Alaina’s POV

Galfield Hospital, Ward

At the mention of that child - my child - the disgust in Justin’s eyes deepened until it felt like knives cutting into my skin.

Back then, one night had destroyed everything. A night I hadn’t chosen. They said I slept with a stranger. They called me filthy. Then I got pregnant and gave birth before being sent to prison.

Now, standing before him, I could see nothing left of the man I once loved.

“The child is innocent,” I whispered.

My wolf whimpered deep inside me. Her soft voice pleaded for mercy that would never come.

“Innocent?” Jane snapped. “Was Danielle innocent when she was thrown into your place and lived like a servant in her own pack?”

Her palm cracked across my face once, then again. She slapped me… hard… again.

My head snapped to the side. My cheek burned from the slap. If Paul hadn’t held her back, I knew she would’ve torn me apart.

I didn’t fight back. I just lowered my eyes. This was my payment for twenty-one years of being their false daughter.

My chest trembled, but I forced myself to meet their eyes.

“I’ll—”

No. Something inside me resisted.

My wolf, weak but desperate, pushed up against my ribs.

“Run” she whispered. .

Before any of them could react, I shoved myself backward, stumbling toward the door. My legs shook but I forced them to move. I had to flee, to survive. I made it past the bed, past Paul, almost to the hallway—

A strong pull on my arm stopped me cold.

Justin’s hand gripped my wrist like iron, dragging me back. His grip bruised my bones. I twisted, clawing at his fingers, but he slammed me against the wall. His body blocked any chance of escape.

“You’re still trying to run?” he growled. I could see his wolf flaring behind his eyes. “Even now?”

“Let me go,” I gasped. “Please, just let me go-”

He leaned down. His voice felt like knives against my ear.

“Try to escape again,” he whispered, “and I will find that child. I will drag him here myself and I’ll hurt him. Don’t test me”

My blood froze.

Justin’s smile was cold. “Agree to donate your blood, Alaina… or I’ll make sure you regret giving birth to him.”

My knees buckled. My wolf fell silent.

He released me, letting me collapse to the floor.

“I’ll donate,” I whispered finally. “Just… don’t touch my child.”

For him, for that little boy out there somewhere, I’d give anything.

Justin’s jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought I saw something pass in his eyes—pain? Pity? Then it was gone.

“You’re pathetic,” he spat. “Take her for testing. Have her sign everything.”

“Don’t touch me.” My voice trembled, but it wasn’t weak anymore. My wolf stirred slightly. I could feel her presence pressing against my ribs.

“You all know my condition,” I said, facing Paul directly. “Once I give my blood, I’ll have repaid every debt I owe this pack. After that, you leave me alone.”

I had been frail since birth. I was born with a weak heart. The last time I gave birth, I’d nearly died. They knew that, and yet… they still wanted my blood, my life, my wolf.

Paul’s face twisted with something that looked almost like guilt. He had raised me as his daughter, and I knew that somewhere, deep down, he felt it.

But Jane didn’t. “Even in death, you’ll never make up for what you’ve done!” she snarled. Her wolf aura flared a bit, suffocating me.

My own wolf flinched, whining softly.

“Enough,” Paul said tiredly. “If she agrees to donate, then so be it. Afterward, the Moonfall Pack will cut ties. You’ll no longer be one of us. Be a good person and we will leave you alone.”

I almost laughed. Be a good person. That’s what he told me. As if I hadn’t been trying all my life.

I gave a hollow smile. I probably wouldn’t survive the procedure anyway. “Donating blood makes me clean? Twenty-one years of someone else’s life for a few bags of blood?”

Justin’s eyes flashed gold. I could feel his wolf pushing forward. “You think that’s enough? You stole Danielle’s life, and you still dare talk back?”

My chest felt tight, but I still smiled weakly. “If you hate me that much, then when I die, scatter my ashes. Maybe that will please you.”

My lips trembled. “Just don’t touch my child.”

Justin’s eyes went dark. Even now, even standing on the edge of death, I was still defending that child.

Aaron laughed coldly. “You really are just like your mother, vile and low. That bastard deserves to die just like you.”

My throat closed up. I said nothing. I didn’t need to.

My vision blurred. The edges of my eyes were turning black. My body couldn’t take any more—the pain, the humiliation, the pressure. I heard someone shout my name as my legs gave way.

“Ken!”

For a second, I thought it was his voice. Justin’s.

How ironic.

Then the world tilted. I hit the floor hard. I felt the cold tiles pressing against my cheek.

“She’s pretending,” Aaron snapped. “Still acting, even now!” I heard the sound of running water. He was fetching a basin. “I’ll wake her up.”

I tried to open my eyes, but my limbs were heavy. My wolf whispered in my mind,

“Sleep… it hurts too much,” she whispered.

“Aaron!” Justin’s deep growl broke through the noise. I felt his energy flare. He grabbed Aaron’s wrist before he could throw the water. “That’s enough.”

Aaron’s voice was loud. “What? Feeling guilty now, Justin? Don’t forget who you are! You belong to Danielle. My sister’s in that bed because of you!”

Justin froze. His hand slowly released me.

And then… I felt nothing.

The last thing I remembered was the small scent of iron and my wolf’s fading whisper:

“We’re still alive.”