Chapter 19 - Wren

Two weeks later…

The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the bathroom tiles. Wren stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the pregnancy test in her trembling hands. Two pink lines stared back at her, undeniable and life-changing.

Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears. Time seemed to slow as the reality of the situation sank in.

I'm pregnant. I'm actually pregnant.

A wave of emotions crashed over her—shock, fear, excitement, and finally, an overwhelming joy that brought tears to her eyes. Her hand instinctively moved to her still-flat stomach, cradling the tiny life growing within.

A family. I'm finally going to have a family of my own.

Memories of her lonely childhood, of yearning for a loving family, flashed through her mind. Now, against all odds, she was going to be a mother. The thought both terrified and thrilled her.

As the initial shock wore off, Wren found herself smiling at her reflection in the mirror. Her hazel eyes sparkled with a new light, and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. She looked... different. Radiant, even.

I wonder if Articus will notice the change.

The thought of Articus sent a flutter through her stomach that had nothing to do with morning sickness. How would he react to the news? Would he be happy? Scared? She hoped he'd be as overjoyed as she was.

Wren left the bathroom, her steps light as she made her way to the kitchen. The house seemed different now, full of new possibilities. She imagined a nursery down the hall, filled with soft toys and painted in soothing colors. The patter of tiny feet on hardwood floors. Laughter echoing through the rooms.

As she prepared breakfast, her mind wandered to the future. Would the baby have Articus' striking blue eyes or her hazel ones? His white hair or her light brown? She pictured a little girl with his determined expression or a boy with her mischievous grin.

Wren caught herself smiling as she stirred the sauce, one hand resting on her stomach. She wondered how long it would be before she started to show. Would Articus notice before she told him? The thought made her both nervous and excited.

She sat at the kitchen island, picking at her breakfast. Usually, the smell of bacon would have her mouth-watering, but now it turned her stomach slightly—another sign of the changes happening within her body.

I'll have to start eating healthier. No more late-night ice cream binges.

As she sipped her tea—she'd forgone her usual coffee, just to be safe—Wren's mind drifted to all the things she'd need to do. Doctor's appointments to make, vitamins to buy, books to read. It was overwhelming, but in the best possible way.

She found herself touching her stomach again, marveling at the miracle growing inside her. A tiny life, half her, half Articus. The product of their love, unexpected but so very welcome.

Our cub. Our little miracle.

The thought brought fresh tears to her eyes, happy ones this time. She wiped them away, laughing at herself. If she was this emotional now, what would she be like in a few months?

As she cleared away the breakfast dishes, Wren made a decision. She couldn't keep this to herself any longer. She needed to tell Articus, to share this joy with him. They had both said they’d make good parents.

I am sure he’ll be excited.

Her heart raced as she climbed the stairs to their bedroom. Articus would still be asleep—he'd had a late night with pack business. She'd tell him as soon as he woke up.

Wren stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing her shirt over her flat stomach. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

"Articus," she practiced, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have some news. We're... we're going to have a baby."

She shook her head, frowning. That sounded too formal, too rehearsed. She tried again.

"Hey, remember how we talked about being good parents someday? Well, someday is here."

Better, but still not quite right. Wren ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. Why was this so hard?

Because it's the most important thing you've ever had to tell him.

She took another deep breath, meeting her own gaze in the mirror. "Articus, I'm pregnant. We're going to be parents."

A smile spread across her face as she said the words. Simple, straightforward, perfect. She imagined Articus' reaction—the surprise in his ice-blue eyes, followed by joy. He'd sweep her into his arms, spinning her around the room. They'd laugh, maybe cry a little, and start planning for their future together.

Filled with renewed determination, Wren left the bedroom. She'd tell him as soon as he woke up. For now, she'd head to his study to leave a note asking him to find her when he woke.

As she approached Articus' study, she heard voices. Articus and... who? Who could be here so early?

Wren slowed her steps, not wanting to interrupt if they were discussing important pack business. She was about to turn away when she caught a snippet of their conversation.

"...mark her and break it, Fannar," Articus was saying, his voice low and serious.

Wren froze, her blood turning to ice in her veins. They couldn't be talking about... her, could they? He had mentioned Fannar before, he was talking to the cold and logical Alpha of the Frost Peaks pack.

Fannar Agdluak

"Are you sure about this, Articus?" Fannar's cold voice drifted through the door. "It's a drastic step."

“She needs to be marked, Fannar,” Articus was saying, his voice low and serious. “It’s the only way to break the bond. After that, I’ll set her free.”

Wren’s breath caught in her throat, the words hitting her like a physical blow. The confusion swirled into a sickening pit of dread in her stomach.

Set me free? Why would he want to set me free?

She pressed herself closer to the door, straining to hear more, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might give her away.

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Fannar’s voice was calm, almost indifferent. “Once the bond is broken, she’ll have no reason to stay.”

Wren’s mind raced, struggling to make sense of what she was hearing.

No reason to stay…

He’s going to get rid of me. He doesn’t want me. The realization settled like a stone in her chest, heavy and cold. Everything she had hoped for, the future she had imagined, was slipping through her fingers before it had even begun.

How could I have been so foolish?

Wren’s eyes burned with unshed tears. All the warmth and hope she had felt just hours ago seemed to evaporate, leaving behind a cold emptiness.

She replayed the moments they had shared, the way he had looked at her, touched her, held her, and now, it all felt like a lie. He didn’t care about her, not really. She was just a burden he was eager to be rid of. And now, with the child growing inside her, she felt more vulnerable than ever.

He wouldn’t want this baby either, she realized, the thought twisting like a knife in her gut. He’ll see it as another chain binding him to me, and he’ll do whatever it takes to break free.

He wants to send me away. He doesn't want me... doesn't want us.

Her other hand moved protectively to her stomach, cradling the tiny life within. The joy she'd felt just moments ago shattered, replaced by a crushing despair.

Wren's back hit the wall, and she slid down to the floor, her legs no longer able to support her. Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn't cry, not now. She needed to think, to plan.

Memories of her time with Articus flashed through her mind, now tainted by the knowledge that he wanted to send her away. Their first kiss, charged with electricity and unspoken longing.

The way he'd held her after they made love, his strong arms a safe haven. The tender moments they shared in the quiet of the night when it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

Had it all been a lie? A show of duty rather than genuine affection?

No, it couldn't have been. It felt real. It felt true.

But doubt crept in, poisoning even her happiest memories. Maybe she'd been fooling herself all along, seeing what she wanted to see rather than the truth.

Wren's hand moved to her stomach again, a gesture that was quickly becoming a habit. The tiny life growing inside her suddenly felt like both a blessing and a curse. A part of her and Articus, created in love—or what she thought was love. Now, it was a complication, an added burden she'd have to bear alone.

What am I going to do?

The thought of raising a child alone terrified her. But the alternative—staying where she wasn't wanted, trapping Articus in a relationship he clearly wanted to escape—was unthinkable.

Anger began to bubble up, replacing the initial shock and sadness. How dare he make this decision without talking to her?

I chose him. I chose us. Why couldn't he see that?

Wren pushed herself to her feet, her decision made. She couldn't stay here, couldn't face the rejection she knew was coming. She had to protect herself—and her unborn child.

She moved through the house like a ghost, gathering essentials and stuffing them into a backpack. Clothes, toiletries, and the emergency cash she kept hidden in her drawer. Her movements were mechanical, driven by a desperate need to escape before her resolve crumbled.

Wren paused at the bedroom door, taking one last look around the room that had become her sanctuary. The bed where she'd felt safe in Articus' arms. The window seat where she'd spent countless hours reading, dreaming of a future that now seemed impossible.

Tears blurred her vision as she turned away, closing the door softly behind her. She made her way downstairs, her footsteps silent on the carpeted stairs. At the front door, she hesitated, her hand on the doorknob.

Her resolve nearly broke. But then she remembered the conversation she'd overheard, the casual way Articus had discussed breaking their bond. Her jaw was set with determination as she opened the door and stepped out into the cool morning air.

Wren didn't look back as she walked away from the house, away from the life she'd thought was hers. Each step was painful, but she forced herself to keep moving. She had to be strong now for herself and her unborn child.

She made her way through the pack lands, sticking to the shadows and less-traveled paths. Her wolf instincts were on high alert, every rustle of leaves making her jump. She couldn't risk being seen, couldn't bear to explain to anyone why she was leaving.

As the pack lands faded behind her, Wren felt a mix of relief and terror. She was truly on her own now, something she hadn't been in a long time. The world suddenly seemed vast and threatening, full of unknown dangers.

Especially this side of the world.

It wasn’t her world. She walked for hours, pushing through fatigue and hunger. The farther she got from Articus and the pack, the more her doubts tried to creep in. Was she overreacting?

Should I have stayed and talked to Articus?

But every time those thoughts surfaced, she ruthlessly pushed them down. She couldn't afford to second-guess herself now. She had to focus on survival, on protecting herself and her baby.

As the sun began to set, Wren's steps faltered. She was exhausted, her feet aching, and her stomach growling with hunger. She needed to find shelter for the night, somewhere safe to rest and plan her next move.

A rustling in the bushes behind her made Wren spin around, her heart leaping into her throat. She peered into the gathering darkness, her wolf senses straining to detect any threat.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

Oh shit!

The voice, cold and mocking, sent chills down Wren's spine. She knew that voice and had hoped never to hear it again. Slowly, she turned to face the speaker.

A group of men emerged from the shadows, their leader a tall, imposing figure with a cruel smile. Wren's breath caught in her throat as she recognized him—the vampire who had branded her, who had sold her to Articus.

"Looks like our little runaway has decided to return to us," the vampire said, his fangs glinting in the fading light. "How thoughtful of you to save us the trouble of hunting you down."

Wren's mind raced, searching for an escape route. But she was surrounded, outnumbered. Fear clawed at her throat, threatening to overwhelm her.

No, not again. Please, not again.

"You're mistaken," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm not running away. I'm just... taking a walk."

The vampire's laugh was cold and mirthless. "Oh, my dear. Did you really think you could escape us so easily? You belong to us. Always have, always will."

As rough hands grabbed her arms, Wren's thoughts turned to Articus. Despite everything, a part of her longed for his protection, for the safety of his arms.

Bitterness welled up inside her, warring with fear and despair. She'd trusted Articus, loved him, and he'd betrayed her. Or had she betrayed him and herself by leaving him?

But as the vampires began to drag her away, one thought crystallized in Wren's mind, pushing aside all others. She had to protect her unborn child, no matter the cost. Her hand moved to her stomach, a silent promise to the tiny life within.

I'll keep you safe. Somehow, some way, I'll find a way out of this. For both of us.

With that thought, Wren allowed herself to be led away into the gathering darkness, her future uncertain but her resolve unshaken. Whatever came next, she would face it with the strength of a mother protecting her child. It was all she had left to hold onto.

They won’t hurt you.