Kalilah POVI was attuned to most of what was going on in my body, so when I realized something was strange, I decided I had to be pregnant.No, I didn’t think it was anything yet. It had to be a pregnancy because what else would it be?Sighing softly, I put my hand down on my pregnant belly. To think… I was with pup. A test would confirm it, but I still knew in my gut that I was pregnant. The two of us hadn’t even been officially mated for long, but now we were having a kid? Hard to believe it was so.Kiran, my brother, was going to be thrilled. He would be so happy to learn I was pregnant and would want to know everything. With his mate having a child, it made sense that he would want me to have a child as well.His mate was nearly ready to give birth at this point, so there wouldn’t be much of an age difference between our children. For the most part, it was going to be the two of them growing up together, mostly like siblings.I loved the idea of that.But motherhood so soon? I wa
Damon POVI closed the office door behind us. Kalilah leaned against the edge of my desk, arms folded, her blindfold in place, head slightly tilted toward me as if she could sense my every movement.It had been some time since we mated. Not long but long enough for the two of us to be able to get to a point where things were calming down. I was thrilled that things were finally getting done.Our packs were going to be one, and they had accepted it on a group call we did. It was… awkward and tense at times, but we were able to get everyone to agree.“Alright,” she said. “Now that it’s done, what’s next?”I moved in front of her. “Next isn’t just holding Seattle and Portland. It’s strengthening them, consolidating power, making sure no one thinks they can challenge us again.”Her lips curved slightly. “Consolidating power… sounds like you’ve already thought of everything.”“I have,” I said. “We’ve stabilized both cities, but there’s always more to do. Make sure loyalists are secure, tra
Kalilah POVIt was time.I was so happy.And so fucking nervous.If only I could see what was happening before my eyes. I wish I could, but there was no way for me to get my sight back. Axel had seen to that.Suddenly, I shook my head.No, I wasn’t going to think of that bastard. Wasn’t going to think of him when I was at my mating ceremony! Can you imagine the satisfaction Axel would get if he knew I was thinking of him? It would give him some sick sort of satisfaction. Make the man thrilled that he was able to get under my skin in a way I wished he never would.The southern clearing had been transformed. The air smelled of pine smoke and something sweet—wildflowers, crushed under so many feet. Torches lined the circle, their flames dancing against the night, and in the center, a bonfire roared.I could feel the hum of the crowd before I heard the first howl. Wolves in human form stood in a ring around us, their presence heavy, watchful. Every movement, every breath I took felt ampli
Kalilah POVI was sitting on the edge of the bed, fingers working at the knot of the black ribbon I used for my blindfold. The silk slid beneath my fingertips, warm from my skin, and I’d just loosened it when I heard the knock. My head lifted instinctively, shoulders tensing.The faint scent of cedar drifted in from the cracked window, mingling with the low hum of voices somewhere in the hall. I curled the ribbon in my palm, heartbeat quickening, and turned toward the door. “Come in,” I called, knowing it was Damon. No one else it would be but him.Tomorrow, the two of us are going to be united. But I was happy. Not scared. Okay, that was a lie. There was a small part of me that was scared, but I was still so excited.It was crazy how quickly time had passed. A month had gone by in the blink of an eye, and now we were going to be mated. It was everything I wanted. Everything I was finally ready to accept. This wasThe air shifted the second Damon stepped inside—heavy, steady, like the
Damon POVI leaned back in my chair, drumming my fingers against the desk before finally hitting Caden’s number. He picked up on the second ring.“Alpha,” he said, his voice clipped like always. “What’s wrong?”Caden must’ve been facing something tough; otherwise, he wouldn’t have straight out called my Alpha. I knew things had been a bit stressful back in Portland, but he was doing pretty well.“Nothing’s wrong,” I replied. “Figured you’d want to hear something from me before it starts making the rounds.”That got his attention. “Alright… what is it?”“We’re going to have the mating ceremony,” I said evenly.There was a pause on the other end, long enough that I thought the line had dropped. “You mean… ?”“With my mate,” I corrected. “Yes. Kalilah.”Caden let out a low whistle. “When?”“Not tonight,” I said. “Not even this week. But it’s happening. Soon enough that you should start planning security and making sure the pack’s ready to see it.”“Ready?” He snorted. “Half the pack’s go
Kalilah POVAfter Damon blurted that out in front of everyone, I wasn’t sure what to think. While I was happy—truly—I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me. What he had said, the way he had said it, left no room for doubt. And that certainty, while comforting, was also terrifying.The news spread faster than I could wrap my mind around it. By the next morning, all of Seattle seemed to be buzzing with it. Whispers followed me down the streets, in the markets, even though the council halls. People’s eyes lingered just a little longer than usual, their voices carrying excitement, curiosity, and judgment in equal measure.I thought back to Kiran when I told him. He was a little angry I didn’t tell him face-to-face, but my brother knew there was a reason I didn’t tell him. I needed to ruminate on it.“I can’t believe the two of you are finally doing it!” he said, but then I heard the annoyance in his tone.I sighed. “Kiran, you don’t have to be so touchy. I was going to t