Chapter 5: The Absence of Yennifer

Over the next few weeks, Yennifer and the Alpha king, whose real name was Henry, became inseparable. They spent every moment they could together, exploring the city and each other.

As the weeks passed, Yennifer began to feel different. She was constantly tired and nauseous, and her breasts were sore. It was then that she realized she was pregnant.

When she told Henry the news, he was ecstatic. He promised to do everything he could to make sure that she and their child were safe and well taken care of.

However, things soon took a dark turn. Henry's true colors began to show, and he became even more cruel than he was initially. He would lash out at anyone who crossed him, and he seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on others.

Yennifer was terrified for herself and her unborn child. She knew that she couldn't stay with Henry any longer, but she didn't know how to leave. She didn't have any money or resources, and she didn't know anyone in the city.

One night, as Henry slept, Yennifer gathered her things and quietly slipped out of the palace. She knew that she needed to leave, and she couldn't take the risk of waking Henry and facing his wrath.

She walked for hours, her heart pounding with fear and uncertainty. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew that she needed to keep moving.

Eventually, she came across a small village on the outskirts of the city. She went to the local inn, hoping to find a place to rest for the night.

As she sat in the inn's common room, trying to gather her thoughts, a woman approached her.

"Are you alright, dear?" the woman asked, concern etched on her face.

Yennifer hesitated for a moment, not sure if she could trust this stranger. But something in the woman's kind eyes put her at ease, and she found herself pouring out her story.

The woman listened patiently, offering words of comfort and encouragement. She told Yennifer that she could stay at the inn for as long as she needed, and that she would help her in any way she could.

Over the next few days, Yennifer stayed at the inn, slowly regaining her strength and figuring out her next steps. She knew that she needed to find a way to support herself and her child, but she didn't know how.

One day, as she sat in the common room, a man approached her. He introduced himself as John, and said that he had overheard her story.

"I'm sorry for eavesdropping," he said. "But I couldn't help but feel that I could help in some way."

Yennifer was skeptical at first, but John seemed genuine and kind. He offered her a job working in his small shop, helping him with the day-to-day tasks.

At first, Yennifer was hesitant. She didn't want to be a burden on anyone, and she didn't want to get in anyone's way. But John insisted, saying that he could use the help, and that he wanted to repay her for her kindness.

So Yennifer began working in the shop, learning the ropes and earning a small wage. She was grateful for the opportunity, and she found that she enjoyed the work.

Weeks turned into months, and Yennifer's due date approached. She knew that she couldn't stay at the inn forever, and she needed to find a more permanent solution.

One day, John approached her with an idea. He had a small cottage on the outskirts of the village that he used as a storage shed. He offered to clean it up and make it livable for Yennifer and her child.

"I can't thank you enough, John," Yennifer said, tears in her eyes.

***

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but Henry couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from his life. Despite all his wealth, power, and status, there was an emptiness inside of him that he couldn't ignore.

At first, he tried to bury himself in his duties as Alpha King. He spent long hours in his palace, meeting with advisors, signing papers, and dealing with the daily affairs of the pack. But no matter how busy he kept himself, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

He tried to convince himself that Yennifer was just a passing fling, a temporary distraction from the weight of his responsibilities. But deep down, he knew that wasn't true. Yennifer had been more than just a lover to him; she was his mate, his other half.

He had felt a connection with her from the moment they met, a spark of recognition that he had never experienced with anyone else. And now that she was gone, that connection felt like a gaping hole in his heart.

As the days went by, Henry's mood grew darker and more volatile. He snapped at his advisors, barked orders at his subordinates, and lashed out at anyone who dared to question his authority.

But no matter how much he tried to distract himself, he couldn't escape the constant ache of Yennifer's absence. He missed her laughter, her warmth, her scent. He missed the way she challenged him, pushed him to be a better man.

And he knew, deep down, that he needed to find her. No matter what it cost him, no matter where she had gone, he couldn't bear the thought of living without her.

So he began to make plans. He summoned his most trusted advisors and ordered them to scour the city, searching for any trace of Yennifer. He offered rewards to anyone who could bring him information, and he threatened punishment to anyone who dared to withhold it.

Days turned into weeks, and still there was no sign of Yennifer. Henry grew more desperate and more despondent with each passing day. He had never felt so alone, so powerless, so empty.

But even in his darkest moments, he refused to give up hope. He knew that Yennifer was out there somewhere, and he would stop at nothing to find her.