The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 13 — The Secret Within

Eva woke to the sound of someone knocking.

She opened her eyes slowly.

For a moment, she didn't move.

The strange nausea from the previous morning had returned.

Her stomach twisted painfully, and she covered her mouth.

Not again.

She sat up quickly and waited for the feeling to pass.

It did.

But this time, it left her weak.

Eva pressed a hand against her stomach.

Something wasn't right.

She had barely eaten the night before, so perhaps that was the reason.

At least, that was what she told herself.

Another knock sounded.

"Luna?"

Eva recognized Lady Selene's voice.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Selene entered carrying breakfast.

She stopped when she saw Eva's pale face.

"Are you feeling ill?"

"A little."

Selene immediately placed the tray down.

"Should I call the physician?"

"No."

Eva shook her head.

"It's probably because I didn't sleep well."

Selene wasn't convinced.

"You've been feeling sick since yesterday."

Eva looked at her.

"How do you know?"

"The servants told me."

Eva sighed.

"I'll be fine."

Selene studied her for a moment.

Then she nodded.

"If it gets worse, you must tell me."

"I will."

Selene smiled.

"I'll leave you to get dressed."

After she left, Eva stared at the breakfast tray.

The smell of food suddenly made her stomach turn.

She pushed it away.

She didn't understand what was happening.

But she knew one thing.

She needed to find out.

Across the palace, Adrian was already awake.

He stood in the training courtyard, watching the warriors practice.

His shoulder was still sore from the attack, but he refused to let it slow him down.

Marcus approached.

"You should be resting."

"I'm fine."

"You always say that."

Adrian glanced at him.

"Is that becoming your favorite sentence?"

Marcus smiled.

"Someone has to say it."

Adrian looked toward the palace.

His expression changed.

"Eva is sick."

Marcus frowned.

"How do you know?"

"The bond."

"Again?"

Adrian nodded.

"I can feel that something is wrong."

Marcus crossed his arms.

"Have you spoken to her?"

"Not yet."

"Then go."

Adrian looked at him.

"I have a meeting."

"Cancel it."

"I can't."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"You can command an entire kingdom, but you're telling me you can't cancel one meeting?"

Adrian sighed.

"Fine."

He turned toward the palace.

Marcus smiled.

"I knew it."

Adrian stopped.

"What?"

"You've changed."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Don't start."

Marcus laughed.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing."

Adrian continued walking.

But the truth was impossible to deny.

Before Eva, Adrian had never abandoned a meeting because someone was sick.

Before Eva, he had never felt another person's fear inside his own chest.

Before Eva, he had never been afraid of losing someone.

Now everything was different.

Eva stood in front of the mirror.

She looked exhausted.

Her face was slightly paler than usual.

She placed a hand against her stomach again.

"What's wrong with me?"

A sudden wave of dizziness hit her.

She grabbed the table.

Her reflection blurred.

Then—

A sharp pain passed through her abdomen.

Eva gasped.

She closed her eyes.

The pain disappeared.

She stood still, frightened.

Then there was a knock.

"Eva?"

Adrian.

Her heart immediately calmed.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Adrian stepped inside.

The moment he saw her face, his expression changed.

"You're sick."

Eva smiled weakly.

"I'm fine."

"No."

He walked toward her.

"You don't look fine."

"It's just nausea."

"How long?"

"Since yesterday."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it was important."

Adrian frowned.

"Anything that affects you is important."

Eva looked down.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize."

He reached for her hand.

The bond immediately responded.

Warmth spread through both of them.

Adrian's eyes softened.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not anymore."

"Did you eat?"

Eva shook her head.

"Not really."

He looked toward the untouched breakfast.

"You need to eat."

"The smell makes me sick."

Adrian frowned.

"Then we'll find something else."

"We?"

"Yes."

He turned toward the door.

Eva smiled.

"You don't have to stay."

"I know."

He looked back at her.

"But I want to."

Her heart fluttered.

He walked over and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"You've spent too much of your life being told to handle everything alone."

Eva looked into his eyes.

"You don't have to do that anymore."

She swallowed.

"Why?"

"Because you have me now."

Eva's eyes filled with tears.

She quickly looked away.

Adrian noticed.

"Eva."

"I'm fine."

He gently lifted her chin.

"You don't have to hide your tears from me."

She smiled through them.

"I'm not used to someone caring."

Adrian's expression softened.

"You'll have to get used to it."

A few hours later, Adrian summoned the royal physician.

Dr. Elias had served the royal family for more than twenty years.

He was an elderly man with silver hair and calm eyes.

He examined Eva carefully.

Adrian remained nearby.

Finally, Elias straightened.

"Her symptoms are unusual."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Meaning?"

"She may simply be exhausted."

"May?"

Elias looked at Eva.

"How long have you been experiencing nausea?"

"Two days."

"Any dizziness?"

"Yes."

"Fatigue?"

"Yes."

"Changes in your appetite?"

Eva nodded.

Elias looked thoughtful.

"Have you experienced anything similar before?"

"No."

He looked at Adrian.

"Alpha, may I speak with you privately?"

Adrian nodded.

They stepped outside.

"What is it?"

Elias lowered his voice.

"There is a possibility that Luna Eva is experiencing a hormonal change."

Adrian frowned.

"What kind?"

"I can't say without further examination."

"Then examine her."

"I need a blood sample."

Adrian nodded.

"Do it."

Elias hesitated.

"And perhaps another test."

"What test?"

The physician looked serious.

"A pregnancy test."

Adrian went completely still.

"Pregnancy?"

"Her symptoms could indicate it."

Adrian's mind went blank.

Pregnancy.

The word echoed through him.

His eyes immediately turned toward the closed door.

Eva.

His mate.

His wolf suddenly stirred.

Our pup.

Adrian's heart pounded.

But he forced himself to remain calm.

"You're not certain."

"No."

"Then don't tell her yet."

Elias nodded.

"I'll conduct the tests first."

Adrian looked toward the floor.

A strange mixture of emotions filled his chest.

Fear.

Excitement.

Disbelief.

A child.

He had never seriously considered having one.

He had spent years refusing the idea of a mate.

Now he had found his mate.

And perhaps she was carrying his child.

Adrian closed his eyes.

He needed certainty.

Inside the room, Eva sat quietly.

She didn't know what Adrian and the physician were discussing.

But she could feel Adrian's emotions.

Something had changed.

He was shocked.

Afraid.

And strangely happy.

Eva frowned.

"Adrian?"

The door opened.

He entered.

She looked at him.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

She knew he was lying.

"You're worried."

"A little."

"Why?"

He sat beside her.

"The physician wants to run some tests."

"Why?"

"Because of your symptoms."

Eva's heart began racing.

"Do you think I'm sick?"

"No."

Adrian reached for her hand.

"We're going to find out."

She nodded.

"Okay."

He squeezed her hand.

Whatever happened next, he would face it with her.

Later that afternoon, Eva walked through the palace gardens with Mary.

Mary had been allowed to visit her.

"You look different."

Eva laughed softly.

"Different how?"

"Happy."

Eva looked away.

"Maybe."

Mary smiled.

"It's because of Adrian."

Eva didn't answer.

Mary nudged her.

"Is it?"

Eva smiled.

"Maybe."

Mary laughed.

"I'm happy for you."

Eva looked at her.

"Are you?"

"Of course."

"You don't wish it were you?"

Mary shook her head.

"No."

She paused.

"I've seen the way Catherine looks at you."

Eva's smile faded.

"She's angry."

"She's more than angry."

Mary lowered her voice.

"She's becoming obsessed."

Eva sighed.

"I don't want to fight her."

"You may not have a choice."

Eva looked at the flowers.

"I've never had much of a choice."

Mary touched her arm.

"You do now."

Eva looked at her.

"Because I'm the Alpha's mate?"

"Because you're finally surrounded by people who will stand beside you."

Eva smiled.

"Thank you."

Mary hugged her.

Then she noticed something.

"Eva."

"What?"

"Your hand."

Eva looked down.

Her fingers were resting over her stomach.

She hadn't realized she had done it.

"Why do you keep touching your stomach?"

Eva frowned.

"I don't know."

Mary's expression changed.

"Have you been feeling sick?"

Eva hesitated.

"Yes."

"How long?"

"A few days."

Mary's eyes widened.

"Eva..."

"What?"

"Maybe you should see a physician."

"I did."

"And?"

"They're running tests."

Mary nodded slowly.

She didn't say what she was thinking.

But the possibility had already entered her mind.

That evening, Catherine watched Eva from across the dining hall.

She noticed Adrian's attention never left her.

Whenever Eva moved, his eyes followed.

Whenever she spoke, he listened.

Catherine's jealousy burned.

Her hand slipped beneath the table.

She felt the small vial hidden inside her dress.

She had carried it all day.

She still hadn't used it.

Part of her was afraid.

But another part was desperate.

Her mother had told her to destroy the vial.

She hadn't.

Because she wanted to know what it would do.

Then Eva suddenly pushed her plate away.

Her face went pale.

Adrian immediately noticed.

"Eva?"

"I'm fine."

He stood.

"Do you feel sick?"

She nodded.

He placed a hand on her back.

Catherine watched.

Her nails dug into her palm.

Then Adrian helped Eva leave the dining hall.

Catherine's eyes followed them.

The vial felt like it was burning against her skin.

She made her decision.

Late that night, Catherine stood outside the old chapel again.

The mysterious man was waiting.

"You came back."

Catherine looked at him.

"I need answers."

"You were given instructions."

"I want to know what is in this."

She held up the vial.

The man smiled.

"You don't trust us."

"I don't trust anyone."

"Good."

He stepped closer.

"The contents are harmless to anyone without supernatural blood."

Catherine frowned.

"And Eva?"

"She is different."

"How?"

The man didn't answer.

"Tell me."

He smiled.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Catherine's eyes narrowed.

"You said it would make her reveal what she truly is."

"Yes."

"What is she?"

The man leaned closer.

"Not even the Alpha knows."

Catherine's heart pounded.

"What does that mean?"

"It means the Moon Stone didn't reveal everything."

She stared at him.

"You're saying she's hiding something?"

"No."

His smile widened.

"Something is hiding inside her."

Catherine froze.

The man stepped backward.

"Use the vial."

Then he disappeared.

Catherine stood alone.

Her hand trembled.

Something was hiding inside Eva.

She looked toward the palace.

For the first time, she wondered whether Eva herself knew.

The following morning, Adrian waited outside the physician's chambers.

He had barely slept.

Marcus stood beside him.

"You've been pacing for an hour."

"I know."

"You're nervous."

Adrian glared.

Marcus smiled.

"About the test?"

Adrian said nothing.

Marcus's expression softened.

"If she's pregnant, you'll be a father."

Adrian looked at him.

"I know."

"How do you feel?"

Adrian looked toward the closed door.

"Terrified."

Marcus laughed quietly.

"I never thought I'd hear you say that."

Adrian smiled faintly.

"I never thought I'd have anything to be terrified of."

The door opened.

Dr. Elias stepped out.

Adrian immediately stood.

"Well?"

The physician looked at him.

"Alpha..."

Adrian's heart pounded.

"Tell me."

Elias took a breath.

"Luna Eva is pregnant."

Everything stopped.

Adrian stared at him.

Pregnant.

The word seemed unreal.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes."

Adrian closed his eyes.

A strange warmth spread through his chest.

His wolf roared.

Our pup.

For the first time in years, Adrian smiled without forcing it.

Marcus stared.

"You're going to be a father."

Adrian nodded slowly.

"Yes."

He looked toward Eva's room.

A thousand thoughts raced through his mind.

She was carrying his child.

Their child.

But beneath the happiness was a question.

A dangerous one.

How was it possible?

The incident in the forest had happened only recently.

Yet the physician was certain.

Adrian's smile faded.

Something about the pregnancy didn't make sense.

And he wasn't the only one who would soon realize it.

Inside her room, Eva sat on the edge of the bed.

She looked toward the door when Adrian entered.

His expression was unlike anything she'd ever seen.

"Adrian?"

He walked toward her.

For several seconds, he simply stared.

Then he knelt before her.

Eva's eyes widened.

"What are you doing?"

He placed his hands gently over hers.

"You're pregnant."

Eva stopped breathing.

"What?"

"You're carrying our child."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded.

"The physician confirmed it."

Eva placed both hands over her stomach.

A trembling smile appeared on her face.

"Our baby?"

"Our baby."

Adrian stood and pulled her into his arms.

Eva cried against his chest.

She was terrified.

Confused.

But beneath everything else was a strange happiness.

For the first time in her life, she was carrying something that belonged only to her.

Something precious.

Adrian kissed the top of her head.

"I'll protect you both."

Eva closed her eyes.

"I know."

But neither of them noticed the faint silver glow beneath Eva's hands.

Nor did they know that deep inside her womb, something far more powerful than either of them had expected had already begun to awaken.

And somewhere in the palace, Catherine was preparing to make her move.