chapter 1 Undressing for Inspection

Lyra's POV

"You're not saying you're pregnant, are you? But who knows if you're lying." Seraphina said "Especially when you won't take off your clothes for me to examine."

"Take off your clothes, Lyra." Dorian said.

Two days ago, Dr. Blackwood told me I was pregnant. For these two days I'd been waiting for Dorian to come home, I couldn't help fantasizing a thousand times about his reaction when he learned I was pregnant. Not one scenario was like this.

At this moment, I could see them clearly. Dorian had his arm around his fated mate Seraphina, looking at me with furrowed brows and eyes full of doubt.

"He doesn't believe us," my wolf whimpered in my mind. "Our own mate doubts our word."

"Stay strong," I told her, though my own resolve was cracking. "The baby is real. We know the truth."

--

Two days earlier.

"Congratulations, Lyra. You're about six weeks pregnant," Dr. Blackwood had said.

"Are you sure?" I'd whispered, afraid to believe it.

"The blood work confirms it. Your symptoms it all makes sense now."Dr. Blackwood said.

By the second evening, I couldn't wait any longer. I decided to go and find him.

I knew where to look. He often went to Moonlight Grove when he needed to think. But when I approached the ancient silver pines, I found him there with her.

Seraphina Crimson. His fated mate who'd returned to Moon Shadow Bay just two weeks ago after three years away.

I watched from the shadows as he knelt beside her, his hands gentle as he examined what looked like a minor injury on her ankle. The way they are together is exactly what I've always dreamed of.

I stepped forward to interrupt this perfect moment between them.

"Dorian," I called out. "I need to speak with you."

He looked up. "Lyra. What are you doing here?"

Seraphina's green eyes narrowed as she took in my simple appearance. Even in her injured state, she looked like a golden goddess, while I felt plain and ordinary in comparison.

"I need to tell you something important."

"Can't you see he's busy?" Seraphina said.

"I'm pregnant," I said.

Silence. Then Seraphina laughed.

"How convenient," she said, struggling to her feet. "Your trial period ends in several months, and suddenly you're pregnant?"

"I'm telling the truth! Dr. Blackwood has already examined me, She said I'm six weeks pregnant. "

"Dr. Blackwood? The human doctor who doesn't understand werewolf physiology? "

"I have never lied to you," I whispered to Dorian, but he just watched me with cold suspicion.

"I think no one would believe a habitual liar about being pregnant," Seraphina said. "Maybe she's just—"

"Maybe she's just seeking attention," Dorian finished quietly.

He looked at me and said cruelly, "Just like how you 'sought attention' from my parents, convincing them you were the perfect mate for their son. Just like how you manipulated the situation to force this trial marriage when you knew I had already found my fated mate."

His eyes burned with resentment. "You knew Seraphina was my fated mate, and you still went through with this charade. You separated us over three years with your lies and schemes. And now this? Another convenient lie to trap me permanently?”

The bond between us was a trial mate bond, designed with a four-year period. Dorian had marked me, and I bore his claim, but it was temporary unless we both chose to make it permanent through the complete bonding ceremony.

This kind of bond is often chosen for arranged marriages that lack a foundation of love. It offers a way out for the Alpha and Luna if they don't fall in love. To my knowledge, very few Alphas reject their Luna once the trial period ends, but Dorian was the exception.

Despite already knowing his attitude towards me, his words still hurt. The father of my child thought I was lying about the most important news I'd ever had to share.

"No, I'm not lying. But if you need proof beyond my word then we'll get it." I said desperately.

Seraphina said. "But who knows if you're lying. Especially when you won't take off your clothes for me to examine."

The demand hit me like a physical blow. "What?"

"I interned in obstetrics," she said smoothly. "I have experience with early pregnancy detection. If you're really six weeks along, there should be visible changes. "

"Take off your clothes, Lyra." Dorian commanded.

My hands trembled as they moved to the hem of my sweater. His Alpha power made my knees weak, but what chilled me more was his attitude toward me.

This man, who was supposed to protect me, cherish me, was ordering me to strip for his former lover's inspection.

"Don't do this," my wolf begged. "He has no right. Not like this."

But alpha commands weren't easily resisted. My fingers continued their mechanical movements, "Hmm," Seraphina said thoughtfully. "I don't see any obvious changes yet."

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to preserve what little modesty I had left. The cold night air raised goosebumps on my skin, but not as much as the predatory way she was examining me.

"The bra too," Seraphina said. "Breast changes are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. "

I froze, my hands stilling at my sides. This was my breaking point. Some humiliations were too great to bear.

"Are you ashamed to show your barely-there breasts?" Seraphina asked. "Is that why you're hesitating? Because you know there are no pregnancy changes to see?"