Catherine's Pov

I woke late the next morning, still pleasantly sore, with an unfamiliar lightness in my chest as a smile curled in my lips. He had stayed the night, holding me as he slept before he slipped away that morning after pressing a kiss on my forehead.

Sunlight streamed through the windows - it had to be near noon. When I rolled over, I found a sleek package on the pillow beside me with a handwritten note:

"Just because your words deserve backup. — S.B.A"

Heart pounding, I tore open the box to reveal a brand new MacBook Pro and iPhone. My breath caught.

“He didn't. He actually didn't.” I whispered to myself in disbelief as I tore open the boxes, to see if they real. The sight made my heart leap for joy as I squealed hysterically, kicking my feet.

Soren had kissed me when I thanked him later that evening in the gym, just seconds before one of Regina's daughters walked in.

During his remaining days at the castle, I found myself clinging to him more desperately - making love, laughing, flirting, watching him train in the gym, even writing beside him as he worked. Every moment felt stolen and precious.

On his final morning, he woke at 5am in my room to prepare for his run. I insisted on joining him, needing every possible second before his departure that evening.

"You know I'm coming back, right?" he said, kneeling to tie my sneakers on a garden bench. The first hints of dawn colored the sky behind him.

"When?" The word came out sharper than I intended.

"Soon. You can text or call anytime. Or I'll call you first." He rose, towering over me. I could only nod. Evander had barely acknowledged me since the incident at the breakfast table, nor had his wives. I wondered if their silence was just temporary deference to Soren's presence.

As we began running, he adjusted his pace to match my sluggish movements. "If Evander tries anything, call me immediately, Catherine."

I stopped abruptly, my stomach churning. I'd felt nauseous since yesterday, blaming it on last night's new intimacy. "So you'll just keep visting and leaving?" The words escaped before I could stop them.

What was I saying? My marriage contract bound me to Evander until death unless he chose to release me. Even if I wanted Soren permanently, that could never be more than fantasy.

His expression softened as he tucked a loose strand behind my ear. "I'll come back and—"

I suddenly sprinted to a nearby tree, retching violently. He followed, rubbing gentle circles on my back. "We should head back," he said when I finished. The sun now peeked fully over the horizon, gilding the treetops.

"You should get checked too."

"I know." I wiped my mouth. "I'll summon the pack doctor. What were you saying?"

He took both my hands in his. "I was saying that I would—"

"Your Majesty!" A young guard sprinted toward us, gasping for breath. "Urgent word from Silvermane! The Queen demands your presence this morning."

My heart sank. Our time was being cut even shorter.

"Shit." Soren's jaw tightened. "Tell them I'll—"

"Her envoy already awaits. She insists it's critical."

Soren turned to me. "It's my mother."

"You should go." I forced the words through numb lips.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes. I'll call you. I promise."

His fingers lingered against mine as we reluctantly parted. "I love you, Catherine."

The declaration struck like a physical blow. Before I could respond, he was already striding away with the messenger. I collapsed onto the bench, hot tears spilling down my cheeks. No one had ever said those words to me before - and now they came from the one man I couldn't have and shouldn't love.

I kept my promise. We spoke daily for weeks - calls, texts, occasional video chats. Then two weeks later, when my nausea worsened, the pack doctor finally examined me.

After multiple tests, the woman beamed. "Congratulations, Your Grace. You're pregnant."

The world tilted. No. This couldn't be happening. Before I could process carrying Soren's child, the doctor continued giddily, "How wonderful for the Alpha! His youngest wife pregnant just as his adoptive son becomes engaged!"

"What?" My shout echoed off the walls.

"You hadn't heard? Soren Ashford is marrying Marie Beckham!" Her excited squeals drowned in the roaring of my pulse.

I was pregnant by my stepson. And he was marrying someone else.