3

NLYA’S POV

Without another word, Xander left angrily and I stood transfixed on the same spot, the realization of what just happened sinking deep into my mind.

According to him, he had come to hand over my pup to me, but suddenly changed his mind. I tried racking my brain but there was only one reason that came to mind. Could it be because he saw Kade with me?

My heart drummed louder in my chest as it dawned on me.

I still don’t know their history, nor have I come to terms as to the reason behind why the twins brothers are sworn enemies, but I sincerely didn’t mean for him to walk in on Kade and me in that position. Fuck, I wouldn’t even have expected him to come finding me. That too, with our child.

Like Kade promised, he got me out of that hellish cell but we couldn’t get to find my baby or at least pin point where he was when the guards were alerted of my break out. They came on our tail but luckily, we managed to escape and found ourselves in this little hideout.

We were only going to spend the night here. My decision still hasn’t changed, I couldn’t go anywhere without my child. So this was only going to be just a sleepover. But something I didn’t expect to happen during my one night here was sniffing a mate scent on Kade. My mate’s brother of all people.

It was totally unexpected, and impossible.

Yet I wished I could have thought for myself, because just a few minutes back, the mate pull was so strong I was willing to allow Kade’s fang to sink into my neck and mark me.

And thank goodness, Xander appeared just in time and brought me back to my senses. But I didn’t think I could face him after what he saw. Xander hasn’t rejected me yet, he was surely going to think I was cheating on him with his brother.

Behind me, Kade let out a pissed huff, just before he began pacing the floor, frustrated. “You’re not going back there, Nyla.” He said sharply.

Surprise flickered through me. “What? No, of course, I am.” I snapped around to face him, my voice echoing the tiny walls of the room. “My child is there. Or are you forgetting you made a promise?” My brows raised in question, and I swallowed hard as he suddenly stopped pacing back and forth.

He took slow, measured steps towards me.

“I didn’t, but you’re staying back. It’s just to get your baby for you, isn’t it? I will go. But alone.” He stopped before me, his voice clipped with sharp defiance as he held my shoulders reassuringly.

I shook my head. He couldn’t be serious.

“No, we are doing this togethe—” I barely stopped myself from raising my voice. The rest of my words slipped back in my throat, and I trailed off as his hand moved upward, titling my chin so that I was now looking straight into his eyes.

My breath hitched, caught off guard by just how mesmerizing his eyeballs were.

Was he always this enchanting? Absolutely. I was just too unfazed by his looks that I never really paid attention in the past. But now, now that I am, I couldn’t help but take in all his features.

And I felt it. A little, just a little more for my self dignity to snap and I might probably lose my control to him.

“Nyla, Xander is definitely up to no good. Can’t you see he's setting a trap for you with the baby?” Fury simmered in his eyes as he stared at me, trying really hard to convince me. But I couldn’t see myself staying back here while he went alone.

Matter of fact, it’s evident Xander wouldn’t release the baby to him, even until his last breath. I have to be the one to go.

Seeing I still remained unwavering, my face turned sideways avoiding his gaze, he exhaled, stepping back.

“You know what? I don’t care what you think anymore. You have to stay right here and wait for me.” He instructed, eyes glinting with a quiet possessiveness. That I couldn’t quite place, and didn’t have the time to dwell on either.

I rolled my eyes at him. “You wish.”

Before he realized what I was up to, I had overtaken him and locked him inside the house. Of course, like the Kade I knew, he didn’t go down without a fight. My ears almost bled as he banged the door hard, growling for me to set him free before he does it himself.

I’ve known him for a long time to know he wasn’t bluffing. And also that I would be totally done for if his wolf surfaced and he took down the door. So, I quickly got to running, the leaves rustling behind me.

~*~

It was already dawn by the time I reached the packhouse, and before me was the pack in total chaos, a big crowd of what looked like the entire pack members hovering around wailing.

I slowed down, my heart racing as I tried to pick up some words from their mouths.

“He died at midnight, who would have expected we are losing him so soon?”

“It was meant to happen eventually. He’s been lying in that sick bed for months, Evelyn.”

“So what now? Shouldn’t a new Alpha King be instated immediately according to the law?”

I almost choked on my breath, as I zoned out on the rest of their murmurs. Oh my heaven—T…the Alpha king died? I’m even more shocked the entire pack knew about the sickness he's been battling, but not me.

Right, there was no way the news would reach me when I was locked up in the cell the entire time.

I forced myself to stay calm, each step I took into the sea of unfamiliar faces steadied. Maybe this news would serve as a distraction and I can get my baby from inside without being noticed, I assured myself.

I was in so much hurry to make my way out of the crowd that I missed the sound of the front door opening.

Until I heard approaching footsteps. But my feet had already touched the first step of the front porch. It was too late to retreat.

I halted, freezing as I came face to face with Xander, his mother following closely behind him.

They both stopped walking. While his mother’s expression switched to a deep scowl, Xander blinked, taking a deeper look at me. And then realizing the sight before him was real, he blew out a disappointed sigh, his hands trembling slightly by his sides.

It was as though he didn’t want me here.

His face tight, he took a step closer to me. But his mother interrupted, shaking her head.

“Do what you have to do now, Alexander. It’s for the pack’s good. Yours too. And I know you want the throne, son.”

I frowned, something in her statement causing my stomach to lurch in panic. What was she talking about?

I looked towards Xander for some kind of clue but the flash of pain across his expression made my chest tighten. I had seen that before. The subtle falter as he tries to hide his true feelings. The hesitance. Like he was being forced to do something he doesn’t want to.

He inhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Nyla—”

He started to say but there was no time. Before the guards came for me and locked me up, I needed to get my son. Without a second thought, I hastily pushed past him to enter. However, his voice caught up with me before I could reach anywhere.

“I don’t know how to say this, but she’s right.” He began, his tone loud and sharp and I took an abrupt stop.

As I turned back towards him, it was with panic rising in my chest. From my peripheral view, his mother straightened her shoulders in expectance, a proud smile on her face.

But I refused to accept the assumptions my mind was making up. This time, I was the one who moved towards my mate, my steps quick.

I found myself looking back and forth his face for answers but he had slipped on a mask of indifference. I couldn’t read through him. Not with all that coldness in his gaze.

A strange ache rippled through me and I swallowed thickly.

I felt a tinge of fear.

Especially as his mouth cracked open again. “I, Alexander Maddox, hereby…” Our gaze locked, he began sharply, trailing off just for a moment. But the atmosphere had changed, increasing with tension.

The mourning cries from the crowd now down, whispers were all that filled the crowd. Their curious eyes swept over Xander and I, anticipating my public rejection.

Meanwhile, standing there, looking so composed to everyone, a flood of pain was swimming over me deep down.

Back in the academy, the words flew around the hallway between mated couples so much that it’s etched in my memory.

But then, since Alexander hasn’t rejected me all this time, I half expected it, no damn, I never thought he would again. Well, I suppose not even my love life was set in stone after all.

I snatched my eyes closed, bracing myself for my scariest nightmare to happen. However, the rest of his sentence came, and it swept me off my feet.

“Take you as my Luna.” He finished, his voice thunderous and a gasp spread through the crowd.

My eyes flew open in surprise, my heart skipping a beat. And I think I might have caught his mother’s shoulders drop, her face turning a deep shade of rage. Just before she stormed back inside.

Me, as his Luna?

A chill ran down my body. Wait. How’s this possible?