Willow's POV.

I held my banging head as I sat up. I scrutinized my surroundings then I found out I was on the bed. It looked like I had fainted in Silas's office.

Maids strode into my room and placed some refreshments before turning to leave. I took a glass of water and smiled at them.

“She arrived early,”

The maids said to each other before walking away.

I froze, still seated on my bed. My fingers are tightening around the glass of water I was holding. An unsettling cold feeling rumbled in my stomach.

She. I didn't need to ask who, I knew it was Evelyn. Alpha Silas’s chosen Luna, the woman whom he has concluded to marry and the woman who I am not allowed to be near.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the temporary contract. I'm just a body carrying a child, nothing more.

Still my heart ached, I needed to see her. Greet her before Alpha Silas corrects me.

I moved out of my room and my breath hitched as I turned towards the staircase. I saw her before she saw me.

Evelyn stood in the center of the sitting room like it was made for her. Dressed in blue silk that matched the estate’s beauty perfectly. Her hair cascading down her back and when she smiled at Silas it was practiced and calm.

“This place still looks the same,” she said softly, “Still dark. Still intimidating,”

“That's intentional,” he replied.

She chuckled lightly and touched his arm.

The bond inside me stirred, pain struck my chest.

I sucked in a breath and stepped back, pressing myself against the wall. My wolf whimpered; hurt and confused.

Evelyn’s smile faded,

Slowly she turned her head. Her eyes locked with mine.

“Who is that?” She asked.

Silas didn't answer instantly.

“This is Willow,” he said finally, “The surrogate.”

Evelyn looked at me from head to toe, not rudely. Just accessing, like I was someone not important, someone she had decided didn't matter.

“An omega?” she asked once again.

“Yes,” Silas replied.

Her brows lifted slightly with a smirk, “what an interesting choice,”

I lowered my gaze, my throat itchy.

“I thought you would pick someone…. Stronger,” she continued, “Higher rank, someone with a better bloodline not this…”

Silas's jaw tightened, “She was sufficient and that's enough,”

Evelyn hummed lightly, moving closer to me, she was too close and then the air changed.

Her eyebrows lifted, I felt it, her attention sharpened, not on my appearance but on something else. My scent.

Her gaze went to Silas and back to me, she did that again and inhaled slowly, not once but twice.

I gulped hard,

“You smell strange,” she said calmly.

“I… I’m sorry,” my voice cracked.

She smiled, but it wasn't from her heart,

“You don't smell like an omega,” she said softly, “You smell like Silas,”

She turned to look at Silas, requesting an answer. The pain in my chest flared, everywhere went still.

Silas cleared his throat, “That's enough, Evelyn,”

But she ignored him.

“A scent tracker never lies. Your scent is different,” she said, circling me slowly, “ Your scent is deeply entwined… I think with him,”

It felt like I was exposed. Naked.

“That seems impossible,” she continued. “Unless…”

“Evelyn,” Silas warned.

She stood in front of me.

Her eyes were sharp now. Focused.

“Unless there’s something you’re hiding from us,” she said.

I shook my head. “There isn’t.”

She stared at me intensely like she was studying my face. She smiled again, sweet, controlled, dangerous.

“Of course,” she said. “You’re just the surrogate.”

Later that night, I went to the kitchen, searching for stuff to calm myself. I never knew Evelyn was a scent tracker.

I thought it would be easy to hide the mate bond from her but now it looks difficult.

The smell of herbs and warm soup filled the space. I focused on slow movements. Quiet breathing.

I didn't hear anyone entering.

“You’re hiding something.”

I startled and turned, recognizing the voice.

Evelyn stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression polite but cold.

“I’m not,” I said.

She smirks, staring at my belly. My heart beat quickened, terrified of what was going through her mind.

“Don’t think carrying Silas’s baby makes you special. Her arms still folded as she continued, “I wouldn't have been suspicious of a lowly omega but your scent says otherwise,”

I gulped hard, the place which was supposed to be my calming medicine became my terror. As cold as the kitchen was, sweats formed on my face.

She stepped closer, touching my hair with her hands and inhaling it. I could feel her anger the more she inhaled it.

I shifted away to avoid any bad circumstances from happening.

“Willow right?,”

I nodded, she looked at my belly once again and back at me.

“Consider yourself lucky for now,”

My eyebrows lifted, confused at her words, but deep down my body was on fire, my heart beat pounding as fast as it could.

Forcing myself to spout these words,

“What do you mean by that?”

“Don't worry,”

Evelyn smirked,

“The contract says you leave the moment the baby is born.”

I nodded. “I know.”

Her smile cunning

“But I think,” she said softly, “I’ll have you leave the moment I find out what you’re hiding.”

My wolf recoiled in fear. I hid my fidgeting hands, hoping she wouldn't find out my biggest secret. And for the first time since coming to this estate, I understood something clearly.

Evelyn wasn’t just watching me. She was hunting.

Willow's POV.

Last night was dreadful, my mind wasn't settled with what Evelyn said.

“I think I have to go to the healer,” I thought to myself, knowing that would be the best solution.

While Evelyn and Silas went for a pack meeting, I used that opportunity to go to Miss Kitty, the healer of my pack.

I arrived at her place as early as I could. I smiled when I met with her,

“Ohh, my darling, what are you doing here?” She asked, her tone comforting.

I explained everything to her, she sighed and went to a drawer next to her curtain to take something.

“Take, drink it. Slowly.”

I stared at the small bottle of liquid in my hand. The liquid inside looked bluish gray, thick like a watered ash. It smelled bitter, sharp enough to sting my nose. My fingers trembled as I lifted it closer to my lips.

“Are you sure?” I whispered.

Miss kitty didn’t meet my eyes. “No.”

“If she is able to detect your scent again,” she continued quietly, “the chosen Luna will not stop at threats.”

I swallowed.

Evelyn’s eerie smile flashed through my mind. Calm, dangerous and hunting.

“And Alpha Silas?” I asked.

Her jaw tightened. “His wolf is more aware of these than himself.”

My chest tightened painfully.

“So this is the only way out?.”

She sighed. “It’s illegal and dangerous. Especially for someone who is expecting a child.”

I placed my hand on my stomach, looking at my stomach.

"I have no choice,” I said.

I removed the liquid cover and gulped it down. The taste felt wrong, it burned my tongue, it tasted metallic. My throat burned, and I nearly vomited but I had no choice but to force it down.

The liquid got into my stomach and it felt like fire.

Immediately, my body reacted to the liquid. Pain shot in my chest, sharp and it spread.

My wolf groaned in agony, confused and hurt. It felt like they tried to force something out of me. I held my chest, gasping, needing air to breathe, and my lungs felt tight.

"Easy,” the healer murmured.

“It will suppress your scent. But it will also weaken you.”

My legs felt shaky as I stood.

“How long will that be?” I asked.

“A few hours,” she replied.

“Maybe more, if you have a strong bond.”

I laughed weakly. “Of course it is.”

________

The estate gardens were quiet in the late afternoon.

Today, every step felt heavy.

The scent-blocker worked, but at a cost. My body felt misaligned, weak, like it wasn't mine.

My limbs ached as if I had run a long race. Even breathing felt difficult, every breath I took felt like hell, but I had to endure.

Still, when a servant passed nearby, I noticed something important. I could feel no reaction, no long stare or hard tension.

I smelled… like nothing. That made me relieved.

Then I staggered, shaking my head as I felt dizzy. I grabbed the edge of the wooden bench close by, my breathing hard. My vision blurry

"Just sit for a moment," I told myself. "Just a moment."

I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, my voice shaking, fear filled me

"No,” I whispered. “Please, no.”

I placed my hands on my stomach, I began panicking as I remember the healer warnings against the use of high doses because it could stress the pregnancy

I tried to position myself, then the world spun and I fell.

“Willow!”

The voice reached me through darkness. It sounded strong and sharp. Hands wrapped around me before I reached the ground.

my wolf groaned weakly. I knew it was him, I could feel his arms around me but strangely he smelled different, distorted, like my body was foreign to him.

“What did you take?” he demanded.

I tried to answer. But I couldn't.

“Why does she smell like nothing?” he growled.

“Prepare the infirmary,” someone said.

“No,” Silas snapped.

The word cut through sharp and commanding.

I felt him change direction.

Stronger arms tightened around me, pulling me closer.

“Not the infirmary,” he said again, voice low and dangerous. “My room.”

_______

I woke slowly, the first thing I felt was warmth, next was softness. The atmosphere smells fresh, not the medical smell.

I was lying on something wide, deep and very comfortable. My fingers brushed through the sheets as I moaned to open my eyes

The air changed, the smell was that of pine, smoke and something darker.

The moment I noticed Silas, my heart pounded painfully, I tried to sit up and winced. My body felt sore.

"You’re awake.”

His voice came from nearby. I turned my head slowly. Alpha Silas sat beside the bed, sleeves rolled up, jaw tight. He looked… different. Less controlled. Like something inside him was pacing.

“Why am I here?” I asked softly.

His gaze fell on me.

“You fainted,” he said. “You almost lost the child.”

My breath caught. “Is the baby...?”

“Alive,” he said sharply. “For now.”

I felt so relieved that I held back my tears.

“What did you take?” he asked again.

I hesitated.

His gaze hardened. “Don't lie to me.”

I laughed weakly. “I wouldn’t dare.”

He waited, like he knew I wouldn't dare hold back.

“Scent-blockers,” I admitted. “Illegal ones.”

He kept quiet,

“You brought harm to my heir,” he said coldly.

“I protected myself,” I shot back, my strength coming back slowly. “And you know why.”

His jaw relaxed.

"You think Evelyn would suspect you?” he asked.

“I think she has a clue already,” I replied.

He looked away.

“That liquid could kill you,” he said.

"Then maybe you should stop pretending you don’t know what’s happening,” I whispered.

His eyes locked with mine

“Stop it, Willow.”

“Why?” I asked. “Because the truth makes you uncomfortable?”

The bond stirred faintly, aching for a reunion.

“You don’t get to punish me for surviving,” I continued. “You brought me here. You made me invisible. And now you’re angry I tried to stay that way.”

His silence was dangerous.

“Rest,” he said finally. “You’ll take no more of that poison.”

“You can’t stop me,” I said weakly.

“I can,” he replied. “And I will.”

I turned my face away.

“Why bring me here?” I asked quietly. “Why not the infirmary?”

He didn’t answer. I felt sleepy again. This time it was heavier and swift. It felt like the liquid took control of my senses.

Sometime later, my consciousness awoke though my eyes weren't open. I could still feel Silas's presence.

The room was quiet. Too quiet, then I heard Silas's voice, I listened quietly

Low, rough, like he was talking to himself, a voice that seemed like it wasn't meant to be heard.

"Why does my wolf want to kill anyone who looks at you?”

My breath halted, my ears aching to hear more.

“I rejected the bond,” he murmured. “I created the rules. I chose this path… For us.”

He paused with a sigh and continued,

“Why does it feel like losing you would tear something out of me?”

My heart pounded painfully against my ribs.

“I don’t want this feeling,” he whispered. “I don’t want you.”

Another pause. Longer.

“So why does it feel impossible to leave your side?”

I stayed perfectly still, afraid that if I moved, this moment would be gone... Forever.

The bond pulsed slowly, quiet, wounded, but alive. And for the first time, I realized something terrifying. Silas was fighting fate. He was fighting hard to not give in.

Willow's POV.

“Ohh you're awake,” Silas reluctantly said as I purposely moved my body slowly.

I finally opened my eyes and I could see the nervousness in his eyes, but in a swift motion it became a cold stare.

“Go and get dress,”

“Where are we going?” I asked, my mind completely shifted to that direction.

“We're going to the infirmary to do your first scan,” he finally said.

Without a word, I slid out of his bed, my heart sting a bit as I missed the warmth of his bed. I wished I could be here everyday.

But I shook that selfish thought and left his room to prepare.

_________

The infirmary room smelled like disinfectant, the machines humming loudly. I sat on the bed, playing with my fingers to dissipate my nervousness.

The bed made a sound with every slight move I made. I placed my hands on my lap, trying not to shake.

My stomach felt tight, not from the pregnancy but from the man who stood beside me. I didn't look at him but I felt his presence, his stares. I gulped hard as his scent overtook the atmosphere.

The door opened,

"Good morning," Dr Hale said, forcing a smile. "We will begin the scan immediately,"

Silas didn't say anything, he just nodded at her and he moved closer to me. I felt it instantly. My wolf whimpered for longing. I clenched my fingers tightly, my nail digging into my skin.

"Stay quiet. Please," I softly told her.

The door opened again, Evelyn walked towards us with her heels clicking against the floor, then her voice followed,

"I will be with you today," she said calmly, "As a future Luna, I should...."

"No."

Silas's voice sliced through the room like a knife. Suddenly the atmosphere changed, I finally turned my head to see his expression.

His jaw was tight with his eyes dark, not angry but controlled and dangerous.

"This is a medical stuff," he said, "The contract stated privacy,"

Evelyn smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, I could feel her controlled anger.

"Alpha Silas, I just want to ensure..."

''You're not needed," he said coldly.

The atmosphere felt awkward and silence fell for a while.

Evelyn looked at me, her gaze sharp, measuring. Like she was counting how many days I have left before she ends me.

I noticed her aura, that deadly aura, it felt it was only on display for me. I turned my gaze from her to Silas immediately.

"I understand, I will wait outside," she said softly

She turned, but before leaving, she leaned closer to Silas,

"Don't forget what you promised me."

she smirked and left. I breathe out in relief. Finally it was just the three of us again, Silas and the secret growing inside me.

"Lie back," Dr Hale said gently,

I bit my lips as I did what she said. My heart beats so loud, that I wondered if they could hear it.

The doctor lifted my gown and poured the cold gel on my stomach. I gasped.

I noticed Silas's demeanor change, his hands clenched like he doesn't want me to be harmed.

The machine hummed to life, I held my breath.

"This might feel uncomfortable," Dr Hale said.

She pressed the probe down, moving it slowly around my stomach. Then we heard a sound, it was fast and strong.

Thump-thump, my breath hitched with teary eyes.

“That's… that's the baby's heartbeat,” Dr Hale said, smiling for real.

I placed my hand on my mouth as I let out a shaky laugh, I didn't know I needed to hear the sound badly. The fact that my baby is alive made me happy.

Silas exhale slowly, showing no emotion. Dr Hale frowned as she moved the probe to another angle. I heard the sound change, another rhythm joining the first.

My heart beat increasing slowly, feeling that was abnormal,

“Is something wrong?” I whispered.

Dr Hale didn't answer right away, instead she shifted the screen towards us.

“I'm seeing something interesting,” she said carefully.

Silas moved closer, like he became interested, his arms folded.

“There are two heartbeats,” Dr Hale said.

“Two?” I echoed.

“Yes… You're carrying twins,”

I gasped, my fear turning into joy. I looked at Silas hoping he would talk, but he kept quiet.

Dr Hale continued,

“They are unusual,”

My fingers curled into the sheet, “What do you mean?”

She tapped the screen,

“One presents strong Alpha markers, a very strong one,”

“And the other?” I asked

Dr Hale's expression softened. “The second carries rare Omega-Healer traits.”

The word hits me like a wave. I wondered why I carried an Omega-healer because it was rare, too valuable and dangerous.

While still in thought, Silas acted,

"That's impossible," he said, glaring at the screen intensely.

Dr Hale looked at him,

"It's rare, Alpha, but it's not impossible. Healer Omegas are often hidden or..."

Silas raised his hand. Dr Hale stopped talking like she understood his gesture.

My heart started racing, this wasn't about children anymore, this was about threatening Silas's power, threatening his bloodlines.

Suddenly, something happened, taking away our attention and it was the heartbeats of the babies. It changed, they aligned perfectly in sync

Dr Hale's face drained of color, she was lost for words.

"I... I have only seen this once before," She whispers, her eyes widened.

Silas leaned forward, "Seen what?"

Dr Hale gulped, "Synchronized heartbeats like this occur only when..."

She halted, looking at me and then back to Silas.

"This happens when the parents are fated mates."

Silas stepped back like he had been burned.

"That's impossible," he snapped, "I rejected the bond."

My wolf screamed, I gasped as a sudden sharp pain tears through my heart.

The machine beeps faster,

"Her blood pressure is dropping," Dr Hale said, "Alpha Silas please..."

"Turn it off," Silas commanded her.

Without a second thought, Dr Hale turned it off and the machine went silent. I was shaking, tears slid down my cheeks.

I didn't look at Silas, I didn't want to look at him. Dr. Hale wiped the gel away, her hands trembling.

"She needs rest, no stress."

Silas's jaw tightened, he didn't respond, just staring. Dr Hale gathered her stuff in a rush,

"I... I will send the full report." she said and left without warning.

I looked at Silas, he looked afraid, so I stood up, trying to leave.

"You heard her," I whispered. "I didn't plan this."

He finally glanced at me,

"I can't let you leave," he replied back.

My heart skipped,

"What?"

"Those children are not just heirs. They are targets," he said, with his voice low and rough.

Fear crawled up my spine,

"What about me? What am I?" I asked softly.

He tried not to answer, but I heard him whisper

"I tried to reject you. But it didn't work,"

The pain in my chest deepened, I placed my hand to my stomach, tears falling freely down my cheeks.