Missed Opportunity (Part 2)

Kane’s POV

My world stopped spinning. “What?” I barely managed.

“I’m pregnant,” she repeated. “I found out a week ago and had it confirmed. I’m about three months along.”

My wolf agitated, pushing against the edges of my consciousness, almost breaking through the silver handcuffs’ restrictions. My child, my pup, growing inside her.

Three months. Right when we’d had that one time without protection. Emotions exploded—a mix of pride, joy, sadness, and despair that nearly suffocated me. I couldn’t believe I was going to be a father. Thea and I had created life together. I still remembered how her body felt against mine. Making love to her had felt like I’d reached heaven.

I was truly honored she was carrying my child. I couldn’t have chosen a better mother.

Just as this thought flashed through my mind, another painful realization crashed in.

“So you’re planning to…?” I couldn’t finish the question.

“Keep it,” she answered immediately, a flash of determination in her eyes. “I admit, when I found out, I was in a bad mental state and had some dark thoughts, but this is my final decision. This is my child, regardless.”

I exhaled in relief. If she’d told me she didn’t want my child, I don’t know what I would have done.

“Why are you telling me?” I asked quietly. She had every reason to keep this from me after what happened between us.

“This child deserves to know who their father is,” she said, looking me straight in the eyes. “I want to know if you want to be part of the child’s life.”

I clenched my jaw, conflicted. I wanted to shout “yes,” to declare I’d do anything for this pup. But the reality was I’d be here for at least twenty years. The child would already be an adult by the time I got out.

“No,” I finally said, the word feeling like it was being ripped from my heart.

She was silent for a moment, then picked up her bag to leave. I lowered my head, but she quickly turned back.

“Why?” she demanded. “Is it because you were just using me?”

“What can I offer him or her? By the time I get out of prison, I’ll have missed all their important moments. I can’t be what a real father should be. Besides, they wouldn’t want a criminal father who tried to kill their mother. They’d hate me.”

Thea’s eyes widened slightly. “Is that what you really think?”

“This child doesn’t need to know their father is a monster who was willing to kill for power,” I said bitterly. “They’ll be better off pretending I never existed.”

This time she was silent for a long time, and I thought she understood and agreed, but she shook her head slightly. “You’re their father, Kane, whether you’re in prison or not. That doesn’t change. Wolf children need to know their bloodline, and this child should know their father, even if you’ve done terrible things. I can bring the child to visit you… if you want. You can be involved. You don’t have to miss anything. With your presence, your child will love you.”

I stared at her in shock. Of all the responses I’d expected, this wasn’t one of them.

“Why?” I almost growled. “Why would you do that? After what I did to you?”

“Not for you,” she said calmly. “For this child. I know what it’s like to grow up without a father, even if that father is an asshole.”

I was speechless. Her kindness caught me off guard once again. I knew about her past, how the Sterling family had neglected and rejected her. She didn’t want her child to experience the same pain, even if it meant facing the person who hurt her. She truly was an incredible woman, and I couldn’t understand how Sebastian had resisted falling in love with her during their seven-year marriage.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

“I’m just doing what’s right for our child.”

I wanted to tell her more, to tell her what was really in my heart. Maybe this was my last chance.

“Thea, I care about you,” I mustered the courage to say. “My original plan was just to use you, but at some point, everything changed. I… fell in love with you. It’s not an excuse, and it doesn’t make up for what I did, but it’s the truth.”

Her expression became unreadable. “You say you love me?”

“Deeper than I ever imagined,” I admitted quietly. “I never planned on falling for anyone, especially not you. But you made it happen.”

A flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. “It’s too late, Kane. Maybe for a moment, I loved you too. But that person wasn’t really you—just a character you created.”

Each word stabbed my heart like a blade. “I know…”

“No, you don’t. I had imagined a future with you, so real and bright. My feelings for you were just beginning to bloom. I was ready to give you my whole heart. And you destroyed everything.” Her voice grew quieter, and I could hear her breathing.

I nearly broke down at her words. I knew she liked me and enjoyed our time together. But I didn’t know she’d developed real feelings for me. She was on her way to falling in love with me.

This realization was killing me, destroying me from the inside. I’d lost everything because of my stupidity. Because of my foolishness, I couldn’t be a permanent father to my child. Because of my foolishness, I’d missed the chance to have this amazing woman by my side.

“I should go,” she stood up, opening her bag and placing something in front of me. “I’ll let you know about the next ultrasound. Meanwhile, you can keep this.”

It was a copy of an ultrasound scan, and I quickly understood what I was looking at. I’d never been an emotional person, but tears immediately filled my eyes.

“Wait,” I said, standing up as well.

She stopped and turned to face me. I slowly walked toward her until we were just inches apart. I could feel her breath softly brushing my cheek.

“May I?” I asked softly, gesturing toward her face.

She hesitated, then nodded slightly.

I carefully reached out and gently gripped her wrist. She looked at me without pulling away. I gazed into her amber eyes and slowly leaned in. I wanted to kiss her lips, to feel that hope of forgiveness once more. But at the last moment, I changed direction and placed my lips softly on the corner of her mouth.

This was my punishment to myself. I knew I no longer deserved to kiss her lips. I also knew I’d lost my chance to start over with her.

This gentle, regretful kiss was our final goodbye.