Alpha, This Baby Isn’t Yours

The November wind was bitter. Luke Mercer studied my face for a moment, as if trying to decide whether I was joking. His polite smile quickly returned. "How many weeks along are you?" "13 weeks." Luke glanced at his watch. It was a gift from Adrian, with Blackpine's wolf-head crest set beneath the dial. "And yet it's only been a little over 3 months since you left the estate." I took out my phone to show him the photo of our marriage certificate, but he raised a hand to stop me. "Miss Reed, getting married and determining a child's paternity are entirely different matters. After all those years at the Alpha's side, you should know he won't tolerate complications involving his bloodline." A black sedan was parked across the street. Through its half-lowered window, I could see Adrian's profile. He was looking down at a file, as if he were merely waiting for his deputy to finish some trivial errand. 10 years ago, when I ran errands for him, I used to leave him waiting just like this. Except this time, my baby was the trivial matter being dealt with. "I haven't contacted him, and I have no intention of registering my child in Blackpine's family records," I said quietly. "You have nothing to worry about." "The Alpha hopes you'll keep your word." Luke held the check out again. "Don't put yourself through that pain a second time. You spent so long in the hospital after the last procedure. The Alpha was very displeased." My outstretched hand froze. That operation had nearly killed me. And the only thing it seemed to have left behind was that Adrian had been displeased. The wind blew one end of my scarf across my face. I lowered my head to straighten it and waited until my hands stopped shaking before looking up with a smile. "There won't be another incident like last time." "Good." "If he still has doubts, I'll agree to a paternity test." At last, Luke put the check away. "I'll make the arrangements. To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, I'll need to be present throughout the process." I agreed. He then reminded me that Lucienne Vale would be crowned Luna of Blackpine the following month. She was sensitive about Adrian's past relationships, so I was not to contact him privately again. "If you need anything, come to me." The truth was, I had changed my number the day I left. I hadn't moved into the apartment Adrian arranged for me. I had returned all the jewelry he sent. I had even left behind the tea set I'd used for years, afraid that seeing it would remind me of the estate. If we hadn't run into each other today, I don't think I'd ever have had to explain who I was again. "Please wish them well for me," I said. Luke seemed pleased with that answer. He pointed out a cab at the corner. I thanked him, turned, and walked away at a careful pace. At the red light, I finally looked back. Adrian had closed his file. He was watching me through the car window, his eyes as cold as they had been on the day he learned I was pregnant 3 years ago. Suddenly, I was grateful for my wide scarf. It hid the smile that was already crumbling on my lips.