Chapter 27

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~Hazel’s POV~
I’m pregnant.
A literal child is growing in me.
And now… now I’m risking my life to protect it.
A truth I had only just learned minutes ago—and already it felt like a lifetime’s burden.
Is it worth it?
That question kept circling my mind like a vulture.
Two guards dragged me by each arm toward the rooftop. My feet barely moved in rhythm as the cold air up there teased my skin before we’d even arrived. Behind me walked the Gamma, Leon, silent as ever, and the witch who was oddly always by his side—Aurora. Her red hair glinted under the torchlight, her expression unreadable.
Caspian had tried to stop me.
He’d fought, cursed, begged—but no. This wasn’t his battle. This was mine. Mine to bear. Mine to survive.
When we reached the rooftop, the wind was harsher, almost mocking. The guards didn’t say a word as the witch stepped forward and began removing my dress. My breath caught. I felt exposed—raw, inside and out. Leon turned away, standing outside the rooftop boundary like a sentry. I was about to be naked in front of everyone, and I understood now why he’d chosen to wait outside.
But as soon as the last layer of fabric was peeled from my skin, the tears began to fall. Silent at first, then heavier, like they carried everything I’d bottled up inside for years.
From down below, I heard a distant growl—deep, feral. Caspian.
They were holding him back. Holding him down. It must’ve taken at least four wolves to restrain him. I could feel his rage clawing at the walls, desperate to reach me, to protect me, to do something.
And then they brought out the whips.
My breath stopped. I knew that whip. I knew it.
The same kind my father used on me anytime I got caught stealing food—after he’d forced me to skip breakfast or dinner. I didn’t get lunch. That wasn’t for “girls like me.”
Every line of the whip. Every frayed strand. I could name each one by the scars they left.
One of the maids raised her hand high, whip ready. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for that familiar excruciating pain.
But instead of the crack of leather…
I heard a pained female growl.
My eyes flew open.
” Versa!”
Everyone was on the floor. Paralyzed. Arms frozen mid-air. Whips still in hand, suspended like dead snakes.
It was Aurora.
“he is the father,” she said, breathless. Her chest heaved like she’d just run a marathon. “I’ve done the test. Alpha Cayden is the father.”
My mouth dropped open. “I know… but why did you
My gaze moved to the frozen figures around us, the maid still clutching her weapon.
“I didn’t want them to do that to you,” Aurora whispered. “You could die.”
I blinked, stunned.
I had never expected kindness—let alone remorse—from the beautiful red-haired woman who always looked so distant and composed.
“If I don’t take this punishment, I won’t be able to leave this place,” I said, voice low, like a confession.
She looked at me, eyes scanning my frame, seeing what no one else ever had—how fragile I really was.
“Your body can’t survive this she murmured. “You could die.” Her voice cracked then. “I’m sorry. I can’t let you do this.”
For a second, I saw her pain. Like she understood mine. Content originally comes from.net
She helped dress me gently, her hands soft against my bruised skin. Once I was fully clothed, she took my hand and led me down from the rooftop.
As we reached the grand hall again, my nerves cracked. I tried to pull away, to bolt, to escape this never-ending spectacle. I couldn’t bear any more gasps or judgmental eyes or cruelty.
But she held firm. She nodded silently. Her grip on my hand grounded me.
And then I saw him.
Cayden.
His eyes scanned me the moment I stepped into the room, scanning my face, my arms, my legs—as if searching for injury. His shoulders dropped ever so slightly when he didn’t find any.
I wasn’t sure if it was a groan of frustration or a sigh of relief—but it was something. Something real.
Caspian was still being held down by four wolves, but the moment he saw me—clothed, unharmed—he let out a guttural growl and shoved them off with a wild force.
He ran to me, gathered me in his arms, holding me like I was made of glass.
His chest was hammering. I could hear his heartbeat, even as a human. That’s how fast it was racing.
“Alpha Cayden, you are the father,” Aurora announced to the entire room.
Cayden didn’t say a word. He just… stared. Still, silent, eyes locked on me like I was some puzzle he couldn’t solve.
“And how are you sure about that?” Former Luna’s voice barked from the balcony, thick with rage. “You were supposed to punish her—not… all this.”
Aurora lifted her head calmly. “I took the test. While undressing her, I took a small fraction of her blood.”
She pointed to my shoulder. I turned and saw the faintest mark—something I hadn’t even noticed.
“I already had the Alpha’s blood,” she continued. “I did the match. His blood synced perfectly with the child’s.”
A heavy silence followed.
Then Caspian’s voice rang out. “I told you. He is the father.”
All eyes turned to Cayden. He stared at the floor for a moment. Then he lifted his head.
He nodded once. “Good.”
His eyes flicked to me again—and something flashed across them. I couldn’t tell what it was. Pain? Regret? Possession?
Then he turned to Caspian. “Take her to your chambers. Hold her there. Let no harm come to her.”
His voice was ice.
He turned to Leon next. “Some enemies are lurking. We need to take them out.”
Leon followed without question. Within seconds, the hall emptied. Even my family was gone. I scanned the crowd.
No Ariel.
“Where is she?” I asked quietly.
Marcus turned as he passed me, scowling. And then he left with the rest of the Gilberts, their footsteps echoing until the room fell silent.
Now it was just me, Caspian, and the witch.
I turned to her. “Thank you I whispered.
She nodded. “Aurora,” she said softly, offering her hand.
“Hazel.”
I took her hand and the moment I did, a sharp flash like a vision surged through my head.
A little girl.
Red hair. Crying.
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She was in the middle of a forest clearing, surrounded by horses—wild, stampeding, and terrifying. She was screaming, alone.
I let go instantly, gasping, a splitting headache crashing into me.
Aurora smiled faintly, knowingly. She didn’t say anything else as she turned and left.
Then Caspian scooped me up into his arms, bridal style.
“Let’s go, wife,”