Chapter 19

Late at night, the lights cast a dim glow.

Clarissa sat on the living room floor, clutching a pillow to her chest. Her face was deathly pale, sweat pouring down her forehead like rain.

She felt so nauseous she could barely move, yet couldn't vomit anything up. She'd taken moonlight herbs, drunk healing tea - nothing worked.

The pup clung to her like a demon, draining her strength from her very bones.

She tried to stand up using the sofa for support, but her foot slipped. She crashed into the edge of the coffee table. The glass vase shattered into pieces, shards cutting into the back of her hand. Blood dripped down her wrist.

"Damn it..."

She gritted her teeth. Her makeup was a complete mess, making her look like she'd just crawled back from hell.

Clarissa never expected Alpha Damien to be this heartless this time.

Her pregnant body was already uncomfortable - nausea, vomiting, sleepless nights. Add the crushing psychological blow, and she felt like an abandoned she-wolf with her fur standing on end.

She finally couldn't take it anymore.

CRASH—

She swept a glass cup off the table. Water splashed everywhere, glass fragments flew, stinging her eyes.

"How dare he treat me like this?" She bit her teeth, clutching her belly as she gasped for air. "I'm carrying the Blackmoon Pack's heir!"

She cursed herself for being foolish enough to get pregnant!

Just then, the doorbell rang.

She thought it might be the pack servant returning, or maybe Matriarch Isolde coming to "comfort" her. She forced herself to pull it together and went to answer the door.

The moment she opened it, her face froze.

Standing outside was someone she thought she'd gotten rid of forever.

Gareth.

The rogue wolf had dark hair and piercing eyes, wearing a leather jacket. His gaze held both provocation and coldness.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, smiling like a predator.

"Long time no see, babe."

Clarissa stood stunned, cold sweat breaking out down her spine.

"How did you— How did you find this place?"

"You think just because you changed territories, changed Alphas, and got a pup in your belly, I couldn't track you down?"

Gareth walked in with a casual laugh, making himself at home on the sofa. He propped up his feet. "I've been thinking about that pretty face of yours for years."

Clarissa forced herself to stay calm. "Leave. This isn't where you belong."

Gareth sneered. "You made me take the fall for you, then ran off to play Alpha's mate. Think you can just wash your hands clean? Clarissa, you're something else."

Clarissa clenched her teeth, her voice trembling. "What do you want?"

A flash of cruelty crossed Gareth's eyes. "Simple. I want five million from the pack treasury right now, and I'll disappear forever. Otherwise, I'll go tell your future Alpha all about your little 'rogue debts.'"

Clarissa's face went white as a sheet.

"I... I can't get that much from pack resources right now..." She stepped back, cold sweat beading on her forehead. "Don't do anything crazy. The Blackmoon Pack won't let anything happen to me..."

"You're still counting on the Blackmoon Pack? You sure they care about you, or just what's in your belly?" Gareth's eyes gleamed with amusement as he nodded slightly. "That pup... if something happened to it, what would you have left?"

"Don't touch me!" Clarissa suddenly screamed, her hands shaking as she protected her stomach.

Gareth raised his eyebrows, putting on an innocent act as he held up his hands. "Don't be scared, babe. I'm just reminding you to have a conscience, you know?"

Her face was pale as she struggled to speak. "Give me some time... I'll get the resources together. But you have to promise not to hurt me or the pup."

Gareth smiled, as if enjoying her struggle. "Deal."

Then he pulled out his phone and waved it at her. "Of course, you'd better hurry. Otherwise, when these sweet recordings of ours somehow reach your Alpha's ears... do you think he'll still want you as his 'heir bearer'?"

After the door closed, Clarissa collapsed to the floor.

Her hands clutched tightly at her belly, her lips colorless.

The pup was her last bet.

She couldn't lose.