CLAIMED - Fated to Two-Chapter 51: Time to Face the New Reality

My body is exhausted, yet deep down, I’m filled with quiet delight.

As the morning sunlight filters through the balcony curtains, I watch Harleigh sleeping peacefully beside me, a soft smile tugging at my lips.

I lift my hand and gently trace the shape of her face: the curve of her cheek, the bridge of her nose, and the softness of her lips. She stirs slightly but remains asleep.

Carefully, I lower my face to her belly and place tender kisses on it, my thoughts drifting to our unborn child.

What will you look like when you’re born? A girl or a boy? Will you resemble me, or will you take after your mommy? What should we name you?

Either way, it doesn’t matter. All I want is for both of you to stay healthy.

"I can’t wait to see you, my child," I murmur softly.

When I finally rise to put my clothes back on, my eyes land on my phone lying on the floor. I pick it up and see several missed calls from mom. I know I can’t avoid her or Andrea any longer. So I summon both of them to the study room.

Mom anxiously strokes Andrea’s hair. Andrea looks defeated, her eyes still swollen and red from crying.

"I know this is difficult for you," I begin, forcing myself to stay calm. "But after meeting the multi-eyed seer yesterday, I realized I was wrong to push Harleigh away all this time. She didn’t just risk her life to help me regain my memories, she did it while carrying our child."

"I would’ve risked my life for you too," Andrea blurts out, desperation and frustration shaking her voice as fresh tears slip down her cheeks.

"You’re not even sure if the baby is yours or Damian’s," mom cuts in sharply. "Didn’t you demand a DNA test, just like I did because you’re skeptical about that baby?"

"That’s true," I admit. "But no matter what you say from now on, my mind is clearer now. The baby is mine. I know it. I can feel it. Still, to remove your suspicions, we’ll do the DNA test. And when the results come back positive, I expect you to finally accept and respect Harleigh. An apology won’t hurt either."

Mom’s expression tightens in protest, but silence falls on her.

I turn to Andrea, bracing myself for her possible reaction. "As I told you last night, I can’t keep you in this mansion. But as repayment for saving my life, I’ll give you a choice. You can live within the pack’s territory, outside the capital, or return to Harry."

However,...

Instead of Andrea, it’s mom who answers with conviction, "She’ll stay with me. I want a place of my own, coz I refuse to live under the same roof as Harleigh. But it must be within the capital."

To my surprise, Andrea doesn’t protest against it, as if they’ve already discussed and agreed on it.

The capital is vast. I could send them to the outskirts. Still, there’s a chance they could run into Harleigh in commercial areas.

"I refuse," I say, my voice carries stronger conviction. "After what you did to Harleigh, she isn’t safe near you. Whether you like it or not, you’ll live outside the capital. I’ll forbid your entry here except on special occasions, which are still subject to my approval."

Mom’s eyes widen in fury. She rises from the couch, her fists clenched. "Have you ever considered that the multi-eyed seer might be working with Harleigh? That they planned this together?"

"And what would the multi-eyed seer gain from that?" I counter, challenging her to give a logical answer.

She stammers, scrambling for another excuse, but none comes.

I summon the Gammas and Omegas, instructing them to help my mother and Andrea pack their belongings and escort them outside the capital.

"There are luxury apartments throughout our territory. Let them choose whatever they want. If they demand a house, allow it," I add.

With that, I turn and stride towards the door.

But,...

Mom shouts, "That woman will ruin your life! You should’ve trusted me more than her! A parent would never put her child at risk!"

I stop and turn back, the frustration I’ve been holding back finally spilling over. "That’s exactly why you need to stay away from me and from Harleigh! That’s how I’m protecting my child!"

The room falls silent. Pain flashes in my mom’s eyes as she sinks back onto the couch.

I storm out, my body still trembling in frustration, but my resolve unshaken.

Before lunch time, mom and Andrea leave the mansion, riding one of the cars with their suitcases loaded in the trunk. They demand to speak to me one last time, but I refuse, choosing my peace over another possible argument.

The moment the car passes through the front gates and disappears from view, I feel a weight slowly lift from my chest. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Not long after, Harleigh finally stirs awake. I tell her everything immediately: what happened, what I decided, and where mom and Andrea were sent. I expect her to look relieved, maybe even openly happy. Instead, she studies my face for a long moment before offering a soft smile.

"Thank you for doing that," she says. "But I hope it’s truly what you want too, and not something you felt pressured to do."

I take her hand, and press a kiss against her knuckles while inhaling her familiar scent. "It’s what I want."

My wolf howls in agreement.

Suddenly,...

I notice the ring around her finger, a simple band made of straw. It looks oddly familiar, though I can’t quite place where I’ve seen it before. I find myself staring at it longer than I realize, and she notices.

"You gave me this ring when you asked me to marry you. We were at the Dingle Valley back then, hiding from Damian and Atticus. We had both just started working and hadn’t even received our first paycheck yet," she explains.

As I run my thumb over the fragile ring, something tightens in my chest. "Would you be happy if I replaced it with real jewelry? A diamond, perhaps?"

Tears of joy glisten in her eyes. Before she can respond, I ask the question that has already settled firmly in my heart.

"Will you marry me?"

She nods, tears finally spilling as she wraps her arms tightly around me. "Of course. And let’s make sure it really happens this time."

I hug her back, kissing her cheek again and again, unable to contain my own happiness.

We don’t waste any time. Harleigh and I immediately begin preparing for the wedding. We want it done within three days: simple, intimate, and meaningful. The only outsiders Harleigh wishes to invite are the free werewolves from the Dingle Valley, including her sister.

Together with several Gammas, we head to one of the most luxurious bridal boutiques in the capital. As Harleigh tries on different gowns, we both notice how her belly has begun to protrude slightly, especially in the form-fitting dresses.

She smiles at her reflection, excitement lighting up her face as she caresses her belly through the fabric.

In the end, she chooses a more flowy gown that drapes gracefully around her body. And she looks absolutely stunning in it.

As for me, I settle on a white three-piece suit with subtle gold accents.

Next, we visit a jewelry shop recommended by Beta Samuel. The jeweler carefully takes our ring-finger sizes before asking, "What design of ring would you like?"

I turn to Harleigh, giving her a silent signal that the choice is hers.

She hesitates, her eyes darting toward the glass shelves displaying precious stones with intimidating prices.

I lean down and whisper into her ear, "Don’t worry about the price. Just choose the one that speaks to you the most. We’ll wear these for the rest of our lives, so we deserve the best."

After a long moment, she finally decides on a silver band which will be embedded with deep blue diamonds all around it.

"Nice choice," I say sincerely, watching her beam with pride.

The rest of the preparations are completed back at the Alpha’s mansion like choosing the bridal flowers, finalizing the food and drinks, and settling on the motif.

"I think we should invite your mother," Harleigh says. Though she’s doing her best to still show some respect to mom after everything that she did, there’s still an obvious hesitation in her voice and expression.

"Believe me. I want her at my wedding. But what if she does something to ruin it?" I ask.

Harleigh looks to her lap, so I raise her gaze back to me by lifting her chin with my fingers.

"I don’t remember how exactly our first wedding got ruined. But I’m sure it’s traumatic. And I refuse that we go through that again," I add.

Finally, she smiles again, agreeing to me.

Within the day, all decisions are made and invitations are sent out.

I also instruct the Gammas and Betas to tighten security over the next few days, especially on our wedding day.

Now, all that’s left is to wait, while continuing to deepen what Harleigh and I are rebuilding together.