Alice's POV
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone in my hand, Kelvin's words still echoing in my ears. You can't carry my pup. You never could.
The room felt too small. Too quiet.
I pressed my hand against my stomach, feeling the faint warmth beneath my palm. The healer had said the pup was fine. Strong heartbeat. So how...
The door opened.
Derek stepped inside, his figure silhouetted against the hallway light. He walked toward the bed, his movements unhurried but deliberate. When he sat down beside me, the mattress dipped under his weight.
"You were unconscious for a while," he said quietly. "I had the healer run a full examination. "
I looked at him. "And?"
His jaw tightened. "The pup is healthy. Developing well. But…"
A sob of relief tried to claw its way up my throat, but
