Page 61 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

Wren’s eyes burned with unshed tears. All the warmth and hope she had felt just hours ago seemed to evaporate, leaving behind a cold emptiness.

She replayed the moments they had shared, the way he had looked at her, touched her, held her, and now, it all felt like a lie. He didn’t care about her, not really. She was just a burden he was eager to be rid of. And now, with the child growing inside her, she felt more vulnerable than ever.

He wouldn’t want this baby either, she realized, the thought twisting like a knife in her gut. He’ll see it as another chain binding him to me, and he’ll do whatever it takes to break free.

He wants to send me away. He doesn't want me... doesn't want us.

Her other hand moved protectively to her stomach, cradling the tiny life within. The joy she'd felt just moments ago shattered, replaced by a crushing despair.

Wren's back hit the wall, and she slid down to the floor, her legs no longer able to support her. Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn't cry, not now. She needed to think, to plan.

Memories of her time with Articus flashed through her mind, now tainted by the knowledge that he wanted to send her away. Their first kiss, charged with electricity and unspoken longing.

The way he'd held her after they made love, his strong arms a safe haven. The tender moments they shared in the quiet of the night when it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

Had it all been a lie? A show of duty rather than genuine affection?

No, it couldn't have been. It felt real. It felt true.

But doubt crept in, poisoning even her happiest memories. Maybe she'd been fooling herself all along, seeing what she wanted to see rather than the truth.

Wren's hand moved to her stomach again, a gesture that was quickly becoming a habit. The tiny life growing inside her suddenly felt like both a blessing and a curse. A part of her and Articus, created in love—or what she thought was love. Now, it was a complication, an added burden she'd have to bear alone.

What am I going to do?

The thought of raising a child alone terrified her. But the alternative—staying where she wasn't wanted, trapping Articus in a relationship he clearly wanted to escape—was unthinkable.

Anger began to bubble up, replacing the initial shock and sadness. How dare he make this decision without talking to her?

I chose him. I chose us. Why couldn't he see that?

Wren pushed herself to her feet, her decision made. She couldn't stay here, couldn't face the rejection she knew was coming. She had to protect herself—and her unborn child.

She moved through the house like a ghost, gathering essentials and stuffing them into a backpack. Clothes, toiletries, and the emergency cash she kept hidden in her drawer. Her movements were mechanical, driven by a desperate need to escape before her resolve crumbled.

Wren paused at the bedroom door, taking one last look around the room that had become her sanctuary. The bed where she'd felt safe in Articus' arms. The window seat where she'd spent countless hours reading, dreaming of a future that now seemed impossible.

Tears blurred her vision as she turned away, closing the door softly behind her. She made her way downstairs, her footsteps silent on the carpeted stairs. At the front door, she hesitated, her hand on the doorknob.

Her resolve nearly broke. But then she remembered the conversation she'd overheard, the casual way Articus had discussed breaking their bond. Her jaw was set with determination as she opened the door and stepped out into the cool morning air.

Wren didn't look back as she walked away from the house, away from the life she'd thought was hers. Each step was painful, but she forced herself to keep moving. She had to be strong now for herself and her unborn child.

She made her way through the pack lands, sticking to the shadows and less-traveled paths. Her wolf instincts were on high alert, every rustle of leaves making her jump. She couldn't risk being seen, couldn't bear to explain to anyone why she was leaving.

As the pack lands faded behind her, Wren felt a mix of relief and terror. She was truly on her own now, something she hadn't been in a long time. The world suddenly seemed vast and threatening, full of unknown dangers.

Especially this side of the world.

It wasn’t her world. She walked for hours, pushing through fatigue and hunger. The farther she got from Articus and the pack, the more her doubts tried to creep in. Was she overreacting?

Should I have stayed and talked to Articus?

But every time those thoughts surfaced, she ruthlessly pushed them down. She couldn't afford to second-guess herself now. She had to focus on survival, on protecting herself and her baby.

As the sun began to set, Wren's steps faltered. She was exhausted, her feet aching, and her stomach growling with hunger. She needed to find shelter for the night, somewhere safe to rest and plan her next move.

A rustling in the bushes behind her made Wren spin around, her heart leaping into her throat. She peered into the gathering darkness, her wolf senses straining to detect any threat.

---