Chapter 4

His mansion. The words hung in the air between us, distant and foreign. I had never imagined my life would take this turn, that I would find myself married to a man like him, living in his mansion. My mind still buzzed with the shock of everything that had happened—the pregnancy, his sudden appearance, the stark reality of my new life. But in the pit of my stomach, something told me this was my only chance for survival, for a future where I could at least keep my baby safe.

I nodded, taking a shaky breath. “Okay,” I said, though I wasn't sure what 'okay' meant anymore.

As we exited the hospital, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The driver stepped out, opening the door with a professional nod.

Kai stood beside me, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. “Get in,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at him before sliding into the backseat. My hands trembled slightly as I clasped them tightly in my lap, trying to anchor myself to the moment.

The car hummed to life, and we were off. At first, the familiar lights and sounds of the city blurred past the window, but they quickly faded into the background. The towering skyscrapers and bustling streets gave way to sprawling fields and shadowy forests.

The further we drove, the heavier the silence grew. It pressed down on me, amplifying the questions swirling in my head. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Are we there yet?” I asked, my voice small but steady, breaking the oppressive quiet.

Kai didn’t look at me. His sharp green eyes remained fixed on the passing scenery. “Not yet,” he said simply, his tone unreadable.

I pressed my lips together and looked back out the window. The journey felt endless, the tension in the car growing heavier with each passing mile. Finally, we approached a large gate guarded by men who looked more like warriors than security guards. Their faces were hard, their postures rigid, and their presence alone was intimidating.

As the gates opened, I expected to see a mansion immediately, but what I saw instead took me by surprise. It was like an entire town hidden within the forest. People walked around, some chatting, others working, all seemingly oblivious to the massive car driving through.

“Where are we?” I asked, my voice shaky.

Kai didn’t answer. The car continued through the town until we reached another gate, smaller but equally imposing. It opened to reveal a sprawling mansion. The structure was grand, with towering columns, pristine gardens, and an aura of wealth and power that left me breathless.

The car came to a stop, and the driver opened the door for us. I stepped out hesitantly, taking in the sheer size of the mansion. My nerves were on edge as we approached the front door.

Then I saw it—a wolf.

It came out of nowhere, racing through the gates toward us. My breath hitched, and panic surged through me. The wolf was massive, its grey fur shimmering in the fading sunlight. My instinct was to run, but my legs felt like lead.

I placed my hands protectively over my belly, my heart pounding in my chest. “Kai,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

To my shock, Kai didn’t react the way I expected. He didn’t flinch or move an inch. He stood there, calm and composed, as though this was completely normal.

The wolf slowed as it approached, its piercing eyes fixed on us. And then, before my very eyes, it began to change. Its body contorted, shifting and morphing until it was no longer a wolf but a man—a man with sharp features, dark hair, and an air of authority.

I blinked, convinced I was hallucinating. This couldn’t be real. Wolves didn’t just transform into men. This wasn’t possible.

The man, now fully human, approached Kai and greeted him with a slight bow. “Alpha,” he said, his voice deep and respectful.

Alpha? What did that mean? I turned to Kai, hoping for some sort of explanation, but he was as calm as ever, as though this was all completely ordinary.

The man’s gaze shifted to me, and I felt a jolt of fear. His eyes seemed to pierce straight through me, and I couldn’t take it anymore.

I turned and ran.