Chapter 12: Retrieval
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"Bella?" Derek's voice came from outside the door, carrying obvious worry. "Are you alright?"
I took a deep breath and opened the door. He stood there, brows furrowed, black hair disheveled, clearly just gotten out of bed. Seeing my pale face, he immediately reached out to steady my arm.
"Vomiting again?" he asked softly, his palm warm and firm.
I nodded, deciding to no longer hide it. "Derek, I think I'm pregnant."
His expression went through multiple changes in an instant—shock, joy, worry, finally settling on a complex determination. His hand gently touched my abdomen, where there was no visible change yet.
"Our child," he whispered, his voice carrying a vulnerability I'd never heard before. "I'll be by your side this time, Bella. Every step of the way."
I leaned against his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat. Derek had always been the strong one, always protecting Lillian and me, but at this moment, I felt the fear deep in his heart—fear of history repeating, fear of losing us again.
"I know," I said softly, my fingers tracing his tense jawline. "But this child might also be..."
"Owen's," he finished for me, his voice calm but his eyes flashing with complex emotion. "Just like Lillian."
I nodded, uncertain of his reaction. Derek took a deep breath, then unexpectedly smiled. "Then this child will be very lucky, having two fathers who love him."
His acceptance brought tears to my eyes. This once proud, stubborn Alpha was changing his most deeply rooted instincts for our family.
However, fate seemed to always test us at the most inopportune moments. The next morning, Lillian woke up screaming from a dream, her eyes again turning brilliant silver, her forehead burning hot.
"Mom, it hurts!" she cried, her small hands tightly gripping my sleeve. "My eyes are burning!"
Derek immediately picked her up, his movements gentle yet swift. "We need to go to the hospital."
But hospital examinations yielded no results. The doctors were helpless, and Derek's Alpha energy could only temporarily alleviate symptoms. Three days later, Lillian's condition continued to worsen.
"We need Owen," I finally said what we were both thinking. "He's the only one who truly understands the physiology of a child of the dual moon."
Derek stood at the hospital room window, his back tense. "I know." He turned to face me, his eyes showing rare defeat. "But I don't know where he is."
"I can find him," I said firmly, my hand touching my heart. "Through our connection."
Derek was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Go. Find him, bring him back. For Lillian."
What he didn't say was: and for yourself. I could read it in his eyes.
That night, I sat alone in the manor's garden, closing my eyes, concentrating on feeling that invisible bond connecting me to Owen. At first, there was only darkness and silence, but as I focused, a faint feeling began to form—warmth, the scent of knowledge, with a hint of pine and old books. Owen.
I followed this feeling, mentally calling his name. Suddenly, a location clearly appeared in my mind—the Snowpeak Mountains to the north, a secluded research station.
At dawn the next day, I set out for the Snowpeak Mountains. Derek insisted on sending people to escort me, but I refused. "This is a journey I must complete alone."
Three days later, I found the small cabin hidden among the pine trees. The moment I pushed open the door, familiar scent washed over me. Owen had his back to the door, focused on work at a microscope, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.
"You shouldn't have come here, Bella," he didn't turn around, his voice calm but obviously tense. "Go back."
"Lillian needs you," I got straight to the point. "Her symptoms have returned, worse than before."
These words finally made him turn. He looked much thinner, his eyes behind his glasses bloodshot, obviously not having rested well for days. But when his gaze fell on me, that familiar warmth and concern immediately surfaced.
"How bad?" he asked, doctor's instincts immediately taking over.
"High fever that won't break, eyes completely silver, and mild convulsions," I answered, walking closer to him. "Derek has tried everything, but nothing works. We need you, Owen."
He shook his head, stepping back. "Derek is the Alpha. He can handle it."
"No, he can't!" My voice rose with frustration. "You're the only one who truly understands children of the dual moon. Lillian needs you, I need you!"
"Bella," his voice was low and painful. "I left for a reason. You and Derek, you're destined mates. I only make things complicated."
I stepped forward, eliminating the distance between us, looking directly into his eyes. "Don't you dare make decisions for me again, Owen Ravencraft. Eight years ago, you decided to deceive me. Two months ago, you decided to leave us. This time, it's my turn to choose."
I grabbed his shirt collar, pulling him toward me. "I choose both of you. I love Derek, and I love you. Lillian needs two fathers, and..." I took his hand, placing it on my abdomen. "This child also needs a complete family."
Owen's eyes widened, his hand trembling on my abdomen. "You're... pregnant?"
"Yes," I confirmed softly. "And just like Lillian, this child may have both your and Derek's genes."
His expression became complex, joy, fear, and longing intertwining. "Does Derek know?"
"He knows," I nodded. "And he's accepted it. He's changing, Owen, for our family. You can too."
Owen's hand remained on my abdomen, as if feeling that not-yet-formed life. I could see the struggle in his heart—desire for happiness versus fear of not deserving it.
I stood on tiptoe, gently kissing his lips, feeling his whole body stiffen and then relax. The kiss was gentle yet firm, conveying my determination and love.
"Come home, Owen," I whispered against his lips. "Come back to us."
That night, in the small cabin under the stars, we reconnected, bodies and souls intertwining. Owen's touch was completely different from Derek's—more careful, gentler, yet equally passionate. In the moment of shared ecstasy, I felt the connection between us grow stronger, as if fate's threads were finally woven into a complete pattern.
At dawn, Owen packed his bags, his eyes flashing with new determination. "Let's go home, Bella. Lillian needs us."
I smiled, taking his hand, my heart full of hope. Our path wouldn't be smooth, but as long as we were together, we could face any challenge.
