We kept walking slowly, our shoes crunching softly on the path beneath us. The cool breeze rustled through the trees above, and sunlight peeked through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Birds chirped somewhere in the distance, and I could smell the faint scent of wildflowers that always lingered near the training fields.The conversation had gotten easier by now. At first, Penelope had seemed quiet and unsure, probably because she didnโt know us well, but after a few jokes and smiles, she was starting to relax. Her shoulders werenโt as stiff, and she was laughing at Merโs silly comments. It made me happy to see her opening up, even just a little.After we passed the training groundsโwhich were mostly quiet now since most of the warriors were done for the dayโwe followed a narrow path that led into town. The cobblestone road was a little uneven in places, and I had to hold Penelopeโs arm once when she nearly tripped on a loose stone. She laughed it off, a soft, musical
I stared at the words on my screen and blinked. Hold on? What was that supposed to mean? Was he sending someone? Coming here? I tilted my head and let out a soft laugh. Typical Kai, being all cryptic like he was in some secret spy movie.I put my phone down and closed my eyes again, hoping I could relax a bit. But then, not even two minutes later, I heard the door creak open.I sat up quickly, and there he wasโKai, standing there in a plain black t-shirt and joggers, looking calm but with that usual serious look on his face.โWhat are you doing here?โ I asked, surprised and maybe a little shy.He shut the door behind him and walked over to the bed. โYou said your feet hurt,โ he said, like it was the most obvious reason in the world.I blinked. โSo you came to...?โโTo give you the best foot rub youโve ever had,โ he said with a little smirk.I stared at him for a second, kind of speechless. He sat at the edge of the bed and gently pulled my legs onto his lap before I could even answer.
My body was still tingling from the soft kiss, and my heart was beating erratically, the sound loud in my ears. I swallowed hard, trying to regain control, but everything felt too muchโtoo intense.His hands slowly moved to the back of my calf, his fingers grazing my skin. I could feel the heat of his touch even though his hands were gentle, his movements slow and deliberate. It wasnโt just the foot rub anymore. It was something more. Something deeper.I tried to gather my thoughts, but I couldnโt focus on anything except the way his hands felt on my skin, the way his presence seemed to fill up every inch of space around us. Kai was looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered in that moment, his dark eyes tracing my every movement, reading me without a word.I was about to say something, anything, to break the silence, but before I could, Kai placed his lips on my ankle again. This time, the kiss was firmer, his mouth pressing against the sensitive skin there, a soft groan
It was time for dinner, and as soon as Kai took my hand, I felt a small sense of warmth spread through me. We walked into the dining room together, where the long table was already set. Everyone was seated, including Zara and Rhys, who had already started chatting. The room was lively, filled with soft murmurs of conversation, but I couldnโt shake the feeling that something was different today. Something had shifted.Kai led me to my seat beside him, the same as at lunch. He helped me settle into the chair before taking his own beside me.Kai greeted everyone, his deep voice carrying through the room as he exchanged pleasantries with the other alphas and their pack members. I nodded to the people around the table, offering a smile where I could. As the food was brought out, the conversation picked up, and everything felt somewhat normal again.Dinner was going wellโuntil Alpha Mischa spoke up."So, how far along are you?" Mischaโs voice broke through the murmur of conversation, and hi
I squeezed Kaiโs hand, trying to ground him, to remind him that this wasnโt the time or place to let Mischaโs words get to him. We had a dinner to finish, guests to entertain. This was the last thing I wanted to focus on. โLetโs just have dinner,โ I said, my voice a little shakier than I would have liked, but I knew it was the only way to keep the situation from escalating further. โWeโre all here to enjoy the evening, right?โ I could feel Kaiโs gaze on me, the fire in his eyes flickering just a little, like he was weighing whether or not to make a bigger scene. But then he exhaled, long and slow, and I saw the tension leave his shoulders, just slightly. His eyes softened, just a little, and he turned his attention back to the table, though I could tell it wasnโt over yet. โFine,โ Kai said, his voice still low but with a noticeable edge. โBut Mischa, donโt think I didnโt hear you.โ Mischa just smiled
I walked slowly into Kaiโs roomโor, well, our room now. The second the door shut behind me, I let out a long sigh. It had been a really long day. My feet were sore, my back ached, and my bump felt heavier than ever. I leaned against the wall for a second and closed my eyes, just listening to the silence. The mansion was quiet now that dinner was over, and it felt kind of peaceful.After a minute, I pushed off the wall and went straight to the bathroom. I undressed slowly, wincing a little as I bent over. My body was definitely changing, and fast. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrorโmy bump had grown a lot in the last few weeks. I placed my hand over it gently and smiled.โGetting bigger every day, little one,โ I whispered.I stepped into the shower and let the warm water wash over me. It felt amazing. I stood there for a while, just soaking it in, letting the steam loosen the tension in my shoulders and back. I ran my hands slowly over my belly, feeling the light kicks from ins
I woke up in the middle of the night with a strong urge to pee. My eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the soft darkness of the room. Everything was still and quiet except for the soft rhythm of Kaiโs breathing beside me. His arm was draped over my waist, heavy and warm, like a protective blanket.I looked down at his hand resting on my bump and smiled, even though I was slightly annoyed at having to get up. I hated leaving the warmth of the bed, but this baby had no mercy. If I didnโt pee now, Iโd regret it.Carefully, I lifted his hand off me and tried not to disturb him. He shifted slightly, letting out a soft, sleepy sigh, but he didnโt wake up. I sat up slowly, swinging my legs off the bed, and stood up with a quiet grunt. The weight of my belly made everything a bit more of a task these days.The floor was cool under my feet as I walked to the bathroom. I didnโt turn on the lightโmy eyes had already adjusted to the dark, and I didnโt want to blind myself. I did my business qu
Mer and I walked side by side on the winding path that led to the training grounds. The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in pretty shades of orange, pink, and purple. There was a soft breeze brushing against my skin, and the cool air smelled so niceโlike fresh grass and blooming flowers, mixed with the scent of pine trees from the nearby forest. I took a deep breath, letting it calm me. Everything felt so peaceful and beautiful, like something out of a dream.We were chatting casually as we walked. Mer was telling me about how every year during the Moon Festival, the sparring matches were one of the most exciting events. She said the warriors always looked forward to itโnot just to show off their skills, but to prove their strength in front of other packs. I listened closely, asking questions here and there. This was my first Moon Festival, so everything was new to me, and I didnโt want to miss a thing.More packs had arrived earlier that day, bringing the total number to seve
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