He Slept With My Sister, When I Was Giving Birth

Evelyn — They said the mate bond was sacred.

That he'd protect me. Cherish me. Stay.

But while I was screaming in a hospital bed,

bringing his child into the world—

he was in hers.

Now I carry more than his baby.

I carry the truth no one wants to say out loud.

And I’m done pretending I wasn’t the one left bleeding.

Evelyn

The blue glow of the TV washed over me in the darkness. I sank deeper into the couch, one hand rubbing my swollen belly. On screen, a reporter stood at Moon pack's borders, detailing the latest security measures. Pack warriors moved in the background, but the one face I was searching for wasn't there.

Where was Damon?

I checked my phone: 12:04 AM. My back ached from sitting too long, and the baby had been unusually active tonight, kicking and rolling as if she could sense my unease. Seven months pregnant, and I was still waiting up for my mate like some lovesick teenager.

"He said he'd be back by ten," I whispered to my belly. "Daddy had to settle a dispute at the borders, that's all."

The baby kicked in response, a sharp jab just beneath my ribs. Almost like she was calling me on my bullshit.

The words sounded hollow, even to me. The knot in my chest had been growing for weeks now—that unmistakable twinge that came with the mate bond. Something wasn't right.

I shifted position, trying to get comfortable, when a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. I gasped, clutching the armrest.

"No, no, no..."

I'd had Braxton Hicks before, but this was different. My fingers trembled as I tried to steady my breathing. Another cramp hit me, stronger this time, doubling me over.

This is too early. Something's wrong.

I knew what was happening. The mate bond was supposed to be sacred, protective, especially during pregnancy. But when one mate betrayed that trust...

My eyes twitched with the effort of holding back tears as I fumbled for my phone. I reached for our mind link first, a desperate attempt to connect to Damon.

Damon, I need you. The baby—something's happening.

Nothing. Just the static emptiness of being blocked out. My throat tightened with the realization. He wasn't just absent; he'd deliberately shut me out.

Fine. There was still the phone. I grabbed it from the side table, my hands shaking so badly I had to try twice to unlock it. I pulled up Damon's contact—his smiling face from happier times staring back at me as I pressed call.

One ring. I shifted, trying to find a position that didn't hurt.

Two rings. Another contraction built, making me bite my lip to keep from crying out.

Three rings. "Please pick up, please pick up..."

Four—

"What?" Damon's voice cut through, sharp and annoyed.

My heart leapt at the sound of him, despite everything. But I could hear music in the background. Laughter. The clink of glasses. No sounds of a