Chapter 11....Pregnant?

After Xander left to bring food, Liana turned to Ana with a gentle smile.

"So, what's your name, darling?"

"Annabella."

"What clan are you from?"

Ana hesitated. Revealing her true identity felt too risky. She remained silent.

Liana sighed but didn't press. "If you dislike being here so much, let me know your parents' names so I can send you back."

Of course, she never actually planned to send Ana away—especially when her son had already shown interest in her. She just wanted to gather more information.

"Th… they are dead," Ana admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

Liana's gaze softened. "How did they die?"

Ana lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Sensing her discomfort, Liana smoothly changed the subject. "What's your favorite dish?"

Before Ana could answer, Xander returned, carrying freshly cooked meat.

"Come, Ana, let's eat together!" he said enthusiastically, placing the food down.

Liana cut pieces of meat and handed them out on large leaves.

Ana hesitantly took a bite—and nearly gagged. The meat was undercooked, almost raw. Clearly, in his rush to bring it to her, Xander hadn't cooked it properly. For beastmen, this was normal, but for Ana, who came from a modern world, it was unbearable.

She forced herself to eat a few bites, not wanting to draw attention. But after the third or fourth bite, her stomach rebelled, and she suddenly vomited.

Liana quickly moved to her side. "Are you all right, kid?"

Ana wiped her mouth. "Yeah, it's just the meat..."

Liana and Xander exchanged glances. Both had the same thought—was she pregnant?

Xander immediately handed Liana, the bowl filled with medicinal mixture. "Mom, give this to her."

Liana hesitated. "But cub, you only—"

"I changed my mind, Mom. Either you give it to her, or I will."

Seeing how serious he was, Liana took the bowl.

"Ana, drink this, dear."

Ana frowned. "What is it?"

"It's medicine for your own good. Now drink."

Arguing seemed pointless, especially with Xander looking so determined. With a sigh, she took the bowl and drank it.

"So, what would you like to eat, princess?"

The affectionate term made Ana's heart ache. Xavier used to call her that. She missed him—his warmth, his presence.

Liana noticed her change in expression. "What happened, kid?"

Ana hesitated before whispering, "Xav used to call me princess at times."

Liana's brows furrowed. "Who is Xav?"

"My feral mate."

Both Liana and Xander assumed she was distressed due to past trauma.

"It's okay, Ana. We're here now. Tell me, what do you want to eat?"

"Fruits," she answered softly.

Liana turned to her son. "Xander, ask someone to get Ana some fruits."

Xander frowned. "Mom, I can take care of my female. No one else is needed—"

"Stay with her, cub. That's more important right now."

Just then, Ana winced in pain, clutching her stomach as a sudden, uncomfortable sensation spread through her lower abdomen. A dampness in her undergarments made her freeze.

'Isn't my period supposed to come five days later?'

Xander panicked, his sharp senses picking up the scent of blood. "Mom, what's happening to her? Why is she in pain? Why do I smell blood?"

Liana's face darkened. "I'm sorry, kid. I think… you were pregnant with the feral's babies, and the medicine caused you to lose them."

Ana's mind reeled. 'What? How could I be pregnant when I'm still a virgin?'

Then it hit her—they had misunderstood. 'Maybe this is for the best. If I get my period next month, no one will suspect anything. Did the medicine just trigger it early?'

Liana gently instructed, "Cub, go get her some fruits. She needs to replenish her health."

Xander hesitated but nodded and left.

Liana pulled Ana close. "Come here, child. Lie down and rest."

Exhausted, Ana laid her head on Liana's lap. Liana gently ran her fingers through Ana's hair, soothing her to sleep.

A while later, Xander returned, carrying fresh fruits. "Mom, should I wake her up to eat?"

Liana shook her head. "No, let her rest. And cub, I think it's best to cut the mark before she wakes up."

Xander's gaze hardened. He nodded, shifting his hand to his beast form. With sharp claws, he slashed over Xavier's mating mark on Ana's skin.

A sharp jolt of pain caused Ana to stir, her eyes fluttering open—only to faint from the shock.

Xander's stomach twisted. "Mom, what happened to her?"

"Get some fur and place it on her neck," Liana instructed, trying to make Ana more comfortable.

The thing that they didn't notice is,the moment Xander's claws touched Ana's mark, the mark pulsed—deep, dark, and unyielding instead of disappearing.

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Xavier, miles away, froze. A sharp, burning sensation seared through his chest, his fangs elongating instinctively. His vision blurred with rage. Someone had tried to break his bond. His mark. His mate.

It was a special trait of the mating mark—if a female was in danger or if someone attempted to cut the mark, her mate would instantly sense it and know her exact location.

A deep growl rumbled in his throat. 'Did you really try to sever our connection, Bella?' His claws dug into the ground, his beast roaring to be unleashed. 'Do you hate me that much… that you'd rather I become a rootless monster?'

Rootless beasts—those rejected after mating—were as good as dead. Stripped of purpose, they either perished in madness or became soulless creatures, harming anything in their path, especially females.

But Xavier wasn't just any beastman. He was a feral.

And a feral's mark could never be erased.