Page 18 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

“These useless healers can't do anything!"Ruby blinked back angry tears."I did everything he asked … for nothing!It was all for nothing!”

Onyx had always been suspicious of Ruby, distrustful of her motives and willful ignorance of what might happen if we mated.He pushed for control.

"What did you do, Ruby?"The words rumbled from my chest.

Her gaze turned hazy, her words slurring."He said … hepromised…”

What was she talking about?Before I could press further, Ruby coughed, specks of blood smattered her lips and chin.

“Explain yourself!”Onyx used his Alpha powers and my voice to force more from the weakened female.

Her words tumbled out in a delirious rush."Oh, Goddess.My true mate … w-we had … a plan.”

"What did you plan, Ruby?"I growled.

Her eyes fluttered, unfocused."Take over … Darkwood … through our … your son …"

Rage flooded my veins."My son?You planned to use my own child against me?"

Ruby's laugh was weak, bordering on hysterical."Unite packs.Be t-twice as big … rule through alpha blood …"

I gripped the edge of the bed, shredding the linens as my claws came out."Why would you think I wouldeverlet that happen?"

Her gaze sharpened, a cruel smile twisting her lips in a sudden moment of lucidity.

"You wouldn't," she declared, "have to ...kill you."

The room went deathly quiet.Both Grace and Tess froze.

"You and your true mate planned to kill me?"I was dangerously close to shifting and tearing her apart.

Ruby didn't respond, her eyes rolled back as another contraction hit.The midwife and healer immediately began talking and moving, though I didn’t hear a word of it.

Ruby’s confession swung at me like a physical blow.This female, carrying my son, just confessed to plotting my death.

Years of trivial annoyance towards her suddenly crystallized into white-hot fury.

If she lives, Onyx growls in my mind,I will rip out her throat.

Ruby's body convulsed with one final, agonizing push.The room was quiet save for her ragged breathing.No infant cries broke the stillness.

Helplessly, I watched as Grace spoke quickly to Tess, the pair making swift movements as they huddled over a tiny body.

Minutes went by.They shared words.Worried looks.But they kept at it, each of us ignoring the patient bleeding out on the bed.

Eventually, Grace took a shuddering breath, shaking her head.Tess squeezed her shoulder.

Moving silently, the midwife tended to my son's tiny body with gentle, sorrowful motions.Her eyes avoided mine, but I could smell the salt of her unshed tears.

"My son?"I demanded, my voice rough, my denial sharp.

The midwife's face was ashen as she turned to me, holding a small, motionless bundle.My heart plummeted.

"I'm so sorry, Alpha," she whispered.

Ruby's raspy voice broke through the suffocating space."Was it … worth it?"

I looked up to see the light in her eyes fading fast.Her skin was pale and sickly.

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