h step felt heavy with the weight of the decision she was about to make. She had spent the night tossing and turning, her mind racing with d

r that she wasn't strong enough, not good enough, that had pushed her to this point. She was tired of waiting for someone to choose her. Tired of feeling powerles

e modest, the kind of place where everyone knew each other, and secrets were hard to keep. Seraphina had always kept

ers of every kind spilled over the path, their scents mingling in the air. The door to the cottage was slightly ajar, as if welco

. A large cauldron bubbled over a fire in the hearth, filling the room with a thick, earthy aroma. The he

ler said, her voice low and raspy,

ard, suddenly unsure

settling. "Word travels fast in a village like this. And bes

xposed under the woman's gaze. "I'm not

a to sit. "Not yet, perhaps. But you've got the spirit of

he clasped them in her lap. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind

arely above a whisper. "But I don't have a mate, and I don't

a mix of curiosity and caution. "It's a difficult path you're

ely sure. But she had come this far, and she couldn't tu

what you ask, though they're not without risks. There's a clinic, a place where those who wish to co

d whispers about places like this, where women could go to become mothers on their own terms. B

" she asked, trying to

erself, before finally nodding. "I'll give you the directions.

a spidery script. The clinic was far from the village, tucked away in a remote part of the territory where few dared to go. It

nd across rocky terrain. The journey was long and tiring, but Seraphina

s a small, plain building, nestled among the trees with no sign or marker to indicate what i

er heart racing, before taking a de

whitewashed, the floors scrubbed clean. A young woman in a whit

woman asked, her voice

ice barely steady. "I was told yo

there was a flicker of understanding in

rooms, until they reached a small office at the end. Inside, another

ring to a chair in front of her desk. "I und

er. "Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

n. We work with many women in your situation. There are sever

em. "We have a variety of donors, all carefully screened. You can choose one based on th

things were starting to fall into place. She could do this. She could have

a donor," she said,

er a stack of profiles. "Take

anied by a photo and a brief description: age, background, physical characteristics, even personality traits

a growing sense of unease. None of the profiles se

e?" she asked, glanc

hough it's a bit unusual. We recently received a donation from an Alpha. He requested

unheard of for an Alpha to donate, especially without a

?" she asked, trying t

odding and pulling out a separate folder.

eage that stretched back to some of the most revered Alphas in history. And yet, there was something else, somethi

e," she said, almo

he nodded. "Are you sure? Once we

d, her mind mad

clinic. The procedure was explained in calm, clinical terms, but Seraphina barely heard it. Her mind

rves. But as the procedure began, a strange sensation washed over her. It wasn't pain, exac

p, explaining that she should take it easy for the next few days, but Seraphina ba

way back home, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She had done it. She had taken control of her life, made a decis

night sky. He had no idea that his carefully guarded secret had just been set in mot

And when he did, nothing w