Chapter 164 Whose Weight Counts More

Serena had the medical report printed before returning to the Celestia Residences. By the time she let herself into the penthouse, a satisfied smile had settled on her face.

She had won.

A pup could bind a mother to a Pack, but it could bind a father just as tightly. Alpha Sebastian might be cold toward her now, but he would never abandon his own bloodline.

The Hales thought they could take their money back?

They would think twice once she was carrying the Pack’s heir. From now on, they would be the ones paying for her medical care, housing, and security. Eira had nothing that could compete with that.

Serena had been Alpha Sebastian’s first love. She came from a respectable family. Now she was carrying his pup.

In Serena’s mind, that put her ahead of Eira.

But she needed to tell the right people first. Not someone who would spread the news all over town.

Ethan came to mind. He was Alpha Sebastian’s oldest friend.

Serena sent him a text.

[Ethan, you know Sebastian better than anyone. Hypothetically, if I were pregnant, would he make me terminate the pregnancy just because Eira is still his mate?]

Then she thought of her parents. If anyone could pressure Alpha Sebastian into taking responsibility, it would be them.

She ignored Alpha Sebastian’s order to stay put. After pulling on a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, she headed home.

Robert and Jennifer had taken time off because of the mess involving Alpha Victor and Serena. They were still in town when she arrived.

The moment Serena walked through the door, both of them froze. She rarely visited. She always claimed their house looked nothing like her grandfather’s estate.

Then Jennifer noticed the hat, mask, and sunglasses. Her expression changed.

"What happened?" she asked, hurrying over.

She removed the disguise and found no injury on Serena’s face. A closer look revealed bruises behind her ear, along her neck, and across the backs of her wrists.

Robert’s face tightened. "Did someone hurt you?"

Serena dropped onto the couch. "I’m thirsty."

Jennifer fetched her a glass of water while Robert watched with growing irritation. That helpless-princess routine had always gotten under his skin.

"You were attacked," he said.

Serena had not expected him to figure it out so quickly, but she only waved him off. "It’s nothing. I came to tell you something."

She pulled out the report and placed it on the coffee table.

"I’m pregnant."

Robert picked up the report with shaking hands. "Is it Alpha Sebastian’s? Serena, he’s still bonded to another woman. He already has a Luna."

"Robert, let her explain." Jennifer put a hand on his arm.

"It’s his. I’m four weeks pregnant." Serena looked from one parent to the other. "You’re going to be grandparents. Aren’t you happy?"

If Serena had been mated and settled, they would have been thrilled. Instead, she was carrying the pup of another wolf’s bonded mate.

Robert felt humiliated. Jennifer could barely speak.

"I’m keeping this pup," Serena said. "I’m not bringing a pup into the world without a Pack name or legal protection. You need to talk to the Hales."

She leaned back and stared at them.

"I’m your only daughter. You were barely there when I was growing up, and you hardly helped me. Now that you’re finally here, you’re going to stand by me, right?"

Neither of them had expected such cold words from their own daughter.

Jennifer steadied Robert, then sat across from Serena.

"Sweetheart, hear me out." Her voice stayed gentle. "Alpha Sebastian’s mate is Dr. Crawford. Unless Eira files to dissolve the bond, Alpha Sebastian won’t be able to do it himself. If he planned to leave Eira, he would have done it already."

Serena’s fingers tightened around the report.

Jennifer continued, "A pup conceived outside a recognized bond may not have standing in a Pack. That means no Pack protection, no inheritance claim, and no guaranteed place in the bloodline."

She reached across the table."Serena, we’re not going to pretend this is simple."

"You have options," Jennifer continued. "You can continue the pregnancy, make an adoption plan, or terminate it while you’re still early. We can schedule a private appointment and..."

Serena let out a cold laugh."I’m keeping the baby."

"Then what do you think marrying Alpha Sebastian will get you?" Jennifer asked, her voice softening with something close to grief. "Be honest."

"Status. Money. Territory. And years of history." Serena did not hesitate. "Grandfather said he’d help me start over once this mess blows over. If Sebastian and I bond, two powerful bloodlines will join the same Pack. That is a real alliance."

In the wolf world, a powerful bloodline meant more than a family name. It meant stronger alliances, greater control over territory, and more wolves willing to fight under the same banner.

A Pack’s land provided hunting grounds, homes, and safe places for its pregnant females and young pups.

So Alpha Victor planned to keep bankrolling her.

Jennifer opened her mouth, then let out a tired breath.

"I’m your daughter," Serena pressed. "You were always working. You were never around, and you never did anything for me. Now that you’re finally here, are you really going to turn your back on me?"

The guilt landed exactly where she wanted it to.

No matter how reasonable a parent was, cutting off their own pup was not easy.

In the end, Jennifer and Robert gave in.

"If Alpha Sebastian refuses to bond with you and you still want to keep the baby, we’ll help," Jennifer said quietly. "We can raise the pup with you."

"Why would he refuse?"

Serena’s expression hardened. She did not believe Alpha Sebastian could abandon his own pup. The Hale Pack would never willingly let an Alpha’s heir slip away, either.

With her parents on her side, Serena called Alpha Sebastian.

She softened her voice, adding just enough hurt to make him feel guilty."Sebastian, my parents know about the baby. They want to meet you."

Alpha Sebastian already had a pounding headache. Serena’s pregnancy had blindsided him that morning. That afternoon, he had learned that his mother and Isabella were working with Eira to recover the money. By nightfall, he was dealing with the move.

Now the Winthrops wanted a family meeting.He had been careless, so he could hardly blame them for wanting answers.

"When?"

"Whenever you’re free."

"Give me a few days. I have a Pack summit tomorrow, followed by business dinners."

"Okay." Serena paused. "Sebastian, the doctor said it was lucky yesterday’s injuries didn’t hit my stomach."

His brow furrowed, but he said nothing.

"Our pup is a fighter," she added softly. "Go take care of business. We’ll be thinking about you."

Her voice no longer had much power over him.

Then she said our pup.

His first pup.

The thought caught him off guard.

Isabella was the only one in the family who had not softened at the news.

His mother still did not want Serena anywhere near the Hale estate after what she had done with the money, but she could not bear the thought of losing an heir.

His father believed Serena was no match for Eira and wanted no part of her in the Pack. But he also refused to let the Hale bloodline die out.

They had argued in circles and still had no answer.