His mother looked at him unable to hide the surprise on her face.

"Are you going to have it?"

She had never imagined her own son being a father, though the situation had changed radically.

Leo said nothing, just lowered his gaze, blushing.

"Are you going to have it because it's Jared's?"

Her voice softened and her eyes became bright. Unrequited love came loaded with pain, however, a child in Leo's case, given the entire situation, seemed like a miracle. Despite everything, she couldn't help feeling sad. There was so much love in Leo's eyes that it hurt her heart what he would suffer carrying out a pregnancy without his alpha.

She stood up and went to hug him. She couldn't help but let a few tears escape upon hearing her son's broken voice:

"How am I going to abort it, mom?" he asked between barely audible sobs.

His mother's voice brought an unpleasant comment:

"You know he has a right to know, don't you? The baby isn't only yours."

The change in Leo's mood was palpable. He broke free from his mother's embrace and stood up quickly.

"How am I going to tell him?! He doesn't even remember that we spent the rut together... and he doesn't want children either!"

He was angry, sad, disappointed, and hurt. The sobbing had already become broken crying.

"Are you going to hide it from him?"

Leo fixed his gaze on her, and his eyes emitted a strange shine.

"No, I'm simply going to stop talking to him."

Leila opened her mouth to say something, though she preferred to stay quiet. She didn't want to give him false hopes, however, ultra-dominant alphas were very obsessive with the few bonds they formed throughout their lives. She was convinced that despite wanting to believe otherwise, Jared wasn't in love with her son, however, he had become a person of great importance in his life, and wouldn't accept the fact that he would disappear from one day to the next. Right now they should concentrate on relevant aspects for the future.

"Son, let's go step by step. Let's leave Jared's topic for the moment: the first thing is to find a new hospital—we need to do an ultrasound and an exhaustive pheromone examination. Besides, from what they've told you, you could be recessive, and if so, you'd need pheromone treatment, otherwise you could lose the baby."

Leo closed his eyes for an instant—he felt it was too much information suddenly.

His mother's voice sounded cautious:

"And after giving birth, I can take care of him until you finish university."

Leo looked up, surprised.

"Don't look at me like that—I never thought you'd have children. I know how much you worked to achieve everything you've accomplished so far. The remaining semesters you can count on me 100%." She smiled at him confidently—she knew it was what Leo needed most at that moment. "Your apartment is too small to stay there with the baby." At Leo's furious look, she hurried to clarify: "I'm not telling you to move in with me, but I can be here with the baby and you come here, then we organize ourselves. At first you'll need to stay with me, but then we can divide ourselves. Once you finish university, we'll see how we manage. Then you can find something bigger and move."

Leo nodded, thoughtful. It wasn't a bad idea. Regarding the hospital, Leo told his mother he had already made an appointment at a clinic a friend had recommended. When his mother heard the name, she let out an exclamation:

"They gave you an appointment? It's a super exclusive clinic—they don't give you an appointment unless you have a recommendation. My God, Leo, who do you know?"