Chapter 3

Daphne's p o v

"You think it's easy for me either having to watch another woman carry my child?" Rosie asked as they stopped in the middle of the room facing each other.

"Our baby!" Stephen corrected.

Rosie chuckles. "You know, I have been thinking what Daphne would do if she finds out that the baby in her womb is actually our fertilized egg, she might get so mad and depressed that she’d kill herself, don’t you think?" Rosie said and laughed quietly.

"It would have been better if she died. That way, the pack would become mine. That would save us a lot of trouble. Maybe we'll just make our own baby in here then." Stephen says coldly, while pressing his index finger into her belly. I could not believe what I was hearing.

"As of that would be easy." Rosie added.

"And I'm not a murderer so this is our best option. The only thing to worry about is she rejecting me before then. That's why we have to be careful because if she suspects anything she may reject me and then divorce me. That’s why we need to keep this secret. Once our child inherits the pack, we’ll deliver her a crushing blow."

"Of course." Rosie says and leans closer her hands now latched on Stephen's shoulder. "There's nothing you would do that will make her reject you. You know that. Aside the fact that she is a fool easy to manipulate, she can't resist you." I watch when finger trailing through his beard.

"The same way you can't resist me huh?" Stephen asks grabbing her waist.

I let the tears pour freely but bite back my cry as I watched them. Rosie and Stephen on his aback while they kissed passionately like pure lovers. Right in my bedroom.

I had received the two biggest blows of my life at the same time. My husband was cheating on me and the child that I have been carrying for six months, that has been giving me so much joy wasn't even mine.

How could I be strong enough to handle this betrayal?

I almost fainted as I watched Rosie sleeping with my husband right on top of my own matrimonial bed. It was too much for me to bear.

I ended up cancelling the meeting that day as I was too weak to carry on with it.

Even after a whole month, I won't be able to get over this shock. A lifetime would not even be enough for me to heal.

After that they went out together and I was left pondering on what to do next. If this was really true then I was more than doomed. Could I believe the words that came out of their mouths? Could I afford not to believe it?

There was only one way to confirm all of this.

I told myself before making my way to the doctor's house. The same one who had done the IVF for me and Stephen. Or so he had claimed.

I knocked on the door twice before he answered. He flicked the curtain off and appeared behind the hands door.

"Hello doctor." I greeted with my hands pulling down the pockets of the coat I was wearing.

He casually outs on his glass before jerking closer to the door to look at me more clearly.

"Alpha Daphne! To what do I owe this late visit?"

"Open the door, doctor. You and I need to talk."

Noticing the tension in my voice as expression, he stands straight.

"What about, alpha?"

"Are you going to let me in or not?"

"Eerhn ... It's quite late, alpha Daphne ... Why don't we reschedule the meeting ... "

But before he could finish, I raised my leg high and landed a kick on the door. He draws back at once in shock.

I kick the side again with all my might.

"Daphne! Stop!" I could hear the fight in his voice as he could see my rage.

"You're gonna break it down ..."

As of I didn't hear him, I sent another kick which sends the handle flying off the door.

"Hold on! Hold on, alpha Daphne. I'll open the door for you."

He pushes his glasses closer to his eyes before opening the door with trembling hands.

"Thank you." I say as I walk in. "Sir down!" I order him and he falls into his seat.

"Now I'm going to ask you a question and you're either honest with me or you lose your teeth as your job!"

He stares up at me with awe, my alpha aura spreading over him.

"The baby I'm carrying. Of who's eggs is it?"

"Y ... Yours of course. It's yours and your husband's."

Before he could say another word, I sent a kick that landed on his mouth.

The kick sends him off his seat and he lands on the floor. But I don't stop. I continued kicking and tramping on him. My wolf churned in excitement as I did what she wanted. Kicking his ass. I continued kicking till his face was covered in blood and I could see two of his teeth on the floor beside him.

"I'll tell you the truth." He calls out in pain and step back away from him panting heavily. It was hard work having to tramp on him like that with the baby. I could barely catch my breath now as my face covered in sweat but I didn't show any form of tiredness. "Go on." I tell him.

"That day. I harvested the egg from Rosie not yours and made it with Stephen's sperm. He made me do it. He offered me a lot and I couldn't resist. I'm sorry."

"Are my eggs damaged?" I asked while keeping a straight face.

"No. But the chance of your eggs being fertilized was just ten per cent. It was very low so Stephen was sure it wouldn't work anyway so I suggested I used Rosie's eggs instead. But ... But after having this child it may be impossible for you to carry another baby. the IVF wouldn't work on you again. You have a case of OHSS. An ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome that would make it hard for you to carry the baby.."

"So you and my husband knew this was my only chance of carrying my own child and you made me carry someone else's baby?" It took a lot of strength to hold myself from crying in front of him. What if that ten percent chance that my eggs were good could have been effective? Just what if?

"I am sorry alpha. But Stephen and made me a lot of offers that I couldn't resist. Forgive me."

"Now I am going to make you a better offer." He looks up at me as I say that. "I am going to offer you a life rather than take it. Because that is what I want to do right now. I will give you just a week to get your things and get our of my pack. And if Stephen ever finds out that I know about his little secret, I would know that no one else told him but you. Then I would have to kill you and I wouldn't hesitate to snap the life out of you. Is that clear?"

"Yes!" He nods. "Yes, alpha!"

After leaving his house. I stopped at another pharmacy store. "I need the most effective abortion pills that you have."

When I got home, I stood before the mirror, staring at my image with the abaya in front of me. I could feel its unsettled movement as it was trying to settle down from the shock and discomfort it went through while I was kicking at the doctor. Now I was going to get rid of you. I clench the abortion pills in my fist.

"See you sure you want to do this?" My wolf asked as stood like a statue.

Of course I was sure. It was not too late to get rid of it.

Having told myself this, I throw the pills in my mouth and swallow!

Chapter 4

Daphne's p o v

What have I done? I asked myself. I had told myself that there was no way I would help those traitors carry their own baby. But the moment, I swallowed those pills, I felt being brought back to my senses.

Immediately, I rushed to the bathroom and filled my stomach with water from the faucet. Then I dipped my middle and index finger deep down my throat until I feel like purging everything out.

I continued until I couldn't hold the nausea and threw up into the wash basin. I looked at the liquid mess in the sink and saw the red pills that I had swallowed. It was back out.

I couldn't! I could not hurt the baby. I could not hurt my baby. I cried.

It was at that moment that I realized that I could not harm the child.

Determined, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. "They think they can get away with using me?" I muttered to my wolf who was full of supportive energy. "Well, let's wait and see who plays this this game better. I'll keep this baby and turn their plan against them. Stephen and Rosie will regret the day they crossed me."

"We'll make sure of it." My wolf added.

With resolve now strengthened, I turned away from the mirror, a fire burning in my eyes. I was ready for revenge.

As I prepared for the meeting which had been earlier postponed because of me, I was filled with a new kind of confidence.

The meeting hall fell silent as I walked in, my head held high and my back straight. I moved with an elegance that commanded attention, the way I always have, my every step filled with purpose.

I showcased my growing baby bump with a sleek, body- hugging dress that radiated more of my confidence.

The other alpha and the rest of my pack that were present in the hall watched her with a mix of admiration and surprise. The person that was most taken aback was my mate Stephen who I could see was open mouthed. This wasn't the same woman that had suddenly gone lazy and shabby because of her pregnancy.

As I made my way to the head of the table, I could feel his eyes following me and taking in my powerful presence. Yes! This is exactly how I wanted to feel. No more pain or regret!

"I got the report of the a marked increase of rogues from my pack that have been seen trespassing on our territory lately." The alpha from another pack spoke.

"Certainly. I thought it necessary to being this to your notice before taking any further actions."

"We've reached out, but they've been eager for a fight. We may have to resort to a more violent measures." One of my elders spoke.

"You need not worry. " The huge alpha spoke. "I would send guess myself to guard your borders as it would be easier for them to recognize them."

"Thank you. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation."

"It's my pleasure, alpha Daphne."

So it was this lower that Stephen envied so much?

"We should also explore potential alliance with your pack. Remember this has always been my dream. Together, we could present a united front against these threats." I suggested with a smile.

"Agreed. We must put this approach to activity. The strength of our packs depends on it." The alpha agreed.

I smiled back in appreciation and the meeting continued with the discussion of other matters.

In the end, Stephen asked concerning the doctor that packed out of Green Crest pack all of a sudden.

"He's one of the really good doctors in this pack with a experienced healers under him. You know, he is the one that helped with I and my wife's pregnancy."

"We will replace him with another!" I declare firmly before addressing the next question.

After the meeting, I go home Stephen riding beside me. We didn't exchange any words through out the ride.

When we walked into the bedroom, I felt like I was with a stranger. That is what he had became to me. A stranger.

Each time, I looked at that bed I could still see Rosie on it with him.

I faced the mirror and pulled down my earrings after the other.

I was still doing so when he appeared behind me pulling his neck tie.

The next thing I feel is his hands on my shoulder massaging them. I only chuckle and and wipe the make up off of my face.

Suddenly his arms wrap around my waist his fingers extending to my belly. I feel my back against his chest and he draws closer planting a kiss on my neck. As soon as I feel him, I draw away from his arms and smiled at him.

"I'm tired." I say calmly and leave the mirror.

"You've been a little distant lately." He mumbles. "Is everything ok?"

How was he so good at pretending to care.

"Usual works you know. Running the pack is really taking on me these days and in the end, I am left beat. Plus the baby, I'm just so tired these days. I can't help it."

I sit on the bed.

"I totally understand." He says and I smile back.

Lying fully on the bed, I turn to my side and face the wall. Away from him.

Chapter 5

Daphne's p o v

I continued to play along their dirty little game pretending like I didn't know anything. Meanwhile Rosie was doing all her best to create a deeper fondness between us. She couldn't help it. She was so worried and enthusiastic about anything that had to do with the baby that I was carrying that it was becoming irritating.

That morning, I decided to do the laundry myself. And white I was packing the clothes in, she was beside me.

"So you also know that eating garden egg is very good for your baby. The garden egg contains nutrients that support fetal development, bone health, and immunity. "

"I see ..."

"Certainly! With a lot of essential nutrients such as folate which is a crucial nutrient for fetal development, Iron, Calcium, Fiber, Vitamin B. That one helps with human development. Imagine having a cute healthy baby all because of the good things you'll be eating while pregnant. Not to mention the moderate level of potassium and manganese ..."

"You seem to be reading quite a lot about pregnancy these days. If I didn't know I would say I was a surrogate mother carrying your baby for you."

She chuckles nervously. "It's just that I am pretty excited about this baby. I just can't wait for its arrival."

"Me neither." I hold my stomach with one hand and my mind wonders off in distant thoughts.

"Have you and Stephan thought of what to name him yet."

"He's been doing the thinking. That's pretty fine. We'll surely pick one of the names before the baby's arrival."

"I have been thinking. How about the name Kian? It's a pretty name that suits a strong boy who is going to be some a great man, don't you think likewise?."

"I believe naming the child is the parents' decision to make, don't you think likewise?"

She smiles stupidly and shrugs. "And by the way how did you know it's a boy? I haven't told anyone."

" Oh!" I watch her eyebrows arch and her eyes widen in uneasiness. "It's just a wishful thinking. You know since we all know the child is gonna be the next alpha we just can't help but assume he his going to be a man."

All I did was shrug. The only person that I revealed the baby's gender to was Stephen because we had gone together for the reveal. They were still sneaking around talking to each other about me and my baby weren't they?

Just a month after that, I was standing in my room when I started feeling the contractions.

As Stephen saw me struggling to make my way to the door, he quickly sprang into action. He rushed to my side, concern written all over his face.

"Daphne, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice full of worry.

"The baby," she managed to say, wincing in pain. "I think it's coming!"

Stephen didn't hesitate, he scooped me up and rushed me towards the clinic. His movements were swift and determined, his mind focused on getting me the help I needed as quickly as possible.

The pack members who were initially surprised to see the sudden haste in Stephan's movement quickly fell into step behind them, ready to lend a hand if needed.

Stephen's expression remained one of concern as he moved swiftly towards the clinic, his eyes never leaving my face. I was in pain but I couldn't help but see that it was the babay that he was concerned about not me. I bet he hoped I died while having him.

The healers rushed around me and the midwife tested me and detected that I still had a few more minutes before the baby was ready to come.

As I lay on the bed, writhing in pain, my mind drifted back to Stephen's betrayal. The memories were like a knife to the heart, adding to the agony I was already experiencing. But instead of letting them consume me, I used them to fuel my determination. I had to have this baby and be alive with him.

As the midwife instructed, I pushed with all my might, channeling my anger and hurt into each contraction.

The pain of that betrayal had only grown stronger over time, like a festering wound that refused to heal. She remembered the countless nights she had spent crying herself to sleep, wondering how she could have been so blind to their true intentions. The pain was unbearable, but I refused to give up. I would not let Stephen and Rosie's treachery defeat me.

I could feel my blood boiling and my sweat burning my skin as they poured out. The babay was coming out behg somehow, I lost my energy and couldn't go on.

"Come on, Daphne's you can do this." The midwife said to me and I shook my head. Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I heard the sweetest sound in the world- my baby's first cry. Tears of joy and relief streamed down my face as I realized I had done it. I had brought new life into the world, and nothing could take that away from me. I had done it. It was me who did it not Rosie. I was a mother!