MasukJenn’s POV The garden felt lighter after Wade left. Not because he was gone– though I felt a certain kind of relief in that – but because something between us had finally been said. Not forgiven, not healed, but acknowledged. He knew about our child. He’d felt the baby kick. And somehow, impossibly, he’d accepted the boundaries I’d set. I never expected it to go this well. It made my fears and nervousness feel so… misplaced. Still, with all the emotions, I felt I needed to talk to someone. I needed to offload some of the pressure I felt before I exploded, so I went in search of my best friend. Alice had returned to the Vale pack yesterday since she was one of the people keeping things there while I was here, so all I had now was Alva. I found her outside Vicktor’s estate sitting on a stone bench with her face turned toward the afternoon sun. She looked different. There was a glow about her that had nothing to do with the morning sun. “You’re radiant,” I said, settling beside her
Jenn’s POV The next morning came too slowly and too fast all at once. I’d barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Wade’s face– the shock, the hurt, the tears. The baby had been restless too, kicking and turning like she knew something was shifting. Liam had held me through it all, his hand on my stomach, his breath warm on my neck. But even his presence hadn’t been enough to quiet my mind. When the pale light of dawn finally crept through the curtains, I was already awake. Liam stirred beside me. His arm tightened around my waist. “Do you still want to rest a little?” he asked. “You barely slept through the night.” I shook my head slowly. “No.” Liam nodded and pressed a kiss to my shoulder. “You’re that eager to talk to him…” he chuckled softly. “Luke just mind linked me to the fact that Wade met him a while ago. He’s just as restless as you and he’s been pacing the estate since dawn.” I pushed out of bed, “There’s no need pushing it anymore. Let’s come to an agreement
Jenn’s POV Wade stared at me, tears rolling down his cheek. He’s calmed down considerably, maybe even felt a little guilt but I could still feel his anger stirring. His hands were clenched into fists by his sides and every now and then, he would sigh. “You are pregnant with my child,” he said after a long time. “You had no right –” “I had every right.” I said firmly, placing a hand on my stomach. “I’m his mother. You lost the right to claim this child when you walked away from me – from us. I’m not doing this to spite you Wade, but you already made your bed, now you have to lie on it.” Wade’s face crumpled. He looked at Liam, then back at me. “How did you find us?” I asked. He shrugged. “Vicktor. He told me you were in trouble when I called to ask how the whole thing with the mad Alpha went.” His eyes dropped to my stomach. “He didn’t mention this part.And I never thought I’d walk into… this.” He looked at me for a long moment. “I want a paternity test,” he said. Liam moved.
Jenn’s POV Liam’s words brought tears to my eyes and I was sure he could see what he was doing to me. He smiled at me from where he stood. I was sure if he was given the chance, he’d have leaned in and kissed me. I didn’t know that I needed just that until the thought sprung up in my head. I glanced at Bree who was now in the middle of packing away her instruments, my thoughts going back to what she’d said before. I only had a few weeks until delivery. While I was anxious for it – to meet the special baby I was carrying – I still wished it would hold on a bit until after we'd resolved all our issues with the mad Alpha. But we couldn’t always get what we wished for. “How long does she have exactly?” Liam asked as if reading my mind. “Telling us she has a few weeks is too vague. We need to know those things to be able to prepare for it, know what and when to expect it.” Bree looked up, her eyes darting to Liam, then me. “She has about three weeks, maybe four or even less. At th
Jenn’s POV The training grounds behind the Northern King’s estate were empty at this hour, and I preferred it that way – no guards watching, no Alphas measuring my weaknesses, just me, the dirt, and the dark power coiled beneath my skin like a sleeping serpent. I’d been at it for hours, sweat soaking through my shirt while my arms ached and my legs trembled, but I kept pushing, kept reaching for that place inside me where the power lived, kept trying to drag it into the light where I could control it, though it wasn’t working. Every time I called it, the power flickered and then disappeared – a tease, a taunt, like it was laughing at me. “Come on,” I muttered, throwing my hands forward, but nothing happened. I tried again, focusing deeper and pulling from the well I’d discovered at the cemetery, and the power surged – hot and hungry – making me gasp as it flooded my veins, my hands glowing black while I aimed at the training dummy across the yard and released it. The blast went
Jenn’s POV The dungeon was cold when I entered. Stone walls. Iron bars. The air smelled of damp and rust and something older. I had to admit that the Northern King’s dungeon did look somewhat ancient. I kept my thoughts to myself though, following him as he led me through a barrel corridor, deeper and deeper into darkness. Two guards flanked the door to Osiris cell. They straightened when they saw us. “Alpha Jenn,” one said in greeting, bowing slightly. “Alpha Vicktor.” “Thank you.” Vicktor said. “Move the prisoner to the interrogation room. Alpha Jenn would like to have a word with him.” He glanced at me after issuing the command. “Let’s wait for him in the interrogation room then. I’d like to have a word with you myself.” I followed him down another corridor which was shorter this time, until we reached a heavy wooden door. Vicktor pushed it open and gestured for me to enter. The interrogation room was smaller than I expected. A table, two chairs, a torch on the wall. Vickto
Morgan’s POV The cell was cold after Jenn left, but I barely noticed. I sat on the cot with my hands pressed against my stomach, staring at the door she’d closed behind her. Her voice was still ringing in my ears—softer than I deserved, steadier than I’d ever heard her. No one deserves to lose th
Jenn’s POV “What do you want?” I gritted out. It was a stupid question. Of course I knew what he wanted. He’d even gone as far as using a truth serum just to get that information out of me once. A serum that almost cost the life of my baby. Still, I needed to buy myself time. Now, I was simply g
Jenn’s POV Most of what the northern King said, how he acted and carried himself didn’t sit right with me, but I chose to believe him. After all, what did I stand to lose if he was lying? It could be a trap, one part of me reasoned. But he must know that by now, I was ready for any traps. We didn
Jenn’s POV The Northern King studied me for a moment longer, and I saw something shift in his eyes. Respect, perhaps. Or recognition. “Fine. I’ll give up trying to take control of what is yours, Alpha Vale,” he said finally. “But I want your word – your mate’s word– that my people will be treated







