Pregnancy
+25 BONUS
Pregnancy
(Amber’s POV)
“It’s just a scratch,” I insisted, holding my phone at arm’s length as Dominic’s concerned face filled the screen. “The car got the
worst of it.”
His eyes narrowed, searching my face for signs I wasn’t being truthful. “Show me the damage.”
I flipped the camera, revealing the dented bumper and scratched paint of my limited edition sports car. The midnight blue finish was marred with an ugly gash where Ethan’s sedan had connected
“That can be fixed,” Dominic said dismissively. “Are you sure you’re not hurt? Your neck looks stiff.”
I rotated my shoulders, wincing slightly at the twinge of pain. “Just a little whiplash. Nothing serious.”
“I’m coming back immediately,” he declared, his voice brooking no argument. “Stay put and meet me there.”
“But your business trip-”
“Is over. Felix can handle the rest.” He was already moving, the background behind him blurring. “Don’t move. I’ll be there in two hours.”
The call ended before I could protest further. I sighed, leaning against my damaged car.
Mason stood nearby, finishing his report. “The tow truck will be here in ten minutes,” he informed me. “Want me to take you home?”
“No, I’ll wait for Dominic. He’s on his way back.”
(Dominic’s POV)
Two hours before Amber’s call, I sat in a sleek conference room, staring down Elliot Graves across a polished table. The young wolf shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.
“Let me understand this correctly,” I said, keeping my voice deliberately calm. “You want me to help you acquire Moon Magazine by leveraging my relationship with their parent company?”
Elliot nodded eagerly. “Exactly! With your influence, we could-”
“Manipulate the acquisition process,” I finished for him. “Undervalue their assets. Force a sale that benefits only us.”
His smile faltered. “I wouldn’t put it exactly that way…”
“Then you should have chosen your words more carefully.” I stood towering over him. “Graves Holdings may operate with flexible ethics, but Blackwood Enterprises does not.”
Felix Peter, my beta and right–hand man, stepped forward from where he’d been observing silently.
“Mr. Graves,” Felix said, his voice deceptively soft, “what you’re proposing is tantamount to asking Alpha Blackwood to go against his morals and steal something. You can’t play like that in our territory.”
Elliot paled. “I meant no disrespect—”
“If you continue to be so naive and cute,” Felix continued, “I’m afraid even your father’s position won’t be able to protect you in
the future.”
The young wolf swallowed hard, recognizing the threat beneath Felix’s polite words.
“This meeting is over,” I stated, gathering my documents. “I suggest you reconsider your business strategies before approaching me again.”
As Elliot scrambled to leave, my phone vibrated with Amber’s call
1/4
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Pregnancy
+25 BONUS
(Amber’s POV)
I realized with a start that I’d forgotten to tell Dominic who caused the accident. In my concern about his reaction to my injuries, I’d completely omitted mentioning Ethan and Melissa.
“I’ll tell him when he gets here,” I muttered to myself. “No need to complicate things over the phone.”
Ethan had whisked Melissa off to Crescent Hospital shortly after Mason arrived, leaving his new secretary to handle the paperwork. The woman stood a few feet away, speaking rapidly into her phone.
I studied her with unabashed curiosity. She was strikingly beautiful, with curves that her tight pencil skirt did nothing to conceal. Her long legs ended in designer heels that probably cost more than most people’s monthly rent.
“Poor Melissa,” I thought with unexpected sympathy. How could she tolerate someone like that around Ethan all day? Especially given his history of workplace affairs.
The secretary caught me looking and smiled tightly before turning away.
I wondered how long it would be before history repeated itself.
Dominic arrived exactly two hours later, his car screeching to a halt beside the tow truck loading my damaged vehicle.
“Amber,” he breathed, pulling me into his arms. His scent enveloped me–pine, earth, and something uniquely him. My wolf, Cora, purred in contentment despite the circumstances.
He pushed me back gently, examining me with critical eyes. “You downplayed your injuries.”
I touched my neck self–consciously. “It’s just a little sore.”
“We’re going to the hospital,” he declared, guiding me toward his car. “Silver poisoning is possible with damaged vehicle parts.
11
“Silver poisoning? That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
“I don’t take chances with your health.” His tone left no room for argument.
As we drove, I finally told him about Ethan and Melissa’s involvement.
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “You’re saying Melissa was in the passenger seat when Ethan suddenly rear–ended you at a red light?”
“Yes, but I don’t think it was deliberate.”
“Why not?” His voice was dangerously soft.
I hesitated, remembering the blood I’d glimpsed on Melissa’s pants before she doubled over in pain. “She was bleeding, Dominic. Something was wrong with her.”
His expression darkened further. “All the more reason to get you checked out thoroughly.”
(Melissa’s POV)
The doctor’s words hit me like physical blows, each one more devastating than the last.
“You’re approximately six weeks pregnant, Mrs. Blackwood.”
Joy bloomed in my chest, quickly tempered by his next words.
“The accident has caused some bleeding. Your pregnancy is at risk.
My hands flew protectively to my stomach. “But the baby-”
“There’s more,” he continued gravely. “Your medical records indicate a previous termination that was… complicated. It’s left scarring that makes this pregnancy inherently unstable.”
Pregnancy
+25 BONUS
Tears burned in my eyes. The abortion had been years ago, befored even met Ethan
times.
“What are my chances?” I whispered.
“With complete bed rest and careful monitoring, perhaps fifty percent.“.
Fifty percent. A coin flip for my baby’s life.
ww
a desperate decision made in desperate
As the doctor left to consult with specialists, rage replaced my fear this was Amber’s fault. She must have known I was pregnant –werewolves could smell such changes. She’d probably planned this, positioning her car just so, waiting for us to hit her.
My wolf, Zoe, snarled inside me, protective of the tiny life we carried. Amber Chase had always been my enemy, but now she had threatened my cub. This was war.
(Amber’s POV)
The hospital was bustling when we arrived. Dominic’s presence parted the crowds like a hot knife through butter, staff scrambling to accommodate the Alpha heir.
As we waited for a doctor to examine me, I spotted Ethan and Melissa in the lobby. She sat in a wheelchair, looking pale but triumphant. Ethan hovered nervously beside her.
“Amber!” Melissa called, her voice carrying across the space. “What a coincidence.”
Dominic’s hand tightened around mine as they approached.
“Congratulate me,” Melissa announced, one hand resting prominently on her stomach. “I’m pregnant.”
The news shouldn’t have surprised me they were married, after all—but something in her smug expression made my wolf
bristle.
“Congratulations,” I said flatly.
Melissa leaned forward in her wheelchair. “You should consider it too, you know. Nothing strengthens a partnership like a child.
11
I felt Dominic stiffen beside me.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied with a saccharine smile. “But first, I’ll need compensation for the damage to my car.”
Ethan cleared his throat. “Of course. I’ve already contacted my insurance—”
“Great,” I interrupted, pulling out my phone. “I’ll need your number again. I deleted it months ago.”
His face flushed as I created a new contact.
“Let’s stay in touch, nephew,” I added sweetly.
Melissa’s fingers curled around the wheelchair’s armrests, her nails leaving visible scratches in the padding. Her wolf was close to the surface, I realized–pregnancy often made control more difficult.
Dominic placed a steadying hand on my lower back. “We should get you examined now.”
As we walked away, I could feel Melissa’s glare burning into my back.
Later that evening, I drove to the airport to pick up Paige. Her flight had been delayed by the gathering storm, and it was nearly midnight when she finally emerged from the terminal.
“Amber!” she squealed, throwing her arms around me. “God, I’ve missed you.”
I hugged her tightly, inhaling her familiar scent. “How was your trip?”
“Good and bad,” she said cryptically, pulling back to study my face. “What happened to your neck?”
3/4
Pregnancy
I touched the brace the doctor had insisted I wear. “Car accident. Nothing serious.”
In the car, Paige finally revealed her surprise. “I have potentially amazing news for our studio.”
“I’m listening.”
“We’ve been offered the chance to shoot the cover for Moon Magazine’s anniversary issue.”
My heart leaped. “Paige, that’s incredible!”
“There’s a catch,” she warned, her excitement dimming. “The model is Shannon Miles.”
+25 BONUS
The name hit me like a physical blow. Shannon Miles–the woman who had caused Paige so much heartache by pursuing Ryan
relentlessly.
“You can’t be serious.”
Paige nodded grimly. “It’s a package deal. Shannon or nothing.”
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, creeping along as the rain intensified. “That’s… disturbing.”
“Tell me about it,” Paige sighed. “But the exposure would be huge for us.”
I didn’t have an answer. The thought of working with Shannon made my skin crawl, but the opportunity was undeniable.
(Dominic’s POV)
I arrived home late, soaked from the storm that had unleashed its fury over Silvercrest. The business dinner and poker game with Ryan Quinn had run longer than expected.
I’d messaged Amber earlier, telling her not to wait up, but as I entered our bedroom, I found her still awake, staring out at the rain–lashed windows.
“You should be sleeping,” I said softly.
She turned, her amber eyes reflecting the lightning outside. “Couldn’t.”
I crossed to her, gently removing the neck brace. “How’s the pain?”
“Manageable.” She leaned into my touch. “How was your game?”
“Profitable.” I studied her face, sensing the melancholy beneath her calm exterior. “What’s wrong?”
She sighed, resting her head against my chest. “Paige is back. She brought news about a potential breakthrough for our studio.”
“That sounds positive.”
“We got a job shooting a cover for a magazine.” She sighed.
“Why don’t you seem that excited? “I’m a little puzzled.
“Because the model is Shannon. ” she sighed again, “And Moonlight Magazine doesn’t know what to think. Why use her as an over–the–top model. ”
Wait a minute, the name flashed through my mind, what was the name of that magazine Elliot just mentioned?
