Ceres's POV

I was surprised at his question. First, he had accused me of following them; now he seemed concerned about me?

“I came to visit a friend,” I said indifferently. There was absolutely no way I was about to tell him the real reason for my visit. I just wanted the sucked marriage to end as soon as possible. He cannot also know about the pup growing in my belly. That secret was mine to keep, for now.

His jaw tightened, and he asked, “Where have you been staying? Why haven't you come home yet?”

For some reason, his questions triggered me. My eyes hardened as I glared at him. “Why do you care? Now that I have moved out, this is the perfect time for you to bring your lover and illegitimate pup to the mansion. They should live there.”

Richard raised an angry eyebrow, a low growl rumbling in his throat, but he said nothing. Instead, he glared at me furiously.

Seeing his expression, I chuckled bitterly and spat, “right, Alpha Richard. You have so many mansions, it isn't right for them to live in a hotel. After all, their existence is no secret.”

I could see how hard he was fighting to control his anger as he said in a cold tone, “I thought at least your character had no flaws. Can you not even tolerate raising Lucky and treating him like your own? That is something any Luna with the interest of her pack at heart would do, Ceres.”

My fingers dug into my palms, and Elsa snarled angrily in my head at his words.

He thinks I should play the role of a mother to a child he had with another woman? Am I really to blame for finally choosing to do what I feel is best for me?

I took a steadying breath to calm my nerves. “Richard, I don't want to hear about this again. You have already seen the divorce agreement. Once the formalities are done, do not bother me ever again.”

Just then, the car I booked arrived in front of me. After checking the license plate and seeing it was the right car, I got into it and shut the door without sparing Richard another glance.

It felt quite ridiculous to me. Did he really think I should naturally take care of his mistress and illegitimate child? Was I really supposed to degrade myself like that?

Back at home, I sat on the cozy couch in Jasmine's apartment, scrolling through a series of text messages I had received from unknown numbers. They contained intimate photos of Richard and Anita alongside venomous insults regarding my supposed fertility issues.

I didn't even need to guess who was behind it. It was definitely him. Elsa snarled in my head, completely irritated and angry, but I smirked. These text messages were perfect evidence to bolster my divorce case, handed to me on a platter of gold.

Feeling hungry, I helped myself to some delicious food prepared by Jasmine and felt rejuvenated and in a better state of mind afterward.

That night, Jasmine took me to a club. She was so excited about it.

“I can't wait to introduce you to my friends, babe. A lot of people from different packs are going to be attending tonight. Who knows? You might even meet your new prince charming,” she winked.

I rolled my eyes at her and shook my head slightly. That was just Jasmine being Jasmine. One thing I knew for sure was that I wasn't ready for any new relationship, at least not yet.

But when we got to the club, it was surprisingly fun. The bass thumped as I mingled, laughed, and chatted with Jasmine's friends, a few of whom I remembered from years back. I felt totally free, like my old self again.

Soon, I excused myself to use the bathroom. Upon making my way to the bathroom door, I bumped into someone. I stiffened as I realized who it was.

It was Anita.

“Be calm, Ceres. Just ignore her,” my wolf advised.

I walked around her and went to the mirror and took out my lipstick to retouch my makeup, completely acting as though I didn’t know who she was.

I threw a quick glance at her through the mirror and couldn't help but notice the look of jealousy etched on her face as she stared at me. I immediately averted my gaze, concentrating on retouching my makeup.

“Ceres,” she began, her tone laced with fake sweetness. “I didn't expect to see you here at the club having fun. Richard and I are enjoying ourselves at the VIP lounge. Would you like to join us and at least say hello to your soon-to-be ex-husband?” she taunted.

My eyes flicked to her reflection in the mirror. I could tell her speech was an attempt to show off. It was very obvious, so I smirked and replied in a frosty tone, “If you are so confident, why don't you convince Richard to divorce me? Don't bother me again, or I'll slap you.”

After warning her fiercely, I turned around and left without waiting for a reply.

Anita's POV

As Ceres walked away from me in the bathroom, I noticed a piece of paper fall out from her bag. Unaware of it, she kept on moving.

I waited until she was completely out of sight before I picked it up. My eyes widened as I read the document. It was a medical report confirming Ceres's pregnancy.

She was pregnant!

My grip on the paper tightened, my nails threatening to tear it. Panic surged through me, making it difficult to breathe. If Richard finds out Ceres was carrying his pup, all my schemes and hopes of solidifying my place in the pack would crumble.

I remembered the little conversation with Richard outside the hospital earlier today. I had walked up to him with Lucky crying in my arms and saw him staring at a cab moving away in the distance, his fists clenched. I instantly knew that had to be Ceres leaving.

“Lucky is still crying again. Is he still running a fever?” I asked in a timid voice.

He turned to us and blinked. His face was cold but softened as he gazed upon Lucky. “Don't worry, the pack doctor will find a solution,” he said.

I smiled weakly at him. “I saw your divorce agreement, Richard. Are you really going to get a divorce?” I asked, a flicker of hope gleaming in my eyes.

His eyes turned cold and detached again. “No,” he said firmly. “She would always be the Luna of this pack.”

My heart shattered at his words, but I feigned a fake smile. “That's good. Otherwise, I would be sad and blame myself.” Without uttering a word, he left.

I lowered my gaze, a mix of anger and hurt searing through me. It was clear that Richard didn't want to divorce Ceres. I made it my mission to ensure that Ceres let go of him.

Now, finding out that she is pregnant with his pup has made things even worse. I must act fast!

I must act now!

An hour later, I sat in my car, my wolf pacing restlessly within me as we watched Ceres standing in the intersection under the dim glow of the streetlights. Her hand rested on her lower abdomen, and her lips curved in a soft smile.

In that instant, I was totally engulfed in fury. Gripping the steering wheel tightly with my claws, there was only one crazy thought in my mind.

“Drive over them! Kill them both!” my wolf snarled.

Yes! That is exactly what I should do! With Ceres and her pup out of the way, Richard would finally be all mine, as he should have always been!

I immediately roared the engine of the car to life, gritting my teeth with determination.

“Go to hell with your pup, Ceres!” I snarled as I stepped on the accelerator and sped toward an unsuspecting Ceres, knocking her down.

Ceres's POV

After leaving the bathroom, I returned to the room where Jasmine and her friends were. The laughter I had left behind had turned into drunken chatter.

Jasmine glanced up at me and smiled. “There you are, babe.” I returned her smile and sat beside her.

After about an hour had passed, Jasmine decided the night had run its course and declared the gathering over. As the group dispersed, I stepped outside to wait for Jasmine and the designated driver.

I was standing at the intersection, surrounded by dim streetlights. I put my hand on my lower abdomen and smiled.

Glancing down at it, I said, my voice carried by the cool night breeze, “Mummy will always protect you, my little one. It’s me and you against the world.” I heaved a sigh of satisfaction.

All of a sudden, I sensed a rapid approach to my right. I looked up just in time to be blinded by the glare of headlights.

“Move, Ceres!” Elsa screamed in warning in my head, but my body froze and my mind went blank.

As the car collided with me, I saw clearly the person behind the wheel.

It was Anita!

The impact came hard and fast, a deafening crash tearing through the still night. I felt my body hurl through the air before crumpling against the cold pavement. Agony exploded through me, sharp and unrelenting. My lower abdomen burned with searing pain, and warm blood began to pool around me.

I gasped, Elsa howling in anguish as the life I carried flickered weakly within me.

Tears mingled with the metallic taste of blood on my lips.

Not my pup…please, not my pup…

My heart constricted with immense pain. Harsh, ominous light filled my surroundings. The smell of blood filled my nostrils, and my vision grew increasingly blurred.

My three years of sacrifice in marriage had left me with nothing. I had made up my mind to raise my pup alone, but right now, I was on the verge of losing it. My heart felt like it was being crushed in someone’s hands as pain spread through every nerve in my body.

I could hear Jasmine’s scream pierce through the air as she rushed toward me.

“Ceres! Ceres!” she screamed, her voice filled with panic. She carried my head in her trembling arms and cried, “Babe, please stay with me!”

“Someone call an ambulance!” she yelled in fright as more people began to file out from the club.

A few minutes later, the sound of sirens filled the air.

I felt my strength gradually leaving me, making it more difficult to stay awake.

Elsa stirred weakly within me.

A few seconds later, I was being wheeled into an ambulance.

Gradually, the ringing in my ears faded away, and I slipped into unconsciousness.

********

Richard's POV

I heard the commotion going on outside the club and stepped out to see what it was all about. People were rushing to the scene; it was complete chaos. I saw a body being wheeled away into an ambulance that had just arrived.

Upon getting closer, I noticed a car at the center of the scene.

It was Anita's car!

I rushed to the scene and upon seeing me, Anita rushed into my arms, “Richard, thank Goddess you are here!”she cried, her body trembling.

I glanced down at her, she was as pale as the moon. Wanting to understand what was going on, I asked, “What happened, Anita?”

She sobbed, her words tumbling out in broken cries as she glanced up at me. “I knocked down a lady… It was an accident! I swear, Christian, I didn’t see her in the darkness!” she explained bitterly.

I furrowed my brows, surveying the scene keenly. My nostrils flared as I caught the scent of blood in the air, my wolf slightly agitated by the metallic smell. I followed the scent and saw a pool of blood on the floor a few feet from where we stood.

My eyes darted towards the ambulance which was now leaving. I felt very uneasy as I watched it speed off into the darkness.

“Help me, Richard, I didn't really mean to knock her down. You have to believe me!” Anita cried beside me.

“I… I just returned from overseas and haven't really adapted to the driving rules here,” she stammered.

“It was so dark, and I didn't see anyone standing there. Please, Richard, I didn’t mean it! I know this is an offense punishable by the law”, she shook her head frantically, “I can't go to prison Richard, Lucky can’t be without a mother,” she sobbed, clutching onto my shirt.

My heart warmed up a bit as soon as she mentioned Lucky, and I tried to get back my composure.

I was silent for a few seconds as I thought of what my next course of action would be. Patting Anita gently on the shoulder, I comforted her, “I understand. I will have my lawyer help you; everything will be alright.”

She immediately looked up at me with puffy eyes, spent from crying. “You will?”

I nodded my head in response.

She wrapped her arms around me, embracing me tightly as she cried, “Thank you, Richard! I knew you would not abandon Lucky and me.”

As my eyes wandered to the bloodstained ground, my jaw tightened, and my unease deepened.

I released myself gently from Anita's grip and reached for my phone to call Martins.

A few minutes later, the police arrived, and Martins and my lawyer arrived soon after.

After gathering some evidence and inspecting the scene, the police approached us and asked Anita, “Do you know the person who was hit?”

She leaned against my chest and shook her head in shock. Her voice trembled as she said, “I don’t know who it was, I couldn’t see anything. It was too dark.”

When they were done questioning Anita, they turned to me.

“Alpha Richard, I’m afraid we would have to take her into custody for further investigation,” one of the policemen said.

I felt Anita stiffen as she clutched onto me tightly in fright. “Richard, please do not let them take me, please! Remember Lucky! He needs his mother. I can’t go to jail for this. It was only an accident!”

Richard's POV

Anita's eyes were filled with fear. Thoughts of Lucky slightly ached my heart.

“Give us a moment, please,” I said to the policemen.

They nodded and moved to the side.

I held Anita by the arms. “Listen to me, you have to go with them, but you will not be there for long.”

Her eyes filled with shock as a snarl ripped out of her. “Richard! You want me to go with them? But you promised to take care of everything. You are an Alpha! They will do as you instruct!” she cried.

“Listen to me, Anita! I might be an alpha, but I am also a law-abiding citizen!” I snapped angrily at her.

Seeing how scared she was, I sighed and added softly, “I will take care of everything. You just need to spend the night there. By morning, everything will be sorted out, okay?”

She searched my eyes for a few seconds and nodded in response, “Thank you, Richard.”

After she had left with the policemen, I turned to Martins, who was now standing by my side, and instructed, “Negotiate with them for any amount of compensation. Minimize the impact of this incident.”

Martins nodded in response and left with my lawyer to the police station.

**********

A few hours ago, this morning, Martins and my lawyer were able to successfully secure Anita's release from the police station. They brought her to the suite in my hotel where I had lodged her and Lucky.

I was relieved to see the mother and son duo finally reunite.

Last night, after Anita was taken away by the police, I went to the hotel to stay with Lucky. It was one hell of a night, as I barely had any sleep due to his constant cries, calling for his mother.

Upon her return, Anita was very down and cried intermittently. Due to this, I stayed with them until dawn the next day before I left.

I checked my cellphone when I got home and realized that I had missed several calls from Martins. I had put my cellphone on silent mode since yesterday, not wanting to be disturbed.

I called him back to know why he had called.

As soon as the call connected, Martins’ voice rang out, “Alpha, we have a problem.”

I furrowed my brows. “What problem is that?”

He hesitated for a moment before he replied, “The victim has refused to negotiate any compensation from us.”

“Do they want money? You can give them more, do everything you can to prevent them from pressing charges,” I ordered coldly.

I could hear Martins take a deep breath, pausing momentarily before he said in a low tone, “Alpha... the victim is Luna Ceres, your wife... and...”

There was absolute silence. I was still trying to process his words when he added, “She was carrying your pup. One month along. The pup died due to the accident.”

His words hung in the air like a death knell.

“What did you say? How can it be her?” I asked in utter confusion.

“It is indeed her, Alpha. I confirmed it from her girlfriend who has been by her side since the incident.”

My wolf roared in my head. I clenched my fist, my claws piercing my palm as realization crashed over me.

I finally understood why I felt a bit restless last night. It was because something bad happened to my mate!

She was one month pregnant? And now it was gone?

A piercing sensation slashed through my heart like a sharp blade, leaving me in excruciating pain.

“Go to the hospital at once. I will meet you there,” I ordered and ended the call.

When I arrived at the hospital half an hour later, I saw Martins sitting in the lobby with my lawyer and two other people: a man and a woman.

She must be Ceres's friend, the one Martins spoke about.

Approaching them, I asked, my voice trembling with fury, “Where is she?”

Martins hesitated briefly, his gaze flickering towards the calm lady who sat beside the man. Unlike him, she looked unfazed by my presence.

She then turned her cold gaze at me, her sharp blue eyes brimming with defiance as she said in an icy tone, “She just had surgery and doesn't want to see you.”

She rose to her feet and advanced toward me.

“Alpha Richard, it is such a pity your pup is gone,” she taunted.

I narrowed my eyes at her. A mix of rage, guilt, and grief coursed through my entire body as a low growl ripped out of my throat at her.

But she wasn't finished. Her voice, dripping with venom, snarled. Each word was a dagger aimed at my heart. “Why would you even care? Your illegitimate child is alive and well, isn't he? That's all that matters to you! Congratulations, Richard, you are free from this marriage now, just the way you wanted!”

I staggered a bit, her words striking me harder than a physical blow. My voice, when it finally came, was hoarse and fractured. “Where is Ceres?” I growled.

For some reason, in the midst of the panic, I felt a strong sense of powerlessness. I didn't have high expectations for the pup with Ceres, but upon hearing she had lost it, I couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in my heart.

My pup was gone! The ache in my heart deepened as I realized the cruel irony. While Ceres had bled and suffered last night, I had been comforting the woman responsible.

I clenched my fist, my heart crushing under the weight of excruciating pain.

The lady in front of me grabbed a document from the man still seated and hurled it at me.

"This," she said, her voice as sharp as a blade, "is the divorce agreement. Sign it. If you don’t, we’ll press charges against Anita for intentional murder and make her rot in a cell for the rest of her miserable life.”