the doorway, watching as I zipped my suitcase. When I reached the door, I looked him in the eye. “Make her pay for killing our child.”

Then I walked away. Out of the Packhouse, and out of his life.

I took a cab to my old apartment. When I arrived, I collapsed in the corner and cried until my throat gave out.

Soon news reached me. I read that Sebastian had built a case strong enough to banish Clara. I also heard SilverCrest was punishing me for “daring to disrupt the peace between their Pack and Sebastian's.”

But I didn’t care, because nothing mattered anymore.

Days passed. Then weeks.

The world kept moving, but I didn’t. I barely ate. Barely slept. I kept thinking maybe I’d wake up and it would all be a dream.

Sighing, I forced myself to get up and go to the PackSquare. I was buying fruits when I overheard two girls whispering nearby.

“Did you hear? Clara came back with Alpha Thomas... He’s declaring war on Alpha Sebastian.”

I blinked, staring at the apples in my hand. I didn't want to know, but why did I still care?

I went home, ignoring the curious stares. But when I reached the compound, the gateman who watched over all the apartments in the building stood straighter.

“Ma’am... someone’s here for you.”

I frowned, walking into the yard to see a Black Ferrari parked near the building. A man leaned against it, arms folded, dressed in all black.

He had a sharp jawline, and piercing green eyes.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice wary.

He turned to me slowly. “I’m Thomas.” He said. “Alpha of MoonClaw Pack.”

My eyes widened, and my lips parted to ask. “Okay... What do you want from me?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Get married to me.”

I blinked. “What?”

“I said...” He stepped closer. “Marry me.”