Chapter 45: To the Hospital for an Abortion
(Aria’s POV)
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IPP
I clutched the mate bond severance agreement in my hands, hardly believing it was real. After all the fighting, the tears, and the heartbreak, Alexander had finally signed it.
“You’ll regret this,” his parting words echoed in my ears as I walked away from the Territorial Registry Office.
It was eerily similar to what he’d said before when he’d first agreed to sever our bond. But that time, he was the one filled with
regret afterward. This time would be different.
Olivia was waiting in the car, practically bouncing with excitement as I slid into the passenger seat. She grabbed my arm, her
eyes wide.
“Let me see it! Let me see the divorce certificate!”
www
shook my head, showing her the agreement instead. “It’s not officially severed yet. There’s a one–month waiting period.”
“What?” Olivia’s excitement deflated as she scanned the document. “Since when do they have waiting periods for mate bond
severances?”
“It’s a new regulation,” I explained, pointing to the clause. “The official said it gives our wolves time to adjust to the separation
and prevents physical shock to our systems.”
Olivia frowned, handing the papers back to me. “That seems suspicious. What if Alexander changes his mind during this waiting
period?”
The same worry had been gnawing at me. I bit my lip, tucking the agreement carefully into my purse.
“The official mentioned that if both parties agree, the severance can be revoked during the waiting period. But I don’t think that’s
going to happen.”
“Are you sure? Alexander’s been so hot and cold lately. What if he decides he doesn’t want to let you go after all?” Olivia’s face
was creased with concern.
“He’s eager for this severance now that Claire’s pregnant,” I said firmly, though my wolf whimpered with uncertainty. “Whether the pup is his or not, he’s chosen to believe it is.”
Olivia snorted, starting the car. “Any paternity test would prove otherwise. Though I suppose they’d have to wait until the baby is
born for that.”
“Don’t forget his fertility issues,” I reminded her. “Deep down, he must know the pup can’t be his. But he wants to believe it is.”
“Men,” Olivia rolled her eyes. “Especially Alpha males. Their pride makes them blind.”
I nodded, my hand instinctively moving to my own stomach where my–Alexander’s–pup was growing. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Claire was carrying someone else’s pup and claiming it was Alexander’s, while I was carrying his actual heir.
“Olivia,” I said quietly, staring straight ahead through the windshield, “I need you to take me to the hospital.”
She glanced at me, understanding dawning in her eyes. “For the abortion?”
“Yes.” My voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t be tied to him forever through a pup.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “Are you absolutely sure about this, Aria? It’s a big decision.”
“I’m sure.” I had to be. With the mate bond severance process finally underway, I couldn’t risk complicating matters with a pregnancy. “Will you come with me? I don’t want to be alone.”
“Of course,” she said, her voice softening. “I’m with you, no matter what. Always have been, always will be.”
The drive to Silvercrest Hospital was quiet. I stared out the window, watching the familiar buildings pass by, my thoughts a jumbled mess. My wolf felt strangely agitated, pacing restlessly beneath my skin. Was she sensing my conflict about the pup? Or was it something else?,
<Chapter 45 To the Hospital for an A
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When we arrived, the hospital was bustling with activity. Werewolves and humans alike moved through the corridors with
purpose. My enhanced senses picked up the sterile scent of antiseptic mixed with the distinctive smells of various medications.
“I hate hospitals,” Olivia muttered, wrinkling her nose at the strong scents. “Everything smells too clean.”
I didn’t respond. My nerves were too frayed, my thoughts too scattered.
We were directed to the obstetrics department, and to my surprise, the doctor who greeted us was the same one from my previous visit.
“Ms. Summers,” he said, recognition in his eyes. “You’ve returned.”
“Yes,” I confirmed, my voice steadier than I felt. “I’ve made my decision about the pregnancy.”
The doctor’s expression remained professionally neutral as he led us into an examination room. “I see. Before we proceed, I’d like to perform another ultrasound to check the current state of the embryo.”
I nodded, lying back on the examination table as he prepared the equipment. The cold gel on my abdomen made me flinch
slightly.
“Sorry about that,” the doctor said, adjusting the monitor. “It’s always a bit chilly.”
As the doctor moved the wand across my stomach, his brow furrowed. He studied the screen for several long moments before
turning to me.
“Ms. Summers, I’m afraid the situation has changed since your last visit.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean? Is something wrong with the pup?”
“No, the pup is developing normally,” he assured me quickly. “But the embryo has firmly adhered to your uterine wall. This means
that any forced abortion at this stage would be extremely risky.”
“Risky how?” Olivia asked, moving closer to my side, her protective instincts flaring.
The doctor’s voice was grave. “There’s a significant chance of permanent damage to the uterine tissues. In werewolves, this
could result in permanent infertility. Your wolf’s reproductive capabilities would be compromised as well.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. Permanent infertility? I might never have the chance to be a mother again? My wolf
howled in distress within me, the sound echoing in my mind.
“But…” I struggled to find words, my heart pounding frantically. “There must be some way to safely terminate the pregnancy.”
The doctor shook his head softly. “In your particular case, I strongly advise against it. The embryo has developed what we call ‘tenacious adherence, which is uncommon but happens occasionally with werewolf pregnancies, especially when the father has
an Alpha bloodline.”
I felt lightheaded, the room spinning slightly. Of course Alexander’s Alpha genes would complicate even this.
“Breathe, Aria,” Olivia instructed, gripping my hand tightly. “Just breathe.”
“Ms. Summers,” the doctor continued, his tone gentler now, “I sense your hesitation. May I ask why you’re considering
termination? Is it health–related?”
I glanced at Olivia, who gave me an encouraging nod.
“No,” I admitted, tears welling in my eyes. “I’m severing my mate bond with the pup’s father. I don’t want to remain connected to
him through a child.”
Understanding dawned in the doctor’s eyes. “I see. That’s a difficult situation. However, I urge you to consider that there’s a life developing inside you. A life that, according to these readings, is healthy and strong.”
His words made my wolf stir protectively within me. Despite my rational decision to terminate, my wolf had already begun
bonding with the pup.
“This pup is already part of you,” the doctor said softly. “Your wolf knows it. That’s why the adherence is so strong.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks. I hadn’t realized until this moment how torn I truly was. My mind wanted freedom from Alexander, but my wolf–my heart–yearned for this tiny life growing inside me.
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Olivia squeezed my hand, her own eyes glistening with tears. “Aria, maybe this is a sign. If it’s this risky… maybe you’re meant to
have this pup.”
The doctor nodded to the screen. “Would you like to see your baby?”
Without waiting for my response, he turned the monitor towards me. There, in grainy black and white, was a tiny shape that
barely resembled anything human–like.
“At six weeks, your baby is about the size of a small blueberry,” the doctor explained, his voice taking on a warmer tone. “Though it may not look like much yet, development is happening rapidly.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen. That tiny blip was alive. It was part of me. My pup.
“The facial features are beginning to form,” he continued, pointing to a specific area of the image. “Here you can see where the eyes will develop.”
Eyes. Something about that struck a chord deep within me. I imagined those tiny eyes looking at me one day, bright and innocent, possibly amber like Alexander’s or brown like mine.
I placed my hand on my slightly protruding belly, feeling a connection I hadn’t allowed myself to acknowledge before.
“Those little eyes,” I whispered, my vision blurred with tears. “They’ll see me. They’ll look at me.”
The doctor smiled gently. “Yes, they will. And in a few months, they’ll recognize you. Your scent, your voice, your face.”
I imagined that small face breaking into a smile at the sight of me.
