Maggie’s voice reverberated in the room as she locked eyes with Aldrich, filled with unwavering determination. “Whoever the cub’s father is, I choose to be with you, Aldrich.”
Ethan’s face turned crimson, a mixture of anger and embarrassment washing over him. He retorted with a hint of distrust, “I don’t believe in DNA testing, especially when it involves powerful figures like Aldrich. He can easily manipulate the results.”
Faced with Ethan’s accusations, Aldrich’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. “Oh, Ethan, always ready to project your own cunning nature onto others. Have you forgotten your past attempts to switch samples?”
Ethan’s face flushed with anger once again. He pointed an accusatory finger at Aldrich, his voice quivering intensely. “If you’re so confident, Aldrich, then prove it here and now. Otherwise, I won’t accept the results of this test.”
Aldrich remained calm and composed, squinting as he formulated a plan. He turned to Charlie, issuing a firm command. “Charlie, arrange to bring the DNA testing equipment from the most reputable local laboratory.” The crowd marveled at Aldrich’s immense influence and resources, and the air was filled with awe.
Soon, the DNA testing equipment was brought into the laboratory with the presence of several doctors, and surprisingly, Alisa was among them.
“Miss Nelson, please step forward,” a doctor said icily.
Nervously, Maggie approached, and Alisa gave her a reassuring smile. “Maggie, relax. All you need to do is lie down, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
As Maggie lay down, tears welled up in her eyes, and she instinctively held Alisa’s hand. “Alisa, you have no idea how much I’ve struggled. I never knew there would be so many twists and turns…”
“I don’t know the whirlwind you’ve been caught up in, Maggie, but rest assured, no matter the outcome, I’ll be by your side.”
Everything was ready. Ethan’s heart raced in his chest, consumed by doubt and anxiety. Would his plan to expose Aldrich’s deceit fail? The stakes were high, and his fate hung in the balance.
Caught in the power struggle, Maggie’s emotions surged. She clenched her hands together tightly, nails digging into her palms, and took a deep breath to steady herself. Her gaze darted between Ethan and Aldrich, torn between the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the present, her judgment clouded by doubt.
The testing began. Aldrich and Ethan each provided their DNA samples, their actions deliberate and precise. As they handed over the samples to the council of elders, the room grew tenser, and the elders received them with solemn respect.
The elders’ faces bore traces of wisdom and experience, carefully sealing the samples, erasing any traces of identity. They entrusted the anonymous packages to the trembling hands of laboratory technicians, keenly aware of the gravity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Maggie’s heartbeat thundered in her ears. She felt the nurse inserting a cold needle into her arm, and her blood flowed steadily from her body.
Maggie couldn’t help but grip Alisa’s hand tightly, and Alisa tried to divert her attention, saying, “Maggie, the children aren’t Aldrich’s, right? What does this have to do with that brooding man?”
“I don’t know…” Maggie was equally puzzled. “I don’t know why everything has suddenly turned this way. Just this morning, Aldrich and I were happily imagining our children’s future at the hospital…”
“Listen to me, Maggie, you need to stay strong. If the children aren’t Aldrich’s, you need a plan B.”
“What do you mean?”
Alisa sighed in frustration, reminding her, “Sister, don’t forget, everything between you and Aldrich, his protection, and care, is based on you having his children!”
“You mean, if they’re not… Aldrich and I would break apart, and everything would shatter…”
“You must come to terms with this, Maggie,” Alisa reminded Maggie with a heavy heart.
Time slowly passed, Alisa helping Maggie through her ordeal, with Aldrich and Ethan on either side.
Everyone held their breath, anxiously awaiting the results. The air was thick with uncertainty, and each person silently contemplated the potential outcomes that could forever change the course of their lives.
Finally, the laboratory door swung open, and a laboratory technician emerged, holding two sealed envelopes containing the results. Their expression was grave as they approached the council of elders and handed over the crucial documents.
The elders stood in disbelief, their eyes locked onto the test results in front of them. The document read, “Unable to detect pregnancy blood.” Their thoughts raced as they tried to comprehend this unexpected outcome. According to their understanding, only the blood of the Lunaris vampires possessed the elusive and unique quality of being undetectable – the blood of their ancient enemies.
Their gazes turned to Maggie, their eyes reflecting both confusion and curiosity. This revelation shattered their preconceived notions and challenged the foundation of their knowledge and beliefs. Council members exchanged bewildered glances, and an uneasy atmosphere pervaded the room.
Maggie found herself under their scrutiny, a whirlwind of emotions engulfing her. Confusion mingled with fear and uncertainty.
“Maggie Nelson, can you explain?” Their sharp eyes bore into her, demanding an explanation she couldn’t provide.
Her heart raced as she struggled to maintain a composed exterior. “Respected elders, I truly know nothing about this matter. I wasn’t even aware of Ethan’s alleged sperm exchange event. I humbly request your help in investigating this.”
The room seemed to hold its breath, and tension filled the air. Shadows danced along the walls, adding an eerie atmosphere to the scene. The elders, usually exemplars of wisdom, now faced a puzzle they couldn’t comprehend.
Ethan’s brow furrowed with disbelief and suspicion, breaking the silence. “What does this mean? How can Maggie’s blood not be detected?”
Aldrich, always composed and mysterious, spoke with a cautious tone. “Ethan, this world is full of mysteries yet to be unraveled.”
Maggie’s voice trembled slightly as she dared to question the elders. “What does this mean for the pups? And what does it mean for me?”
Once again, the elders exchanged a knowing look and silently deliberated.
Finally, the eldest of the elders spoke. His voice carried authority and uncertainty. “We must reassess everything we thought we knew. The genetic makeup of these pups remains a puzzle, but perhaps they represent a new sign.”
As council members grappled with the implications of this revelation, the room was filled with an atmosphere of anticipation. They felt that the world they thought they understood had suddenly shifted, leaving them with more questions than answers.
The elders made a solemn announcement: “Given Maggie Nelson’s special connection with the Energy Orb, the lineage of her unborn child will determine who becomes the next leader of the wolf pack.”
Ethan’s icy gaze instantly locked onto Maggie, and she quivered under his intense scrutiny. She felt trapped, but thankfully, Aldrich protected her. “Maggie, let’s go. We’ll find the answers; I promise.”