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.

Chapter 7

Daphne's p o v

Little Kian was a bundle of energy, always on the move and eager to explore the world around him. Just after a year, his growth had rocketed. He was very agile and active and this brought joy to everyone's heart.

As he ran around with the other children, his laughter ringing out across the field, Rosie and Stephen watched with barely -concealed delight.

I bet they were already imagining how their child would take over the pack from me before leaving me useless. Kian, a strong and capable alpha who would lead them to greatness- a greatness that neither of them worked hard for except through deceits.

But all I did was watch with a more guarded expression pretending I didn't see their ambitious eyes or hear their mischievous whispers. Despite all if these, I loved Kian with all of my heart, even though I knew the truth -that he was not really mine, I could not do anything to infringe on his innocent. Not yet.

I still felt a sense of pride from the job I did in raising him, watching him play. He was going to grow into a fine young wolf, and I knew that one day I would make him the alpha of this pack. They would think they played me but I am playing them even more.

Meanwhile I was careful not to show too much affection concerning their deceits or else, Rosie and Stephen would see through my facade and realize that I knew their secret.

But despite my reservations, I could not help but bring it to Stephen's notice, the frequency of Rosie's presence in our quarters and how I wasn't comfortable with it any longer.

Rosie's frequent visits to my house raised too much suspicion from not just me but the maids. I could hear them gossiping about it. While Rosie claimed to simply enjoy spending time with Kian, I knew well enough that there was something more to it.

Kian seemed to enjoy Rosie's company too, often running up to her when she entered the house, holding her hand and showing her his toys. She had succeeded in creating a familiarity between them.

When she was here all she cared about what Kian. Carrying him up and down the house and playing with him until he racked his ribs in laughter. The kind of things I didn't have the time to do with him.

It was as if Rosie was trying to form a special bond with Kian, almost like a mother would do.

Maybe just do that Kian could grow up to recognize her as his mother while putting on a show and trying to appear as the doting family friend when really she had her agenda.

Stephen observed all this too but he could only care less. Sometimes, he and Rosie even engaged in long conversations even in my presence. They just had to be careful about the things they said in front of me. But sometimes, they couldn't control themselves from ending up intense long conversations about trivial matters.

She wasn't just resting to take my place as a mother but also as a wife while Kian would take my place as the alpha in a few years. I laughed but didn't hide the anger in it. I knew Stephen would say I am being paranoid but I was going to ask him a anyway.

"Stephen, I really am concerned about how often Rosie comes to visit. I feel like she's spending an excessive amount of time with Kian. It's becoming unhealthy."

Stephen shrugs no chalantly. "I don't see anything wrong or unhealthy with it. She is just being friendly and Kian enjoys her company, even you know it."

"Don't you think it is getting a little too much? We need a little privacy too."

"But she's helping you look after the our big a lot. Especially when you are busy with work. She is helping. And I don't see anything wrong with that."

I knew he would support her but I had not thought he would be so direct about it. He was literally telling me that I was wrong.

"You should be happy Kian has someone else to bond with. That way you can concentrate on running the pack"

Even though, he had acted like I was just overreacting, he spoke to Rosie about what I said because I noticed her visits bacame less frequent. Even though I knew it was just a matter of time befire she came crawling back into my house like a snake that she was.

On one particular morning, I was getting ready for a press conference and Kian was crying uncontrollably. He had been doing so since morning making it almost impossible for me to concentrate.

At that very moment, Rosie arrived. I knew I could not leave Kian like this because he was crying uncontrollably until Rosie took him up to console him.

"I'll take care of him," Rosie offered, taking Kian into her arms. "You can leave for your appointment."

"Are you sure?" I asked, hesitantly.

Stephen nodded reassuringly. "We can handle it, Daphne. You focus on your conference."

"Okay." I left for the conference, but not before giving detailed instructions to Stephen and Rosie on how to take care of Kian. I also made sure to leave her contact information and the number for Kian's pediatrician, in case of an emergency.

"Come on, he will be alright. Just get going before you're late." Stephan warned me in a caring tone.

Through out the meeting I couldn't keep my mind off Kian. He was in the heads of his real parents so I should not have anything to worry about but I still don't feel like Rosie could take care of him the way I did.

This was not the first time I left him in her care but not this long.

As soon as the meeting was over, I hurried back home eager to see my son again.

But when I get back home, I was left in surprise as I called at the door. "Hello! I'm back!" But there was no response.