For a moment, I let myself just existโno worries, no stress, no overwhelming thoughtsโjust the soft rustling of leaves from the potted plants by the window and the faint hum of the radio playing a soothing melody in the background. The shop was like a little haven, filled with vibrant colors and the earthy, floral scent that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.I glanced around, my eyes drawn to the different flower arrangements that Elliot had set on the counter. Each bouquet seemed to tell a storyโthe elegant roses paired with delicate babyโs breath, the wild assortment of sunflowers mixed with daisies, and a more subtle blend of lavender and white lilies. I reached out to trace the petals of a daisy, my fingertip brushing the soft, velvety texture. The simple beauty of it made my heart feel lighter, even just a bit.I couldnโt help but let my mind wander, thinking of how I usually played it safe, always trying to make the right decisions. Maybe it was time to do something a
My heart jumped into my throat, and I quickly pulled back from Elliot, turning to see who had spoken. My blood ran cold when I saw Kai standing just a few feet away.He looked more terrifying than I had ever seen him before. His usual silver eyes were pitch black, completely devoid of any light or warmth. His expression was dark and furious, his jaw clenched so tight I thought his teeth might shatter. He was dressed in a black shirt that clung to his broad shoulders and black slacks, looking like a shadow given human form.Elliot immediately stepped back, his eyes wide with fear. โAlpha, IโโKai didnโt acknowledge his words, didnโt even glance at me. His entire focus was on Elliot, and I could feel the air around us growing heavy with his anger. My heart pounded as I noticed his handsโthe nails had elongated into sharp, deadly claws, and his chest rose and fell with barely restrained rage.My heart pounded, and fear twisted in my stomach. I knew t
โShit,โ Kai muttered under his breath, and the car swerved slightly as he pulled over to the side of the road. The engine cut off, and in an instant, Kai was unbuckling his seatbelt and reaching for me. โHey, hey, look at me,โ he said softly, his voice urgent but gentle. He cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. โBreathe with me, okay? Just focus on me. In and out. Youโre safe. Iโm right here.โ I tried to concentrate on his words, but it felt like I was trapped in my own head, my thoughts spiraling out of control. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I struggled to match his breathing. He pressed his forehead against mine, his thumbs brushing away my tears. โYouโre okay,โ he whispered, his voice softer than Iโd ever heard it. โIโve got you. Just breathe. Slow, like this.โ I focused on the warmth of his hands, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and slowly, gradually, I felt the tightness in my chest ease. I matched his breaths, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
I finally calmed down after what felt like forever. My breathing slowly evened out, though my chest still ached and my head was pounding. My throat burned from crying and yelling so much. I felt weakโphysically, emotionallyโฆ just completely worn out. Like all the fight in me had been drained away. Kai was quiet the whole time. He didnโt say anything, didnโt ask if I was okay. He just stayed there, kneeling beside me on the side of the road, his hand moving in slow circles across my back. His touch was light, careful. It wasnโt like earlier when he had stormed into the shop all angry and wild. This Kai felt differentโmoreโฆ human. Like he was actually worried.When I finally lifted my head, Kai met my eyes. He didnโt speak. He just nodded, like he was asking silently if I was ready to leave. I gave the tiniest nod back. He stood up and helped me gently to my feet. I was still shaky, and he held onto me like he was scared Iโd fall again. He walked me back to the car, opened the door for
I was woken up by a soft knock on the door. At first, I didnโt move. I was still half-asleep, curled up under the blanket, Kaiโs hoodie wrapped snugly around me. It smelled faintly like himโsomething like cedarwood and a bit of musk. Comforting. Safe. But the knock came again, a little louder this time, and I blinked slowly as I sat up, my hair a tangled mess and my mind still foggy from sleep.โCome in,โ I said, my voice hoarse.The door creaked open, and Margaret walked in holding a tray with a plate covered by a metal lid, a glass of juice, and what looked like a small bowl of fruit. She had a kind smile on her face, the same gentle smile she always wore. Her grey hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and she wore a soft knitted sweater over her usual apron.โI thought you might be hungry,โ she said softly, walking in and setting the tray down on the nightstand beside the bed.I blinked at the food and then up at her, touched by her kindness. โThank you, Margaret,โ I murmured.She
I woke up the next morning to the soft sound of birds chirping outside the window and the faint warmth of sunlight pouring through the curtains. For a moment, I didnโt open my eyes. I just laid there, wrapped in Kaiโs hoodie and buried under the thick blanket, wishing I could sleep for a little longerโwishing the world could pause just for a few hours so I wouldnโt have to face anything or anyone.But I felt it. That familiar feeling of being watched.I blinked my eyes open slowly, my vision still blurry from sleep. It took me a second to adjust, but when I did, my gaze landed right on Kai. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, already dressed for the day. He wore a black shirt that hugged his arms and dark jeans that had a few wrinkles, like he had been wearing them for a while already. His hair looked like heโd run his hands through it too many timesโit was sticking up a little, messy in a way that made him look even more tired than he already did. His face was serious, but soft. H
It had been a week since Zaraโs suicide attempt.The days had passed slowly, like time itself was dragging its feet. The mansion had been quietโmore quiet than usual. Even the walls seemed to whisper. There was a strange kind of tension in the air, like everyone was being careful with their words and their footsteps, afraid to stir up more emotions. And maybe it was because no one really knew how to act after something so serious. I didnโt either.Zara had made it, thank the Moon Goddess. The healers had done everything they could, and it worked. She was physically okay now. She had taken a bunch of pills that night, hoping not to wake up again. And even though she had been cruel to me in the pastโcalling me names, giving me dirty looks, always trying to make me feel smallโI still couldnโt bring myself to hate her. Maybe it was the baby in me softening my heart, or maybe I just knew what it felt like to be broken. Either way, I was glad she was alive. No one deserved to feel so hopele
Kai held my hand as we stepped out of the room together. His grip was gentle but firm, like he didnโt want to let go. As we reached the top of the staircase, he slowed his pace immediately."Easy," he said, glancing down at my feet, his other hand lightly touching the small of my back. "Just hold onto me."I gave him a small smile. "Iโm fine, Kai. But thank you."He didn't say anything else, just kept walking slowly beside me, step by careful step. I held onto the railing with one hand and kept my other tucked in his. I could feel his thumb brushing the back of my hand in small, slow circles. My belly had grown a little more in the past week, and I sometimes felt clumsy. I appreciated how gentle and patient he was being. He didnโt rush me, didnโt let go of my hand once.By the time we reached the last step, I noticed Rhys waiting near the front door. He was leaning casually against the wall, looking down at his phone, completely unaware of us approaching.He looked really good. I mean
I didnโt realize I had fallen asleep until the sharp sound of my phone ringing broke through the quiet of the room. The noise startled me, and I quickly reached for it on the nightstand beside the bed. When I saw Kaiโs name flash across the screen, my heart skipped a beat. I smiled even before answering."Hello?" I said softly, my voice a little groggy from the nap.โHey, beautiful,โ Kaiโs deep, familiar voice came through the phone, sending warmth rushing through me. โHow are you feeling? Howโs everything with the babies?โI took a slow breath and placed my hand on my belly, the tiny flutter of movement reassuring me. โWeโre fine,โ I replied, the words slipping easily from my lips. โI just took a little nap, but Iโm doing good.โโThatโs good to hear,โ he said, sounding pleased. โListen, I need you to get ready. Iโm coming to pick you up soon for our date.โA smile spread across my face. โOkay,โ I replied, my heart fluttering at the thought of spending more time with him. โIโll be wai
When he pulled away, he stayed close, resting his forehead against mine. His breath brushed across my skin, soft and steady, and I felt my heart calm down. It was like everything that had been loud and heavy inside meโthe fears, the memories, the painโsuddenly went quiet.And for the first time in a long while, I wasnโt thinking about the past.Not about Zara. Not about the way she had looked at me with so much hatred in her eyes. Not about how I had nearly lost my life because of her. Not about lying in that hospital bed, bruised and broken, unsure if I would ever be the same again.And not about how scared I was of what was happening to me. Of turning into something elseโsomething I didnโt understand yet. A werewolf. A Luna. A mother.All of that faded as I sat there in bed, warm and safe in Kaiโs arms. It was just me and him. And our babies.I opened my eyes slowly and looked at him. His expression was soft, full of something I couldnโt quite name, but it made my chest tighten in a
The next morning, I woke up to the soft feel of lips brushing against my forehead. At first, I thought I was dreaming. The kiss was so gentle, almost like a whisper. My eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the golden morning light slipping through the thick curtains. For a moment, everything was quiet and calm, and then I saw him.Kai.He was leaning over me, his messy black hair falling a little into his eyes. His smile was soft and sleepy, but warmโlike he had been watching me for a while. His shirt was gone, and I could see the way the light made his skin glow slightly. He looked like something out of a dream.โGood morning, sleepyhead,โ he whispered, his voice still husky from sleep.โMorning,โ I replied, my voice scratchy. I rubbed at my eyes, still feeling a little tired but also comforted by his presence.Thatโs when I saw the tray in his hands. My eyes widened in surprise.โYou brought me breakfast?โ I asked, try
After dinner, we slowly made our way out of the dining room. Kai never let go of me, not even for a second. His arm stayed wrapped around my waist like he was afraid Iโd disappear if he let go. I was full and sleepy, and my body felt heavier than usual. My legs ached a little, and my lower back was starting to hurt too. That happened a lot latelyโbeing almost six months pregnant came with a lot of surprises. Kai kept glancing down at me, his eyes filled with worry, but I gave him a small smile to let him know I was okay.We climbed the stairs carefully. He didnโt rush me at all. With every step, he kept his hand steady on my side, whispering, โAlmost there, baby,โ like I was running a marathon. When we finally reached our bedroom, he opened the door and helped me inside. The room was warm and smelled like his cologne and something minty from the candles Mer had left earlier.Kai turned to me and gave me a gentle smile. โLetโs get you comfortable,โ he said softly.I nodded, and he help
Lilyโs POV Soon, it was time for dinner. I took a deep breath as I stood before the full-length mirror in our room, running my hands over the fabric of my dress. It was a soft, flowing lavender gown that hugged my growing belly just enough to feel comfortable. I hadnโt paid much attention to my appearance in the past few days, but tonight felt different. Tonight, I was trying to take things back to some kind of normal. Or at least, as normal as life could feel after everything that had happened. Kai was standing nearby, his eyes watching me with a mix of concern and affection. His attention was always on me now, always looking out for me, especially since the news of the babies. I could feel the weight of his eyes on me, and it wasnโt the kind of weight that made me uncomfortable. It was the kind of weight that felt like safety, like reassurance. But even so, I knew he was nervous. He was always nervous when it came to me these days. โYo
Lilyโs POV We went back to the mansion the next day. I had been in the hospital for days after the incident, but I couldnโt take it anymore. The walls felt too white, too cold. I missed the comfort of my own bed, the warm scent of Kaiโs cologne on the sheets, and the way our room always smelled faintly of cedar and something earthy. I wanted to be home. I needed to be home. It took a lot of convincing. Kai was stubborn, like always. He didnโt want to risk anythingโnot with me, and definitely not with the babies. But after I practically begged him and Doctor Harris stepped in to reassure him that I was healing well, he finally gave in. โYouโll rest. No stress,โ Kai said, holding my hand tightly as we got into the car. โThe moment you feel tired, you tell me.โ โI will,โ I promised, resting my other hand gently on my bump. The ride home was quiet. I looked out the window at the trees passing by, my hand never leaving my belly. Kai kept glancing at me every few seconds, like he was
Lily's POVI blinked up at the ceiling, the bright white lights above me making my eyes sting. Everything smelled like antiseptic and plastic. The hospital. I hated hospitals. The last time I was here, I had no one beside me. But this time, I kept hoping heโd come.I shifted a little, wincing at firstโbut then realizing something strange. There was no pain. My leg didnโt hurt. My ribs didnโt ache. My face wasnโt bruised anymore. I looked down at my arms and blinked in confusion. Just yesterday they were covered in purple-blue marks. Now? Smooth skin. Like nothing ever happened.Was I dreaming?The door opened.My head snapped toward the sound, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw him. Kai.He looked like he hadnโt slept. His hair was messy, and his eyes were red, like heโd been crying. He stood there in the doorway, just staring at me like I was some kind of miracle. I swallowed hard, not sure what to say. Not sure what I even felt. A part of me wanted to cry. Another part wanted to
Kaiโs POV He nodded. โYes. Thatโs exactly what Iโm saying. And sheโs not marked, is she?โโNo,โ I said slowly. โI havenโt marked her yet.โDoctor Harris looked back at the room again. โThen this shouldnโt be happening. A human canโt heal this fast. Itโsโฆ well, itโs impossible. Unless thereโs something in her blood. Maybe sheโs not fully human. Or maybe somethingโs changed.โMy mind started racing. โYou mean likeโshe could be turning?โHe shook his head. โItโs too early to say anything for sure. I need to run more tests. Iโve already taken a blood sample, and Iโll have results in a few hours. But Alpha, something strange is going on with her biology.โI stared at the door, my heart thudding against my ribs.Lily. My Lily. What was happening to her?I swallowed hard and looked back at Doctor Harris. โDo whatever you need to do. Run every test. I just want her safe.โโI will,โ he said. โI promise.โI nodded slowly, trying to process everything he just told me. I didnโt know what this me
Kaiโs POV That was the law. And it was final.The crowd erupted. Growls, howls, and shouts of agreement filled the air. The pack stood behind me. I could feel it in my bones. They trusted me. They believed in what I was doing. And in that moment, I knew I was doing the right thing. Even if it hurt.Two of my strongest warriors stepped forward. I nodded at them, and they approached Zara.She didnโt fight. She didnโt scream or lash out. She just cried harder, shaking her head and begging between sobs.โPleaseโฆ Kaiโฆ donโt do thisโฆ Iโm sorryโฆ pleaseโฆโBut no one answered her. No one moved to stop the warriors as they gently pulled her to her feet and began walking her away. She kept looking back at me like I would change my mind. But I didnโt.I couldnโt.I turned my back to her. I couldnโt look anymore.Rhys was suddenly beside me. I didnโt even hear him come up. He placed a firm hand on my shoulder.โYou did the right thing,โ he said quietly.I nodded slowly, but my chest still felt ti