Chapter 140 THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Chapter 140 THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
CHAPTER 140

THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

SELINA

I walked out of Dorian’s room with my jaw locked tight.

Anger burned under my skin, but underneath it a colder panic had already started to spread. My heart pounded hard against my ribs while I cursed him in silence for the sharp way he had dismissed me.

The corridor felt longer than usual. My boots struck the floor in quick, hard steps. Sweat gathered at the base of my neck. I kept my face blank so no one I passed would see how close I was to breaking something.

I still couldn't believe he would say such a thing to me. Like he wants a healer's verification before he can accept the pregnancy? What is seriously wrong with Dorian? Even though I knew he wouldn't agree easily but I didn't expect him to agree easily.

When I reached my room Julia was already waiting. She sat on the edge of the bed with her hands folded in her lap. The moment I closed the door she looked up.

Her voice came steady. “How did it go?”

I dropped onto the chair by the desk. My shoulders stayed rigid. My pulse still raced from the confrontation. “He refused to believe me. He said he used a contraceptive compound that night and that I was not supposed to be pregnant by him.”

Julia leaned forward slightly. “Is that all he said regarding the pregnancy? Surely, he did have said something. Or didn't you communicate properly with him?”

I nodded once. My fingers curled against the arms of the chair until the wood dug into my skin. “He requested a healer’s verification that I am truly pregnant by him before he accepts anything.”

She exhaled through her nose. “I knew this would happen. After everything between you and Dorian, and after the other men, he was never going to believe you until you forced the proof in front of him.”

I pushed both hands into my hair and gripped the strands. The tension in my scalp matched the pressure building behind my eyes. Panic mixed with the anger until my stomach felt tight. “This is becoming so stressful. It feels like he is hellbent on making sure we never end up together. I am so stressed out.”

Julia reached across and took one of my hands. Her grip was firm and warm. “Do not give up. I have an idea on how to win this.”

My head lifted at once. A thin thread of hope cut through the panic. “What is it?”

She kept hold of my hand. “We only need two steps. Once those are done Dorian will be so tied that he will not be able to reject you anymore.”

I waited. My breathing stayed shallow.

“Task number one,” she said. “Spread the news about your pregnancy through the pack. Make sure it reaches the right people who will instantly take your side.”

I frowned. Doubt rose fast. “He requested the verification first. Should the verification not come before any announcement?”

Julia shook her head. “No. If you only go for the verification he might still refuse to believe it. He could even try to silence you. But if the whole pack knows first, and they all start demanding the verification at the same time, then you share the proof. Once they see you are carrying the Alpha’s child they will support you.”

The logic settled slowly. I turned it over in my mind while my heart kept a hard, uneven rhythm. The risk sat heavy in my chest. If this went wrong the entire pack would turn against me. If it went right I would finally have leverage. My palms felt damp.

We spent the next thirty minutes practicing the announcement. Julia made me repeat the words until the tone sounded natural and the timing felt right. My voice grew steadier with each pass, but the panic never fully left. By the end my hands had stopped shaking on the surface, though my stomach still twisted.

I changed into cleaner clothes. The fabric felt smooth against my skin, but it did nothing to ease the heat rising up my neck. Then I left the room and walked toward the main club area.

The space was full. Pack members and bikers filled the tables and the open floor. Conversations overlapped. Someone argued near the bar. Glasses clinked as they cheered about whatever. The air carried the usual mix of beer, smoke, and warm bodies. Noise pressed in from every side. I scanned the room quickly and noticed Elder Cass in the kitchen doorway. She would hear every word. That detail only made my pulse climb higher.

I stepped into the center of the open space. My legs felt unsteady for a second. I forced them still and clapped my hands hard once. The sound cut through the noise.

My voice rose clear and loud even though my throat felt tight. “I have very important news to share with all of you. Stop what you are doing and look at me.”

The place quietened at once. Chairs scraped and conversations died. Every pair of eyes turned toward me. The sudden attention pressed against my skin like a physical weight. Sweat gathered along my spine. Panic flared hot and sharp. For one second I wanted to turn and walk out. I locked my knees and stayed where I was.

I forced a bright smile even as my stomach churned. “Good afternoon, everyone. Sorry for the disturbance. I could not keep this news to myself any longer and I am so excited to share it with you all.”

I let out a short, bright squeal that carried across the room. The sound felt false in my own ears. “I am happy to announce that I am carrying the Alpha’s child. And Dorian is refusing to acknowledge it.”

The silence that followed was complete. My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I was sure the closest people could hear it.

I kept the smile fixed in place while every nerve in my body waited for the first reaction.