Three months later, news broke: Bella was pregnant.
I was stunned. In thousands of years, no human had ever conceived with a beastkin in just three months.
Had I not seen her swollen belly with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.
The wolf clan threw a grand celebration for the unborn child, inviting all the noble families to share their joy.
“Our ancestors must be watching over us! A child in just three months—what a miracle!” Jacob raised his cup high, pride written all over his face.
Many guests approached to flatter him, eager to earn the wolf clan’s favor. Everyone agreed: the next ruler of the alliance would undoubtedly come from the wolf clan. Now was the perfect time to curry favor.
By status, I should have been seated with Draco at the end of the banquet hall.
But Bella had insisted to Jacob that I be placed beside her. She couldn’t pass up a chance to show off.
As she stroked her belly, she cast me a smug look. “Clarice, three months and still no news from your belly? Seems like you’re really lacking. Your womb doesn’t even try.”
Half-beasts matured rapidly. Two months was enough for them to be born. Based on her size, her child would arrive next month.
But she had no idea how large half-beast infants were. Without managing her diet, she’d suffer greatly during labor.
I had carefully controlled my weight in my past life, yet childbirth still took a full day and night, and the pain nearly made me wish for death.
But the moment I saw my child safely born, sleeping peacefully in my arms, I knew I had no regrets.
I took a sip of wine and said flatly, “Historically, the quickest conception between human and beastkin took a full year. But you took only three months. Whatever methods you used, only you know.”
Bella whipped her head toward me, her eyes darting in guilty panic. “Clarice, what are you implying?”
She couldn’t even withstand the slightest probing. Bella still couldn’t keep her composure.
“May you have a safe delivery, Bella.” I raised my glass to toast her, then left the banquet with Draco by my side.
One month later, Bella endured three full days and nights of labor before finally giving birth.
But seven days passed, and the wolf clan still hadn’t announced the child’s arrival. Even when Father tried to visit, they refused him entry.
There was no doubt—something was wrong with the child.
Half a month later, Father summoned me home.
Seeing the worry in Draco’s eyes before I left, I finally relented and asked him to come with me.
In the living room, Bella sat on the floor sobbing, clutching a half-beast red wolf pup in her arms.
