He Rejected Me, I Kept His Pup

Aria’s POV

Today is the day. I couldn’t contain my excitement as I prepared to share some incredible news with my mate, Alpha Bennett.

Instinctively, my hand rested on my belly as I looked around for him. I had just come from the lead healer’s territory, where I received the life-changing news.

As I made my way through the pack grounds, I couldn’t help but ask a few pack members if they’d seen him. “Have you seen the Alpha? I’ve got something exciting to tell him—I just can’t wait!” I said eagerly to anyone who crossed my path.

“I’m sorry, Luna. We haven’t seen the Alpha yet.”

Bennett wasn’t home when I woke up earlier, which is why I’m asking them.

Soon, I ran into Marcus, our Beta. “Hey, Marcus! Have you seen Bennett? Do you know where he is?” I asked, my excitement bubbling over.

He paused for a moment, his expression shifting in a way that made me uneasy. It was subtle, but I couldn’t ignore it. He looked... off. As if he was holding something back.

“He’s probably just in your territory. Maybe waiting for you,” he replied, his voice distant.

I frowned. “Marcus, are you okay? Why won’t you look at me? Is something wrong?” I pressed, a bad feeling creeping up my spine.

He avoided my gaze entirely, brushing off my concern. “I’m a bit busy,” he said hurriedly. “Alpha Bennett asked me to handle something for him. I’ve got to go. Take care.”

Before I could say anything more, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, confused and uneasy. His reaction left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I shook it off and decided to head home.

When I reached our pack house, I opened the door, expecting to see Bennett.

“Bennett, where are you? I have something to tell you!” I called out as I stepped inside.

I found him in our room, and the sight stopped me cold. Bennett was hurriedly packing his things, his movements rushed and almost frantic.

“Where are you going? Are you heading out for a hunt? Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, confusion laced in my voice.

But instead of answering, he brushed past me, avoiding my eyes.

“Don’t get in my way, Aria,” he said firmly, his tone distant.

“Bennett... what’s going on?” My voice cracked as I stepped back, a lump forming in my throat.

And just like that, the excitement I felt earlier began to crumble into something darker, heavier—something I wasn’t ready to face.

“B-Bennett, what is going on? Why are you in such a rush? Where are you going?” I pleaded, my voice trembling as I reached for him.

But he pushed me away. Hard. The force startled me, but thankfully, I managed to steady myself before falling.

When he turned to face me, his eyes were sharp, his gaze piercing. For reasons I couldn’t understand, he looked irritated, almost angry with me.

“Janna needs me,” he said, his tone clipped and cold. “She’s in pain and needs help. I’m the only one she can rely on.”

I froze. It felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over me. That name—Janna.

She was the one we always argued about. Janna, a high-ranking member of our pack. Bennett respected her deeply, maybe too deeply. She was a constant thorn in our relationship, no matter how hard I tried to ignore it and beg him to ignore her.

“What’s going on with Janna?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“She’s pregnant, and her mate left her,” he said, his voice rising. “As the Alpha, it’s my responsibility to take care of her while her mate is gone. I’ll exile him for what he’s done!”

His words were sharp, filled with anger. But it wasn’t just anger—it was pain. Pain for her. Seeing his expression, it felt like an arrow had been shot straight through my heart.

“Bennett,” I said softly, my voice breaking. “I need to tell you something.”

I wanted to push past his words, past the ache in my chest, because what I had to say felt far more important than anything else.

“Not now, Aria,” he snapped. “I don’t care what you have to say. I need to go to Janna.”

He grabbed his things, brushing past me as though I didn’t exist, heading for the door.

“Wait! Bennett, please,” I begged, chasing after him.

But when I caught up to him, he suddenly turned around, his patience clearly gone. He shoved me hard, and I stumbled, falling to the ground. My hands scraped against the floor as I tried to catch myself.

When I looked up at him, he was pointing a finger at me, his face twisted in frustration.

“Aria, stop it!” he shouted. “I’m sick of this! Her life is on the line—she needs me. There’s nothing you can do about it. Just let me go. I’ll come back when I can.”

And with that, he turned his back on me and walked away, leaving me on the floor, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

I sat there, staring at the empty space where he had just stood, tears streaming down my face.

“But... I’m pregnant too, Bennett. You’re going to be a father,” I whispered to the silence, my words trembling as they fell unheard.