Ashes of the Mate Bond

Three

Astrid Lindgren POV

“She is Pregnant.”

And trust me, those six words were enough to stir me up from my own consciousness.

“What?!” I spat out before I could even stop myself from saying anything as I forced my eyes open, blinking rapidly and struggling to adapt from the new environment, but the words still echoed continuously in my mind, over and over.

“She is pregnant.”

No. No. That couldn't be. It couldn't be right.

I turned sharply to the pack doctor, my fingers trembling as I held tightly to the hem of my dress. “That’s impossible,” I choked out, my voice hoarse. “I was told….I was told I could never have a baby. That my body couldn’t….produce…”

Tears welled in my eyes, my grip tightening. “If that’s true, if I really am…..then take it out.”

The doctor’s expression widened to a shock. “Ma…”

“I don’t want to risk it,” I pressed further, my throat dry. “I have a few months left, don’t I? The left kidney is damaged. If I die, won’t the baby….?”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. The thought of the baby dying because of my carelessness was just too much for me to bear. I couldn't take in the pain.

“If it could be placed in someone else’s body, wouldn’t that be better?” My mind raced with so many desperate solutions that would save the baby's life. Because at this point, it wasn't mine anymore. “Like a surrogacy ... .a uterine transplant. That’s possible, isn’t it?”

It was only then that I noticed him.

A presence beside me, standing just close enough for his presence to send a cold chill down my spine.

I turned my head and my breath seized.

He was the man from last night. The one who had pulled me back from the cliff, from my own peace.

Now, in the hospital lighting, I could finally see him properly. Perhaps he also saved a child's life.

He was -Beautiful.

In a cold dangerous way.

His features were sharp, almost looking cold-hearted, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that seemed like it had been carved from stone. His black hair was tousled in a way that somehow only made him look more effortlessly powerful, and his piercing silver eyes held the same amused gaze they had the night before.

His lips curled slightly, as if he found my distress entertaining.

Asshole.

I quickly looked away, turning back to the doctor, my heart pounding against my ribs. “Please,” I begged, my voice breaking. “I just want the baby to have a chance. Even if I don’t.”

The doctor hesitated, glancing toward the man beside me.

I frowned. Why did he look at him like that?

Like he had a say in this.

And then he finally spoke after a brief silence.

“Ma, it’s too risky. Even if we attempted it, there’s no guarantee the baby would survive.”

I felt my body grow numb. It was too risky. Just like my own life.

I clenched my fists. I didn’t know if I would live long enough to bring this child into the world.

And worse…. I didn’t know if I should.

Because this baby wasn’t just mine. It was Renier’s.

The man who had humiliated, betrayed and chosen another person. A child he would never know, nor met. He called me barren for several years even without saying it, which I took in. And now I just had to give the baby out because everyone would be in danger.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Would it be crueler to bring this child into a world where their own father had already abandoned them?

“Would that be better for Kira?”

My head snapped up at the person to whom the question was directed too.

The man beside me with a smooth voice, was staring at the doctor with an unreadable expression and a question gaze.

Kira?

The doctor hesitated. Then, without a word, he turned toward the door. “I need to speak with you outside for a moment.”

He left the room with him, and I sat there, gripping the hospital sheets, my mind racing rapidly than its normal beat.

Who the hell was he? Why did he say that name like it mattered? Why did the doctor listen to him?

Minutes passed, with so much silence. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until the door opened again.

But only he returned.

The doctor was nowhere to be found.

My heart beat faster as he approached me with a large stride. He finally stopped beside my bed and extended a hand toward me.

“Kairos. Kairos Caspian.”

His name.

Simple but strong.

I didn’t take his hand. Didn’t even blink.

His lips twitched, as if he had expected that and slowly retreated his head. “Not one for pleasantries, I see.”

My jaw tightened and I rolled my eyes. “You didn’t answer my question.”

His eyes shone into mine. “Which one of them?”

“Who the hell are you?”

Kairos chuckled, a deep sound. “Someone who saved your life.”

I scoffed. “I never asked you to.”

“No,” he agreed. “But you’ll thank me for it soon enough.”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “You’re awfully confident about that. Typical arrogant man.”

“I always am.”

I shook my head, exhausted with the chatter. “If you came here just to gloat, then leave.”

His smirk flattered and his face turned serious. “Actually, I came to make a proposition.”

My stomach twisted and I raised my brows up in curiosity. “What kind of proposition?”

His gaze held onto mine as always. “What if I told you I had someone who could carry your child?”

My breath seized.

I stared at him, my mind beating. “You……what?”

His expression remained calm even at that. “Someone strong. Healthy. A perfect vessel to ensure your baby survives.”

A perfect vessel? Like I wasn't even perfect. That I quickly masked the hurt I felt in me. “You can do that?”

“Do you want it?”

“Yes,” I breathed, without hesitation. I had thought about this and it still wouldn't even change anything.

Kairos nodded once. “Then after we leave here, we’ll sign a contract.”

My heart rose. “A contract?”

I have never heard of that in my years of coming to this life but he was here telling me.

His lips curled into a faint smile. . “I don’t do favors for free.”