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145
Maeve’s POV

The walk to the infirmary felt like the longest walk of my life. Every step echoed like a verdict waiting to be given. This was the moment my world would either crumble beneath me or open up a new life of possibilities not tied to a child. I was still a child myself.. Yes Kieran and Ethan were a little older but we are all still just kids figuring out what we want to do, learn to be who we are.. And with everything that has changed in me.. I have to figure out so much more than everyone else No one has ever been granted this second chance.. And now?

Brinley walked beside me, her hand brushing mine every few strides like she wants to hold my hand but doesn’t want to push. My stomach twists, not just with the nausea that’s been stalking me for weeks, but with the weight of what waits ahead. I finally laced my fingers into hers my arms shaking.

So much had changed since I came here a year or so ago.. Goddess above its been a year..

The twins birthday is in two weeks now.. And that means my birthday and Brins is just around the corner.

Since telling Brinley, I feel lighter in one way, but so much heavier in another. Speaking it aloud made it real. And real terrifies me. Im not ready for the news.. This isnt just changing my life..

But the life of my mates.. If I can even call them that..

I was still so in love with them but the moongoddess took our marks away there must have been a reason for that..

I’m sixteen. Sixteen, stripped of my magic, my power, stripped of everything I used to be. I can’t protect myself, let alone a child. And yet... if it’s true, if Selene sent me back carrying something more than myself… what then?

Would I abort it?

Could I abort it? Or would the moongoddess punish me for that..

I pictured a child with Kieran’s ocean blue eyes, Rowen’s stubborn jaw, my fire. My chest ached. I don’t know if I’d be killing a part of me, or a gift from the Moon Goddess herself. a gift...

Brinley squeezed my shoulder when we stopped outside the infirmary doors. “Do you want me to get him?”

My throat tightens. “Kieran?”

She nods.

I noddedback, though fear clawed at me from the inside. “Yeah. He deserves to know. If… if it’s true.”

Brinley’s eyes soften. She mind-linked Keiran, her expression flickering with focus. “Done. He’s coming. He's bringing Rowen too if thats okay?.”

I almost tell her to stop them, but it’s too late. My fate is already sealed. And I guess its best I face this with the three people who mean the most to me in this life.

\----------

Kieran’s POV

The moment Brinley’s voice hit my head, my world tilted on its axis.

She doesn’t say much, just one thread of thought that makes my stomach drop: She’s at the infirmary. She wants you here with her. We need to talk.

I don’t wait for her to even finish her thought as I ran.

Rowen’s in the training yard, axe in hand. He sees my face and doesn’t ask questions, just drops it and runs beside me.

“What happened?” he pants as we pound through the halls.

“She might be pregnant,” I snap, breath ragged. “She asked Brinley to bring us.”

Rowen stumbles mid-stride, catches himself. “Pregnant? How??? she wasn’t even in heat was she???”

“I dont know,” I cut him off. “I know what you’re thinking. I thought the same. But the signs... Rowen, I’ve seen them. The sickness. The changes. And she smells like me, even without the bond even without my mark..”

He curses under his breath. “When Brinley and I first—” His voice falters, then steadies. “I worried about heat. I thought maybe with everything happening, I wouldn’t notice. But she didn’t show the symptoms. Maeve didn’t either, right?”

“Not that I saw.” My voice is sharp. Desperate.

Rowen grips my arm mid-run, forcing me to slow. His eyes are steady, even if his jaw is tight. “If she is, she’ll make the right choice. Whatever that means.”

I rip my arm free. “She’s not our mate, Rowen. Not anymore. Selene took that from us.”

The words feel like knives in my own throat as they rip out of me.

Rowen’s expression cracks, grief flashing in his eyes. “Mark or not, she’s still ours.” he growled.

We don’t speak again until we skid to the infirmary both out of breath.

Brinley was waiting outside of the doors, pacing, tears glinting in her eyes. When she sees us, relief and fear wash over her face in the same breath.

“She’s inside,” she whispers. “With the healer.”

My hands shake. Rowen’s chest heaves beside me. We all just stare at eachother in silence. He snakes his arms aorund Brinley and hold her.

"If shes pregnant what does this mean for us? We are all fated mates and yet, no one ever told us how this works? Are we even still fated mates with her?" I asked looking between Brinley and Rowen. Fear turning in my stomach. To many possibilities, to many what ifs.

"If she is, than this kid is lucky as shit Kieran." Rowen snarled. For someone who didnt show how he truly felt about Maeve to her, he was awfully protective of her. And honestly Im thankful for his clarity because Im freaking the fuck out.

"If she is pregant, this kid is blessed to have two dads and two moms. This kid will change everything.." Brinley whispered looking between us. " If she is.. Maybe theres a reason the moongoddess sent her back.."

We wait.

Minutes stretch into what felt like an eternity.

The sound of the healer’s murmuring drifts faintly through the door, then silence, the door creaked open and out walked Maeve.

Her white hair tossed into a high pony tail, her emerald green eyes and freckled skin looked drained.

Like all the life in her was being drained.

Maeve’s voice was small, breaking, impossible to hear clearly.

Brinley gripped my sleeve like she was about to rip it off. Rowen stared at the floor, fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white.

Maeve glanced at all of us with fear written all over her face.

"Guys-"