Chapter 2

Just when I was on the verge of despair, a chorus of car horns suddenly sounded outside. Car windows rolled down, and drivers stuck their heads out, shouting toward the front:

"Cars up front, clear the lane! Someone's about to have a baby!"

The emergency lane was cleared. Kalia's car sped forward. About five minutes from the highway exit, we were blocked again.

She'd pressed the horn so hard it was nearly smoking, but the cars ahead still didn't move. Several guard vehicles were blocking the middle of the road, as if conducting some kind of inspection.

The pain in my abdomen came faster and more urgent. Amniotic fluid mixed with blood dripped onto the car floor. Cold sweat soaked my entire body. I couldn't tell anymore when I was conscious and when I'd passed out from pain.

When I regained consciousness again, Kalia was arguing with someone outside.

"The emergency lane is for saving lives! Blocking it like this will get someone killed!"

A wolf reeking of alcohol stumbled down from a beat-up pickup truck.

"It's not just me blocking the road. If you want to complain, go up front!"

"Stop yelling at me, or don't blame my fists for not having eyes!"

When the thug actually looked like he was going to hit Kalia, I forced myself through the pain to open the car door and pull her behind me.

"I... I really am in labor, please, let us through..."

This action took all my remaining strength. I stumbled and couldn't support myself, collapsing to the ground.

Seeing this, the thug hurriedly got back in his car and slammed the door shut.

"This isn't my fault, don't try to blame me!"

Perhaps my condition looked dire enough—many people got out of their cars and ran toward the vehicles ahead. They knocked on windows one by one, desperately trying to explain.

"There's a pregnant woman who can't hold on much longer!"

"We all have wives and children. Please save her!"

The pain struck again. Just as my consciousness was fading, the vehicles ahead moved in unison to clear the emergency lane. Some cars even pressed tightly against the cars beside them, not caring about scratches, just to make the road wider.

Kalia and people nearby quickly lifted me into the car.

"Don't be afraid, we'll be at the hospital soon!"

The car started again. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.

"Thank you all!"

Kalia smiled. "We're saving you, but also saving ourselves from future danger."

But we'd barely driven two minutes when we were stopped by Pathseekers Pack patrol cars.

Orion's friend Leo got out of the car with a frown. He was the Beta guard's son, had grown up with Orion, and wore the pack guard uniform.

"So you're the ones obstructing traffic and forcing cars on the highway to crash?" He looked coldly at Kalia.

Kalia tried to explain.

Leo cut her off directly: "You people are so reckless. Sooner or later you'll all end up in prison!"

Kalia's face flushed red with anger. Before she could argue back, she heard my scream.

She hurriedly got in the car to wipe the cold sweat from my forehead.

"Just hang on a little longer, we'll be at the hospital in five minutes at most!"

Leo walked forward and, seeing it was me, a trace of suspicion flashed in his eyes.

"Clara, what are you doing here?"

I bit down hard on my finger, forcing myself to stay conscious.

"I'm in labor, you guys..."

Halfway through my sentence, Leo's phone rang.

"What's up, Orion?"

"Clara? Yeah, we found her, but..." He looked at me with confusion, "She seems to be in labor!"

Orion's scoffing laughter came through the phone.

"How is that possible? She's still a month away from her due date."

"To compete with Tia for attention, she'd even make up this kind of lie."

"Don't bother with her! I left her with those Rogues on purpose today to teach her a lesson!"

My head spun instantly, and the pain felt like it was tearing my body apart. After one scream, everything went black, and I passed out completely.