DANE'S POV
I sighed for the seventh time, leaning back in my chair and letting out a frustrated groan as I stared up at the ceiling.
The weight of my thoughts felt unbearable, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom.
Lately, I had been spending so much time studying the complications of my situation. How could my life take such an unexpected twist?
Everything had spiraled out of control, and it felt like I was trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain and torture. Bit by bit, I was losing my grip on sanity.
I was faced with a choice, one that would haunt me for the rest of my days. The reality of the curse loomed over me like a dark cloud: the only cure lay in the blood and death of my own child.
I couldn’t risk that; the thought alone sent chills down my spine. If I refused to follow through, I would be left to suffer the consequences, bearing the weight of that decision for eternity.
There was no going back from this crossroads. I understood it all too clearly.
If I chose not to sacrifice my child, I would put the entire pack in danger of extinction. I was a beast cursed as a man, struggling to control the raging urges to kill of my wolf under the full moon.
How was I supposed to make wise decisions when this was the only choice laid before me?
Another sigh escaped my lips. It was a choice between my pack and my mate, and the more I pondered it, the more urgent it felt. I needed to decide quickly.
Perhaps I wouldn’t have hesitated if I had remained cold-hearted.
If I hadn’t fallen in love with Astrid, things might have stayed tightly locked away, and my emotions wouldn’t have derailed.
Maybe if nothing had happened between us, I would have willingly offered the child as a sacrifice for my own cure.
But I couldn’t do that—not anymore.
She had lost a child due to negligence; our first child was gone, and I had been completely unaware of its existence. I could only imagine how shattered she must have felt.
She hadn’t spoken to me since then, and perhaps she had no intention of doing so. I had only found out about her pregnancy when she passed out.
This was a second chance for me; a test placed before me. I needed to think this wisely. Was I selfish enough to make her lose her second child right after she had lost the first?
As I wrestled with these thoughts, a knock on the door jolted me from my contemplation.
“Who is there?” I asked in a curt tone. I wasn’t fond of being disturbed in my study; it was my sanctuary, the only place I could escape my troubling thoughts.
“It’s Ivar, your beta,” he replied. I shrugged, slumping my shoulders at the sound of his voice.
“Come in,” I ordered. The door creaked slowly as Ivar pushed it open, and I could see worry etched across his face, deep lines forming on his forehead.
“Luna will soon be discharged from the hospital. She’s fine now; I came to tell you that,” he announced. I nodded, leaning back in my chair, trying to process the relief that came with his words.
“Thank you; I understand,” I replied, but he didn’t leave. Instead, he shot me a skeptical glance, tilting his head slightly before turning to leave. Yet he paused midway, storming back toward my table.
“What are your plans?” he asked bluntly, catching me off guard. His directness pierced through the haze of my thoughts, forcing me to confront the reality of my situation.
“My plans... I really don’t know,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. The weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air.
“We can't just sit idly; we need a plan. You love her, and things won’t be easy for you anymore. But you aren’t left with many choices,” he said, staring me down.
I sighed, rolling my eyes at his words. He was right; I was trapped with limited options.
“I have to choose: my child or the rest of the pack. I always knew a day would come when I’d have to make a choice, but not with Astrid. I love her. Just like you said, Beta Ivar, I’m truly confused. Why did the moon goddess leave me in ruins?” The despair in my voice was palpable, and anxiety gnawed at me.
“So, what do you intend to do? Are you willing to sacrifice the child?” Ivar asked, tilting his head as he awaited my answer.
“I want to...” I began, trailing off, the words catching in my throat.
“I want to, but I cannot. I love Astrid, and this is our child,” I added, a finality lacing my tone. Just then, a creaking sound drew our attention to the door.
I furrowed my brows, then sighed, assuming it was just one of the maids passing by.
"Ivar,” I called, our gazes locking as I spoke. I wasn't sure who was there but I needed to make sure Ivar kept mute.
“No one has to know about this; not even Astrid. I don’t want her to feel pressured or caught in a difficult situation. This stays between you and me, okay?” I asked slowly, ensuring he understood. He nodded, though a frown remained on his face.
“I understand,” he replied, and I turned toward the door, feeling the weight of our secret hanging heavily between us.
“Let's head back to the hospital; I need you to drive me. I have to check on her,” I said, and Ivar quickly picked up the pace, grabbing the keys as we made our way to the garage.
With a heavy mind, I climbed into the car, my thoughts swirling like a storm.
I felt burdened, recalling how I had rushed out of the room after she announced her night stand with me.
Before long, we arrived at the hospital, and I stepped out, taking a deep breath to steady myself.
“Wait here,” I ordered Ivar, who nodded obediently as I headed toward the doctor’s office.
“Good day, Alpha Dane,” Doctor Miles greeted me promptly. I forced a smile and took a seat in the chair across from him.
“I’m here for Astrid; she’ll be checking out today. If anything comes up, we’ll need to arrange home treatment,” I explained, trying to keep my tone steady.
He frowned at my words, confusion spreading across his face. “I don’t understand you, Alpha Dane,” he replied, his brow furrowing deeper.
“What’s so hard to understand? I’m here for my mate,” I snapped, annoyance creeping into my voice.
I couldn’t help the frustration; this was too important to be muddled by misunderstandings.
“Luna Astrid left the hospital hours ago. She said she would head to the pack house; she might be somewhere you didn’t check,” Doctor Miles clarified, trying to soothe my agitation.
“What does that mean? I know my mate, and she isn’t in her room. Is this a joke?” I snapped, my frustration boiling over.
Without waiting for a response, I shot to my feet and dashed toward the room she had been assigned.
Pushing the door open, I scanned the room. It had been arranged for her discharge, and her clothes were missing.
Ivar rushed in behind me, and our eyes locked for a moment, a silent exchange of concern passing between us.
Panic surged within me, and my heart raced as cold chills ran down my spine.
“You don’t look happy, Alpha; what’s wrong?” Ivar asked, his voice laced with worry. My lips felt dry as I tried to form a response.
“Ivar… The one who stood by the door, the one who passed while we were talking; it wasn't just anyone… it wasn't a maid.” I let out in a deep voice.
“It was Astrid! She must have heard something I said. You need to find her now!” I shouted, urgency coloring my words as my gaze widened in fear.