Chapter 17 Sheldon's Pov

• I sit by Esmeralda's side, the weight of everything crashing into me. With the news of her pregnancy, every action, every harsh word, feels like a blade of guilt slicing through me.
• I brush a hand over her forehead, watching the gentle rise and fall of her breathing. She’s so delicate right now, and the knowledge that she’s carrying my child only deepens my protective instincts. I lean down, whispering softly, “I’ve put you through so much… And you still found the strength to survive.”
• Just then, Astrid enters; her face is a mixture of relief and regret. “Alpha Sheldon,” she says quietly, her voice barely breaking the silence. “I… I had no idea she was pregnant. If I had known, I wouldn’t have suggested the trial.”
• I grit my teeth, struggling to contain the surge of anger. “Neither did I. But that’s no excuse, Astrid. We both should have known better and been more careful." I glance back at Esmeralda, my gaze softening.
• Astrid lowers her head, probably feeling guilty about what happened. “There’s something you should know, Sheldon. During the trial, she… she did something I’ve never seen before. Her energy shifted. It was almost as if… as if she wasn’t just an omega.”
• I frown, her words stirring an unsettling feeling in him. “What do you mean?”
• She hesitates, choosing her next words carefully. “It felt as if there’s more to her than we’ve seen. Powers we may not understand yet. Whatever she is, it’s nothing like I’ve encountered before.”
• A terrifying thought crosses my mind as I process this piece of information. Could Esmeralda be of a different or rare heritage?
• I sit up straight, my mind racing with the implications of Astrid's words. Esmeralda, carrying my child, potentially harboring unknown powers? The thought sends a shiver down my spine.
• “Astrid, I want guards posted outside her room at all times,” I order, my voice firm. “No one is to enter or leave without my explicit permission. And I want reports on her condition every hour.”
• Astrid nods, her expression serious. "I'll see to it, Alpha.”
• I rise from my seat, my gaze lingering on Esmeralda's sleeping face. I have to ensure her safety and that of our unborn child. And then afterwards…
• "Astrid, keep a close eye on her. If anything changes, if you sense even a hint of something off, notify me immediately."
• With a final glance at Esmeralda, I turn to leave, my destination clear.
• Karel's residence.
• I haven't seen her since the party, and the guilt has been gnawing at me. I need to make things right, explain my actions, and ensure she understands my position.
• As I walk, my thoughts drift back to Esmeralda and the mysterious energies Astrid detected. What could it mean? Is she truly more than an omega?
• Karel's residence comes into view, and I quicken my pace. I must confront my feelings and make amends.
• Upon arrival, I'm greeted by the Luna's attendant, who ushers me into her chambers.
• She is sitting on a couch, her back facing me. I can feel the rage wafting off of her. Her eyes meet mine, and I sense a mix of emotions: hurt, anger, and... hope?
• "Sheldon," she says, her voice measured. "I've been expecting you."
• I approach her, my heart heavy with guilt. "Karel, I—"
• She raises a hand, silencing me. "Tell me, Sheldon, what is the meaning of this?"
• She gestures to a nearby table, where a small, intricately carved box sits.
• The box is familiar. It's the one I had once gifted her, containing the rare moonstone necklace.
• "I returned it," she says, her voice laced with pain. "I won't accept gifts from someone who doesn't value me."
• My chest tightens, and I approach her, my heart heavy with regret. "Karel, I'm sorry. I was wrong to leave you without explanation. My actions were thoughtless and hurtful."
• Her expression seems to soften, but her eyes still hold a hint of pain. "Why did you leave, Sheldon?" Where did you go with her?” Her voice becomes hard at the last word.
• I take a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Esmeralda's situation is complicated. But that's not why I left. I was overwhelmed, struggling to come to terms with my feelings.
• She almost gets whiplash from how fast she turned. Her gaze searches mine. "Feelings for Esmeralda?"
• I shake my head. "No, for you. I realized my emotions for you go deeper than I initially thought."
• Her face remains unreadable, but her voice betrays a hint of vulnerability. "And what about Esmeralda? You've grown close to her, haven't you?"
• I nod, swallowing hard, my conscience pricking. "Yes, but that doesn't change how I feel about you. My closeness to her is only necessary because we need an heir. She'll always be a breeder to me, nothing more," I explain, not feeling quite convinced about what I had said.
• Karel raises a brow, her expression shifting to something colder. “That sounds like an excuse. Do you even care for her?”
• The question catches me off guard. “This isn’t about feelings,” I reply firmly. “She’s my responsibility. That’s all.”
• “Is it?” she snaps, her voice raising slightly. “Sheldon, you may say it’s about responsibility, but I see the way you look at her. Admit it. You’ve chosen her, haven’t you?”
• I clench my fists, frustration boiling up inside me. “Karel, you’re not listening! This wasn’t my choice. She’s…” I stumble, the words slipping out from my lips before I can stop them. “…my mate.”
• The silence that follows is loud. Karel stares at me, shock and disbelief showing on her face.
• “Your… mate?” Her voice is barely a whisper, but I hear the betrayal in it. “You kept this from me? You let me believe… all this time…”
• I open my mouth to explain, but the words die on my lips, and I gape like a dying fish. There’s nothing I can say that will erase the truth she now knows.
• Her face hardens, anger flashing in her eyes. “You deceived me, Sheldon. Made me believe there was a chance for us while hiding this… this bond from me. You let me play the fool.”
• “It wasn’t like that!” I protest. “I didn’t know she was my mate until recently, and even then, I still don't...”
• “Even then, what? You don't what?” she sneers, her voice dripping with disdain. “You decided to keep stringing me along for your own convenience? To keep me around as your backup?”
• “Karel, that’s not true,” I say, desperation seeping into my voice. “You are my Luna. But this bond…it is the will of the Moon Goddess. I didn’t ask for it.”
• She shakes her head, fury transforming her expression. “No, Sheldon. If that’s true, then prove it. Reject her.”
• My heart pounds, and for a split second, I consider it. But the mere thought sends a wave of resistance through me, my wolf howling in refusal. Karel’s gaze sharpens as she sees my hesitation, the truth dawning on her.
• “You can’t do it, can you?” she whispers, a bitter smile twisting her lips. “You’re bound to her, trapped by your animalistic instincts.”
• “Karel, please,” I say, reaching out, but she steps back, shaking her head in disgust.
• “No, Sheldon. You chose her the moment you let that bond bind you. I hope she’s worth it.”
• With that, she turns her back, leaving me standing there, my heart aching as I realize I’ve not only lost Karel’s trust but possibly her loyalty as well. I hesitate, the weight of her demand crushing down on me.
• My mind is torn as I walk back toward the packhouse. And as I glance up at the full moon, I can’t help but wonder if the Goddess herself has cursed me for the choices I’ve made.
• I can only imagine how much deeper her anger would burn if she knew the full story. If she found out Esmeralda was carrying my child…
• The thought sends a chill down my spine. Karel has always been fiery and passionate. She would do anything to protect her position as Luna, to uphold her family’s legacy. The news of Esmeralda’s pregnancy could push her beyond anger, into a place I’m not sure I can control.
• I sigh, running a hand over my face as I imagine all the ways this could spiral out of control. I don’t want to keep secrets, but telling Karel about the pregnancy feels like opening Pandora’s box. Esmeralda is already vulnerable, barely recovering from the trial and the toll it’s taken on her. I can’t risk her safety…not now, not when she needs protection the most.
• For now, I decide, it’s best to keep this hidden. The pregnancy is Esmeralda’s and my secret. Until I’m sure Karel won’t turn this into a power struggle, it’s a truth that stays locked in my heart.
• The conception of the child is supposed to be good news for us both. But to start with, she had never been happy that we had to rely on others to have children, let alone the child being from my mate.
• After Karel left, I felt the urge to return to the hospital. The unease gnawed at me, as if something were pulling me back to Esmeralda’s side. My mind spun with thoughts I couldn’t silence. I needed to see her right now.
• When I arrive at the hospital, a wave of surprise hits me. Standing by the door to Esmeralda's room, her gaze sharp and calculating, is Karel. The guards don't let her in as I had instructed.
• The sight of her there unsettles me. I hadn’t expected her to come here immediately after our quarrel. My heart beats faster, and I clench my fists, trying to quell the frustration and protectiveness rising within me.
• Karel turns as I approach, her expression a blend of anger and something darker. “Sheldon,” she says coolly, her voice laced with an unfamiliar, icy tone.
• “What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, though I feel the tension in my shoulders tighten.
• She raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Is that any way to greet me? I came to check on your… ‘breeder.’” The word drips with disdain.
• I step in front of her, blocking her view. “I didn’t think you’d care.”
• Her expression hardens, but she forces a smile. “Shouldn’t I? After all, she seems to be important to you. And now…” She trails off, her eyes narrowing slightly as if piecing something together.
• My pulse quickens as her gaze sharpens, studying me, analyzing every nuance. For a second, I wonder if she’s sensed something—if she somehow knows about the pregnancy, even though I haven’t said a word.
• “Sheldon,” she says slowly, almost as if testing her words, “what exactly is this bitch to you?”
• I grit my teeth, searching for the right words, but the silence between us stretches, weighted with tension.
• Before I can respond, Karel's eyes flash with something close to suspicion, or perhaps realization. “Sheldon, is there something you haven’t told me?”