Chapter 1

Chapter 1

IVY’S POV

I woke up in a private hospital room. A heart monitor beeped beside me, an IV line fixed into my arm. My body felt heavy, drained. My eyes burned, swollen from tears I hadn’t even realized I’d shed.

I wasn’t asleep. I hadn’t slept at all. My chest ached.

The door opened, and the doctor walked in, a file in his hand. His expression told me everything before he even spoke.

He hesitated, then gently touched my shoulder.

“Luna Ivy… I’m sorry.”

I didn’t move.

“The baby didn’t survive.”

The words didn’t register at first.

My fingers tightened around the bedsheet. My breathing turned shallow.

“He was nearly full-term,” the doctor continued quietly. “A male fetus.”

A boy.

I had already loved him.

And now he was gone.

“We need to perform induced labor as soon as possible,” he added. “Has Alpha Noah arrived? We need his signature.”

My hands began to shake. I slowly turned my head toward him.

“He won’t come,” I whispered. “I’ll sign it myself.”

The doctor hesitated. “Normally, the Alpha….

”

“I said I’ll sign it.” My voice was low, controlled. “Don’t question me.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

The banquet hall was loud with music and laughter. Wolves dressed in formalwear filled the space. A large pool shimmered under the lights.

Everything looked perfect.

I stood beside Noah, one hand resting on my baby bump. He kicked softly, like he could hear the music.

Amy stood nearby.

Noah’s first love. The woman who was dying.

Her eyes met mine. Then she smiled faintly and the next second, she stumbled.

“Noah…..”

He reacted instantly.

His hand shoved me aside without even looking.

My balance broke. My body tilted.

Then….

I fell.

Cold water swallowed me whole.

I gasped, struggling as the weight of my body dragged me down. My stomach ached. My lungs burned.

“Help…”

But no one heard me.

Above the water, Noah had already caught Amy.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, pulling her close.

She clung to him, trembling. “Noah… I’m scared…”

He held her tighter.

And then he walked away with her.

He never looked back.

The guards pulled me out of the water. Not my mate.

I was rushed into the hospital.

When I woke up, I was alone. No Noah. No family. No one.

A nurse handed me my phone. I called him.

No answer.

Again.

Voicemail.

I sent messages.

Unread.

Hours later, I was taken into surgery alone.

My mate was nowhere to be seen.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, a quiet fear settling deep inside me. Something was wrong. I could feel it.

My baby had been strong. Healthy. He had been kicking just hours ago.

And now…

The surgery began.

When it was over, I signed my discharge papers alone.

The guards drove me back to the mansion.

The ride felt suffocating.

I stared down at my stomach flat now. Empty.

A tear slid down my cheek.

I remembered the day I found out I was pregnant. After years of trying… I had been so happy.

Now, there was nothing left.

The house was quiet.

I walked straight into the study and printed the divorce papers. My hand shook as I signed my name.

“I’m done waiting.”

The front door opened.

Noah walked in, already frowning.

“Why are you still awake?” he said. “You’re pregnant. You should be resting.”

I slid the papers toward him.

“Reject me.”

He paused, then let out a mocking laugh.

“Is this about the party again?” he said coldly. “Amy only has half a year left. Why are you being so petty? Do you even have a heart?”

Something inside me snapped.

“How long she has left has nothing to do with me,” I said. My voice trembled, but I didn’t stop.

“She took my wedding. I let it go.”

“She took my husband. I let it go.”

“But my child?” My hands clenched. “I won’t let that go.”

Noah stepped closer, his gaze turning cold.

“I thought we agreed.”

I laughed bitterly.

“She wants to relive your first love …..so I watch.”

“She wants a wedding so you give it to her.”

“She wants the world so you take her everywhere.”

I pushed the papers closer.

“I’ve already signed. You sign it too. Reject me.”

He stared at me, anger flashing in his eyes.

“What about my heir?”

I opened my mouth to answer

But his phone rang.

Amy.

He picked up immediately. “What’s wrong?”

A weak voice came through.

“Noah… I feel dizzy…”

His expression changed instantly.

“I’m coming.”

He turned and walked out. Then paused at the door.

“We’re not done with this conversation.”

And then he left.

Just like that.

I stood there, staring at the empty doorway.

That was the moment I realized….

I had stopped loving him.

Slowly, I picked up my phone and dialed a number without a name.

The line connected.

I closed my eyes and spoke quietly.

“Do the words you said back then… still count?”