Ashen pov
2 month and a half had passed, and my body had changed more than I was ready to accept.
I stood in front of the mirror, my hand resting over the slight swell of my stomach. It wasn't huge, but it was noticeable now enough that I could no longer pass it off as nothing.
And that terrified me.
So, I stayed inside.
I avoided the pack, avoided questions, avoided the looks I knew would come. Dominic didn't force me to go out, but I knew he was growing restless with my isolation.
Not that it mattered. This was my problem. My body. My burden to bear.
At least, that's what I kept telling myself.
Until the raid happened.
The pack alarms blared through the territory, jolting me out of sleep. My heart pounded as I sat up, instinctively wrapping my arms around my stomach.
Footsteps thundered down the hall, and seconds later, Dominic burst into the room. His eyes were wild, his expression fierce and deadly.
"Hunters," he growled. "We need to move—now."
Fear shot through me, but I nodded, scrambling out of bed.
Dominic grabbed my hand and practically dragged me through the halls, his grip tight, protective.
The moment we stepped outside, I knew we had made a mistake.
Pack members were everywhere, fighting, defending, trying to push back the attack. And in the midst of all of it—eyes turned to me.
I heard the murmurs, the gasps, the sharp intakes of breath as people noticed the way my shirt clung to my stomach.
And then—
"Ashen?"
I turned to see Roy standing there, his eyes wide, his mouth slightly open. He took a step closer, his gaze locked onto my stomach.
"No wonder you've been hiding," he whispered.
I swallowed hard, my entire body tensing. My secret was out. The thing I had tried so hard to keep to myself—it was now exposed to the whole pack.
But I didn't have time to dwell on it.
Dominic pulled me forward, practically lifting me off my feet as he rushed me toward the safe room. He shoved open the heavy steel door and pushed me inside, his eyes burning with barely restrained fury.
"Stay here," he ordered. "Do not leave this room, no matter what."
I nodded numbly, still reeling from the fact that everyone knew now.
Dominic hesitated for only a second before cupping my face and pressing a hard, lingering kiss to my forehead.
Then he was gone, slamming the door shut behind him.
I turned to find Roy still staring at me, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"So?" he finally said. "Are you gonna say it, or do I have to?"
I let out a long breath, running a hand through my hair. My stomach twisted—not from nausea this time, but from nerves.
"…I'm pregnant."
The words felt foreign on my tongue.
Roy exhaled, shaking his head. "Damn, Ashen."
I braced myself for judgment, for anger, for anything that would confirm my fears. But all Roy did was let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
"I guess that explains why Dominic's been acting even more insane than usual."
I blinked at him. "…You're not mad?"
"Mad?" Roy raised a brow. "Why the hell would I be mad? You're my best friend. You could've told me."
I looked away. "I didn't want… anyone to look at me differently."
Roy sighed, stepping closer. "Ash, I don't care if you're pregnant. You're still you. And if anyone gives you shit about this, they'll have to deal with me first."
I swallowed, my throat tight. "Thanks, Roy."
Before he could respond, the door flew open, and Dominic strode in, his body radiating dominance and barely restrained rage.
"They're dead." His voice was low, dark. "All of them."
I exhaled a shaky breath, relief washing over me.
Dominic's eyes softened slightly as he looked at me, his gaze dropping to my stomach before meeting mine again.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yeah."
The next few months were… surreal.
I had spent so much of my life fighting,fighting for survival, for dignity, for the right to just exist. But now?
Now, I was spoiled.
I barely lifted a finger.
If I so much as glanced at something for too long, Dominic would get it for me. If I mentioned a craving, he'd have someone bring it immediately. The pack doctor checked on me constantly, and despite my protests, Dominic wouldn't let me do anything strenuous.
Even Ryker had joined in on the madness.
"Damn, Ashen, pregnancy looks good on you," Ryker teased one afternoon as I waddled into the kitchen, my belly now unmistakably round. "You should pop out a few more pups after this one."
I shot him a glare. "I will end you."
Dominic, who had been sitting at the counter reviewing some reports, didn't even look up. "If he wants to die, let him."
Ryker grinned. "See? Even your mate agrees."
I groaned, grabbing a fruit from the counter before heading toward the living room.
Roy was already there, lounging with a book in his hands. The moment he saw me, he shifted to make space. "Come sit. You look like you're about to collapse."
I rolled my eyes. "I walked like five steps."
Roy smirked. "Yeah, but you're carrying Dominic's pup. That thing's probably gonna be born with a six-pack."
I snorted, but Dominic who had followed me into the room huffed in amusement. "Damn right it will be."
The teasing never stopped.
Neither did the affection.
I was constantly surrounded by warmth, by care, by people who actually wanted me here.
And for the first time in my life…
I didn't feel like a burden.
—
Eight Months In
It was late at night when the pain started.
At first, it was just discomfort dull pressure in my lower stomach that came and went. I ignored it, shifting in bed to get comfortable.
Then it got worse.
A sharp, pulsing pain shot through my abdomen, and I let out a sharp breath, clutching my stomach.
I turned to shake Dominic awake, but his eyes were already open, his instincts alert.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice rough from sleep.
I swallowed hard, another wave of pain hitting me.
"…I think it's time."
Dominic shot up immediately. "Fuck."
I let out a shaky breath as the contractions intensified.
Yeah.
It was definitely time.
The pain was unbearable.
I had never felt anything like it before this raw, ripping sensation deep in my body, like I was being torn apart from the inside.
Sweat drenched my skin as I gripped the sheets beneath me, my nails digging in so hard they nearly ripped through the fabric. My breaths were sharp, ragged, my body trembling violently.
Dominic was beside me, his large hand gripping mine tightly, his face drawn with tension. He was trying to stay calm, trying to be my rock but I could feel his wolf clawing at the surface, barely restrained.
"Breathe, Ashen," Dominic urged, his voice firm but laced with worry. "You have to breathe through it."
"I am breathing!" I snapped, barely holding back a scream as another contraction slammed into me.
Ryker and Roy were outside, pacing. I could hear their muffled voices through the walls, but I couldn't focus on anything except the pressure.
Something wasn't right.
The doctor hovered near the bed, his brows furrowed in concern as he examined me. I could see it in his face the hesitation, the uncertainty.
Dominic saw it too.
"What's wrong?" Dominic demanded, his voice dark and edged with fury.
The doctor exhaled sharply. "The pup isn't positioned correctly. Ashen's body his frame it's too narrow. If we continue like this, both he and the baby could be at risk."
My stomach turned at his words. I had been bracing for the worst, but hearing it out loud…
Dominic's grip on my hand tightened. "What do we do?"
The doctor hesitated, then spoke with quiet finality.
"We need to do a C-section."
A shudder ran through me. My breath came faster, my heart pounding.
A surgery.
I had never been in a situation like this before. The thought of being cut open, of lying helpless while they pulled my pup from my body it terrified me.
Dominic leaned down, his forehead pressing against mine, his voice soft but commanding.
"You're going to be fine," he murmured. "You hear me, Ashen? You're going to be fine."
I let out a shaky breath, my eyes locking onto his. He wasn't just saying it to reassure me—he believed it.
And I had to believe it too.
I gave a small, weak nod.
"Do it," Dominic ordered the doctor. "Now."
Everything after that happened fast.
The pack doctor and his assistants moved swiftly, setting up for the procedure. I barely registered them numbing my lower abdomen, my mind hazy with exhaustion and pain.
Dominic never left my side.
Even when I felt the first tug of the incision, when my breath hitched from the strange, numb pressure—he was there. Holding my hand. Whispering to me.
"You're strong, Ashen," he murmured. "Stronger than anyone I know."
Tears burned at my eyes.
I wanted to believe that.
I wanted to believe that I wasn't weak for this.
Then, after what felt like an eternity—
A sharp, piercing cry filled the air.
My chest clenched, my breath stalling as I turned my head toward the sound.
The doctor held a small, wriggling pup in his arms—a tiny, precious life covered in blood and warmth, but breathing.
Crying.
Alive.
My baby.
A strangled sob tore from my throat as I felt something deep inside me break apart and piece itself back together all at once.
Dominic let out a shaky breath, his entire body trembling as he stared at our child. For a moment, he looked completely lost—like he didn't know whether to reach for the baby or for me.
The doctor quickly cleaned and wrapped the pup in a soft cloth before handing him to Dominic.
And I swear—
I had never seen my mate look at anything the way he looked at our child in that moment.
Pure, unfiltered love.
Dominic turned to me, his voice thick with emotion. "Ashen… he's perfect."
Tears streamed down my face as I reached out, my fingers brushing against the tiny, warm bundle in his arms.
I had survived.
We had survived.
And now—
We were a family.