The morning light spilled into the room, warm and golden, brushing against Luna’s face. The air smelled of lavender and clean sheets. She blinked slowly, still feeling Kael’s warmth beside her.

He was already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed, shirtless, running a hand through his dark hair. The sunlight hit his skin, highlighting the scars on his back—faint reminders of battles she didn’t understand.

“Good morning,” she said softly, her voice still sleepy.

He turned, his gray eyes softening. “Morning, sunshine.” His tone was gentler than usual. “You slept well?”

Luna nodded. “I did. You?”

“I don’t sleep much,” he said with a small smile. “But watching you sleep makes it easier.”

She blushed, looking away. “That’s a strange thing to say.”

He chuckled, low and warm. “It’s the truth.”

She climbed out of bed, wrapping the sheet around her. Her legs still trembled a little. Last night’s memories flooded her—his hands, his voice, the way he whispered her name as if it belonged only to him.

But beneath that warmth was a strange dizziness that had been haunting her for days.

Kael stood, coming closer. “You’re pale,” he murmured. “Are you feeling sick again?”

Luna forced a smile. “No, no. I’m fine. Maybe I just need fresh air.”

He frowned. “Luna…”

“I’m fine,” she repeated, firmer this time. “You don’t have to worry about me all the time.”

“I always worry,” he said simply. “That’s the problem.”

---

Later that morning

Luna was alone in the garden, the sky clear and blue above her. Birds chirped in the trees, and a soft breeze brushed against her hair. She tried to breathe, to calm the pounding in her chest.

But the nausea returned. She pressed a hand against her stomach and closed her eyes.

She knew. Deep down, she already knew.

Still, she needed to be sure.

She grabbed her phone, called a taxi, and quietly left the mansion while Kael was in his study.

---

At the hospital

The white walls and smell of disinfectant made her nervous. She sat in the waiting room, fidgeting with her fingers. The nurse called her name, and she followed, heart thudding fast.

After the test, she sat on the examination bed, waiting. The doctor came back with a gentle smile.

“Miss Luna,” the doctor said, “congratulations. You’re pregnant.”

The words echoed in her head.

Pregnant.

Her throat went dry. “Pregnant?” she whispered. “You’re sure?”

“Yes,” the doctor said kindly. “About five weeks along. Everything looks healthy so far.”

Luna blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears. Her mind was a storm—Kael’s face, his touch, his possessive words, the mark on her wrist.

A baby.

Her baby.

She forced a smile. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

The doctor gave her a small card and a list of vitamins. “You’ll need rest. Try to avoid stress, okay?”

Luna nodded, clutching the paper like it was her lifeline.

---

Back at the mansion

She stepped out of the taxi slowly, her legs weak. The house loomed in front of her, huge and silent. Her heart pounded as she walked inside, hiding the hospital paper in her bag.

Kael was waiting in the living room, arms folded, eyes sharp. “Where were you?”

Her breath caught. “I—I went for a walk.”

“A walk?” His tone was calm, but his eyes… they were unreadable. “Without telling me?”

“I didn’t think I had to,” she replied quickly. “You’re not my keeper.”

He took a step closer, his voice low. “No. But I am the one responsible for your safety.”

“Safety,” she muttered, forcing a laugh. “You make it sound like I’m a prisoner.”

Kael didn’t respond immediately. He just studied her, eyes scanning her face. “Something’s wrong,” he said quietly. “You look… off.”

“I told you, I’m fine,” she said, turning away. Her hands trembled. “I just needed air.”

“Luna.” His voice was soft but firm. “Look at me.”

She froze, then slowly turned to face him. His gaze held hers, searching.

“Your pulse,” he murmured, brushing his fingers lightly against her wrist. “It’s racing. And you smell… different.”

Her heart skipped. “Wh-what?”

He frowned, confused, almost concerned. “Your scent changed. You’re… hiding something.”

Her lips parted, panic rising. “Kael, you’re imagining things.”

He tilted his head slightly. “Am I?”

There was a long silence between them—just their breaths, the quiet ticking of the clock.

Then she forced a weak smile. “You said you had work to do. Maybe you should go do it.”

Kael’s eyes softened, but his jaw tightened. “Luna…”

She stepped back, avoiding his gaze. “Please, Kael. I’m fine.”

After a long pause, he sighed. “Alright. I’ll let it go for now. But if you’re sick, you tell me. Promise me that.”

She nodded quickly. “I promise.”

He brushed his thumb across her cheek gently. “You know I’d burn the world to protect you, right?”

Her chest tightened. “I know.”

He kissed her forehead softly, then walked away, leaving her standing there, trembling.

---

That night

Luna sat by the window, staring at the moon. Her hands rested on her stomach, gently, protectively.

Tears welled in her eyes. “You’re safe,” she whispered. “I’ll protect you. I won’t let anything hurt you—not even him.”

Her voice broke.

She didn’t know what scared her more—the secret she now carried… or what Kael would do if he found out.

Because she knew him.

If he knew she was pregnant, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight again. Not for a second.

And that terrified her.

---

Kael stood silently, his hand resting on the doorknob, hearing the faint sound of her voice. He didn’t catch the words, but the tone—the tremble, the pain—pierced through him.

He closed his eyes, whispering to himself, “What are you hiding from me, Luna?”