chapter 3

Aria's pov

I placed my right hand on my stomach as I walked down the dimly lit street of Ash Hollow, heading toward the small apartment I rented on the edge of the city after finishing my final shift of the day. It had been a long day I had to admit that. But no matter how much I wanted to complain, I was thankful for the long hours. It helped me with extra cash and they kept me busy. They kept the thoughts no matter how cruel, dark, or painful and other unwanted thoughts out of my mind

"Don't worry, baby. Mommy's going to keep you safe," I whispered to my unborn baby, gently stroking my pregnant belly as I stared into the distance. For a few long moments, I said nothing more. The ache in my heart wouldn't go away. Kian Blackthorn didn't even know he was going to be a father. That truth haunted me, but I knew exactly what would happen if I told him. He will take the child from me. A baby born from a rejected mating bond was nothing but a stain on his perfect image. He will never accept it. He will hide it, erase it. He will make me disappear again, this time with the child. Or worse, he will force me to give it up. I can already hear his cold voice, laced with that Alpha authority he wore like a weapon, ordering me to get rid of it. Saying it was for the best. For the pack. For Vivienne. The woman he chose instead of me. The woman I lost to.

But I wasn't going to let that happen. Not now. Not ever. This baby is mine. I would protect them with everything I have, even if I have to stand alone in this world. Even if I have to bleed and break along the way. For the last three months, I had done everything in my power to prepare. One month while I was still in Blackthorn Ridge, and two months since I ran away. Losing the allowance Alpha Marek used to give me didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. I have saved most of it originally to buy a car. But when I found out I was pregnant, everything changed. And honestly, I didn't mind. Having a child, starting my own family gave me purpose. A fresh start. Something real. Something mine. No one from the pack knew what I was doing now. As far as they were concerned, I was still enrolled in university in the capital, busy with online classes and exams. No one cared enough to look deeper. No one had ever really cared at all. I juggled late-night studying with double shifts at work to make ends meet. It was tiring yes but it was worth it. For the life growing inside me, I would do anything.

On the way home, I stopped at a small corner market and picked up a loaf of bread, two water bottles, and jars of peanut butter and jelly. Just enough to last a few days. The less I spent on myself, the more I could save for the baby. Peanut butter was filling. The jelly? A little sweetness to get me through the days.

"That'll be five dollars, miss," the cashier said with a kind smile, her eyes drifting to my stomach. She paused, then quietly added another loaf of bread and a small carton of milk to my bag. "These are on the house. Wishing you a safe delivery."

"Thank you so much," I murmured, my voice catching from the unexpected kindness.

"You're welcome," she replied warmly.

I carried the bag up the old staircase to my apartment, my stomach growling louder with each step. Hunger was a constant these days. I had lost weight, but every penny had to be stretched. My baby came first. Always.

Inside, I locked the door and set the bag down. The apartment was tiny just a single room, a mini fridge, a bed, and a few secondhand furnishings I'd picked up from a flea market in Westmont. It wasn't much, but it was mine. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I rubbed my belly with one hand and smiled faintly. A real smile, not forced or painted on. My baby, my little wolf was the reason I could still find joy in anything.

"I know you're hungry," I whispered. "But this is all we've got right now. We've got to save what we can. When you come, we have to be ready. I want to give you everything I never had." As I made a simple sandwich, I felt a strong kick. I giggled, even though the ache followed. An ache I'd grown used to. One I cherished.

"You've got some strength in you, little wolf," I whispered, gently rubbing my belly. "I promise I'll give you the love I never got. I'll keep you safe. No matter what."

After eating, I tucked the rest of the groceries into the mini fridge. That little fridge was the first real thing I bought after moving here. It reminded me that even in the middle of nothing, I was surviving. I was building something. I changed into warm pajamas, flicked on the light, and dusted off the sheets of my bed. My wolf had grown quieter over time suppressed by grief, exhaustion, and survival. Even though werewolves usually ran hotter than humans, I always felt cold now. I pulled on a pair of thick socks to keep my feet warm. It was going to be another long night, and who knew what tomorrow would bring?

"Good night, little one," I whispered, curling into bed. "Try to let Mommy sleep tonight, okay? We've got a big day ahead of us."

Another kick strong and clear made me laugh softly, even as the ache settled into my bones again.

"I love you too, my little wolf," I whispered one last time, cradling my stomach as I drifted off to sleep.smille still plastered on my face.