241

There was an eerie sense of foreboding in the air. Whispers of deceit and betrayal echoed through the pack. Beta Craig, his heart heavy with suspicion, bid farewell to Bella and prepared to return to the municipal government. Little did he know, fate had other plans in store for him.

While on his journey, a call from Pamela interrupted his thoughts. "Craig, hurry back! Something of great importance has unfolded!"

Impatient, Beta Craig retorted, "What is the commotion about?"

"It's Samantha... Samantha, she... she's with child!" Pamela spoke hesitantly, her voice laden with uncertainty.

Suddenly, Beta Craig sat up straight, his gaze fixed on Clem, who was driving. "Turn back immediately!"

As soon as Beta Craig arrived home, Pamela paced anxiously in the living room, while Samantha wept on the sofa, her hands covering her face. Beta Craig strode in, his face wearing a mask of concern. Pamela and Samantha turned to face him, desperate for guidance. "What shall we do now?"

"Head to the hospital at once!" Beta Craig ordered curtly.

As they rushed Samantha to the hospital, Pamela's heart sank. Beta Craig intended to rid Samantha of the unborn child without granting them the chance to explain. A chill settled over both Pamela and Samantha. With tear-streaked faces, Samantha continued to sob, her anguish palpable. Meanwhile, Pamela offered a bitter explanation, "I took Samantha to the hospital as soon as I found out."

"So, the child is indeed conceived?" Beta Craig breathed a sigh of relief.

"No."

"Why haven't you taken care of it?" Beta Craig's face grew dark and ominous.

"Samantha's delicate health won't allow for it!" Pamela handed Beta Craig a medical report. "The doctor stated that Samantha's condition is fragile. If she proceeds with the pregnancy, she may never have another child. It would be a grave risk to her well-being."

Beta Craig glanced at the report without interest. His cold eyes scanned the faces of Pamela and Samantha. He knew his daughter's attachment to Alpha Xavier all too well. Samantha must have fought tooth and nail to keep this child. This talk of fragility and barrenness felt like an excuse they cooked up to placate him.

In his heart, Beta Craig sneered. Though his hands were stained with the blood of others, it was Bella who suffered the most because of him. He was the architect of her present misery. He would not allow history to repeat itself.

Suppressing his true feelings, Beta Craig feigned concern. "Samantha, don't cry. I'll take you for an examination."

Though his words appeared comforting, Pamela knew better. Beta Craig doubted there was anything wrong with Samantha's health. She reached out to support Samantha, urging her to cease her tears. "Don't cry. I have connections. Let's go elsewhere for a second opinion. Perhaps it's a misdiagnosis."

Her words hung heavy in the air, loud and clear. Beta Craig smiled slyly, taking the lead as they left. Pamela stood by Samantha's side, offering support. Together, they boarded the car. Beta Craig leaned over and commanded Clem, "Drive us to Pack C."

Pamela hadn't anticipated Beta Craig's excessive caution. Instead of conducting the examination at their own pack, he insisted on traveling to Pack C, hundreds of kilometers away from the South Pack. No matter how long the journey, they wouldn't reach it in time. It appeared that Beta Craig no longer trusted her. Pamela fretted, grateful that Samantha's delicate health proved to be their saving grace. Otherwise, her despair would have known no bounds.

Beta Craig, a seasoned politician, knew all too well the thoughts racing through Pamela's mind. He nonchalantly remarked, "Too many eyes within our pack. We can't risk exposure. Nobody in Pack C will recognize us."

Pamela was astounded by his explanation for their distance. As Beta Craig prepared to put on a charade, Pamela followed suit. Feigning fluster, she exclaimed, "I didn't think this through. Earlier today, I noticed something was amiss with Samantha, so I took her for an examination. What are we to do? Won't we be discovered?"

"I highly doubt it!" Beta Craig refused to dwell on the topic further, reaching for his phone instead. Quickly connecting the call, he was greeted by a familiar voice, brimming with amusement. "Secretary, what brings you to contact an ordinary civilian like me?"

"I am in need of a favor, my old friend. Mind sparing me a moment?" Beta Craig's voice held a trace of a smile.

"If you have something to say, spit it out. If you require aid, consider me an outsider!"

"In that case, I won't beat around the bush. I need my old classmate's assistance with a certain matter of termination."

"An abortion?" The other party gasped. "Who is expecting?"

"It's a delicate matter. I won't hide it from you, my old friend. My daughter finds herself with child, but there are extenuating circumstances that render allowing this pregnancy impossible. Hence, I've turned to you for help."

"Consider it done. I'll be waiting for you at the hospital." The other party readily agreed.

A few hours later, the car halted at the gates of a grand hospital in Pack C. Beta Craig and Pamela entered together. Once inside, Beta Craig escorted Samantha to the orthopedic department. Isaac Ricardo, Beta Craig's old classmate and the department's director, awaited them. Without hesitation, Isaac whisked Samantha away for an examination. There was a gravity to his expression as he turned to Beta Craig, inquiring, "She previously underwent an abortion, and there were complications. Her body has suffered as a result."

"What kind of complications?"

"Allow me to confirm this. Typically, given her circumstances, pregnancy would be impossible. The fact that she is expecting is nothing short of miraculous. However, if she carries this child, she may never bear another for the remainder of her life."

Beta Craig was taken aback, unaware that Pamela's words held truth. He stood frozen for a moment, contemplating the revelation.

"And I must inform you that the blood test shows she is pregnant with twins."

Whether they were twins or not held no significance for Beta Craig. He worried instead about the ramifications. If Samantha couldn't conceive again in her lifetime, birthing this child would constitute a devastating blow. Not only would it affect Bella and Alpha Xavier, but it would also hang heavy on Samantha's shoulders.

Gently, Pamela squeezed Samantha's hand. Samantha, lost in her thoughts, stared back blankly. Pamela's grip tightened, her voice laced with sorrow. "What are we to do? Samantha, my poor child!"