I frowned and turned to see what she was talking about. My heart nearly stopped when I spotted Kai walking in our direction. My first thought was that maybe he wasnโt here for me. Maybe he was just passing by. But a small part of meโone I didnโt want to acknowledgeโhoped that he was.
How did he even find me? I hadnโt told him I was coming here.Before I could dwell on it, Kai was already at our table. He looked effortlessly handsome, dressed in a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up slightly, paired with black slacks. His dark hair was tousled, giving him a rugged yet refined look. Even in a simple outfit, he exuded power and authority, commanding attention without trying.He greeted Selina with familiarity, his deep voice smooth and controlled. โSelina.โโAlpha,โ she responded with a small smile, her tone teasing. โWhat brings you here?โHe didnโt answer her. Instead, he turned his gaze to me. His grey eyes were sharp, butAs we walked out of the baby store, the small bag of baby clothes nestled against my chest, a strange warmth spread through me. I couldnโt stop thinking about how much I was looking forward to having a little one. The thought of becoming a mother seemed overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. Kaiโs presence beside me was comforting, and though I still wasnโt entirely sure where things stood between us, there was a subtle shift in the air. It felt like he was finally paying attention, like maybe he was ready to be a part of this."You didnโt have to come with me," I said, glancing up at him. "I could've managed alone."Kai shrugged, his hands casually shoved in his pockets as he walked alongside me. "I wanted to," he said, his voice surprisingly soft. "It's... my child too."His words were simple, but they held a weight that made me pause. I hadnโt really thought of him as being fully involved, but hearing him say that felt different. There was a vu
Dinner time arrived, and the dining room was as lively as ever. The long wooden table was surrounded by pack members, their conversations filling the air with a steady hum. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and rich gravy drifted through the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation.I took my usual place, expecting to be seated far away from Kai, but to my surprise, I was placed at his left. I figured it was because Rhys wasnโt back from his trip yet. Zara sat at Kaiโs right, her usual spot, and even though she was engaged in a conversation with one of the warriors, I could feel the occasional sharp glances she threw my way.Mer was having dinner with her mother, Margaret, in their private quarters, which left me alone at the table. It wasnโt unusual. Most of the pack members still didnโt talk to me unless they had to. They barely acknowledged my presence, as if I didnโt belong, as if I was just some outsider forced into their world.I focused on my plate, deciding not to l
I stopped walking and turned to face him fully. "Kai, why are you doing this?" My voice came out softer than I intended, but I needed to know.For weeks, he had treated me like I was invisible. Now, suddenly, he was walking me to my room, looking at me like I was something more than just the mother of his child.He took a step closer, and my breath hitched. "Because I should have done it sooner," he murmured.His words sent a shiver down my spine.I didnโt know what to say, so I turned and started walking again, my heart hammering against my ribs.When we reached my door, I hesitated at my door, my fingers hovering over the handle. The air between Kai and me was thick, charged with something I couldnโt quite name. His presence was overwhelmingโhis scent, his warmth, the intensity in his gaze. I swallowed hard, suddenly hyperaware of how close he was.I turned to face him fully, my heart racing. โGoodnight, Kai.โ My voice came out softer than I intended, almost breathless.He didnโt mo
Something flickered in Zaraโs expressionโsomething bitter and resentful. But she didnโt argue. Instead, she gave me one last smirk, then turned on her heel.As she walked away, her voice floated back down the hall.โYouโll see, Lily. Heโll always choose his own kind in the end.โShe disappeared around the corner, leaving silence in her wake.I let out a shaky breath, my grip on the doorknob tightening.Kai exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face before turning to me. His expression was unreadable again, his emotions hidden behind a carefully constructed mask.โGet some rest,โ he said quietly.And then, just like that, he walked away.I stood there, frozen for a moment, staring at the spot where he had been. I could still feel the air where his presence had been, the warmth of him close to me. But it felt like a distant memory now, fading with every step he took away from me.A lump formed in my throat, and I fought back the tears that threatened to spill. Zara's words echoed in my head,
My heart skipped a beat. I hadnโt expected him to include me in the run, not like this. I wasnโt one of them, and yet, he was making sure I didnโt feel left out.Before I could respond, a loud scoff cut through the air. Zara, still in her human form, rolled her eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest, clearly displeased, but thankfully, she didnโt say anything.She knew better than to protest. The pack had already accepted that the child growing inside me was their future Alpha. Denying me this experience would mean denying my baby a chance to bond with their pack.With a huff, Zara shifted, her sleek brown wolf shaking out her fur before trotting off into the crowd of waiting wolves.I turned back to Kai, who gave me a small nod before stepping back.Then, right in front of me, he finally shifted.I had seen the others transform, but watching Kai was something else entirely. His bones cracked loudly, his muscles rippling as his body changed shape. His clothes tore apart as thick, d
For a moment, we just stood there, the silence between us filled with unspoken emotions. The moon shone brightly above, casting a silver glow over everything, making the scene feel almost surreal.Kai turned his head toward the stream and nudged me again, his warm, damp nose pressing lightly against my arm. It was gentle but insistent, like he was urging me toward the water.I hesitated for a second before obeying, stepping carefully over the smooth stones that lined the edge of the stream. The ground was cool beneath my bare feet, and the soft trickle of water filled the air with a soothing melody. I knelt by the edge, dipping my fingers into the crisp, clear water. It was ice-cold against my skin, a refreshing contrast to the lingering warmth on my face.Cupping my hands, I lifted the water to my lips and took small sips, savoring the way it cooled my throat. The nausea that had been twisting in my stomach slowly began to ease, though my body still felt light and tingly from the run
The only sound left was the ragged rise and fall of Kaiโs breathing. He didnโt let go immediately, making sure the rogue was truly dead before finally releasing his grip and stepping back.His muzzle was stained with blood, his fur ruffled, but he stood victorious.I sat frozen, my breath shallow, my pulse still racing. My stomach turned at the sight of the lifeless rogue, but at the same time, a deep sense of relief washed over me.Kai had protected me.Slowly, he turned to face me. His silver eyes, still glowing in the moonlight, locked onto mine.I didnโt know what to say. My voice had abandoned me, my body trembling from the adrenaline crash.He took a step closer, his intense gaze searching my face as if making sure I was okay.I swallowed hard and finally found my voice. โYouโre hurt,โ I whispered, my eyes flickering to the wound on his shoulder.Kai huffed, shaking his fur as if dismissing my concern. Then, as if he could sense my lingering fear, he did something unexpected.He
The pack elders exchanged glances but didnโt hesitate. One by one, they nodded and started filing out of the room. The quiet murmur of voices faded as they disappeared down the hall, leaving just Kai and me standing there.I turned to leave as well. Pack meetings werenโt for me. I wasnโt a werewolf, wasnโt an official part of their structure. I was just the human woman carrying the future Alphaโs child.But before I could take a step, Kaiโs warm hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in place.โLily,โ he said, his voice softer now. โYou should be there.โI looked up at him, confused. โWhat?โHis grip didnโt tighten, but it was firm enough to keep me from pulling away. โYou have a right to be there,โ he said simply. โYouโre carrying my childโour future Alpha. Itโs time you started attending meetings.โMy lips parted slightly. I wasnโt expecting that. I thought heโd want to keep me as far away from pack matters as possible.โButโฆ I donโt know anything aboutโโโYouโll learn,โ he inter
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