[Our son is very strong. He was moving so much. I think he already knows how excited his father is.]
The words blurred for a second as my vision wavered. Son.
My hands trembled. There was more. His reply. I forced myself to read it.
[Of course I came. He’s my son.]
A sharp pain shot through my chest.
[Take care of yourself. I’m happy we’re having a boy.]
My grip tightened around the phone.
The next message came almost immediately after.
[Unlike Stephanie. She disappointed me with a girl as the firstborn.]
And then the very latest message, one that was just sent seconds ago, [Alpha, please. Remember your promise. Make him your alpha heir.]
For a moment, I couldn’t feel anything. Then slowly, it all came crashing down at once. My hand moved instinctively to my stomach, cradling it protectively.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
Tears slid down my temples, soaking into the pillow beneath me.
“I’m so sorry…”
For bringing you into this. For giving you a father like him. For not being strong enough to leave sooner.
“You won’t grow up like this,” I promised softly. “You won’t have a father who doesn’t see your worth.”
My voice trembled, but the words felt real.