The world came crashing down on Kendra when those two pink lines appeared. "Ryder... I'm pregnant," she whispered, shaking with hope. But the alpha of the Shadow Howlers Pack looked at her with cold disdain. "No, you're not. But if you are, it's not mine." Cast aside by her mate, her family disowns her, and Kendra is thrown into a world with no place for an omega like herself. Pregnant, heartbroken, and on the run, every turn seems to present a betrayal, even from her closest friend, Aria. "How could you do this?" Kendra cries the sting of Aria's betrayal fresh. But Aria only smirks. "Ryder deserves someone better. I can't let you come between us any longer. Now, you must die." With enemies closing in now and the past not letting go, she has to make a choice: give in to the pain and fear or rise and fight for herself and her baby. When Ryder discovers his mistakes and runs back to Kendra, will she accept him? Read to find out!
Chapter 1 Kendra's Secret
Kendra stood in front of the mirror; her hands shaking while she held the pregnancy test. She knitted her fingers nervously waiting for the result to display and hoping it was negative. But seconds later, two pink lines emerged from the tube.
Positive.
The two pink lines stared at her, her eyebrows furrowed, and her breath hitched; she sobbed loudly. This was not part of the plan when she was only eighteen. She had to know.
The next day, Kendra was at the hospital waiting for confirmation and she was very nervous about the result. She was buried in thoughts; would Ryder be happy to know he was going to be a father? What if he doesn't? How would she cope with being a single mother, from a poor home?
The office swung open, jacking her back from her reverie. Dr. Chan entered with a smile on her slightly wrinkled face.
"Congratulations, Ms...." She said. "You're going to be a mother. You're two months pregnant." Kendra's world shifted.
Trembling, she dialed Ryder's number. Ryder Blackwood, the alpha of the Shadow Howlers Pack.
"Ryder," she said softly, almost like a whisper. "Can we talk, it is urgent?"
An hour later, Kendra was at their meeting point, a small garden, it was the former city's love garden where couples visited to share and create memories, beside Moon Groove Hotel. Ryder was seated on the wooden chair and aimlessly looking at his phone.
"Ryder, love," Kendra started, feeling her heart raced in her chest. "I... I went to see the doctor. I'm pregnant."
Ryder's head came up sharply, and the blood seemed to leave his face. "No, you're not."
Kendra blinked, taken aback. "I am. I have evidence -"
"Oh my god, Kendra!" Ryder was furious, he stood up abruptly. "Are you this desperate to lie about something as this sensitive?"
'Lies?' She asked, her eyes turning red and heavy with tears, "why would I lie? I swear by the moon goddess, it's yours."
Ryder's fists clenched; the veins in his neck protruded. "How many times have we had sex?"
Kendra stayed silent for a while before answering. "Once."
"And when was this?"
"Um... about four weeks ago?" she said, the lustful memory of that night they spent together returning to her.
"And we were careful. And I even asked you to make sure you take your pills that morning." Ryder spat out. "So why do you think this lie would work?"
Kendra screamed, "I don't know how it happened, but I am not lying. Ryder, I am scared, my parents will disown me. I need you right now."
In werewolf society, there was no greater sin than to get pregnant out of wedlock. Ryder had always insisted they wait till when the time was right to announce their engagement to the pack. Kendra was an omega, she grew up in an omega family, and they were afraid that the pack would not take her as their Luna.
Ryder's shoulders slumped and sadness filled his expression as he looked at her.
"I had feelings for you," he said bitterly, "I was willing to sacrifice everything for you, now look where your greed has gotten you into."
Each of his words pierced Kendra's heart, shattering it to pieces.
"Ryder, please," she pleaded and fell on the floor. "I can't do this alone.''
Gently, Ryder stood up, flagging off her hand rested on him as he made his way out of the garden.
Kendra jumped up from the seat and started running after him. She stood right in front of his car, her both hands on the burnet and with pleading eyes swollen with tears.
"Ryder, wait!" she shouted.
Ryder stepped on the break and the tires squeaked; he almost ran over her. Kendra pulled the driver's door with force and held on to Ryder's sleeve tightly.
"Don't push me, Kendra," he growled, much to her delight.
"Are you saying I cheated on you? How can you even think of such?' She asked, shocked.
Ryder stretched his hand behind him to the back seat, picked up a manila envelope, and flew it at her. The content scattered on Kendra's body as she began to scan through them.
A man with a woman, who obviously know each other, cling to each other naked in bed. The woman took the exact look of Kendra, with no difference.
"No! Something is wrong here," Kendra exclaimed, "that's not me. I have never met with any man before, but you. I gave you my virginity, Ryder."
"I knew you'd deny it. There is also a video of you two saved in a flash drive inside the envelope. I can play it if you want." Ryder said coldly. "What gave you the temerity to come here to accuse me of getting you pregnancy?"
Kendra shook her head vigorously. "No, Ryder, you can't believe this. It's not me!"
A dry chuckle came from Ryder's throat. "You're lying," he said, "You're dead to me, Kendra. Stay the fuck away from me. It is over between us!"
He turned on the engine. Kendra held his arm as her life depended on it. "Ryder, please, look at me, and you'll see the truth."
Ryder growled and caught her neck; his claws raked across her skin, leaving a crimson line. He lifted his other hand as though to slap her, and Kendra screamed, flinching away from him.
"You. Are. Fucking. Dead!" he snarled, pushing her out of the car as he sped off. She slumped to the ground and, kicking up dust perilously close to her toes.
Kendra crawled to the side of the road; her penetrating cries coincided with her continuous dropping tears.
By nightfall, she sat beside a wooden tree, cupping her flat belly with her hand.
She had too much to lose. Her father was struggling to feed her, her sick mother, and other members of the household. Even if her father was buoyant enough, she knew he'd still never forgive such a disgrace. The pack would shun them even more than they already did it to them.
Kendra nervously removed her phone from her pocket, scrolling through her contacts, and dialed a number.
"Hey darling, I was just about to call you," Aria's voice was as bright as the sun. "I have something for you."
"Aria," Kendra croaked, ignoring her friend's friendly gestures. Aria Winder was the daughter of the pack's previous Beta.
"What's wrong?" Aria's voice changed to worry.
"I... I need your help," Kendra cried. "Please, Aria. Can you help?"
Determination filled Aria's voice.
"Anything for you, dear friend. Just name it."
Chapter 1 Kendra's Secret
16/10/2024
Chapter 2 I Am Pregnant
16/10/2024
Chapter 3 The Betrayal
16/10/2024
Chapter 4 My Baby
16/10/2024
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