Chapter 10

Clara’s POV

When I wake up, the first thing I see is two burly men staring directly at me.

“Ah!” I let out a shriek of surprise, scrambling back and clutching my bedsheet to my chest–

Wait… bedsheet?

Where am I?

I look around quickly, still feeling panicked and afraid by my unfamiliar surroundings. If I had to guess, I’d say I’m in a hospital, judging by the blinding white lights and the sterile-looking setup. I feel surprisingly well-rested considering, well, everything.

I recognize one of them had those disgusting Moonstone guards ripped to shreds, and threatened that I may be next.

“Please don’t kill me!” I beg frantically, shooting up off the bed and pressing myself into a corner. “Pease, I swear this is all some kind of misunderstanding–”

The lead soldier raises an eyebrow before lifting his hands in a placating gesture. “You won’t be hurt,” he says, voice low and gruff. He tilts his head to one side, then calls out, “Doctor!”

An elderly-looking woman quickly shuffles the room and eases me back into the bed, then presses two fingers against my wrist. I freeze in shock as she takes my vitals, trying to wrap my head around what’s going on.

As I sit still, watching the doctor probe at my skin, the other man leans forward inquisitively. His expression is kindly, soft, almost… familiar.

“I’m Beta Roger,” the soldier from the woods continues. Then he gestures at the other man. “And this is Alpha Liam Calson of the Scarlet pack.”

“The Scarlet pack,” I repeat carefully, doing my best to suppress the sudden fear that rushes through me. “I’m in the Scarlet pack?”

The Scarlet pack and the Moonstone pack are sworn enemies. As an exile of the Moonstone pack… what’s going to happen to me?

“That’s right,” Alpha Liam says in a calm, measured voice.

My breathing becomes rapid and shallow. “I–I’m not a rogue, or a spy, or anything,” I begin desperately. “I just… got lost in your territory’s borders–”

“Calm down,” Alpha Liam says with an easy laugh. “Don’t be afraid. Nothing is going to happen to you here. What kinds of monsters do you take us for? We wouldn’t dream of hurting a pregnant woman.”

The world seems to balance on a knife’s edge.

Did I hear that right?

Pregnant?

“Are… are you sure I’m pregnant?” I ask quietly, hardly daring to speak the word myself.

The doctor nods. “You’ve been unconscious all day,” she says. “I took the time to examine you, confirm the pregnancy, and treat your injuries. You’ve been through quite the ordeal,” she adds. “Thankfully, your pup is fine.”

Tears spring to the corners of my eyes. My pup. Damien’s pup–it’s Damien’s pup that I’m carrying.

My heart begins to ache as the true weight of my situation crashes down on me. I’m in exile, pregnant, and now stuck in the territory of an enemy pack–

And yet they’re not treating me like an enemy.

Why?

“It doesn’t seem like home is a safe place for you, considering some of the injuries we found on you,” Alpha Liam continues kindly. “Or that the pup’s father is much of a man worth running back to. You’re more than welcome to stay here, give birth safely, be taken care of…”

I hesitate. It’s all so much to believe–so much to try and puzzle through. I still can’t quite grasp that I’m pregnant. That I’m going to have a child, Damien’s child.

But I can’t abandon caution just yet.

“I don’t… know what any of this is,” I say quietly.

Alpha Liam nods in sympathy. “Take your time. Think things through. I can hardly begin to imagine what you must have suffered through to get here. Although, if you’re feeling up to it, we have much to speak about.”

A shiver runs down my spine. “We do?”

Alpha Liam turns to the doctor. “Is she in good enough condition to leave?” He asks.

My heart rate begins to quicken, fear surging through me.

“She is,” the doctor replies.

Alpha Liam smiles again, that calm, placating smile. I do my best to match it as he helps me out of bed, then walks me out of the medical room.

We walk in tense silence, and before long I find myself in a grand-looking study. Alpha Liam takes a seat, then gestures for me to do the same. He rummages around his desk for a few moments before pulling out a grainy-looking photo.

“Do you know who these people are?” He asks carefully.

I blink. The photograph shows two people, a man and a woman, sitting in a meadow together. The man has sharp features and stunning green eyes, as well as wavy blond hair. The woman has a kind smile and gold eyes that seem to capture the light–

My mouth falls open in shock.

She looks exactly like me.

“Are these…?” I begin quietly, voice tremulous.

Alpha Liam nods. “Your parents.”

I let out a choked sob, pressing my hand to my mouth as I stare at the photo in shock. After all this time, I never thought I’d know anything about them, much less get to see a photograph–

“Who are they?” I ask, aghast.

Alpha Liam smiles sadly. “Well,” he begins, pointing at the man, “That’s our father. The former Alpha of the Scarlet pack.”

I sit there, stunned. “So you’re–we’re…?”

“Half-siblings,” Alpha Liam confirms. “Our father loved your mother first, but they weren’t fated mates. After an argument, your mother left the Scarlet pack with you as a baby, vowing never to return. Father searched endlessly for any trace of either of you, but all he ever found was your mother’s corpse, right on the border of the Moonstone pack.”

I listen in stunned silence, tears spilling from my eyes as the story washes over me. “She’s gone,” I confirm quietly.

“I really am sorry,” Alpha Liam says gently. “Not long after, our father found his destined mate, my mother, and… well, here I am. He believed you were long gone, but I’d always secretly hoped I’d get the chance to meet my sister. It’s truly a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself that you’ve survived.”

I can hardly keep up with the torrent of thoughts washing over me–the idea of learning about my mother, only to find out she died long before I could ever really know her, the tragedy of what my parents once were…

“And your mother?” I manage to ask, having somewhat regained my composure.

“Dead,” Alpha Liam replies sadly. “Which makes you my only living family. Tell me, how did you manage to survive in the Moonstone pack? I heard that bastard Damien even banished his own Luna.”

“I was adopted by a kind omega family,” I whisper, wiping my eyes as I pray Layla’s family is safe.

Alpha Liam leaned forward, his jaw tight, eyes burning. “Why were the filthy Moonstone guards hunting you? And who is the father of your pup?”