Chapter 4| The Enemy’s Prize

~Daphne’s POV~

Everyone gasped, looking at me in shock. “Why do you want to kill him? He asked, looking me straight in the eyes. “Because he betrayed me and has made my life a living hell, and I want him dead,” I replied.

Finding out that his father was the one who destroyed my pack years ago, making me grow up as a rogue, fueled my anger to kill them. “Come on, then take the axe and finish him off. I love fierce ladies,” I heard the masked man say, bringing me back to reality. 

I moved closer to him, my heart pounding in my chest. I grabbed the axe from him, and then I raised it up, ready to deliver the killing blow, but suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, making me stop. 

“What now, Daphne? Do you want to kill the father of your child?” Bryce said. My hands were still hanging in the air, shaking. 

“And why the fuck would you waste my time, huh?” The masked man said this as he marched towards me. “Now get to the fucking floor,” the masked man yelled. 

With that, I rushed to where everyone was on their knees. "Well, I’m not going to kill you yet, Alpha Bryce, but this pack belongs to me now, and you all will do as I say from now on,” the masked man said. 

He signalled his guards, and two of his guards came to him. “Get that bastard up,” he ordered, gesturing to Alpha Zeus. The guards poured water on Bryce’s father, making him wake up in shock. 

He looked around the room, his eyes settling on the man who was sitting in the Alpha's chair. "What is the meaning of this? Who the fuck are you?" Bryce's father demanded. 

“You know me, but you haven’t seen me before. I’m Theo, the Alpha of the Silver Pack,” he said, making Bryce and his father gasp in shock. 

“We’ve been working together for years; why would you do this to us?” Bryce yelled at him. And then it all clicked: this was the man Bryce and Xena had planned to sell me to as a slave after I gave birth. 

“You destroyed my pack years ago and left me for dead, but now I’m here to take yours back as revenge,” Theo said, his eyes burning with fury as he stood up and walked to them. 

“You all belong to me now. Defy me, and you’ll die. Am I clear?.” Theo asked loudly. But no one replied. “Did I make myself clear?” he yelled again.

"Yes, Alpha King Theo,” everyone chorused, including me. He is really as ruthless as they say he is. Yes, I had always wanted to take revenge on the pack that destroyed mine too many years ago, and I was glad Theo defeated the Moon Stone Pack. 

But I was still trapped here, as this pack now belongs to him. "I always take a prize in every territory I conquer. And as for you," he said, turning to me, "you are my prize.” 

His gaze was fixed on me, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. A wave of fear washed over me. I was shocked and scared by his sudden words. I didn’t know why he wanted me or if it was because of what I had said earlier. 

"No way!” Bryce screamed. “She’s mine, and Daphne is carrying my child. “I have gold and lots of money,” Bryce said. "She was yours, but now mine!" Theo spat, his hands balling into fists at his sides. 

Bryce was shaking with rage, but he was powerless to do anything. He could only watch as Theo advanced towards me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the door. 

“I think we’re forgetting something,” Theo said, turning back to face Bryce. “Reject her!” But Bryce hesitated, which made Theo kick him hard on the stomach and face. 

“If you don’t reject her now, I’ll burn the pack down!” 

"I, Alpha Bryce of the Moonstone Pack, reject you, Daphne, as my mate.” I clutched my chest and gritted my teeth as the weight of his rejection hit me. I wasn’t even given the chance to endure the pain as I was dragged out by Theo. 

“Throw Bryce and his father in the dungeon; I’ll figure out what to do with them later,” he said to his men. And just like that, I was no longer bound to Alpha Bryce. “Get in the car.” He ordered. 

I didn't hesitate as I climbed the passenger seat with fear, tears streaming down my eyes. Theo joined me in the passenger seat, making it very hard for me to breathe, and then the car zoomed off. 

I couldn’t help but wonder what was installed for me. I stole a glance at Theo. His face was hard and unreadable. I had just left hell, only to enter another one. “Why the fuck are you crying, huh?” Theo uttered. 

After a few minutes, exhaustion took over, and then I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the world and stop the tears from flowing. But my respite was short lived when I felt my stomach churning with a sharp pain that left me breathless. 

I bit my lip, trying to silence my gasps, but the agony was too much to bear. My eyes met Theo's, and for a moment, I thought I saw concern flicker across his face. But it was quickly replaced with his usual scowl. 

“What’s wrong now?” he growled, his voice like a cold slap.

“My...my stomach,” I stammered, clutching my abdomen as if I could hold the pain inside. “It hurts so much... I don't know what's happening!” My voice cracked as another wave of agony ripped through me. 

I doubled over, my body trembling uncontrollably. And then, I felt it. A warm, sticky sensation spread between my legs. My heart raced as I lifted my gown, my hand trembling as I touched my legs. 

“Is that...blood?” Theo asked, his voice laced with shock.

~Theo’s POV~

My eyes widened as I saw the blood in between her legs. I didn’t know what to do at this moment, so I grabbed her hand, my grip tightening as she screamed in pain. I could feel her hands trembling in mine.

"Why are you bleeding?!" I asked, my voice urgent and laced with fear. Daphne's face was filled with pain, her eyes squeezing shut as she yelled. 

The sound sent a chill down my spine, her voice cracking with each tortured breath. "I don't know! Oh Goddess, it hurts so much!" My mind raced as I tried to process what was happening to her. 

I had never seen anyone in so much pain before, and the sight of Daphne's bloodstained gown made my heart race with fear. "Hold on, Daphne! We're getting you to the hospital now.” I whispered. 

“Take us to any nearby hospital now!” I yelled at Collin, the driver, who immediately increased the speed of the car. My heart raced with every passing second, and my mind was filled with so many negative thoughts. 

What was happening to Daphne? Why was she bleeding so much? What if she dies in my hands? Just then a thunderstorm filled the dark sky, and it was beginning to rain.

The rain came down very heavy, hitting against the car like a thousand fingers. It was already dark, and I could see that Collin was finding it hard to drive the car.

Suddenly, the car hit a rock with a loud crunch, and the engine went down immediately. As the rain intensified, the tension inside the car grew. 

Daphne's grip on my hand tightened, her nails digging into my skin as she screamed again, her body convulsing in pain. "What's going on?" I demanded, my voice tight with worry. 

"I think we hit something now," Collin replied, his voice also shaking with fear. "The car won't move." My heart was still  racing as I looked down at Daphne; her face was already looking pale, and her eyes were beginning to close.

She was getting weaker by the minute; I could barely hear her voice anymore. "We can't stay here," I said to myself. I knew I had to act quickly. I thought of materializing, but materializing came with it’s own risks, and I hadn't done it in years. 

The last time I did, I bled through out the day. But I had no choice now. Her life was at stake. "Meet me at the hospital when the car starts," I instructed the driver, my voice firm. 

Then, with a deep breath, I focused my energy and vanished into the rain, reappearing in front of the hospital. I rushed inside immediately. "She needs help right now!" I shouted, startling the nurses and doctors. 

"She's bleeding badly and in severe pain!" The medical team rushed to me as they took her form me into the emergency department. "I don't want to die," Daphne whispered, her voice trembling with fear. 

I had never felt like this for anyone before, so confused and scared. "What have I gotten myself into?" I wondered, my eyes fixed on Daphne's pale face as they took her away. 

"I should have just left her in Bryce’s pack. What was I thinking, getting involved with a pregnant woman?"