The Alpha's Replacement: Stolen Child

I gripped the cold edge of the hospital bed, my breath shallow as the doctor’s words echoed in my head. Three months. That was all I had left. My world tilted, collapsing in on itself, but I didn’t let the doctor see me break. I just nodded, whispered a thank you, and walked out of the office like I hadn’t just received a death sentence.

No one knew. Not Alpha Gavin. Not Mavin. Only Daniela, my elder sister.

As I stepped into the car, my fingers trembled around the steering wheel. My son’s face flashed in my mind, his laughter ringing like a cruel reminder. I wouldn’t get to see him grow up. I wouldn’t be there to tuck him in or hold him when he had nightmares. And Gavin—my mate—he’d never know. Maybe that was for the best.

By the time I pulled up to the packhouse, the weight in my chest had doubled. I wasn’t ready to walk through those doors, to pretend I was fine, but I had no choice. I climbed out, steadying myself, and stepped inside. The moment I did, my breath hitched.

Gavin was there. Not alone.

A woman stood with him, pressed too close, her lips grazing his. My stomach twisted as I took a step back, my heart hammering against my ribs. I knew her.

Avery Winstone. The first mate.

My nails dug into my palms as the reality crashed into me. I had never been Gavin’s first choice. I was just the second mate, the replacement.

Avery’s sharp blue eyes flicked toward me, a smirk curling on her lips. “Oh,” she said smoothly, breaking away from Gavin. “The replacement’s home.”

My throat tightened, but I said nothing as she sauntered toward me, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She stopped inches away, tilting her head like she was inspecting something insignificant. Then, she leaned in and pressed a mocking kiss against my cheek.

“Thank you,” she whispered, voice dripping with false sweetness. “For keeping my Alpha and my son safe while I was away.”

The words cut deep. Seven years. She had been gone for seven years. And yet, here she was, walking back into Gavin’s arms like I had never existed.

I swallowed the ache in my throat and forced a bitter smile. “You’re welcome.”

She pulled back, turning toward the grand staircase where servants were already gathering my things. My suitcase. My clothes. My life being packed up without a single word from Gavin.

“This is over, Ofelia,” she said, gesturing at the bags. “You’ve done your part. You can leave now.”

A lump formed in my chest, heavy and suffocating. But before I could say anything, a small voice cut through the tension.

“No!”

Mavin’s tiny feet thudded against the steps as he bolted down the stairs, his little arms wrapped tightly around my waist. He buried his face into my stomach, clutching onto me with all his strength.

“Mommy, don’t go!”

My heart cracked.

Avery’s smile tightened, but she kept her composure. “Mavin, sweetheart, I’m your mother,” she said, crouching to his level.

Mavin peeked up at her, his brows furrowing. “No, you’re not,” he said stubbornly. “Mommy is.” His grip on me tightened. “I don’t want her to leave.”

Avery’s expression flickered for just a second before she sighed dramatically. “He doesn’t even recognize me,” she muttered under her breath.

Gavin finally spoke; his voice unreadable. “Ofelia can stay.”

Avery’s head snapped toward him. “What?”

“She’ll stay for Mavin’s sake,” Gavin said. “But that’s it. We’re done.”

My chest tightened, but I nodded. I wasn’t staying for Gavin. I was staying for Mavin. His small hands clung to me like I was his entire world, and I couldn’t bring myself to let him down.

Even though I knew I would. Because in three months, I wouldn’t be here.

Avery let out a scoff, crossing her arms. “Fine,” she said. “If you want to be a nanny instead of a mate, be my guest. But don’t fool yourself, Ofelia. You were never more than second best.”

I didn’t answer. I just bent down, pressing a kiss against Mavin’s curls. That night, after I tucked Mavin into bed, my phone buzzed. Daniela called.

I hesitated before answering.

“You can’t do this,” she said the second I picked up. “You’re sick, Ofelia. You can’t waste what little time you have in a place where you’re nothing but an afterthought.”

I stared at the ceiling, exhaustion pressing into my bones. “I can’t leave him.”

“And what about you?” Daniela’s voice cracked. “What about what you deserve?”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Ofelia—”

“I don’t care if Gavin never loved me. I don’t care if he chose her over me. I don’t even care if he throws me away like I meant nothing,” I whispered. “The only thing that keeps me alive is Mavin.”

Silence. Then, a broken sigh. “You won’t even be here to see him grow up.”

I knew that. I just didn’t know how to let go.