The Alpha's Regret: Her Secret Heirs

Adrienne walked slowly into the small hospital room where she had spent countless hours over the past three years. It was almost like a second home to her. Her heart was not in the right place, she was tired. The hospital had become a place where she hated so much. She couldn't even recall how many times she had come here, hoping for the same answer, only to leave disappointed.

She sat down on the worn wooden stool, her hands gripping the edge tightly. This was supposed to be another routine visit, just like all the others. The whispers of the pack elders replayed in her head. She overhead them talking and it had been on her mind ever since.

"She hasn't given Roman an heir yet. What's her use?"

"Roman needs a strong alpha bloodline. She's failing him."

"She is just a useless miscreant who got lucky. Who knows what she must have done with her body that she hasn't been able to reproduce."

Adrienne bit her lip as she fought back tears. As she remembered the things they said, their judgment, it crushed her. Even Roman, her mate, had grown distant. Roman the son of the current alpha had been treating her badly.

The love he had for her in his eyes had faded, it had been replaced with cold nonchalance. She couldn't remember the last time he had truly smiled at her, held her, or even looked at her without some kind of disappointment. When they talked, it was always her trying to explain something and him shouting at her or him not paying attention.

He needed an heir to take on the role of alpha, and she had failed to give him that. The bond they once shared felt frayed and weak, and with every day that passes that she wasn't pregnant, Adrienne felt like she was slipping further from his grasp and love.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the nurse shuffling into the room, she was the old nurse that Adrienne had met with in the past three years. The older woman gave Adrienne a small, sympathetic smile, though Adrienne could see the pity behind it.

"You've been patient for so long." the nurse said softly, setting down the small plastic cup. "Let's see what the results have to say this time."

Adrienne nodded, not trusting her entirely. After Adrienne was in a life threatening situation and that particular nurse helped her and made her stable, she had trusted the woman.

"Go pee and bring it back." The nurse said.

Adrienne went and she did what she was told, but she didn't feel optimistic in any way.. Why should this time be any different?

"Let's hope that this time will be different." The nurse smiled and left. Now, she waits.

---

Hours passed. Adrienne sat in silence, staring at the flickering flame of the lamp, thinking about different things. Her best friend, Lauren, had promised to come with her as she normally did for support and company. But Lauren had bailed at the last minute, claiming she was caught up in something important.

Adrienne hadn't pressed her, she didn't have the energy. Still, she missed her friend's comforting presence. Lauren had always been the one to listen to her, to help her move through the suffocating expectations of the pack. She was her go to wolf.

But lately, Lauren had been... different. Distant. There were moments when Adrienne caught an odd look in Lauren's eyes, especially when Roman's name came up or when they were around Roman. She would try to act more composed and sexy like. Adrienne tried to brush it off, telling herself she was being paranoid. Lauren had been her friend since they were pups. Why would she have any reason to feel jealous? Or want her mate?

---

After so long, the nurse finally approached, Adrienne had prepared herself for the usual disappointment. But the woman's face was different this time. Adrienne didn't look at her face though, she wanted to prevent herself from crying.

"Thank you. I'll be back next week. Same time"

"Congratulations." the nurse said, with so much excitement. "You're with child."

Adrienne blinked, her breathing stopped momentarily. For a moment, she couldn't process the words.

"I... I'm pregnant?" she whispered, her voice trembled.

The nurse nodded. "Yes, my dear. The gods have blessed you. After so long, you can finally have your well deserved happiness."

So many emotions crashed Adrienne. Relief, joy, disbelief, tears streaming down her face.

She was pregnant. After three long years of trying, of heartache, of feeling like she wasn't enough, she had finally gotten pregnant.

She stood up, holding on to her chest. "Thank you." she said breathlessly, her voice sounded shaky. "Thank you." she hugged the woman. Without waiting for another word from the woman, Adrienne rushed out of the hospital. Her feet barely touched the ground as she made her way back to the pack's grand palace.

She couldn't wait to tell Roman. This would change everything. The cold distance between them would melt away. He would look at her with love again, and the pack elders would finally accept her.

---

Adrienne burst into the palace, smiling from ear to ear. She ran through the halls, her heart pounded. But as she approached Roman's study, she slowed down. The door was slightly opened, and faint voices drifted out.

She paused, frowning her brows. One voice was unmistakably Roman's, but the other... Adrienne couldn't believe her ears. It was Lauren. She was so curious about what was happening as she stepped closer, peering through the gap in the door.

"Maybe they were planning a surprise for her." She thought.

The sight that met her eyes made her stop moving.

Roman and Lauren stood close, too close. Their bodies were pressed together, and their lips were locked in a passionate kiss. Roman's hands gripped Lauren's waist, pulling her body against his, while Lauren's fingers tangled in his hair.

Adrienne's breath slowed down instantly, and the world seemed to tilt around her. She stumbled backward, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a sob. The joy that she had moments ago had disappeared and had been replaced by a cold, hollow ache.

"Roman..." she whispered, but it was loud enough for them to notice her.

Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the ground. The edges of her vision blurred, and the last thing she saw before everything went dark was the image of her mate and her best friend running towards her.

---

Adrienne woke to the sound of loud voices and the feeling of cool water being dabbed on her forehead. She blinked, her vision cleared slowly and she saw the nurse who she just left a moment ago.

"You fainted." the nurse said. "Roman brought you back here to rest. I didn't tell them about your pregnancy and I don't think that you told them, if not he would have waited."

Adrienne sat up slowly, her body trembled too much. The memory of what she had seen came rushing back, and fresh tears filled her eyes again.

"Adrienne." the healer said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "What happened?"

Adrienne shook her head, unable to speak. She held her stomach protectively.

The healer didn't press her, only offering a comforting presence.

After a long silence, Adrienne finally spoke up. "He betrayed me," she whispered, her voice shook. "Roman... and Lauren..."

The nurse was ready to listen, but she said nothing.

Adrienne stood up and wiped her tears. "I need to go to him."

"Are you sure?" the nurse asked cautiously.

"Yes." Adrienne's voice was firm, though her heart felt like it was breaking.

---

Adrienne stormed back to the palace, she was angry, very angry. When she reached Roman's study, she didn't bother knocking. She pushed the door open.

Roman and Lauren stood apart now, she could see the guilt in Roman's eyes, but Lauren didn't exactly have that.

"Adrienne-" Roman began, but she cut him off.

"Don't you dare," she spat, her voice was filled with rage. "Don't you dare try to explain."

Lauren stepped forward, her hands raised. "Adrienne, please, it's not what it looks like-"

"Not what it looks like?" Adrienne laughed bitterly. "I saw you! Kissing and holding each other. How long has this been going on?"

Roman turned away, but he didn't answer. His silence spoke volumes.

Adrienne turned to Lauren. "You were my best friend. How could you do this to me?"

Lauren looked down. "I didn't mean for it to happen," she murmured.

"But it did," Adrienne snapped. "And you knew how much I was struggling with everything, how much I needed his support. You knew! I told you things and you must have mocked me for it"

Roman finally spoke again. "Adrienne, I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" she repeated, her voice broke in between tears. "I gave you everything, Roman. I fought for us, for this pack. After all the judgment I got and you treating me badly, I stayed."

"You didn't fight for anything. I need an offspring and you couldn't do that. Don't blame me for getting it somewhere else. " Roman said. All the guilt he felt earlier seemed to have suddenly disappeared.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Adrienne asked.

"Adrienne, I'm pregnant. For Roman." Lauren said and smirked at Adrienne.

Adrienne couldn't process her words. She looked at Roman, then Lauren, then repeated it severally.