Bound to the Billionaire Alpha

The aftermath

Athena's POV:

Two months have passed since they took Mom away.

I've lost track of time, stuck in this room. The world outside moves on, but mine is frozen.

I miss Mom so much. That terrible night plays over and over in my head.

Sometimes, I see her in my dreams, smiling at me with those warm loving eyes. It feels so real I even reach out for her only to wake up and she's gone.

Those dreams are all I have now and the pain is suffocating.

Some days the thought crosses to take my life and end all the pain.

That's when I hear a voice inside me. My wolf.

"Don't do it, Athena," she whispers. "You're strong. Hold on."

At first, I thought I was losing my mind. But she's real.

My wolf is the only one who gets me.

When darkness closes in, she reminds me, "Your story isn't over."

I wish I believed her.

For three days now I've felt weaker than usual.

Every morning starts with a queasy stomach, even the smallest of movements will send me running and bent over in the toilet, vomiting up nothing

I'm always feeling nauseous and it's driving me crazy.

I'm tired, so tired. My body aches, and my head spins.

I've tried to ignoring it, thinking it'll pass but it only gets worse

My wolf senses it too. She's restless and worried.

"Athena, what's wrong?" she whispers.

I don't know.

Maybe it's food poisoning, something I ate?

Or is it something more?

Could I be...?

No, that's impossible.

But the doubt lingers.

I can't take it anymore. The nausea, the weakness, the uncertainty.

I need answers.

I drag myself out of the house, down the street to the nearby medical store.

As I push open the door, the attendant looks up, her expression twisting into a scowl.

"Great, you're here," she mutters, eyeing me disdainfully.

I ignore her hostility, focusing on my mission.

"Hi," I say, trying to sound calm. "I need to... um... talk to someone about a pregnancy test."

The attendant's expression darkens, her eyes narrowing.

"Really?" she spits. "Been spreading those ugly legs of yours I see"

I swallow hard, bracing for her judgment.

"A traitor and a slut," the attendant spits, her words piercing.

I avoid her gaze, my eyes fixed on the counter.

"Two coins," she growls.

I slide the coins across the counter.

With a snarl, she literally throws the pregnancy test tube at me.

"Enjoy your shame," she hisses.

I turn on my heel, speed walking out of the store.

The door slams shut behind me, but her venom lingers.

My wolf growls, defensive.

"Let it go," I whisper.

I quicken my pace.

I burst through the door, tearing open the pregnancy test package.

My hands shake as I read the instructions.

"Remove the cap, urinate on the test strip for 5 seconds, then replace the cap."

I take a deep breath, following the steps.

I remove the cap, positioning the test strip under me as I urinate. The stream hits the strip, and I count the seconds.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5.

I replace the cap, my heart racing.

The instructions say to wait 3 minutes for the results.

Three. Long. Minutes.

My wolf paces, anxious.

I stare at the test, at this point my heart is pounding so hard I think it might just explode out of my chest

Just maybe this wouldn't be such a bad time to die from a heart attack.

Finally, the waiting is over.

I pick up the test, full attention on the tiny result window of the tube

Two pink lines stare back at me.

Positive.

I'm pregnant.

This is the part where the world that is already so dark gets even darker

F*ck.

"I'm f*cking pregnant," I whisper.

This cannot be happening right now.

How did this happen? That one-night stand... I never thought...

Tears stream down my face. I feel trapped and miserable.

"How could I?" I ask myself, my lips trembling.

I slide to the floor, back against the wall.

My body tells me it's true. The sickness, tiredness... it all makes sense now.

My wolf whimpers, feeling my pain.

I hide my face in my hands and cry.

I've been running from this shame. Now it's real.

People will hate me, call me names. "Slut, w***e, dirty." The words echo in my head.

I'm the child of a traitor, and now this. No father, just me and this baby.

I must hide.

"I need to leave," I say aloud.

My green eyes scan the room frantically. My mind is a mess.

I rush to my closet, grabbing clothes blindly. My eyes stay wide, panic setting in.

I shove clothes into a bag, not thinking straight.

Where will I go? What will I do?

One thing's certain, I must escape.

But I know I'm trapped. The Alpha's order still echoes in my mind. "Athena, daughter of a traitor, is not allowed to leave pack territory."

I'm an outcast, yet they won't let me go.

If they find out about the baby... I shudder at the thought.

I must escape, no matter the risk.

I zip my bag, taking a deep breath and a final glance around just to make sure I haven't forgotten anything crucial. Not that I had a lot of belongings to begin with

My wolf senses alert me to potential dangers outside.

I'll have to be careful.

One wrong move, and they'll catch me.

I sling my bag over my shoulder, determination burning within.

Tonight, under the cover of darkness, I'll make my run.