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!

Chapter 6

Daphne's p o v

As I held the baby in my arms, I could not help but marvel at his perfect features. His vernix -covered skin was soft and smooth, with a rosy glow that spoke of health and vitality. His movements were slow but active.

His eyes were a deep, mesmerizing blue, and they seemed to take in everything around him with an intelligence that was surprising for his young age. His tiny pinkish nose was perfectly formed, and his mouth was in the shape of a delicate rosebud, puckered in concentration while busy sucking his lower lip hungrily.

But perhaps the most striking feature of all was his hair. Although scanty, It was a soft, fine fluff that formed a nest around his head, catching the light and shimmering like gold. That was clearly Stephen's hair.

I gazed at my son with wonder, feeling a deep sense of pride and love welling up inside me. But barely after staring at him for thirty minutes, I pulled myself out to reality. He wasn't mine. I allow my lips get pulled down in a painful frown as I swallowed a chunk of my saliva with difficulty.

I could see the happiness in Stephen as he stood behind me and stared at his child. For once, I felt a sincere happiness for him, he knew now knew what it felt like to be a mother. As for me, all I got was the pain and nothing else. So for a moment, I tried to imagine that this baby was actually mine and I could feel the joy as well.

Rosie of course was here the whole time and she was. She was filled with a sort of loud joy that she coukd not hide. She almost broke into a dance rbag her baby had arrived. She was desperately trying to carry the baby from me but I refused on the guise that the baby needed to feed. Besides, he was still week from the labour as well.

The midwife could not help but also notice her over exaggerated joy over my baby.

"You seem rather happier over this baby's arrival than the mother her self. If I didn't deliver the baby from Daphne myself I would have thought you were the mother of the baby." Although, the midwife had not meant any harm by saying that, her words got to Rosie and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I am just very happy for the final arrival. It has really not been easy for this family going on without a child. " She managed a smile and Stephen agreed.

"Yes. It hasn't been easy. I would definitely throw a feast everyday to celebrate my son's life."

He says and everyone laughed while Rosie still had her eyes on the baby.

I saw and understood the secret glances and smiles she exchanged with Stephen. In their minds they thought they had fooled me and used me as a mare vessel but I knew exactly what I was doing.

The pack was overjoyed when I returned home with my baby. The entire pack house was decorated with colorful balloons and streamers, creating a festive atmosphere that mirrored the excitement in everyone's hearts.

As soon as I stepped through the door, I was greeted with cheers and applause and loud howls from the excited wolves filled the dark air.

Pack members gathered around me, eager to catch a glimpse of the newest addition to the family and pack as a whole.

The air was filled with laughter and excitement as everyone took turns cooing over the baby and congratulating me and Stephen on my safe delivery. The women of the pack fussed over me with motherly excitement, gifts already pouring in form various directions.

Meanwhile, the men took turns telling stories of their own children's births, each one trying to outdo the other with tales of sleepless nights and diaper changes and the frightening experience of having to escape for their wives to do all the job.

It was filed with laughter and through it all, I was filled with a sense of pride and joy. I knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I was eager to see what the future would hold for me and this baby.

Despite knowing fully well that he was not mine, I couldn't help but glue my eyes to him with pure love.

Up till the next day, I still couldn't get my eyes off my son. While I sat in the sofa with him on my arms while he fed, Stephen came to sit on the arm of the chair with his hand extending to hold the baby's hand.

"So have you decided on what we should call him yet?"

I wipe the sweat of the baby's forehead softly and sigh. "I think we should call him Kian."

I could feel the amazement from his movent as soon as I said that. Yes! Isn't that what you and your whore Rosie wanted him to be called.

"Kian is a pretty nice name. But how ... how did you come out with it?"

"It's a name that suits a boy who is going to be a great man." I look at Stephen and he smiles. "If he can make the right choices for himself woke growing up." I added knowingly.