The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 14 — The Heir

Eva could barely believe the words.

Pregnant.

She sat on the edge of the bed with one hand resting over her stomach while Adrian stood before her.

Their child.

The thought was terrifying.

Beautiful.

Impossible.

Everything had happened so quickly.

Only days ago, she had been sleeping outside her family's house as punishment.

Now she was inside a royal palace, standing beside an Alpha who called her his mate.

And she was carrying his child.

"Adrian," she whispered.

He immediately sat beside her.

"What are you thinking?"

Eva looked down.

"What if I can't do this?"

"Do what?"

"Be a mother."

Adrian's expression softened.

"You will."

"You don't know that."

"I know you."

Eva looked at him.

"You barely know me."

"I know enough."

He took her hand.

"I know you stayed beside me when you were terrified. I know you protected someone you thought was a stranger. I know you care about people even when they don't deserve it."

Eva's eyes filled with tears.

"And I know," he continued, "that our child couldn't have a better mother."

She looked away, trying not to cry.

Adrian gently lifted her chin.

"You don't have to be afraid."

"I am."

"So am I."

Eva blinked.

"You?"

He nodded.

"I've never been responsible for something so precious."

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"You'll be a good father."

"I hope so."

"You will."

Adrian kissed her forehead.

For a moment, everything felt peaceful.

But that peace wouldn't last.

The news couldn't remain secret for long.

By lunchtime, the palace was buzzing.

The Alpha had an heir.

The Luna was carrying his child.

Servants whispered in corridors.

Warriors smiled when they heard.

Even some of the elders seemed relieved.

But not everyone was happy.

Catherine stood in her room, staring at herself in the mirror.

Her hands trembled.

Pregnant.

Eva was pregnant.

And suddenly, everything had changed.

If Eva gave birth to Adrian's heir, Catherine would never become Luna.

She would never have his crown.

She would never have his children.

She would become nothing.

Catherine clenched her fists.

"No."

Her reflection stared back at her.

"No."

She refused to accept it.

A knock came.

"Who is it?"

Her mother entered.

"What happened?"

Catherine turned around.

"Eva is pregnant."

Vivienne froze.

"What?"

"The physician confirmed it."

Her mother slowly closed the door.

"Are you certain?"

"Everyone knows."

Vivienne's expression darkened.

"Then we have very little time."

Catherine stared at her.

"What do you mean?"

"You wanted the crown."

"Yes."

"Then you cannot allow Eva to have the heir."

Catherine's eyes widened.

"You mean..."

Vivienne stepped closer.

"You know what I mean."

Catherine swallowed.

She thought about the black vial hidden beneath her mattress.

Her fingers curled around the fabric of her dress.

"I have something."

Vivienne looked at her.

"What?"

Catherine pulled out the vial.

Her mother stared at it.

"The people who contacted me gave me this."

Vivienne's face changed.

"I told you to destroy it."

"I didn't."

"What does it do?"

"They said it would reveal what Eva truly is."

Vivienne looked at the dark liquid.

"And you still have it?"

"Yes."

"Then get rid of it."

Catherine stared at her.

"You just said we have very little time."

Vivienne's voice hardened.

"That doesn't mean you should trust strangers."

"They know something about Eva."

"So do we."

Catherine frowned.

"What?"

Vivienne hesitated.

Then she whispered,

"Eva has never been ordinary."

That afternoon, Eva was taken to the royal physician again.

Dr. Elias examined her carefully.

Adrian stood beside the bed.

"Is everything normal?" he asked.

The physician looked thoughtful.

"Mostly."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"Mostly?"

Elias looked at Eva.

"Your pregnancy is unusual."

Eva's heart dropped.

"What's wrong with my baby?"

"Nothing appears to be wrong."

"Then why is it unusual?"

The physician hesitated.

"The development is..."

He stopped.

"Different."

Adrian stepped closer.

"Explain."

Elias looked between them.

"I've treated pregnant werewolves for decades. I know what a normal pregnancy looks like."

He looked at Eva's stomach.

"This isn't following the normal pattern."

Eva's face went pale.

"Is my baby in danger?"

"No."

"Then what is happening?"

"I don't know yet."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"You need to find out."

"I will."

The physician carefully examined Eva again.

Then his expression changed.

"There's something else."

"What?" Adrian asked.

"The baby's heartbeat."

Eva held her breath.

"What about it?"

Elias looked surprised.

"It's unusually strong."

Adrian frowned.

"Strong?"

"Very."

The physician placed his hand against Eva's stomach.

"Stronger than it should be at this stage."

Eva looked at Adrian.

He looked equally confused.

"Could that be because the child is an Alpha?" Adrian asked.

"Perhaps."

Elias hesitated.

"Or something else."

Adrian's expression darkened.

"Something else?"

"I don't have enough information."

"Then keep investigating."

Elias bowed.

"Yes, Alpha."

Later that evening, Adrian took Eva to the palace garden.

The sun was beginning to set.

For the first time since the attack, the palace felt peaceful.

Eva walked slowly beside him.

She placed a hand over her stomach.

"Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"

Adrian smiled.

"I don't know."

"What do you want?"

"A healthy child."

Eva laughed softly.

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only answer that matters."

She smiled.

"What if it's a girl?"

"I'll teach her how to fight."

Eva laughed.

"Of course you will."

"And if it's a boy?"

"I'll teach him how to cook."

Adrian stared at her.

"Cook?"

"Yes."

"He'll be the future Alpha."

"Exactly."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Why does that mean he should cook?"

"Because you can't."

He laughed.

"I can cook."

Eva stopped walking.

"You can?"

"Of course."

"What can you make?"

Adrian thought.

"Eggs."

Eva burst out laughing.

"That's not cooking."

"It is."

"No."

He smiled.

"I'll prove it."

Eva shook her head.

"You are impossible."

Adrian pulled her closer.

"And you love me anyway."

Eva's smile faded slightly.

She looked into his eyes.

"I think I do."

The words were barely a whisper.

But Adrian heard them.

His expression softened.

"Say it again."

Eva blushed.

"No."

"Please."

"No."

He smiled.

"I'll wait."

Eva leaned against his chest.

"Maybe."

From the upper balcony, Catherine watched them.

Her heart burned.

She couldn't stand seeing them together.

She couldn't stand seeing Eva happy.

And now Eva carried Adrian's child.

Catherine turned away.

Her eyes fell on the vial.

Tonight.

She would use it.

Midnight came.

The palace was quiet.

Catherine slipped out of her room.

She carried the vial inside her sleeve.

She walked toward the servants' corridor.

She knew Eva's daily routine.

She knew where she ate breakfast.

She knew which servants delivered her meals.

She knew that Adrian usually joined her for dinner.

If she couldn't get close to Eva directly, she could use the servants.

Catherine reached the kitchen.

A servant looked up.

"Lady Catherine?"

"I need a favor."

The servant bowed.

"Of course."

Catherine smiled.

"Tomorrow morning, I want to prepare breakfast for Eva."

The servant looked surprised.

"You?"

"Yes."

"Should I tell the kitchen staff?"

"No."

Catherine placed a small purse of coins on the table.

"Keep it between us."

The servant looked at the money.

Then at Catherine.

"Of course."

Catherine smiled.

"Good."

She walked away.

But she didn't realize someone had been watching her.

Mary stood in the shadows.

She had seen Catherine enter the kitchen.

And something about it didn't feel right.

The following morning, Eva woke feeling better.

The nausea had disappeared.

She dressed and walked toward the dining hall.

Adrian was already there.

He stood when he saw her.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

He kissed her forehead.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"I'm glad."

Eva sat down.

A moment later, breakfast arrived.

Catherine entered behind the servants.

Eva looked surprised.

"Catherine?"

Catherine smiled.

"I wanted to make breakfast for you."

Eva stared at her.

"You did?"

"Yes."

Adrian's expression remained cautious.

Catherine noticed.

"Don't worry, Adrian. I'm not here to cause trouble."

She smiled sweetly.

"I just want to congratulate my sister."

Eva smiled awkwardly.

"Thank you."

Catherine placed a cup in front of her.

"I made this especially for you."

Eva looked at it.

"What is it?"

"A herbal tea."

Adrian's eyes immediately narrowed.

"Who prepared it?"

"I did."

Adrian looked toward the servant.

"Did you see her make it?"

The servant hesitated.

"Yes, Alpha."

Adrian continued watching Catherine.

She smiled.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Eva reached for the cup.

Just before her fingers touched it, Adrian caught her wrist.

"Wait."

Eva looked at him.

"Why?"

Adrian leaned closer.

His wolf was suddenly restless.

Something was wrong.

He could smell something strange.

He looked at Catherine.

"What did you put in it?"

Catherine's face paled.

"Nothing."

Adrian stood.

His eyes turned gold.

"You're lying."

The room went silent.

Catherine stepped back.

"I didn't."

Adrian grabbed the cup.

He smelled it.

His expression became dangerous.

"Get the physician."

Catherine's heart pounded.

Eva looked confused.

"What is happening?"

Adrian placed himself between Eva and Catherine.

"Don't drink anything she gives you."

Catherine's eyes filled with tears.

"You don't trust me?"

"No."

The word struck her like a slap.

Adrian's voice was cold.

"Not anymore."

Catherine shook her head.

"Adrian, I would never hurt her."

"Then you won't mind explaining what's in this."

He held up the cup.

Catherine said nothing.

Adrian looked at the guards.

"Search her room."

Catherine's face went white.

"No!"

That single word was enough.

Adrian's eyes hardened.

"Search it."

The guards immediately left.

Catherine turned toward Eva.

"This is your fault."

Eva stared at her.

"What?"

"You've taken everything from me."

Adrian stepped forward.

"Enough."

Catherine began crying.

"You don't understand."

"No," Adrian said coldly. "You don't understand."

He pointed toward the door.

"Leave."

Catherine stared at him.

"You would choose her over me?"

Adrian's expression didn't change.

"I already did."

Catherine's face crumpled.

She turned and ran.

Minutes later, the guards returned.

One of them carried a small black vial.

Adrian stared at it.

"Where did you find it?"

"In Lady Catherine's room."

Eva's heart sank.

Adrian took the vial.

"Send it to Elias."

The guard nodded.

Then Adrian looked at Eva.

"Are you all right?"

She nodded.

"I think so."

He pulled her into his arms.

Eva closed her eyes.

She had been seconds away from drinking something that could have harmed her baby.

Adrian held her tightly.

"I won't let anyone hurt you."

Eva whispered,

"I know."

In the western wing, Catherine sat on the floor of her room.

Her mother stood before her.

"You failed."

Catherine looked up.

"I didn't know Adrian would smell it."

Vivienne's expression was furious.

"You've made things worse."

Catherine began crying.

"What am I supposed to do?"

Her mother stared at her.

Then she said something that made Catherine stop crying.

"There's another way."

"What way?"

Vivienne closed the curtains.

"Eva may be Adrian's mate."

Catherine waited.

"But she doesn't have to remain Luna."

Catherine's eyes narrowed.

"What are you saying?"

Her mother leaned closer.

"Tomorrow, the Moon Council arrives."

Catherine stared at her.

"The Moon Council?"

"Yes."

"They can challenge the mate bond."

"Exactly."

Catherine slowly smiled.

"If they reject Eva..."

"Then the crown can still be yours."

Hope returned to Catherine's eyes.

"But why would they reject her?"

Vivienne smiled.

"Because there are questions about what she really is."

Catherine's smile faded.

"What do you mean?"

Her mother whispered,

"Ask yourself why the Moon Stone hasn't recognized her yet."

Catherine went silent.

Neither of them knew that the answer was about to change the entire kingdom.

Because deep beneath the Black Moon Palace, the ancient Moon Stone had already begun to awaken.

And it was calling for Eva.