chapter 6

Kian's POV

I froze for a moment as I processed the situation that I was in, before allowing myself to digest what had just happened, as Vivan rushed out of the room, wanting to be anywhere but by my side.

"Vivan, wait!" I called, catching up to her and grabbing her arm. She yanked it free, spinning around with tears streaming down her face. Her anger could be seen a mile away, to the point where I knew that things were not going to end well if they continued this way. "Let me explain..."

"You!" she screamed, her voice trembling with both anger and heartbreak. "You lied to me! You rejected her, huh? That's your excuse? You rejected her but still slept with her? You fucking slept with that thing and chose to play the game of innocent?"

"I didn't plan for this!" I snapped, my frustration taking over as I stared into the firestorm she unleashed. "I never wanted it to happen this way!"

"No, you didn't plan it. You just used her, didn't you? And now she's back with YOUR CHILD!" she yelled, pushing me back as tears streaked down her cheeks. Her heart was racing, her hands shaking, and though she was crying, she was still trying her best to stay calm. "That baby is YOURS, Kian! And you've been lying to me this whole time pretending like you cared about us, about me! You made me question everything I did. For months I wondered what I did wrong..."

"It turns out it was YOU who chose to play me!" she yelled, fists clenched tight. "You chose to treat me like a fool. And here I was..."

"I rejected her for you, Vivan. For you! I thought I was doing the right thing!" I said, taking a deep breath, trying to keep my wolf from spiraling. He was restless, agitated by her anger, and I couldn't blame him but I also knew he didn't want her. Not truly. Not now. And especially not with a baby involved.

She let out a bitter laugh, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "The right thing? That's hilarious, Kian. You rejected her, but you couldn't keep your hands off her, could you? And now there's a baby. A baby that's yours."

"There's no guarantee the child is mine!" I shouted, my voice louder than I intended. "Yes, I slept with her, but it was one time. That doesn't mean—"

"We both know the truth," she said, stopping me cold. "Stop lying to yourself. That baby is yours, and deep down, you know it. But you know what, Kian? It doesn't matter anymore. Because I'm done. I'm not going to be with a man who played me like a fool. I'm not going to stay with someone who treated me like I was just some..."

"Vivan..."

"No!" she snapped, wiping at the tears running down her cheeks. "You wouldn't even touch me for months and now I know why. I stood by your side when everyone doubted me. When everyone doubted YOU. And look where that got me."

"Don't act like you didn't do it for my position," I said coldly, locking eyes with her. "You wanted to be the Alpha's Luna, not my partner. You never really cared..."

I froze when she slapped me. I turned away, my wolf snarling, but I kept him in check.

"You arrogant bastard," she hissed, shaking her head at me. "You're not the only Alpha out there, Kian. And believe me, the last thing I want is to be stuck with someone like you."

"Really?" I challenged, taking a step closer. "Every other Alpha rejected you. Don't forget that."

"You're right," she said, her voice steady now. "I don't need to fight for someone who clearly doesn't want me. Go to your mate, Kian. Go to your child. I refuse to be your second choice."

My throat tightened as her words echoed in the hall. I wanted to argue. To deny it. But she didn't give me the chance.

"You will go back to her," she said quietly, turning away. "You'll go back to her, and I won't be here waiting. Goodbye, Kian."

She walked away, leaving me frozen in the hallway.

"Kian," a deep voice growled behind me.

I turned to find my father, standing with his arms crossed, his expression carved from stone.

"She left because of you," he said simply, the words cutting deeper than Vivan's slap. "For months, we've been searching for her wondering why she disappeared. Now we know."

"She left because she wanted to," I said flatly, but even I didn't believe it.

"She left because she was carrying your child," Kael snapped. "Our pack's heir, Kian. And you let that happen?"

"That baby might not even be mine," I muttered, but the denial felt weak.

My dad growled, the sound rumbling through the hall. "If you truly believe that, then go chase after the woman who just walked away. Because if you won't accept responsibility for your actions you're no Alpha."

Guilt clawed at my chest. I swallowed hard, but Kael didn't wait for a response. He turned toward the room where Aria was resting.

"She put herself and that baby in danger because of you," Kael said over his shoulder. "She worked herself to the bone. Lived in squalor. Nearly died to protect what you rejected. And now you're going to fix it."

I followed him silently, crushed under the weight of his words. When we entered the room, my mother's voice filled the space, sharp and angry.

"You could've come to us, Aria. You could've told my husband or me!" My mother's voice trembled with emotion.

" sweetheart that's enough," my dad said, firm. "She's exhausted, and the baby needs her strong."

"And You are not going anywhere, Aria," my added, turning his piercing gaze to her. "You're the mother of an Alpha's child. I will not let you leave this pack again."

"Your son rejected me," Aria said, her voice shaking with controlled fury. "The second I'm able, my child and I are leaving."

"You'll go nowhere," my dad l growled. "From now on, you and Kian will raise that girl together. He will take responsibility whether he likes it or not."

"What?" I snapped, stepping forward. "You can't force—"

"I'm your father," He interrupted, voice hard as steel. "You will do as I say. That child is your responsibility, Kian. I don't care if you hate her mother. This is about your daughter." He turned back to Aria, voice softening slightly.

"And you, Aria... will stay. If you try to leave again, I will make sure you never see your child again. Am I clear?"

Aria's tears fell in silence. Her exhaustion was evident, but so was the defiance burning behind her eyes. My wolf shifted uneasily inside me. He was excited for his new pup