CHAPTER ONE
KATARINA
As I let out a moan, he held my skin, breaking our kiss. His touch ignited the waves of desire that spread throughout my body. Slowly lowering his head, he sucked on my marking spot. I closed my eyes and let the feeling wash over me.
His lips trail up my neck and nibble on my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine. He releases my earlobe, and I feel his hot breath on my ear.
“You will never make me love you,” he says in a deep bone-chilling tone.
Suddenly gasping, I fling my eyes open and take a look around. I'm alone, the room is bright with the morning sun.
Two years ago, I married Roman Whitlock, the Alpha heir to the Moon Blood Pack. Although I have been with him for two years, I have failed to win his heart. He has neither marked me nor introduced me to other packs, despite the fact that I am his wife. Of course, as a werewolf, I would love him to mark me as his.
As I sit up and swing my legs off the bed, the clock catches my attention.
's**t! I'm so late!' I dash to the bathroom to start my shower. I have thirty minutes to spare until my appointment with Dr. Harvey.
My marriage is weighing heavily on my mind as I get ready and run out the door.
Despite the fact that my marriage is far from perfect, I love my husband dearly. I hope that with a child, we could come together, and things would get better. Roman is often away from home, but as an Alpha he needs an heir.
My heart pounds with a mix of hope and anxiety as I drive to the clinic, my thoughts racing. The possibility that Dr. Harvey might confirm my pregnancy fills me with a fleeting sense of joy, but the uncertainty of Roman's reaction casts a shadow over my excitement. I clutch the steering wheel tighter, praying silently for a miracle that could finally bridge the gap between us.
The clinic is a modest building with a warm, welcoming exterior, nestled between a row of towering oak trees. Inside, the soft hum of calming music blends with the scent of lavender, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The waiting area is furnished with plush chairs and a variety of magazines, designed to put nervous patients at ease.
As I take a seat, my mind continues to race. Even the soothing environment doesn't calm my nerves. I'm worried about what the future holds for Roman and me, especially if I'm expecting. In an effort to distract myself, I reach for a magazine, but my mind keeps going back to the same questions: Will this baby bring us closer together or push us further apart?
After finishing the blood draw, Dr. Harvey excuses himself to run the tests.
I find myself torn between hope and fear as I wait for the results. On one hand, I dream of the joy a baby could bring, imagining Roman's eyes lighting up with pride at the news of an heir. On the other hand, I dread the possibility that this might not change anything, and that the distance between us could grow even wider if he rejects the idea of fatherhood.
During the wait, I think about my marriage. If I am not pregnant, I plan to divorce Roman to free him from his marriage that he doesn't want.
Although I know he doesn't love me, in fact, he despises me, I endure all his hatred, harsh words, and anger because he's always had my heart.
Each cutting remark and cold shoulder leaves a scar on my soul, a constant reminder of the love I give that is never reciprocated. The emotional toll is immense, and sometimes I wonder how much longer I can hold on before I completely break. Yet, the hope that a child might mend our fractured relationship keeps me going, even as it wears me down.
My thoughts are interrupted by Dr. Harvey's return.
"Congratulations, Katarina." He says with a big smile. My heart skips a beat, and my hands tremble as I clutch the arms of the chair.
A whirlwind of emotions floods through me—joy, fear, and uncertainty all at once.
My jaw dropping. "Really?" I stroke my flat stomach. "A baby?"
Dr. Harvey nods, his smile unwavering. As the reality sets in, my excitement is quickly overshadowed by a flood of fears. How will Roman react? Will he see this as an opportunity for a fresh start, or will he view it as another burden in an already strained marriage?
"Would you like to see?" he asks softly.
“Yes, please!” I nod and blink back tears as I lay back down.
Dr. Harvey sets up the ultrasound machine and finds my unborn bundle. After a few minutes, we hear a fetus heartbeat.
Hearing the rapid thump-thump-thump of the heartbeat, a rush of awe and wonder fills me, overpowering the fear for a moment. Tears stream down my face as I listen to the sound of new life, a part of me and Roman, growing inside me. The heartbeat is a beacon of hope, a fragile promise that maybe, just maybe, this tiny life can bridge the chasm between us.
“Mmm.” Harvey mumbles, his gaze hard on the screen.
My heart lodges in my throat as I ask timidly, "Is there something wrong?".
Fear grips me tighter than ever as I search Dr. Harvey's face for any sign of reassurance. The joy I felt just moments ago begins to evaporate, replaced by a gnawing dread. My mind races through worst-case scenarios, each more terrifying than the last, as I brace myself for his response.
“It seems like you're having twins.”
I am filled with joy as I hear the words "twins.".
"Take extra precautions." He says with a serious look on his face. "Your uterine walls seem thin. This could cause serious complications."
A wave of panic surges through me, tightening my chest and making it hard to breathe. The elation of discovering I'm carrying twins is swiftly overshadowed by anxiety and fear for their safety. My hands shake uncontrollably, and I struggle to hold back a fresh flood of tears.
Dr. Harvey hands me some photos he printed off the machine. I look at my babies and a smile spreads across my face.
In the photos, I see two tiny, indistinct shapes nestled closely together, their forms barely distinguishable but unmistakably there. Each one seems to be in its own little world, yet they are connected, sharing the same space and the same beginning. The sight of their tiny, developing bodies fills me with a mixture of awe and an overwhelming urge to protect them at all costs.
As I leave Dr. Harvey's office, a whirlwind of emotions engulfs me. The joy of knowing I'm carrying twins is intertwined with an intense worry about the complications ahead. Despite the fear, a deep resolve takes root within me; I am determined to do everything in my power to keep my babies safe.
As I drive home, my mind races with thoughts of how Roman will react to the news. I imagine his expression shifting from shock to joy, and I hope that this revelation will bring us closer together. When I walk through the front door, my heart pounds with anticipation as I prepare to share this life-changing moment with him.