EPISODE 228
It was clear as day, they all saw it happen.
The babies were born in different rooms, with no passage or connection between them. The walls were thick, the doors wide open, and there were too many witnesses to doubt what they had seen. There was no way for anyone to switch the babies.
Still, Flora didn’t care.
She pointed at the baby boy in Mona’s arms and screamed, “That’s my grandson! Give him to me!“}
Everyone turned to her, eyes wide with disbelief. The midwife holding Mara’s child stepped forward, showing the baby. By simply looking at it, one can see her resemblance to Mara.
“This baby girl is Mara’s. I was there from the beginning. Several others were in the room with me, they can all confirm it.”
But Flora’s eyes were wild, her hands trembling.
“No! That’s not right! Mara was carrying a boy. A boy! How can this be a girl?! That baby’s not ours!“}
She looked at the child in the midwife’s arms like it was something dirty, unwanted. And then, in a terrifying motion, she almost threw the baby away. A sharp growl echoed in the room.
Valor moved faster than anyone else. He caught the baby in time, clutching the child close to his chest, and shoved Flora back with enough force to make her stumble.
“What kind of monster are you?” Valor snarled. “Is this how you treat your own blood? This is a child, your granddaughter!“}]
Ronan stood frozen beside Mara’s door, his face twisted in disbelief. “Mother… what are you doing?“}
Flora opened her mouth to speak, but Ronan stepped forward and slapped her. The sound cracked through the air. Gasps rose from éveryone watching.}
Flora stared at him, stunned. “You hit me?“>
“You’re lucky I only did that,” Ronan said coldly. “I’ve tolerated you all my life because you’re my mother. But if you ever try to hurt my child again, I won’t hold back.“}
She tried to protest, her voice shrill and trembling, “But… it was supposed to be a boy. I know it. That child-“}
Ronan slapped her again.
“Enough,” he growled. “I don’t care if it’s a girl or a boy. As long as it’s mine, I’ll protect it.“}
He turned to Valor, who was still holding the gir!. For a moment, their eyes met. Two alphas, tired and angry, standing on the edge of something dangerous.”
“Let me hold her,” Ronan said.”
Valor didn’t say a word, just handed the child over. Ronan cradled the baby girl carefully in his arms. She was so small, her tiny fists curled, her cheeks soft and flushed. Ronan’s expression softened, and he even smiled faintly.
“She’s cute,” he murmured.
But then, something flickered in his eyes. Doubt. Confusion. He held the child closer, as if searching for a feeling that should’ve come naturally. He didn’t feel the bond. The connection that all shifters had with their offspring. There was no pull.
Still, he said nothing, only carried the baby back into Mara’s room.
Meanwhile, the baby boy in Mona’s arms had quieted. He had stopped crying and lay peacefully asleep.
Valor walked over and looked down at him. Then the baby stirred, letting out a new wail that made him chuckle. Valor reached out and tock him into his arms, but clumsily, like he’d never held something so fragile before,
“He’s got lungs,” Valor laughed softly. “And look at that face. Doesn’t he look like me?“}
I heard the wonder in his voice, the disbelief that something this small could stir so much pride in a man like him.}
Mona nodded with a smile. “He does. He really does.“}
Valor studied the child again, almost in awe. “How… How is this possible?“}
But before he could ask more, a scream came from my room.
Valor stiffened, eyes snapping toward the sound. Mona was already moving, and he followed closely behind. They rushed into the room and found several assistants around me, trying to hold me down.”
My body was convulsing.
I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t breathe. My limbs jerked, and my eyes rolled back. I felt like I was floating and sinking at the same time. Valor handed the baby to the nearest assistant and knelt at my side.
‘Bella! Bella, look at me! Wha’s happening?!“%
Mona checked me quickly, then turned to him. “We need Moondew. Did you bring any?“}
Valor didn’t answer, he shouted Leo’s name.!!
“I have it!‘ Leo rushed into the room, holding the basket he had earlier.
“Juice it. Now, Mona ordered.
They worked quickly, crushing the fruits and extracting the juice. A bowl was brought to my lips, and I drank it slowly, each swallow painful and hot. But then, slowly, the shaking stopped. My body stilled. My chest rose and fell with ease. Mona placed a hand on my forehead and exhaled #
106
forehead and exhaled.
WASP
“She’s stabilizing. The baby took a lot from her. He’s strong, a born Alpha. Bella needs meat, fruit, anything high in energy. She’s going to be ravenous when she wakes up.“}]
Valor nodded. “I’ll take care of it.“>
He handed the baby to his father, who looked absolutely delighted, as if he’d waited his entire life to hold that child. Valor returned to my side and sat quietly, never looking away from me. He reached out and touched my hand.”
“I’m right here,” he whispered. “Come back to me.”
Hours passed. I didn’t dream. I didn’t float in darkness. I just rested. And then there was light. My eyes fluttered open. I saw a figure sitting beside me, hunched slightly, arms wrapped around a tiny sleeping bundle. Valor. His face was pale from lack of sleep, but there was peace there too.”
He noticed me stir and looked up, then handed the baby to someone nearby. He leaned over me, gently touching my arm. “Bella… are you alright?“}
I sat up slowly, my body sore but strong enough to move. My mind… it felt sharp. Clear. Something was different.
Memories flickered, like a fire suddenly catching wind. Pieces of laughter, voices, faces and moments I didn’t even know I had forgotten rushed back into me all at once. And then I remembered something else.}
I looked Valor in the eye.
And slapped him.
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SODE 22
